We’re overly thrilled that our new home offers so much extra space! Sooooooooo, we’ve added a second stage in the woods and have been working as hard and fast as we can to CRAM in AS MUCH MUSIC as possible!!
Ziontific 6 Artist – Spiritual Rez
The craziest Reggae dance party you’ll ever be a part of.
The Spiritual Rez reggae funk dance experience is an unabashed display of musical virtuosity. When paired with a deep, sub-sonic groove and powerful heart felt vocalization; crowds are left dancing and screaming for more.
Over the past 13 years, these six men have relentlessly toured the country to share their music and appreciation of the arts. Rooted in rock, reggae, and funk; their diversity exemplifies their love and desire to put on a live experience that will not only cut to your core, but also ignite the inner flame that exists in us all.
A constant festival favorite, The Rez can shake a stage like a psychedelic dance earthquake. Evoking their personal power animals, they fearlessly forge into the musically unknown, creating a masterpiece every performance. It’s this power, this creative desire, that has fans traveling across the nation to experience this raw and intoxicating display of musical bliss.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Tatanka
Tatanka encapsulates the heavy roots rumble of the Caribbean, while maintaining the pop sensibilities of the dance-oriented electronic sounds from the Britannica-American reggae scenes. These sounds are what fueled the groups newest album,’Tatanka‘. Written over the span of a year and a half, Tatanka recorded their self-titled album at Imperial Sound in San Diego. Reggae rocker Ted Bowne from PASSAFIRE and roots magician The Maad T-Ray of Tribal Seeds feature on a counter-culture wake up call entitled “The Yard”. Jamaican sing-jay Triston Palmer is heard on a bouncy number labeled “Give Green“. The tune pays homage to never giving up and believing in yourself. En Young of Tribal Seeds can also be heard throughout the album. The album debuted at #1 on the iTunes reggae charts and #4 on Billboard’s reggae charts. The positive lyrics and heavy sounds garnered radio air-play all around the globe.
Tatanka’s ‘Sounds In Technicolor‘ EP has racked up over 20,000 downloads and has attributed to the flourishing fan base. This recognition has led to tours across the US and Canada with acts such as Tribal Seeds, Stick Figure, Lee Scratch Perry, Fortunate Youth, Easy Star Allstars, Passafire, and more.
Formed in Denver Colorado by a few college friends, Tatanka has been recognized as “Breakout Artist of the Year” (2014) by The Pier, High Times “Unsigned Band of the Month” (September 2011), and nominated by Westword magazine for “Colorado’s Reggae/Jam Band of the Year” (2015). With 2015 providing a large amount of clout, Tatanka will be releasing a remix album of their self-titled record as well as several new singles.
Tatanka’s infectious live show is the bridge between the band and the fans. It unifies the crowd with a progressing, pulsing, and positive perspective. Tatanka is always looking to further instill a global vision of unity with their pounding, dynamic sounds and peaceful, harmonious message.
Ziontific 6 Artist — Fear Nuttin Band
Fear Nuttin band is an all original reggae/rock style band that is driven to write honest and real music. Comprised of 3 members from Jamaica and 3 from the United States FNB has developed a sound that combines elements of Reggae, Rock,Hip Hop, Hardcore, Dancehall and Metal drawing on their cultural diversity to make the mix true and real. This is demonstrated by the one of a kind live show full of energy and good vibes that has blended well with bands they have shared the stage or toured with like SOJA, Toots and the Maytals, Warped Tour, Streetlight Manifesto, Kanye West, Sublime, Pepper, Rebelution, Reel Big Fish, Steel Pulse and many others.
Their latest release, “Move Positive” which debuted at #5 on Itunes Reggae chart and featured 2 songs co written and produced by SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill, “Rebel” and “Standing by The Wall”. Move Positive also brought forth a guest appearance collaboration with Reggae legend Bushman on “Informer” FNB released their next and latest album “Vibes Love Revolution” which debuted at #2 on Itunes Reggae Charts and reached #8 on Billboard’s Reggae chart in between heavy hitters SOJA and Sean Paul. VLR has guest appearances by Stephen Newland from Rootz Underground, Hellman and Rafa from SOJA, Jordan Miller formerly from The Movement, and Germany’s rising reggae star Sara Lugo.
