Well, here we are.  On this page you'll find oddballs, collaborations, guest appearances and other selections that may only be appropriate for this delightful platform.  Sort of sneak peek into an abandoned scenario so to speak.

Featuring tracks from Fertile Crescent Collective artists, and productions done at Secret Fantasy Studios, by Tyler Beach. New home of Leaf Bird, Fingers & Toes, Leaves, Raised By Volts, and many more. New record label and production house coming soon. Websites coming soon

Aram Shelton is an improviser and composer who performs on saxophone, clarinets, and live electronics. He plays with a distinct, harmonically rich sound and develops musical thoughts through constant motion, tonal shifts and complex sounds alongside clear melodic and rhythmic constructs. His vocabulary utilizes the range of extended techniques including multiphonics and harmonics, circular breathing, wind sounds and an exploration of the outer ranges of the instrument. Shelton focuses on creative music grounded in and influenced by the rich history of avant-jazz and free improvisation; his writing and playing has been documented through more than two dozen albums to date. He's been an integral member of the creative music communities in the Bay Area and Chicago, and is currently waiting things out in the E.U.

Chad Taylor is a composer, educator, percussionist and scholar who is a co-founder of the Chicago Underground ensembles. He has performed with Fred Anderson, Derek Bailey, Cooper-Moore, Pharoah Sanders, Marc Ribot, Peter Brotzmann, Malachi Favors, Iron & Wine, Sam Prekop, Stereolab and more.

Stirrup is Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello, tenor guitar), Nick Macri (bass), and Charles Rumback (drums). 

The three first played together as “the shimmering rhythm section of the Horse’s Ha,” [Time Out Chicago] and decided to form their own trio in 2009 to explore deep grooves, moody harmonies, and extended structures. A true collective, all three write and arrange for the band with influences as varied as the list of bands and musicians Stirrup’s members have worked with including Ken Vandermark, Mark Eitzel, Wilco, Via Tania, Anthony Braxton, Hector Zazou, Jeremy Enigk, L’Altra, Boxhead Ensemble, Peter Brötzmann, and Laetitia Sadier (of Stereolab). 

PRESS QUOTES:

"...a psychedelic horseback ride stitched together using bass ostinatos, supportive drumming, and exploratory guitar and cello solos..." — Brad Farberman, DownBeat

“...cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, bassist Nick Macri, and drummer Charles Rumback masterfully play their instruments. Infectious bass ostinatos, electronically enhanced cello sounds, and percussion beats evocative of jazz rock blend into an innovative and thrilling mix of styles that does not fit into any one musical genre.” - Saalfelden Jazz Festival 2014 program 

"Swinging, scorching, and sweet, this record is a peak effort for everyone involved." — Bill Meyer, Dusted

"Pieces of blues slip out, rock is hinted at, as are hypnotic folky soundscapes. Stirrup coats American roots music with a layer of avant sound delivered with a pleasing infectious groove... " — Mark Corroto, All About Jazz

"Maybe this is Jazz, maybe it’s post-rock, maybe it’s a psych-rock fusion, maybe it’s true avant-garde, maybe it has a dash of folk, and maybe if stripped away of everything, a simple blues would be revealed.  It is all of these things and, thus, ultimately, it is none of these things.  This isn’t an innocuous blend of influences; it’s a distillation of ingredients into something with its own flavor and its own sound." - Dave Sumner, Bird Is The Worm Jazz blog 


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

Jeremy Cunningham is a drummer, composer, and improviser living in Chicago, Illinois. Since moving to Chicago in 2009 - from his native home of Cincinnati, Ohio - he has become an integral part of the Chicago music scene. Jeremy has performed with such luminaries as Von Freeman, Chris Foreman, Jeff Parker, Mike Allemana, Marquis Hill, Caroline Davis, Greg Ward, and Dave Miller. He can be heard on Marquis Hill's albums, "New Gospel," and "Sounds of the City," and also on Caroline Davis's "Live, Work, Play."  In addition to performing in clubs and festivals throughout Chicago, Jeremy also appears throughout the United States with various projects and has toured internationally with IsWhat?!, Moshier/Lebrun Collective, and Paul Giallorenzo's GitGo.

Jeremy leads his own quartet featuring Jeff Parker (Tortoise), Josh Johnson (Holophonor), and Matt Ulery (Loom).  In addition to his own band he is actively involved with the Meridian Trio led by alto saxophonist Nick Mazzarella.

Stirrup is following