Swamp Stomp and Beyond

We're gearing up for Swamp Stomp and pretty much the whole Cat 5 crew is going to be out and proud in our super snazzy Cat 5 polos. Now, the reason we have to wear black polo shirts out side in the Florida heat is that we need people to know who we are because we've got a special giveaway planned for Cat 5 fans. If you want a chance to get some free music, become our follower on Twitter, where we'll be posting the "password" to get a download card. It's already been posted once but we'll be repeating it ad nauseum until Saturday to make sure everyone knows it! So come out to Swamp Stomp, it'll be a fun night anyway, and follow us on Twitter so you can find out how to score some free music.

Next week, we're collaborating with Cane Records for their Haitian Earthquake Relief concert on the UM campus, so we'll give you all more details on that later this week.

We're coming up on the end of the school year and things are getting exciting for Cat 5! Hope you can be a part of it.

Swamp Stomp

First of all, we've changed things a little here on the Cat 5 blog. You can now access the websites of nearly all of our artists via a sidebar to the right featuring links to their websites/myspace profiles.

Secondly, we're moving forward on some more promoting for Swamp Stomp. Our artists are going on first, at 5pm, so be sure to get there early! In addition we're going to have the whole Cat 5 team there and we'll be posting a password on our Twitter in the days leading up to Swamp Stomp for a special Cat 5 giveaway! So come on out to hear some great music, support South Florida independent music, and get a super secret free prize!

More Pictures and Announcements

We're still in the planning stages, but all the Miami area Cat 5 fans out there should keep the date April 24th in mind because some of our Cat 5 artists will be appearing at Swamp Stomp and Cat 5 is planning on having a presence there as well! Keep an eye on this blog and our Twitter for more details as we get closer to the date.

In the meantime, here's some more pictures from last Saturday's Songwriter's Soiree to enjoy:

Songwriter's Soiree

On Saturday, March 27th, Cat 5 held a Songwriter's Soiree at Books and Books in Coral Gables. We were able to send a couple photos to the Twitter feed live from the event, but here's a few more:

Matt Rein:


Natalie York:


Maq:


Special guest, Cane Records artist Kyle Crossland:


And the Cat 5 team!


Thanks to everyone who came out for supporting us, and Books and Books for putting us up in style.

Welcome Back!

Hey guys! Sorry we've been gone so long, but we've got some exciting stuff going on. All the Cat 5 staff are currently at the MEIEA/MEISA conference being held at our own lovely University of Miami, and we've got a show happening tonight at Books and Books in Coral Gables! Stop by and see us if you're in the area.

We also just launched a twitter account, so if you've got twitter, come follow us!

Cat 5 Twitter

CAT 5/ Festival Miami Songwriters Showcase

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

Greater Alexander

Indie/ Folk

Born in New York, raised in Greece, and now residing in Michigan, Greater Alexander is an Alumnus of Wayne State University with a degree in Music and a Co-Major in International Studies. His early influences include The Beatles, Georges Moustaki, Joao Gilberto, and Cat Stevens.

Free Download: Spooning - Greater Alexander



Check him out at greateralexander.com

Gabó

Electronica/ Latin/ Jazz/ Indie

Gabó’s music is mainly Electronic, but influenced from Latin, European Electro, Ambient, Pop, Classical, Jazz, and Ethnic music from different cultures of the Americas.

Originally from Venezuela, after studying music early in his life, in 1997 he moved to Boston where he graduated cumlaude at Berklee College of Music. In 2002 he moved to France where he obtained the Film Scoring Diploma at the “Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris”. During that time, he also performed in several venues and composed music and sound for audiovisual projects (as he seldom continues to do, please visit www.gabmusic.com for more information)

Gabó recently released “Somewhere between the beach & the Sea”, his first full-album.
Since 2007 he has been collaborating with the New World Symphony Fellows arranging and performing some of this album’s tracks for their special events in Miami and New York. He’s currently based in Miami, Florida.

Free Download: Casa Lounge (Verano Remix) - Gabó


Check him out at: www.gabomusic.com
Buy: www.itunes.com/gabo

Natalie York

Folk/ Blues/ Indie

Natalie York is a force. Watch out for this girl, she will hit you like a Hurricane. Probably because she is one -- a Miami Hurricane that is. Natalie is a freshman jazz vocal student at the University of Miami. She's been writing songs since the fifth grade when her teacher intercepted a sheet of lyrics Natalie was trying to pass to a bandmate underneath the desks. She's more careful about that now, housing her lyrics in a notebook collection fit for the record books. But it all really got started for Natalie at the ripe age of 13 when she spent her first summer at the University of Virginia's Young Writer's Workshop, under the tutelage of the great Tom Prasada-Rao. She caught the bug and kept coming back to the workshop, year after year. So what now? You be the judge of that.