The band has been touring through the East and West Coasts and has made featured appearances at many festivals. New music is being written now for a new album called “Immigrant” Boomblaze!!
Ziontific 6 Artist – Kiwi
Rooted in reggae rhythms and tropicália-inspired melodies, Jersey City-based Kiwi dynamically blends jazz flourishes and soulful grooves into a uniquely uplifting sound.
After over a decade of entertaining audiences around the Northeastern US and Brazil, Kiwi continues to cause a stir with some of the New York City area’s finest soul and funk musicians. The band, which includes Alex Tea (vocals, guitar), Ramsey Norman (drums), Steve Capecci (bass), Mike Torres (percussion), Dave Stolarz (keys), Barami Waspe (tenor sax), and Rob Edwards (trombone), has been invited to share the stage with veteran reggae/ska acts including the Pietasters, John Brown’s Body and Groundation.
Much of Kiwi’s pan-global approach to music is inspired by the time that primary songwriter Alex Tea spent in Brazil, beginning with a trip to the ocean-side city of Fortaleza over a decade ago. It was in Fortaleza that Tea first fell in love with the Portuguese language and capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that combines exuberant dancing and singing with powerful strikes and take-down maneuvers.
“What drew me into capoeira was the sense of community among everyone involved,” says Tea. “Each roda [capoeira exhibition/match] had a live soundtrack that featured instruments, melodies, and cadences that I had never heard before, but seemed so familiar.” It didn’t take long for Tea, the grandson of a classical violinist, to incorporate Brazilian rhythms and instruments, as well as Portuguese lyrics, into Kiwi’s music.
In addition to a solid amount of club and dancehall performances, Kiwi has also performed at a variety of music festivals and community events up and down the east coast. They are also proud to be an active and vibrant presence in their home base, the Jersey City arts scene. With a burgeoning American following, Kiwi also has a growing fanbase in Brazil, where they have embarked on several tours.
Ziontific 7 Artist – Bujak Live
In addition to producing Ziontific’s Silent Disco for the weekend — Jeff Bujak will also be performing 2 sets of ‘Silent Buj’ alongside the lovely acrobatic hoop-master Jen Dulong.
Massachusetts based performance duo ‘Bujak Live’ is Jeff Bujak (on the keys) and Jen Dulong (on the LED hula-hoop). Jeff Bujak is a solo experimental/progressive music producer from Massachusetts who creates instrumental songs centered around classical composition, progressive rock and dance music that dives deep in the waters of complex live electronica.
Jen Dulong performs on stage alongside Jeff with an LED hula-hoop and other shapes providing beautiful lighting and movement with a visual depth to the solo musician. Bujak is carving a new path in the live-music scene one show at a time. Continue reading →
Ziontific 7 Artist – Sensamotion
New roots reggae and dubfire rock for the motion of your soul. Hailing from Atlantic City, NJ Sensamotion is known for their unique style, captivating a audience across the nation. They have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in reggae music such as The Wailers, Matisyahu, Israel Vibration, Tribal Seeds, Collie Buddz, The Green, Easy Star All Stars, Barrington Levy, Stick Figure, Ky-Mani Marley, Fortunate Youth and more.. They’ve also performed as the backing band for Kevin Kinsella performing classic John Brown’s Body, and 10ft Ganja Plant tunes. Inspired by bands such as Groundation, Midnite, and John Brown’s Body they are looking to bring something new to the table. Their EP ‘Looking Up’ is out and available now. With a newly added horn section (trumpet and saxophone) Sensamotion is currently evolving their sound and working hard on new music.
Ziontific 7 Artist – Soul Rebel Project
The world of Reggae and Caribbean-inspired music is vast and ever-progressing through the diverse singers and players across the corners of the earth. Following in this tradition comes the Soul Rebel Project.
A top-professional Reggae/Rock band hailing from Boston MA, with their unique Pulsating Drum and Bass rhythms and heavily decorated melodies played by some of the top musicians in all of New England. (A cross between Collie Buddz, Rebelution and Matisyahu… Rich Parara, Ingenious Concepts).
