Video Premiere: Antoine Dunn's "Can't Forget" lands spot on BET's 106 and Park

Source: Antoine Dunn
Official Facebook page

Soul singer and Cleveland-area native Antoine Dunn is celebrating the national release of the music video for his single "Can't Forget," which premiered on BET's 106 and Park tonight, Monday, December 26. 


Dunn is an accomplished songwriter and mutli-instrumentalist who has toured with Anthony Hamilton, performed with Musiq Soulchild and Avant, and is noted on the production credits for Lakisha Jones' debut album. 


"Can't Forget" is Dunn's first single launched by Elite Music Group Incorporated, which signed the artist in August 2011. The song was co-written and co-produced by Jerry Lang II (JL), pianist and producer, who is known for his work with Vitium and Nicholas Wonder a.k.a. Nicholas Smalc. Lang studied at The Cleveland Institute of Music and has released successful hip hop hits with Vitium in Japan.


The music video was uploaded to Dunn's official YouTube page on December 12. In the past two weeks, it has received 2,044 hits. 


Fans of the video can text #cantforget to 79922 to secure its future appearances on 106 and Park. 

There is No Music Scene Here

Written by Priscilla Tasker

I was always one of those kids growing up who lived on pop music. Sure, I had friends who played in bands – which was cool – but I never gave them much credit for what they created. Let's face it. Most teenage bands flat out suck. In my mind, at the time, they never could have lived up to the artists and bands with radio airplay and music videos on MTV. Sound familiar to you? A lot people can admit they've written off the talent of friends based on the fact that they're only playing in basements and at a local level. 


Here's the thing. Those kids grow up. They hone their talents, and what they create may be extraordinary. You only have to listen, see and experience it. 


Yet, it is that mentality – if something is not appealing to the masses, it must be mediocre – that plagues local music and arts scenes. The Northeast Ohio music scenes are beset by this stigma. I've heard it, and I'm sure you have as well. "There is no music scene in [Cleveland, Akron, or insert your city name here]."


The truth of the matter is, there is a scene and great things are happening in it. If you don't know, you're simply not in it.

Ohio produces big name acts

In recent years, the nation and the world has seen acts like The Black Keys, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and Jessica Lea Mayfield explode in popular culture. Where do you think they began? The Black Keys formed and started their music career in Akron. MGK came up in Cleveland. Jessica Lea Mayfield, if I recall correctly, still calls Kent home. 


In the past, artists like Macy Gray, Reliant K and Marilyn Manson cropped up out of Canton. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony started in Cleveland. Going back even further, Devo and Chrissie Hynde were Kent State University students. And, to throw it out there, although they're not from the northeast part of the state, John Legend hailed from Springfield and short-lived 90s pop sensation 98 Degrees was from Cincinnati. Out of those acts – love them or hate them – almost every person reading this article could attest to how each has impacted pop music and changed our world in some way.


I recently pointed this out to a friend who works in Los Angeles as we discussed my potential move out West. As I made the case for why I am dedicated to the music scene in Northeast Ohio, I reminded him of the numerous musicians who've originated in this great state. In response, he said to me the one thing most of them had in common was that their careers took off after they had left Ohio. This is true, but every one of them had small beginnings in some local scene. 


At the time when most of those groups or individuals "made it," an artist had to pursue a career in a major music hub to be heard. In today's tech-centric world, kids and adults who are still making music in their basements, living rooms or bedrooms can upload their tunes and videos to the Internet for the world to hear and see. Location barriers have been broken down. Just as I am reaching you from the sofa in my apartment to wherever you are, musicians have at the tips of their fingers the opportunity to amass a following through the Internet. The challenge many local musicians face is the lack of wider appreciation for the live shows they play in their home towns. It's disheartening. 

Artists build careers from NEOhio home base

In 2009, Cleveland-based hip hop band Vitium released "Never Looking Back" on the Goon Trax label in Japan. The single produced by re::plus hit No. 3 on the country's iTunes hip hop charts. You're probably asking yourself, "Who the hell is Vitium?" It's one of the many professional bands that can be seen playing in the Northeast Ohio area. Sadly, one of the last times I saw this band play at Beachland Tavern, the venue was nearly empty.


Another terrific band on the bill that night was Winslow, a group which originated in Kent and is now based in Akron. Earlier this year, the soul-rock fusion ensemble recorded its latest single "Quarter Life" with Grammy-award winner Edwin "Tony" Nicholas. The song was released nationwide on a Sony RED promotional album. But you didn't know that, did you?


The Greater Cleveland and Akron areas have a plethora of artists who are making great music. Some of them are paving their way into the national and global scenes. Daytrotter took interest in The Lighthouse and The Whaler of Cleveland and recorded a session with the band in July. If you don't know Daytrotter, it is a music project in Rock City, Indiana that has recorded hundreds of live session with independent artists; a short list includes Death Cab for Cutie, Adam Arcuragi, Ingrid Michaelson, The National, OK GO, Scars on 45 and Tegan & Sara. In addition, this past October, The Lighthouse and The Whaler was a feature act at Paste & Rdio's Afternoon Delight party during the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City. 

