Lineup / Stephen Franke & Noises from the Toolshed
Stephen Franke & Noises from the Toolshed
Victoria, BC
www.stephenfranke.ca
Stephen Franke & Noises from the Toolshed are poised to be Canadas next break-out electric progressive jazz project. From Victoria BC, these west coast musicians are creating a large buzz, playing a blend of gypsy jazz, hard bop, and New Orleans zydeco/funk with occasional politically charged lyrics.
Driven forward by virtuosic instrumental performance, lush soundscapes interspersed with intelligent vocals, and infectious grooves and hooks, and after over 150 shows in 2.5 years, the band has built a dedicated and sometimes frenzied fan base, including an email list that tops 2000 people. Their energetic live shows have earned standing ovations throughout numerous national tours while sharing stages with John Scofield, Antibalas, Jim Byrnes, Zubot and Dawson, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jackie Washington, Little Feat, Ritchie Havens and Spearhead.
Well received by audiences, SF & NFTT have also been called upon by promoters as an on-demand staple on the club and festival circuit, repeatedly packing rooms and performing at some of Canadas largest festivals including Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver Jazz festivals, Victoria ICA Folkfest, Islands Folkfest, Sudburys Northern Lights Festival, Evolve Festival, Seattles Northwest Folklife festival, Western Canada Music Awards, CMW 2005 and the National Campus Radio Conference (2004).
Their debut album Songs for a Platinum Blonde Diner Waitress, currently on its second pressing and exceeding sales of 1700 copies, was nominated for Outstanding Instrumental Recording (WCMA 2004) and has been a media favorite, garnering glowing revues, spending months on college radio charts and receiving support and programming from CBC radio.
"Beyond category ... a thoroughly entertaining collection of original material that brings together elements of Latin, Cuban and Gypsy jazz with some off-the-wall songwriting." Edmonton Journal
"Fans of Django Reinhardt-inspired swinging guitar work will undoubtedly groove to this freshman release by longtime player Stephen Franke A jangly, jazzy collection of eight bouncy tracks, [Songs for a Platinum Blonde Diner Waitress] features strong melodies uncluttered by too many vocals and plenty of room to musically move ..." Monday Magazine, Victoria BC
"Dont worry. These days, hearing Noises from the Toolshed is a good thing." See Magazine, Edmonton AB
"The latest CD from [guitarist] Franke, puts him at the center of a musical maelstrom that is both enriching and utterly nutty." Victoria Times-Colonist
"[Songs for a Platinum Blonde Diner Waitress] dances along as though the band is pleased with itself and delighting in its own unpredictability and esoteric taste. Frankes easygoing manner ... impresses as a lightness of touch and an unfussy perspective." The Province, Vancouver BC
"Songs for a Platinum Blonde Diner Waitress [has] no skronking sax solos, dissonant blasts or excoriating wank-jams. Rather, a trove of aural pleasures for P.Funk and NAwlins funk junkies, Brazilian "baiaoists" and gypsy-jazzsters." The Coast, Halifax NS
In 2006 SF & NFTT will return to the studio to lay down tracks for their second recording. With a solid team in place and consistent industry support, Stephen Franke & Noises from the Toolshed are poised to become one of Canadas leading international touring acts.
2006 Schedule • Tickets?