Members of SRP as a collaborative have touched the stages of large festivals such as warped tour, as well as performed alongside multiple Grammy winners such as Sean Paul and Toots and the Maytals. Led By the young veteran and Frontman/songwriter, Mike Francis Jr, with his soulful vocals and energetic stage performances. (VeryTalented Vocalist with a style of his own….Matty Trump, Boston/LA Top Producer/Engineer)
Jason Harris with his industry standard sounds and cutting edge caribbean guitar playing, accompanied by Berkley professor John Funkhouser’s explosive piano playing. The Drum and Bass Section of Adam (Tugboat) Saylor and Geoff (Pilks) Pilkington uses their top-notch experience as hip hop artists/producers to bring a crossover appeal to the Rebel sound and provide the solid backbone of Soul Rebel Project.
Soul Rebel Project is having early success with singles like Blood Money and Informer getting regular airplay from various college radio stations and playing stages alongside of Top World Reggae artists such as Mighty Mystic, Barrington Levy and Lee Scratch Perry. SRP continues to bring their conscious message, and heavy hitting vibes to well respected clubs all over New England and Beyond.
Ziontific 7 Artist – Joey Batts & Them
Joey Batts & Them are a five-piece alternative hip-hop band based out of Connecticut. The band, comprised of Joey on vocals, Tony Volpe on guitar, John Dotson on bass, Marty Wirt on keys and Mike “Beatwiz” Spellman on drums and percussion, is taking the live hip hop scene by storm, Joey Batts never takes no for an answer – you either love his sound right away, or his voice kidnaps you until you change your mind. A lyrical genius and an amazing front man with impeccable crowd control, rolled into, one Joey Batts has proven to be an asset to CT’s growing underground hip-hop culture.
With funky grooves and plenty of hooks, Joey Batts & Them can turn any show or event into an outright party. And with shows all over New England, the Northeast, and beyond, be sure to check them out, and you can be the best of friends!
Ziontific 7 Artist – Stop Tito Collective
A progressive reggae band from Hampton Falls, NH fusing all their influences, experiences, and favorite music into one wall of sound.
Stop Tito Collective has taken the influences and roots of traditional reggae and exploded into the realms of funk inspired, improvised jams. Their unique style that blends reggae, rock, jam, and funk has allowed them to develop into a fully energetic live show. Developing a strong sense of musicianship on stage, STC has been able to captivate audiences with their full sound and improvised grooves. The members of STC each bring their own interests and tastes in music to combine for what is completely pleasurable to the ears and good for the soul. STC has been emerging into the Northeast festival scene.
Ziontific 7 Artist – DJ Benny Black
IN THE SILENT DISCO . . .
Benny Black is a multi-dimensional artist with a serious focus on the creative and business oriented aspects of today’s music industry.
From a very young age, Benny Black had a strong interest in creating music. As hip hop began to spread throughout the tri-state area, he was exposed early to the new culture by hearing songs like “Rapper’s Delight” and “Planet Rock” on the radio and on tapes. A new concept in television would cause his interest to peak. Run DMC’s “King of Rock” video influenced him for years to come. He was fascinated by the art of MCing and DJing. The straight forward yet witty lyrics combined with hard, gritty beats and aggressive attitude was adopted and imitated by a young Benny Black.
Benny continued to write rhymes and record music throughout his life. With too many successful releases to even count, Benny Black has been busy diversifying his passion. From mixtape to mixtape and a combination beat tape/mixtape to a hip hop instrumental album to Djing for Tableek and The Political Animals to working as the Urban Music Director on the radio, starting a record label, writting a few books, and continues to further advance his career as a DJ/Producer.
Ziontific 7 Artist — Heirloom Seeds
Original Vermont Grass Roots and Culture. Heirloom Seeds is a band that lives for tradition and culture from the organic heirloom food that they grow to the Roots Reggae music they’ve learned straight from the elders in Brooklyn, Jamaica, and West Afrika. The Spirit that is ‘Reggae’ or ‘Regal’ music is an education of agricultural and nutritional self-sustainability, rural independence, multicultural unity, art, and mysticism. That is the message of His Majesty Haile Sellassie I of Ethiopia in his speeches and writings. Heirloom Seeds stays true to the old school sound and philosophy a refreshing listen for all ages.
