QMRplus, a musical collective, draws from styles such as rock, punk, metal, funk, jazz, free, classical, electronica, pop, hip-hop, and Afro-Cuban, emphasizing new and innovative sounds. QMRplus constantly explores soundscapes that are emotionally invoking and intellectually stimulating, obtained through their conscious (and unconscious) selves. The mission of QMRplus is to create an environment for its members in which they are encouraged to freely create and experiment musically as well as provide an outlet for the execution and performance of original compositions. The music consists of compositions brought forth by all of its members in a wide range of styles as well as various levels of improvised music and spontaneous composition. 
Originally, QMRplus resided in New Orleans, but in a post-Katrina world, they were all over.  Soon after Quin and Matthew G. moved to Chicago, while Robin moved back to New Orleans and Matthew Mc. moved to Indiana. 

Drummer and percussionist Quin Kirchner brings to the group an intense energy and musicianship unique among drummers. "My goal has always been to be able to cover as much ground as possible with my instruments while maintaining a unique sound," says Kirchner. "Whatever it is I'm playing, I want to sound like me." Kirchner also exercises his compositional abilities in QMRplus, writing several pieces for the group.

Bassist Matthew Golombisky provides an eternal creative force upon which QMR PLUS consistently thrives. His multi-dimensional sound allows for careful melodicism one moment and chaotic wash the next, while his knowledge of 20th century classical music, jazz, electronica, and Scandinavian metal is a unique asset to the group. In addition to being a great improviser, Golombisky is a prolific composer, writing in many differing styles. Golombisky's openness and willingness to explore help create a special musical connection with Kirchner, with whom he plays as often and in as many different situations as possible. Together they were/are a unique and in-demand rhythm section in New Orleans and Chicago.

Saxophonist Robin Boudreaux, a proponent of Quantum experiences, brings to QMRplus a blend of three saxophones with an eclectic mix of lyric/tonal & free playing (often changing perspectives in the course of a phrase). Robin's observations: "I try to practice very specific things on my instrument, very 'mental' things. Then at the gig I focus on disassociating with the mental and instead just try responding to the energies of the moment. This group allows me that freedom in a context of intense, mutual sensitivity, what else could I ask for?" 

Vibraphonist Matthew McClimon assaults and soothes the ears with his amazing choice of harmonic beauty. Though calm through vocal conversation, his musical person takes nothing for granted and lets loose amazingly haunting and gorgeous melodies. McClimon's playing style is one of both a gentle listener and a ferocious improviser and his instrument adds a warm and smooth texture to the sound of QMRplus.

"Uhzoid (excerpt)" by QMRplus on Uhzoid

Order the EP now! CD/digital: https://earsandeyesrecords.bandcamp.com/

MATTHÄUS // is a chamber folk band from Chicago and St. Paul USA. The band began when composer Ben Montalbano enlisted his close friends to collaborate on a few simple, yet deeply personal folk songs. As these simple songs blossomed into fully realized and orchestrated compositions, the result was a sound that embraced the colors of contemporary chamber music, with the emotional and structural bedrock of folk and roots music. These first songs and collaborations would eventually culminate in the recording of their first EP, “Effigy”.

"Effigy" is a collection of four songs that span both a musical and emotional arc. The order of these songs yields an intentional narrative that follows a path from reflection on loss to examination, further examination that ultimately leads to catharsis. The EP’s title song and opening track opens by positing a poignant question to the listener: do you even know my name? The ensuing 20 minutes of “Effigy” are an attempt to answer this opening question and the answer doesn’t come until the closing minute of the last song, “Letters”.

Through unique orchestration and songwriting, Matthäus creates an EP that is engaging on multiple levels. At any time during “Effigy”, listeners can expect to hear bass clarinet, vibraphone, and French horn, paired with a standard rock rhythm section. The result is a seamless blending of Reich-inspired chamber music with modern greats like Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens.

With “Effigy” to be released by ears&eyes Records in May of 2017, Matthäus has expanded to a collective collaboration, allowing further avenues of influence, always venturing closer to their ultimate goal: reflective folk-pop.

Press:

“A lighthearted energy radiated from the entire band... like the skeletons of classical jazz with the dressings of indie folk, similar to artists such as Bon Iver and Neutral Milk Hotel…. lyrics wade into relationships between human and nature, often carrying a sense of solitude and strength while contemplating freedom or celebrating whiskey, bringing their indie folk borderline Southern Rock vibe about. Between their indie folk and Southern rock sounds combined with their classical music and jazz compositional background, it is safe to say that the big band encompasses quite an array of style under the flag of Matthäus. This attribute widens their palpability for audiences across the board.” 
- Jonathon Burkhalter, Hooligan Mag

“To me, I hear notes of Bon Iver, Sigur Ros, Tall Heights, and Patrick Watson. The sound is orchestrated and somber, accessible and captivating. The tonal pallette is unique. ” 
- Austin J. Hill, Smile Politely

Matthäus is: 

Ben Montalbano - Guitar, Banjo, Piano, Keyboards, Voice
Joe Meland - Keyboard, Voice
Justin Peters - Vibraphone, Marimba, Aux Percussion, Voice
Lars-Erik Larson - Drums
Samuel Peters - Bass
Alex Blomarz - Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax
Hugo Seda - French Horn
Christ Shuttleworth - Trombone

Special guests: 
Steve Shirk - Organ Pump on Effigy
Drew Hansen - Trumpet on Effigy, Lower Goshen Park, Letters

Credits:
Recorded and mixed by Stephen Shirk at SHIRK Studio in Chicago, IL USA
Mastered by Anthony Gravino at The Drake in Chicago, IL USA
Album artwork by Scott Durand

