First Band Announcements for ProgDay 2016!

ProgDay is pleased to announce it’s first four bands for 2016:

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DEUS EX MACHINA:

“One of the most extraordinary bands in the entire music universe" - ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Following an eight-year absence, the Italian progressive group DEUS EX MACHINA has burst back onto the international scene with Devoto, its eighth album.  Fronted by Alberto Piras, one of the most extraordinary vocalists in all of rock, DEM’s distinctive blend of fiery, complexly designed music, passionate bel canto vocals, virtuosic instrumental performances and analogue-heavy textures has been retained. Here as before, the music combines both the energy and beauty of early Mahavishnu Orchestra and Larks’-Tongues-in-Aspic-era King Crimson; the contrapuntal complexity of Gentle Giant; hints of RIO-tinged avant-prog; and the unmistakable Mediterranean vibe of fellow Ital-progsters like PFM and Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso.

DEM last performed at ProgDay twenty years ago in 1996.  We are thrilled to host the original band lineup of DEM for its only United States appearance in 2016.

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DISCIPLINE:

DISCIPLINE has been called one of the most important progressive groups to come out of America in the last 25 years.  Comparisons are often made to bands like Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson and Genesis, but DISCIPLINE has developed a dark, angst-driven sound that is all its own. 

Formed in 1987, the band’s first official album appeared in 1993 to much acclaim.  However, it was after the release of Unfolded Like Staircase in 1997 that the band was referred to in almost reverential tones by fans of symphonic rock.  After a break of many years, DISCIPLINE reformed and released To Shatter All Accord in 2011. The band is now recording its fifth studio album.

Long-time ProgDay attendees will remember the band’s incredible performances at the festival during the 1990s.  We are happy to announce the return of DISCIPLINE to the ProgDay stage after a sixteen year absence.

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JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA:

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra explodes onto stages with an indescribable sound that is as much felt as it is heard: “a Thelonius Monk-like attitude with a Mozart creativity.” - PAN ON THE NET

“Scales is to steel pans ….what Béla Fleck is to the banjo—an über innovator.” - DRIFTWOOD MAGAZINE

Mixing the traditional Caribbean instrument with a contemporary jazz attitude, Jonathan Scales' music pushes the steel pan into the realms of jazz, funk, rock, and even bluegrass, while still digging into the roots of traditional world sounds. His intricate, instrumental writing combines with metric complexities to weave seamlessly between musical styles.  With his fusion group Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Scales has proven himself a supreme innovator on the steel pans with a talent for improvisation that is unparalleled.   His band can reach dizzying heights, and has earned its reputation for exciting, dynamic live shows. 

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IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES:

The Philadelphia quartet was founded by bassist Vini Stamato and guitarist Chris Capitanio in 2009, and decided to move in a progressive rock direction in 2012 where they were free to experiment without labels or expectations. The band’s combination of classic progressive rock with modern metal and jazz soon began to get the group noticed, with comparisons to Mastodon, Tool and Mars Volta.  ITPOW has continued to make a name for itself with it’s live performances, including dates with Haken, Jolly and ProgDay alumni Consider The Source and Out Of The Beardspace.

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ProgDay 2016, the 22nd edition of the longest running progressive rock festival in the world, will take place on Saturday, September 3rd, and Sunday, September 4th, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net.

Thanks.

Michael

www.progday.net

www.michaelbennett.com

Some good choices.

Two More Bands for ProgDay 2016!

BENT KNEE:

“Vocals to die for, an interesting new turn at every corner and never a dull moment.”
- BILL BRUFORD

“...the new fantastic Bent Knee record [Say So]... Brilliant! This band will soon be everywhere!”
-  NIK BÄRTSCH

BENT KNEE is a band without frontiers. The Boston-based group seamlessly connects the worlds of rock, pop and the avant-garde into its own self-defining statement.  It’s rock for the thinking person.  The group’s lyrics are dark and infused with themes focusing on the emergence of personal demons, unwanted situations and the difficulty of conquering them.

Founded in 2009, BENT KNEE is a true collective. The band operates as a democratic entity with sky-high standards and a determination to push boundaries.  Frontwoman and keyboardist Courtney Swain’s acrobatic, multi-octave vocals are nothing less than extraordinary.  Guitarist Ben Levin  morphs between the hauntingly melodic and extreme, dissonant sonics - sometimes within a single verse or passage.  Bassist Jessica Kion and drummer Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth  deliver deep and thunderous grooves, full of engaging, intriguing ornamentation.  Violinist Chris Baum’s driving melodic overlays and atmospheres further take the band’s sound into wild territory.

BENT KNEE has performed over 300 shows across the US, Canada and Japan, and the band’s third album, Say So, was released this year on Cuneiform Records.