The rhythm section is locked with Drummer Brian West and bassist Jay Cook running the dancehall Kingston style. Composer and Multi-instrumentalist Daniel Rosow chants in honor of cultural diversity and biodiversity. Both he feels are being threatened by GMO cross-pollination and pesticide use. Instead he redirects us toward sustainable localized living and the boycott of non-organic produce and products.
Ziontific 7 Artist – Bless the Child
Bless the Child is an amalgamation of artists with a diversity of musical experience and commonality of cause, a heartfelt reckoning, and a reverent tribute to a golden age in hip hop when lyricism and soulful messages reigned. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Rajnii, Humble and Transplante have been gracing stages from local venues to open mics to festivals, making an impact on the scene through their uplifting energetic performances.
Drawing strength from sincere respect for true originators of the culture — from the classic era of Guru, Slick Rick, Brand Nubian, and Lauryn Hill to Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, and the Treacherous Three — the name rings true as with skillful dexterity of poetry. Rajnii Eddins is an arts educator, National Poetry Slam champion, singer, and songwriter from Seattle, Washington. He is also a core member of Set Up City and the Jenke collective. MC Humble has gained notoriety through his collaborative performances with reggae artists like Toussaint the Liberator, Ras Iba, Rise Up Sound, and Satta Sounds, as well as Second Agenda and Barika. He is likewise a member of Set Up City and Jenke Arts. Also hailing from Second Agenda, DJ Transplant utilizes his turntables as an educational device in both clubs and classrooms alike. Scotty Raymond – Eskae One, also a member of the 2A Crew, has been a consummate presence in the local hip hop scene for over a decade. Tim Entricut McLaughlin is an integral ingredient, hailing from the Natural Ingredients who blend creative vocal harmony with skillful lyrical delivery.
Ziontific 7 Artist – Roots, Rhythm & Dub
Roots Rhythm & Dub, an alternative reggae band, fuses traditional rock influences with a progressive reggae sound. Originally formed in 2006, the band found a full and consistent group in the Fall of 2012 in Portland, Maine. Their appeal draws from an eclectic musical background, where each member contributes their own unique flavor. This band plays a wide range of musical styles, centered around Reggae, of-course.
A band of many diverse musical backgrounds, this group has established one of the freshest forms of Reggae around. Formed by Kevin Kareckas and Josh Routhier-Fenton in South Berwick, ME in 2006, Roots Rhythm & Dub is a Reggae-Fusion band that blends each member’s unique styles to form an original sound that has opened the eyes of many. The band became under the direction of Routhier-Fenton who added current bass player and vocalist Josh Hunnefeld in 2008. Together the group would release two albums, 2010’s B Side, and 2012’s The Getaway EP which led the band to play many spots around New England and established them as a prominent part of the Dover, NH and Portland, ME music scenes. Filled out by Tom Menzie (Guitar/Vocals), Sam Yawdik (Drums/Vocals), and Adam Vinciguerra (Percussion), the band has created one of the freshest forms of Reggae around. Roots, Rhythm, & Dub released their third studio album, Patience in January of 2015.
Ziontific 7 Artist – Iyah
Hailing from Jamaica, VT, IYAH uses the ITAL path to guide musical decisions. They rely on the influences of Jackie Mitoo, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespear, Augustus Pablo, Burning Spear, Toots Hibbert, Ernest Ranglin, King Tubby, 10 ft Ganja Plant and Midnite.
Their goal is to shape the ever expanding world of future roots, jam-loving, reiki reggae. Combining spiritual healing modalities with righteous riddim we aim to invigorate and shake bodies while spreading love.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Ill Doots
ILL DOOTS has always been known as a diverse and expansive tribe, but originally they were nothing more than a few teenagers in a jam session: a curious kid from Boston who played bass and loved J Dilla, an enthusiastic young drummer from Reading, PA , and a rambunctious acting student who kicked freestyle raps on the mic. These humble beginnings built the foundation of collaboration that continues to drive ILL DOOTS forward on their journey as artists.
