Conscious, soulful, uplifting, even healing—that’s how many fans of Root Shock have described the band’s infectious sound and energy. With a reputation like that, it’s unsurprising that this group is indebted to reggae, a class of music forever married to love, humanity, social change, and an almost tangible sense of sunlight. But Root Shock didn’t form on a beach. Instead, they came up in snowy Syracuse, New York in 2012, and since then, they’ve developed a voice that transcends genre.

Spearheaded by the acrobatic, powerhouse vocals of Jessica Brown, the Root Shock sound is at once commanding and cathartic, but never at the expense of a velvety, carefully placed jazz or neo-soul lick. When he isn’t complementing Brown’s pipes with his own earthy vocal turns, Phil Grajko gets weird on the guitar, seamlessly moving from chop chords to girthy riffs and spellbinding solos colored by Latin, prog, and psychedelic rock textures—often in tandem with mad keyboard genius Brian Lauri. Rounding out the band, bassist Bill Eppel and drummer Tyre Outerbridge make for a formidable rhythm section fluent in patterns ranging from dancehall to ska to heavy dub style and funk. 

In 2016, Root Shock released a self-titled album, produced by their trusted engineer and part-time auxiliary percussionist, Jason “Jocko” Randall, and followed that up with the “Many Paths” EP in 2018. Both records are proof of the band’s democratic songwriting process, with thoughtful lyrics from Brown and Grajko that invoke hope in dark times, warn against injustice, and imagine a future in which all are free and equal and united by music.

Today, Root Shock is bringing their renowned live show to clubs, festivals, and concert halls across the Northeast and beyond, delighting audiences from all walks of life with a positive message and danceable tunes.

For booking inquiries please contact:
Allen Roper
Madison House, Inc.
Boulder CO
P.303.544.9900
Allen@madison-house.com
www.madison-houseinc.com

"It takes a powerful songwriter to create something that makes you both love them and damn them for making you feel feelings you didn’t feel like feeling...(Novak) accomplishes that hefty feat." 
- The Fuze Magazine 
Jess Novak takes no prisoners. With a fiddle on fire, powerful vocals and a fierce band behind her, this pop, rock, soul-pumped group brings passion to every performance. Known for their energy, superb musicianship, engaging songwriting and ability to win any crowd, this is a band on the rise. Having touched audiences up and down the East Coast – from Burlington, VT to Key West, FL – and with Novak playing more than 250 dates annually, the sound gets tighter with each show. 

Jess Novak (violin, guitar, vocals, piano, looping) works with Mark Nanni (of Los Blancos) on piano, organ, accordion and vocals; Byron Cage (Tommy Castro, Joe Louis Walker) on drums; Anthony Saturno (Sampere, Wagner 3000) on guitar and Billy Harrison (Black Rhino) on drums, guitar, vocals and beatboxing to create a powerhouse sound. Her work is being played on radio stations worldwide (WTYT 960, D.C. Coast to Coast, Women of Substance Radio, IndieOutbreak) and written about at home and across the ocean (SEE PRESS). Novak has played such prestigious rooms as The Cutting Room (NYC), The Saint (Asbury Park) and Nectar's (Burlington, VT), opened the 23rd Annual Chenango Blues Festival (with headliner, Ronnie Earl) and shared stages with groups and artists including Devon Allman, Tas Cru, Jimmy Hall, Ghost Town Blues Band and members of Butch Trucks and the Freight Train Band. 

Novak released her solo debut album, Bad Habit, in December 2013. Her group, The Golden Novak Band, released their self-titled debut album in August 2014 and their follow-up, Rodeo, was released in October 2015. The Jess Novak Band will release Inches from the Sun on November 5, 2016. 

Novak has played with projects spanning RESPECT: CNY Women in Music to Vinyl Albums Live to BeatleCuse, providing a strong musical background, easily adaptable to any situation or genre. She's been nominated for Best Female Vocalist in the Best of Syracuse competition three times and placed third in the 2016 Country Showdown sponsored by WOLF 92.1FM. Her work spans hip-hop beats to throw-back soul to straight-up pop making for music that engages any listener. 
​ 
Novak was also the cover girl for Syracuse Woman Magazine in September 2016. Read her two stories in the issue here and here. 

"Written and performed with the grace and skill of a seasoned veteran, Bad Habit is one you’ll want to get into." - c-ville.com 

"So many musicians and bands are often labeled as eclectic, but Novak...truly fits that billing, melding blues, rock and roll, pop and rhythm and blues with hints of improvisation to form something that you need to experience to understand." -nysmusic.com

Tionesta was formed in 2018 by Steve “Durango” Williams and Steven Sexton while the two attended The University of Maryland in College Park. In 2019, the group added Williams’ former bandmate Bryant Roesch from Syracuse, New York, and brought on Baltimore locals Spencer Cox and Taylor Gomolisky. Tionesta released its first EP “Greatest Hits” in March of 2019. The EP was well received in Baltimore with the band selling out it’s debut performance and the four tracks each receiving air time across Baltimore radio stations. In March of 2021, the group will be releasing tracks from their debut album “Tionesta” as three singles across March and April. The full album will be released on May 7th, 2021.

"The real thing, people, a star with potential to permanently affect the musical landscape and keep us entertained for years to come." 
                                                   --Billboard

A native of Syracuse, New York, Martin Sexton grew up in the 80's, uninterested in the sounds of the day, and fueled his dreams on the timeless sounds of classic rock and roll. Sexton eventually migrated to Boston, where he began to build his following singing on the streets of Harvard Square and gradually working his way through the scene. His 1992 collection of self-produced demo recordings, In The Journey, was recorded on an old 8-track in a friend's attic. He managed to sell 20,000 copies out of his guitar case busking.

In the years between 1996 and 2002, Sexton released Black Sheep, The American, Wonder Bar and Live Wide Open (mixed by Jon Alagia -- Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer). The activity and worldwide touring behind these records laid the foundation for the career he enjoys today with an uncommonly loyal fan base, selling out venues from Nokia Theatre (NY) to LA's House of Blues.

Happily and fiercely independent, Martin Sexton launched his own label KTR (2002). Since then, his continual success through his diversity infiltrates many musical worlds -- ranging everywhere from Jam Cruise to Denver's Mile High Fest to Mayercraft Carrier to Carnegie Hall. His songs are featured in film and television including recent placements on NBC's Scrubs and Showtime's hit series Brotherhood.

"Martin Sexton is ripe with raw, expansive talent. His voice comes in a hundred impossible shades. His songs are sweet and spirited and soulful. His repertoire is like a cross-country tour of the American musical vernacular." --Boston Globe

The New York Times wrote that this artist "jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man's supple instrument," adding that "his unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer's goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary heart."

In 2007/08 Sexton logged his most successful years to date with the release of his latest studio offering, Seeds. The album debuted at #6 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart, and the Los Angeles Times writes, "Call him a soul shouter, a road poet, a folkie or a rocker and you wouldn't be wrong."

On the heels of Seeds, the cd/dvd set Solowas released in October of 2008. Documenting a series of recent unaccompanied live appearances, the album captures Martin's critically acclaimed incendiary live set in theatres from coast-to-coast.

If you like craft beer then you most likely know the brewer who makes your favorite, but do you really KNOW the brewer? I sit down with some brewers, drink beer, and chat about life in and outside of the brewhouse.

Todd Storinge is following