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EYE:

“Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but if you like your Hawks windy and your Floyds a little less than red, more on the Pink side, then EYE is a band to whom you should commence grooving forthwith.”
- THEOBELISK.NET

EYE is an ambitious psychedelic progressive rock outfit from Ohio that’s been making waves with spacerock fans since its first release, Center Of The Sun, in 2011.  Often compared to bands like Astra, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Nektar and even Amon Duul II, EYE’s music ranges over a wide landscape of musical terrains, sometimes pastoral and introspective and other times careening through freakouts of heavy guitar and keyboards.  Referring to itself as “garage-prog,” EYE’s music is retro in style and driven by a love of raw 1970s heavy metal and progressive-space rock, tempered by mind warping 1960s psychedelic music.

Eye’s fifth recording will be released in autumn of this year on The Laser’s Edge.

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BENT KNEE and EYE join DEUS EX MACHINA, DISCIPLINE, JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA and IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES at ProgDay 2016, the 22nd edition of the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The festival will take place on Saturday, September 3rd, and Sunday, September 4th, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net.

Thanks.

Michael
www.progday.net
www.michaelbennett.com

Advance Tickets For ProgDay 2016 Now Available!

Advance Weekend Passes and Patron Passes may now be purchased on the Tickets Page of the ProgDay website.  Advance sales will be available until August 20th.

Join DEUS EX MACHINA, DISCIPLINE, BENT KNEE, JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA,  EYE, and IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES at ProgDay 2016, the 22nd edition of the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The festival will take place on Saturday, September 3rd, and Sunday, September 4th, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net.

Thanks.

Michael

www.progday.net
www.michaelbennett.com

looking forward to the festival, these acts sound good.

Last Two Bands For ProgDay 2016!

LUZ DE RIADA:

LUZ DE RIADA is a quartet that combines progressive rock, jazz, folk and experimental music. Formed in Mexico City in 2010 by multi-instrumentalist Ramsés Luna (ex Cabezas de Cera), the idea was to create a musical collective of talented musicians from other bands and projects. With influences that range from KING CRIMSON to ZAPPA, the music explores the dialogue between predetermined and spontaneous music. The band released the third part of its trilogy, Cuentos y Fábulas (Tales And Fables), this year and begins a new chapter with its first shows in the US. The current lineup is working on new material for the next musical adventure.

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AD ASTRA:

New York based guitarist Joe Nardulli's self-titled debut CD inspired and intrigued some of the area’s finest musicians. After jamming with a few, the result was AD ASTRA (To The Stars). The instrumental quartet mixes the playing and energy of fusion with the compositional slant of symphonic rock. With tone and melodic sensibilities reminiscent of Steve Morse and Eric Johnson, the focus is on compositions that are tightly structured, eschewing the bombast and length that progressive rock is known for. Smooth, thematic playing styles blend perfectly with soaring, uplifting melodies and odd, shifting time signatures. In addition to music from past albums. the band will also be performing new material from its next release.

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Join DEUS EX MACHINA, DISCIPLINE, BENT KNEE, JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA, EYE, LUZ DE RIADA, AD ASTRA and IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES at ProgDay 2016, the 22nd edition of the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The festival will take place on Saturday, September 3rd, and Sunday, September 4th, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net.


Thanks.

Michael
www.progday.net
www.michaelbennett.com

ProgDay 2016 Preshow!

ProgDay is pleased to announce the performance of two great bands at the ProgDay 2016 Preshow at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday night:

ABACAB - The Music Of Genesis
Formed in July 2015 by five well-seasoned musicians in the Charlotte NC metro area, ABACAB comprised of vocalist/multi instrumentalist Pete Lents, bassist/rhythm guitarist Cliff Stankiewicz, keyboardist Patrick Raymaker, lead guitarist/bassist Ryan Richard and drummer Jefferson Nunnery came together with a common goal...Pay loving tribute to one of the most iconic bands of the 20th century, and bring their music back to the stage where it belongs... From progressive rock pioneers of the 70's, to pop stadium rock icons of the 80's, to the multi platinum solo careers...This is the music of GENESIS.

ECLIPSE - The Pink Floyd Experience
Eclipse - The Pink Floyd Experience is a band presenting the music and visual atmosphere of PINK FLOYD spanning the band's most successful and iconic material. Based out of Charlotte, N.C., members include Ryan Richard (Guitar and Vocals), Barry Hannibal (Drums, Percussion, Electronic Percussion and Odd Electronic Sounds), Jeff Stone (Bass Guitar and Vocals), and Robert Geiger (Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Synthesizers).

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit the Preshow page of the ProgDay website.

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Join DEUS EX MACHINA, DISCIPLINE, BENT KNEE, JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA,  EYE, LUZ DE RIADA, AD ASTRA and IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES at ProgDay 2016, the 22nd edition of the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. The festival will take place on Saturday, September 3rd, and Sunday, September 4th, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  For more information, and to hear music from this year's bands, please visit us at www.progday.net.