With their home base now being Philadelphia, PA, ILL DOOTS is a group of individuals with different perspectives, from different places who want nothing more than to come together freely, have fun, and make good music with no rules. In 2009 ILL DOOTS began molding its jam session origins into a small dorm room studio project which has since further evolved into a raging live beast of a band featuring: two emcees, two guitarists, a bassist, drummer, percussionist, keyboardist and occasional appearances from a horn section, other emcees, and singers. ILL DOOTS has proclaimed that their sound is unlike anything ever heard before on Earth, it is a new philosophy: 3EATKRACK. 3EATKRACK is a mindstate, to look within yourself and reconcile raw emotion and refined thought, the coal, the diamonds, and everything in between. For ILL Doots this means mixing elements of jazz, infused with hip hop and funk to give life to their soulful sound. The 8+ piece band’s vibe is organic and raw because the band draws from a diverse range of backgrounds as individuals but maintains a shared musical consciousness. Their live show has become more refined, theatrical, engaging, and challenging with each year of collaboration. ILL DOOTS also strives to collaborate with artists from all disciplines; cross-medium collaboration has been a constant source of inspiration and is a staple of the ILL DOOTS experience. In reality it’s not just ILL DOOTS, it’s a whole #ILLMOVEMENT
Ziontific 6 Artist – Political Animals
A four piece Hip Hop group out of Connecticut. Consisting of an MC, Bassist, Drummer, and a D.J./Turntablist/Live Sampler. While Boom Bap, Funk/Soul Breaks, and Electro are the foundation, they are NOT the perimeter. The themes to the songs vary just like the sound. Ranging from traditional party rockin’, social commentary, satire/toungue and cheek, story telling and Battle rhymes. They refuse to waste your time. Concepts, whether abstract or concrete are aimed at making you nod your head, dance, and think. Live shows differ from recordings. Political Animals describes our humanity and how we interact with each other and the universe. Continue reading →
Ziontific 6 Artist – Merrimack Delta Dub Set
Formed in 2008, The Merrimack Delta Dub Set have been playing reggae-infused, funky, live hip hop in The Merrimack Valley, Boston, The North Shore and The Seacoast to energetic, dancing crowds in a wide array of venues. Frontman, singer and rhythm guitar player, Seamus Stanton, with his strong, soulful vocals and rhythmic reggae guitar is accompanied by MC Oliver Ox, whose cerebral, well-developed lyrics and rap technique are unparalleled. MDDS combines the sweet sounds and melodies of saxophone player Clark Zlindra-Short and the melodic riffs of lead guitarist Benjamin Goldbaum for consistently catchy hooks and melodies. Backed by beats that range from dancehall, hip-hop, to dub to disco, provided by the formidable team of drummer Derek Hayden and bass player Devon Hurt, The Dub Set can get any crowd dancing.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Honeycomb
Currently based out of Massachusetts, the vocal cord conductor known as Honeycomb has quickly risen to the top of the food chain of northeast beatboxers, placing 13th in the 2015 American Beatbox Championships. With a unique approach as an equally versed music producer, and a frequent collaborator in both the live and studio settings, Honeycomb has built a sound fan base for himself through original productions and ear popping performances.
In the studio, Honeycomb has collaborated with Liquid Stranger, Moon Hooch and Space Jesus; as well as frequent partner in crime, Tonio Sagan. Aside from swaying audiences with his own material, Honeycomb has further embedded himself in the rapidly growing festival culture by joining a diverse array of artists, from bass DJs, to funk and jam bands, to rappers-on stage, bringing their sets to new heights.
Ziontific 6 Artist — The Feel Goods
The Feel Goods are a ska and rocksteady band specializing in tight vocal harmonies, innovative song-writing and producing a spectrum of styles that pays homage to the great originators of Jamaican ska, dub, dancehall and reggae of the 1960s and 70s.
With influences of ska, punk, soul, rocksteady and dub, this band puts on a show that is unlikely to be seen anywhere else. Hailing from the seacoast of New Hampshire, The Feel Goods have spent the last three years honing their sound, bringing an energetic performance to every audience it entertains. With luscious four part vocal harmonies, monstrous horn lines and intoxicating live dub, The Feel Goods are a band not to be missed!
