RELEASE: Cincinnati Band Qualifies for 2015 IBC
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mary Beth Weaver
Brave New Voice
press@bravenewvoice.com
760-459-7880
Brother James
Whiskey Shambles
james@whiskeyshambles.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Cincinnati Band Going to International Competition
Local Blues/Rock Quartet The Whiskey Shambles
Wins Spot at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis
CINCINNATI, OH – April 30, 2014: The Whiskey Shambles have been around for about 18 months, but they have the heart, soul, sound, and accolades that one would attribute to band with a longer history. In 2013 they were nominated for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best Blues Band, and now they have another honor to add to the list: Winners of the 2014 Northeast Ohio Blues Association (NEOBA) Blues Challenge. The Whiskey Shambles scored highest among many other well-known blues acts on Saturday, April 26 in Canton, OH, and are now set to compete in the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN in January 2015.
“We’re very excited to have The Whiskey Shambles represent us at the IBC,” said Andy Pressler, NEOBA President. “Their soulful and energetic performance was a favorite among the judges, and inspired an enthusiastic response from the crowd.”
In 2014, the IBC featured a record-breaking 255 acts from 40 states and 16 countries, and 2015 will likely be even larger. The bands perform at a variety of venues on and around Memphis’ famous Beale Street over four days of competition.
“When we started The Whiskey Shambles, we had a clear vision for the kind of hard, driving Delta-style blues that we wanted to make,” says Nathan Singer, The Shambles’ frontman. “It was both humbling and gratifying to know that the NEOBA judges and blues fans appreciated our work, and we’re proud to be representing them in Memphis.”
The Whiskey Shambles have a number of performances already lined up between now and their trip to Memphis in January, including a performance this week at The Drinkery on Wednesday, April 30 (with A City on Fire). Check their website (whiskeyshambles.com) for the most current event information.
About The Whiskey Shambles:
The Whiskey Shambles are an original garage rock/basement blues band from Cincinnati, OH, formed in 2012 by Nathan Singer, of Starshaker and Absinthium fame, and Brother James, founder of the Cincinnati Entertainment Award-winning blues band Voodoo Puppet. Their sound has been compared to Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Black Keys, Ten Foot Polecats, The Heavy, Gary Clark Jr., Black Diamond Heavies, and The White Stripes. They have been described as, “R.L. Burnside and Black Sabbath jamming with Nina Simone in a burned-out rum shack, using opium for incense.”
The Shambles are currently working their way through the dive bars and juke joints of the Midwest and Rustbelt, with occasional trips to more exotic locales, like Nashville or Buffalo, New Orleans or Asheville, Atlanta or NYC. They won the 2014 Northeast Ohio Blues Challenge, and have been chosen to represent Northeast Ohio Blues Association at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The Shambles have been nominated for a 2014 Cincinnati Entertainment Award in the Blues category, CityBeat magazines Best of Cincinnati 2014, and several of their song releases have earned critical acclaim. In 2012 they released the EP, “ONE LAST BLAST: Live at the Mad Frog.” Set to release their first CD — “Loose Change for a Broken Man” — in July of 2014, they are already working on their second full-length album.
Learn more about The Whiskey Shambles at WhiskeyShambles.com, including their Press Kit, Music, and Photos.
About NEOBA:
Founded in 2008, the mission of the Northeast Ohio Blues Association is to support the cultural significance of Blues, America’s true roots music, through educational endeavors and promotional events. For several years NEOBA has run their own “Blues in Schools” program, which allows the next generation of Blues performers to expand on their talent and keep the Blues alive for years to come. More information: http://bluesneoba.org
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