Bethesda, another Kent-based band, signed a major licensing deal with Discovery Network, which operates in 187 countries. The band's music will be featured on more than 30 original shows on Discovery Channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network, Military Channel, Animal Planet and more.


Do you know what each of these bands have in common? 
They comprise a diverse representation of Ohio music and can frequently be seen in the "non-exsistent" Northeast Ohio music scene. There are plenty more from where they came, so support the local music in your home town. 


Come out to a show at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, the Grog Shop, Happy Dog, The Winchester, Kent Stage, Musica, Auricle Venue or any other venue supporting the live, local music.


For God's sake, Cleveland is the home of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Do you really think we're not making music here? Wake up!


And don't forget about the people and businesses behind these artists. Bad Racket Recording Studio, Cellar Door Records, Buzzbin Magazine and, of course, The Rhythm Report are among those that stand behind the scene to cultivate and capture the culture and art being created here and share it with you. Tune in. 

Hear the music

Review: Nicholas Wonder makes solo statement with 'My Thesis'

A lone man’s strain (“Moving On”) opens Nicholas Wonder’s debut solo album, My Thesis, in a Bob Seger “Turn The Page” fashion. One might find the brief ballad an unlikely intro to a hip hop album yet the melody is connubially tied, by an untrammeled saxophone, to the title track, which follows.

My Thesis is a commingling of sub-genres grounded in hip hop soul. Wonder’s verbal strategy for this recording flows in the same vein as his socially conscious writing for Vitium, the artist’s internationally acclaimed hip hop, funk project, which he boldly declares a “first class revolution” on a track titled “First Class.”

A true poet, Wonder’s wandering lyrics will make you wonder as he articulates keen observations of disregarded societal flaws, speaking to a degenerating generation on “Prescription Kids” and world at war on “Drifting ...”.

Pure originality is difficult to attain in any art form; hip hop, a genre built on cultural cross-references, is no different. Wonder and his supporting cast of instrumentalists and audio engineers, including Vitium bandmate Jerry (JL) Lang II, New Zealand-based Soulchef, Cleveland-based Adam Korbesmeyer and None Other Than, distinctively repurpose a variety of techniques from defining epochs in hip hop and R&B music, with rhythms on the album reflecting retro and modern styles.

Recommended song: “Trippin’”
Sounds like: Lupe Fiasco, Common, The Roots

Executive producers: None Other Than (mixing) and Nicholas Wonder
Additional production: Adam Korbesmeyer (mixing/engineering, Pro-Plane) and Soulchef
Mastered by: Chris Keffer
Recorded at: Ante Up Audio

Get a free download of the song "My Thesis" by clicking "download" below. Download the full album on Nicholas Wonder's Bandcamp site for $5.




Editor's note: "Moving On" is the opening song on the printed version of My Thesis. The online version of the album begins with the title track, "My Thesis."

IndieBOX live concert: The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show at Musica

IndieBOX released video of The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show's last Northeast Ohio performance on Blip.tv. If you missed the CSPS set at Musica in Akron on July 22, watch it in this 18-minute video.

The band played several songs off its pending release, an EP called Protect Your Silence, as well as popular songs off For Your Eyes Only, including "Spinning" and the instrumental fan favorite "Mercury."

The modern rock band from Harrisonburg, Va. made its Northeast Ohio debut in April 2010 when it performed at the FTF Music Conference and Showcase in Kent alongside local artists Winslow, Maid Myriad, Sean Benjamin and Vitium. 


The overwhelming fan response compelled the band to return to the Cleveland area last July to take the stage with local new wave metal band 3SO at Peabody’s Concert Club. 

Since it’s inception, the band’s aggressive, energetic stage presence earned this alternative-rock-inspired three-piece group tour slots with national acts including Papa Roach, CKY, Hawthorne Heights, Civil Twilight and Boombox, among many others.

The band has endured an extensive summer tour with stops in Columbus, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Jacksonville, N.C.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Marietta, Ga.; and multiple cities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia.

About CSPS

Ryan Johnson (vocals), David Stiefel (bass) and Pat Kenney (drums) formed the three-piece band at James Madison University in 2009. The trio released their first album, For Your Eyes Only, the same year. More information about The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show can be found on the band’s website, www.cspsband.com, as well as Facebook and ReverbNation.


UPDATE 8/14 – CSPS releases Protect Your Silence EP. 

Video produced by Todd Volkmer and Erin Ludlam
© 2011 Wasted Talent Media

Top-charted Vitium talks about recording new EP

Opening acts are often subject to playing for empty rooms and unenthused crowds, but it takes a dedicated, unique performer to put on a show even when no one is watching. Vitium proved that its band is composed of such artists who are willing to give it all whether they’re playing for a small crowd or a packed house. 