Ziontific 6 Artist — The Romano Project
The Romano Project hails from the Merrimack Valley, a group of cities and towns, just north of Boston, Massachusetts. The band was pieced together with a refreshing new sound in early 2010 by gifted songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Eddie Romano. Eddie has a high attention to rhythm and a pop-aggressive vocal style. He constructed a group of talented musicians that share a common musical vision, now known as The Romano Project. Or simply, TRP
Since their auspicious live debut as a trio in 2010 they have kept their regional fan base’s feet moving. Drummer John Elliott, who has an impeccable knack to keep any crowd dancing, and his longtime friend, proven song-smith, rhythm junky and multi-talented musician Chris Taillon, have been playing together in various bands for almost 2 decades prior to TRP. Chris, who was the original TRP bassist back in 2010, (currently the lead/rhythm guitarist) along with Eddie Romano have made some tasteful additions to the band. Tim Dunning aka DJ Icculus now layers infectious sax grooves and his un-matchable scratching styles over TRP’s sound. The band received a helping hand along the way from two talented local musicians, Steve Gofstein on bass, and Ryan Goodhue on keyboards.
While TRP was racking up miles and miles of hard earned respect through relentless touring, they soon after acquired bass player Ben Siwak, a musician well versed in the art of jazz, funk, and blues music, and his longtime friend Brian Cogger, a creative trumpet player with energetic hooks and a unique approach to music. They have met so many amazing musicians on tour they frequently have been known, on many occasions, to host special guest musicians, live and in the studio. With a long list of some of the best local talent on the scene, StraddleDaddy’s bass player & singer – Shawn LaRochelle & Syme, The Alchemystics front man – Garrick “Force” Perry, The Hornitz, Johnny Bongos from Stealhead, TRP always strives to bring something new to its sound and keep the songs fresh and exciting. This promising young band continues to demonstrate their trademark, catchy music hooks, brash rapid fire vocals, slow build of chords and non stop energy that culminate into intoxicating and infectious sing-alongs.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Funknut
Funknut formed in 2006 when Tony Gallicchio and Tristan Greene started playing together as a key and drum duo. Since then Funknut has expanded and has been blessed to play with a rotating cast of talented musicians with Tristan and Tony as the core. In 2009, Sean Mclay became a permanent member of the band holding down the low end and making things even funkier than before. In 2010, good friend Paul McArdle joined in on the guitar. Fans of improvisation, each Funknut show is different from the next. Special guests make their way on to the stage often, you never know what you are going to see.
Funknut’s latest album “JUICY” included special guests such as members of The Moho Collective, Roots Collider, Big Mean Sound Machine, AudioInflux, Blue Falcon and more!
Funknut and its members have opened for and played with The Temptations, Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic and Talkings heads, Robert Randolph, John Medeski, The Four Tops, Soulive, KRS-One, Particle, Alan Evans and Break Science as well as performed on the WXXI TV show OnStage.
You can also see Tony touring with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad all over the US.
Strive to keep the funk alive!
Ziontific 6 Artist – Harsh Armadillo
This nine-piece battalion features Her Ladyness: Miss. Andrea Beladi, accompanied by eight charming young men. They play regularly sold out shows on the New Hampshire Seacoast, and have a spotless track record of raising-the-roof abroad. Their original music traverses the modern funk, jazz, and hip-hop gamut; with a lyrical style punctuated by some MC swank. They enjoy an strong glass of single-malt, the occasional corn dog, and makin’ fellas dance.
Ziontific 6 Artist – William Thompson Funk Experiment
It is the dawn of a new era. Future funk has come back in time to present day funk monkeys! William Thompson has got that confidence, and the funk flows.
Once upon a time they started out as a joke band called What the Funk. After a few shows people started to really dig what they were doing, so they moved away from the joke and began a trek through absolute seriousity…
William Thompson Funk Experiment has become quite the spectacle. A uniquely interactive show experience featuring a group of musical talents that put high stock in making sure you leave feeling uplifted and truly entertained. The band delivers tight hard-hitting original tunes that have a way of pulling fans right into their fantasy laced world of fun and bewilderment. WTFeX invites you to leave your worries at the doorstep and come and get down.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Zoo Logic
Bass Music from the center of the Earth.
Austin Rogers and Jeff Blair (Producers, Composers, and Performers) of Zoo Logic combine future bass with cosmic rhythms for a bold explosion of ear candy. Audiences will find themselves on a roller coaster ride of emotional escapades, largely due to their musical versatility and willingness to experiment.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Tonio Sagan
IN THE SILENT DISCO . . .