Links: 
Website: www.sanmatthaus.com
BandCamp: www.sanmatthaus.bandcamp.com
FaceBook: facebook.com/sanmatthaus
Instagram: instagram.com/sanmatthaus
Twitter: twitter.com/sanmatthaus
SoundCloud: @sanmatthaus

ears&eyes Records: www.earsandeyesrecords.com, www.earsandeyesrecords.bandcamp.com, twitter.com/earseyesRecords, @earseyesrecords, facebook.com/earsandeyesrecords, instagram.com/earsandeyesrecords

MATTHÄUS - To The Years

Episode 2: where I am joined by Ben Montalbano from Matthäus to talk about his songwriting influences: from Bach & Paul Simon to Blake Mills & poet Philip Levine. At the end of the episode we get to hear a the band's brand new single "To the Years."

thank you so much to @sanmatthaus :)

Lise.FM - Matthäus

Improvisación a partir de visuales hechas por Francisco Mastucci

Improvisación con visuales

Primer disco del trio Roseti Project.
Frido ter Beek - saxos y fx, composición
Francisco Salgado - trombón
Matías Coulasso - batería y fx

Grabado en Casa Frida, Buenos Aires, marzo 2017

Deshacer

La última gota

Billinghurst - Isenbeck

Released on Feb 23rd 2018 on ears&eyes Records 

Bridging both genres and generations with original music steeped in the history of its influences, Hood Smoke’s sonic narrative illustrates timeless stories using beautifully simple melodies set to a rhythmic foundation built firmly from the bass up. 

Since the release of their debut album, Laid Up In Ordinary (2012), Chicago’s Hood Smoke has continued to narrow the gap between retro and modern sounds in a unique and sincere way. 

The band is a tour de force whose past and present members have performed with Quincy Jones, Earth, Wind & Fire, Koko Taylor, Rhymefest, Nick Lowe, Chris Thile, and Umphrey’s Mcgee. 

With their second album, Regular Neurotic (2014), the band began its collaboration with producer and engineer Anthony Gravino. The record’s anthem “Never Suffering” gained the band recognition from American Songwriter and the Chicago Sun-Times declared Hood Smoke a “must-see act.” 

With their third release Rough Around The Hedges (2016), which Newcity described as “whip-smart jazz-funk-fusion” whose “lyrics are top-notch throughout,” Doherty proved his prolificacy as a composer and lyricist. 2016 also marked the band’s first national tour as they wooed audiences at large rock festivals and intimate jazz clubs, alike. 

The band’s fourth album Cannonball Porch (2018) showcases Doherty’s vulnerable and melancholic voice on what he promises to be “the most simplistic, lyrically creative, and to the point” Hood Smoke album to date. 

released February 23, 2018 

Recorded at Shirk Studios and The Drake by Anthony Gravino in Chicago 
Mastered by Anthony Gravino & Stephen Shirk 
Produced by Bryan Doherty & Anthony Gravino 
Music by Bryan Doherty (Sternum Driver Music)

HOOD SMOKE - Blue Janie

Sonar

The Wild Oaks is an indie/rock/pop group that was formed by the binding power Buenos Aires, Argentina has on traveling ex-pats. By the city’s influence, and perhaps more so, love, and the adventures of it invited random foreigners to get together and create music. Strong indie pop influences, combined with South African, Mexican rock/pop and mariachi styles along with producer Matthew Golombisky's background in jazz, led to the creation of The Wild Oaks (TWO).

The Wild Oaks originally started 5 years ago where Ruann, Matthew, Hiro, and Scott started playing all over the city to explore the adventure of a random mix of cultures from USA (Matthew), Mexico (Scott), Japan (Hiro) and Ruann (South Africa). Live shows included playing/busking on trains in the subways and also on the streets of Buenos Aires. The group then “Dirty Skeletons” transformed into TWO from the wild and exploratory shows to create a sound that is danceable and with a message for each listener to interpret in their own way. 

“Oaks” is also South African slang for guys or ‘dudes’ and is a play on words for the significance of the different roots from various cultures to join as one banded tree to create something fresh and unique.

The group is currently recording with talented Colombian and American producers in Buenos Aires to finish their first EP to be released with indie label, ears&eyes Records, and also performing shows around Latin America. 

Music by Ruann van der Merwe & Matthew Golombisky 
Lyrics by Ruann van der Merwe 

Scott Gomez: vocals 
Ruann van der Merwe: guitar 
Matthew Golombisky: bass, Rhodes, organ 
Hiro Suzuki: drums 

With: 
Sebastian Greschuk: trumpet 
Camila Nebbia: tenor sax 
Jesus Silva: trombone 
Omar Menendez: percussion 
Ensamble Vocal Buenos Aires: choir 

Recorded by Javier Coy Celis at Submarino Naranja & Domo Labs in Buenos Aires 
Additional recording by Matthew Golombisky at ears&eyes Studios 
Mixed and mastered by Florencio Justo at Estudio Doctor F. 

Produced by Matthew Golombisky 
Executive produced by Ruann van der Merwe

www.thewildoaks.bandcamp.com
www.matthewgolombisky.com
www.earsandeyesrecords.com

'Freedom' by The Wild Oaks

A raw but engaging live recording of a long-form solo improvisation on a 6-string Clevinger bass (aka "Clevinjourney") in December, 2012 for a shaman journey. For gearheads, my pedalboard had a loop station, Eventide PitchFactor, Big Muff (fuzz distorion), Flanger/Slicer, Delay, and Wah.

Susurrance

Experiential music label releases fresh aural experiments! Chicago born, New Orleans roots, New York, Bay Area & Buenos Aires branches.

"Uhzoid (excerpt)" by QMRplus on Uhzoid

ears&eyes Records

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