The band opened for The Floorwalkers on Friday, July 8, at The Beachland Ballroom. The audience hadn’t reached capacity nor the energy level of excited concertgoers yet. Nevertheless, Vitium played a lively set, demonstrating musical versatility as the six musicians blended tight R&B and rock instrumentals with hip hop and pop vocals.

The dynamic ensemble is becoming a Beachland staple, performing on a near monthly basis at the venue. In an interview, guitarist Jesse Hernandez said the group is in writing and recording sessions for its sophomore album, an EP targeted for an August 2011 release.

“I think this album is going to have more of a cohesive sound than our last one because we’ve all been settled in with each other for a bit, and I feel that we’ve got a more musically defined style,” Hernandez said.

Vitium released its debut album, Oxygen Planet, with Goon Trax, a Japanese label affiliated with Media Factory, in 2009. The 11-track record was recorded at Cleveland-based Ante Up Audio with the help of multi-platinum, award-winning artist Michael Seifert.

The band received accolades with its release in Japan as the re:plus-produced remix of “Never Looking Back” hit No. 3 on the Japanese iTunes hip hop charts. According to Vitium’s website, the group was also featured on multiple compilation records that have all reached No. 1 on the nation’s iTunes charts in that musical genre. Locally, songs from the album received airplay on Q104, Radio 92.3 and widely heard college stations. 

Band members said the songs being recorded on the new album were primarily written for live shows. 

“They’re songs that we’ve been performing live for a while, but we haven’t had the time to really sit down and record them,” said Jerry (JL) Lang, keyboardist.

Vocalist Nicholas Wonder (Smalc) said the lyrical content flows along the same socially conscious themes that manifested on Oxygen Planet.

“At the same time, we’ve also done some fun songs,” Wonder said. “It’s still very lyrical in terms of witty wordplay. Even if it’s just a fun song, I want it to at least have something involved that you’ll go, ‘Oh, that’s different.’”

The Rhythm Report will continue tracking Vitium’s progress in the local and global music scenes. Fans can follow the band on various social media sites including Facebook and Twitter for more information on the upcoming album and future show dates.


Written by Priscilla Tasker

Funk, Hip Hop, Rock 'n' Blues to meld at Beachland Ballroom July 8

The stage at the Beachland Ballroom is set to host three talented acts of local, regional and even international acclaim Friday, July 8. Starting at 9 p.m., the soulful hip hop quintet Vitium will open the evening with vocalist Nicholas Smalc’s spoken-word proclamations backed up by leading lady Tasha Brandt and the band’s rock and R&B-infused instrumentation.

Vitium is forging its existence in the global music scene with Goon Trax, a japanese record label affiliated with entertainment giant Media Factory. The Cleveland-based group launched its first full-length album, Oxygen Planet, overseas on the Goon Trax label in 2009, achieving top recognition on Japan’s iTunes hip hop charts.

Vitium is opening for modern blues-rock outfit The Floorwalkers from Columbus, Ohio. The Floorwalkers have garnered a healthy following as it's toured throughout the eastern United States. The creation of the band’s distinctive, funky sound began with the pairing of guitarist Kerry Henderson and bassist Ben Meinhold; it flourished with the addition of vocalist Jonathon Vernon and three additional instrumentalists, Theo Perry (lead guitar), Tom Lasky (drums) and Todd Hamric (piano/organ). Since its inception, the unsigned band has released two albums, The Floorwalkers EP and The Natural Road.

The folk-artist-turned-rocker Tom Evanchuck is also featured on the bill. Evanchuck recently played the Ballroom with international act Scars on 45 for the 107.3 Listener Appreciation Show. He will be playing a full-band electric set.

Doors for this show open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.beachlandballroom.com.

Written by Priscilla Tasker

Winslow to open for The Right Now May 8

Akron’s original soul-fusion band Winslow will be sharing the Beachland Tavern stage with nationally touring R&B ensemble The Right Now and Cleveland-based Vitium on Sunday, May 8. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Winslow recently released its latest single, “Quarter Life,” produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Edwin “Tony” Nicholas, who is acclaimed for his work with legendary stars Barry White, Gerald Levert, Mary J Blige and Joe. The song is featured on Nicholas’ national compilation, “Stimuli New Music,” a Sony RED promotional record. Ten thousand copies of the album launched at record stores across the U.S. on April 16. 

“Quarter Life” provides a first listen into Winslow’s much-anticipated sophomore album, expected for release in the next year. The band believes this album will encompass its growth, continued passion, as well as show that the best is yet to come, according to frontman Maurice Martin.

For more information about Winslow, The Right Now or the show at Beachland Ballroom, check out these websites:

www.winslowsoul.com

www.therightnow.com

www.beachlandballroom.com/calendar.asp?Page=2 


The Rhythm Report last caught Winslow at the Maid Myriad CD release party for A Fool's Delight in December 2010. Watch this video to see the band perform "Every Day."