For Massachusetts bred lyricist/producer Tonio Sagan (formerly Cheatcode), progression in music was gradual. What started as a quest to find dope beats to rap on transformed into a love for production. Digging for samples became an appreciation for the great records of the past. An aspiration for originality evolved into sound design and synthesis manipulations. Tone releases are the result of an ever expanding love for the process of creating and recording music. Whether appearing as an emcee or producer, the aim is to keep the party moving with a conscience.
In 2007 the young Rapper/Beatmaker formed Massachusettes hip hop group the Problemaddicts, in conjunction with Mystika Music, the production company that would release their music, a partnership with long time friend and musical teacher, Deejay Theory. Tone and Deejay Theory co-produced the Problemaddicts debut release the first step that same year. In 2008, Tone conceptualized and released his first mashup project “The Dark Side Of Oz”, under the Problemaddicts franchise. In 2010 he collaborated as an Emcee in the duo Moke & Tone and released “Shot Heard ‘Round The World”, boasting production by Team Genius, the production collaborative of Tone, Garrett Sawyer and Jason Metcalf. Tone was present for every mixing session with his engineer Garrett at Northfire Recording Studio learning the art of studio mixing.
“Being the control freak that I am, I had to be there. It was a blessing in disguise. Osmosis, when I finally bought my own copy of protools I knew how to navigate the program with ease.”
Growing from a thickly accented hip hop background, Tone has carried the ideas and concepts of the genre with him to his latest stage of modern production and performance. Sagan seeks to implicate much more than just hip hop inspiration though; fusing in an expansive blanket of various modern, and sometimes future electronic music techniques, his sound has become impossible to pin down to a single, encapsulating phrase.
A frequent collaborator, with the likes of beatbox deviant Honeycomb, among others, Tonio Sagan continues to develop musical relationships and further press the boundaries of his own sound. In 2016, Sagan was officially announced as a member of Wakaan, the newly founded label from renowned artist Liquid Stranger.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Ballads and Softcore Porn
Ballads and Softcore Porn came together in Amherst, MA. Formed in 2013, Ballads is an R&B/funk ensemble comprised of musicians from UMass’ jazz program and members of groups like The Alchemystics, Mixed-Race Mixtape, and the Charles Neville Jazz Quintet.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Riddim Vigil
Since July of 2013, Riddim Vigil is a regional reggae band from Vermont comprised of members from various backdrops of rock, ska, and jazz. We are united in love and respect for original roots reggae music, the early vibe, the message, the passion. Their songs recount the daily struggles of love, faith, and identity, rooted in culture but transformed by the Most High! Let’s keep reggae music true so our hearts and feet can keep dancing to the reggae beat!
Peace.
Ziontific 6 Artist – DJ N.E.B.
IN THE SILENT DISCO…
DJ N.E.B.’s roots go back to the 80’s Hip Hop & electro culture; Bboyin’, Graff, Fashion and Turntablism.
Neb DJs for Political Animals, L.M.N., Bboy battles, Hip Hop showcases and also participates in the Elemental Philosophy 101 Lessons at Ziontific.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Weapon E.S.P.
Hailing from Southbridge, MA, Weapon E.S.P. is a conscious lyricist who carves his original flow into creative concepts over exceptional production. He is a pure lyricist who is reminiscent of the golden age of hip hop when emcee’s were competitive. His content is creative and relevant and his overall message is positive. He is known for his cryptic writing style as well as an impressive cadence, which he shows off on his debut. E.S.P. is not making music for wealth, but rather to add his chapter to the culture and create what he loves and feels should shape his legacy.
Ziontific 6 Artist – James and the Giants
Hailing from South Kingston, RI, James and The Giants brings a tasteful blend of reggae, funk, soul and more. With music so uplifting, it’s for you.
Ziontific 6 Artist – Blue Collar
Blue Collar (Live! & Catalyst) is the latest hip-hop Jewel out of Western Massachusetts. Catalyst hailing from DC and Live! from Norfolk VA / Brooklyn NY, they have combined to create a fusion of Golden era and Trap style hip-hop records. Their first release titled Growth is out now…