Putty - Natalie York


Check her out at: http://www.myspace.com/natalieyork

Omega Love

Electronica/ Indie/ Pop/ Dance

With its inception on New Years of 2004, Pittsburgh based Omega Love has brought both its musical talent and pop sensibilities to the table. Within a year of its current member structure, Omega Love had enough material to record and release its Self-Titled debut album. Following the success of that record, the band continued to grow and incorporate the individual influences of the component players into the band and its music.
Including: Joe Rusnak, the driving force for song-writing, on bass; Jon Rent, the heart and soul of rhythm, on drums; Luke Williams, the music guru, on guitar; Jim Barr, the production oriented man, on keys and the one and only Jocelyn Geisler, performer and word-smith extraordinaire, with the lyrics and vocals; Omega Love has managed to climb to the tipping point of the Pittsburgh music scene.
With the continually evolving dance-y/electronic/jazzy/soul-istic sound this unique band has produced over the past four years, Omega Love has found a way to stay edgy musically, carry complete individuality, and retain a deep connection with all of its audiences. Regardless of the locale, be it a whiskey soaked bar, a wine drenched lounge or a sweat dowsed club, Omega Love has the sound to make the people get down. This wide fan base landed the band with opening slots for a broad array of acts, such as Matisyahu, a nationally recognized hip-hop performer, to jazz great Wynton Marsalis (two 30 minute sets, transmitted in HD video and 7.2 audio across the US as part of a ground breaking technology launch).
Once the current music direction of the band was fully realized, Omega Love dropped “Ava”, its second full-length album. Completely self-produced, this CD hit the local scene with a vengeance and the hard-working Omega Love followed that feat quickly with a self-booked, self-promoted national tour to spots such as [insert cool sounding places here]. Omega Love continues its quest for originality and notoriety, constantly searching for the next step in its musical and audience spanning journey.

Download Free mp3: Loretta - Omega Love


Check them out at: omegalovemusic.com
or at:
www.myspace.com/omegalovemusic
www.sonicbids.com/omegalovemusic

Mike Struwin

Rock/ Alternative/ Folk

Growing up in a small beach town, Mike began his musical photosynthesis by the age of 13, with the piano. Soon after, he entwined his fingers around his first guitar and found his passion to be laced within its six strings. A prolific and gifted songwriter from early on, Struwin produced and released his first CD by the age of 17. Now, seven albums later, Mike Struwin has become a staple in the Midwest music scene. His release "Roots Down," received critical acclaim, and two of his songs were featured in film soundtracks, including a surf documentary called "Beautiful" that was released in association with Imagine Afrika Productions. Struwin has played at Festivals with such acts as The Doobie Brothers, Robert Bradley’s Black Water Surprise, Inner Vissions and Aswah Greggori. He has shared the stage with members from Greensky Bluegrass, Umphrey’s Magee and even David Crosby’s Band. Residing in Portland, Oregon, this folksy artist travels and shares his gift of music to audiences all over the world.

Free Download: Higher Road - Mike Struwin



Check him out at: myspace.com/mikestruwinmusic

Steph Geber

Indie/ Pop/ Rock/ Folk

Steph Geber is a rising singer/songwriter from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Before moving to New York City in November of 2003, Steph attended Indiana University, where she was a four year member of the Singing Hoosiers, and a three year member of the all-female a cappella group, Ladies First. LF recorded and produced two CDs, one of which was awarded a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for Best Female Collegiate Album in 2001. Steph was the primary song arranger of LF for two years. Also in 2001, she was awarded a CARA for Best Female Collegiate Arrangement. Born into a family of generations of classical musicians, Steph has been familiar with all genres of music since she was young. Steph has performed at the White House twice, and has appeared on numerous stages throughout the country since age five. With a musical theater background and thirteen years of vocal training, she has an extensive musical repertoire. Steph recorded her first solo demo in 2003 at Airtime Studios, with the help of producer Dave Weber and singer/songwriter Krista Detor. Steph has recently worked with songwriters Jimmy Santis and Hugh Colocott, and with rap artist Lexicon. Steph and her band have been seen performing at the Triad, 169 Bar, Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Arlene's Grocery, Lilly Coogan's, Kenny's Castaways and Googie's Lounge above the Living Room in New York City. Steph is currently an active talent scout for www.MajorLabelScout.com, continues to arrange songs for collegiate a cappella groups, and just released her first full-length album, "Songs About You." Four tracks from “Songs About You” (“Sad Eyes”, “Today”, “Blanket Of You” and “Fine”) are published by Cat 5 Music Publishing (ASCAP).


Download free mp3: Sad Eyes - Steph Geber



Buy her music: http://cdbaby.com/cd/stephgeber
Check her out at: http://www.myspace.com/stephaniegeber
Read album review at out impact
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/stephgeber

Britt Daley

Folk/ Rock/ Pop/ Blues

Britt Daley is a Florida girl with an intense desire to touch people with her music. Her songs tell stories that are innately human, and easy to relate to. As a young child she found the piano which eventually lead her into singing and writing songs. She spent six years studying music at the University of Miami, earning a Masters degree in Music Business & Entertainment. The time she spent at UM was instrumental in molding her into the musician and artist she is today. In 2003 she teamed up with Ryan Murry to form the band Herworth, together writing over a dozen songs. Although influenced by various artists,such as Heart, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac and Jeff Buckley, she continues to develop her own unique sound and style.

Not Even Me - Britt Daley


Check her out at: myspace.com/brittneydaley

JOPPA/ Ramzy Suleiman

Funk/ Soul/ Blues/ Rock


Ramzy Suleiman is a pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and creative troublemaker, born and raised in the Washington D.C area. Mostly self-taught, Ramzy developed his musical talent as a child by transcribing Ray Charles songs by ear, and then singing and performing them at churches and local venues. In 2002 Ramzy became the singer/keys player, front man, and songwriter for D.C. area funk band JOPPA, and with them he has performed on the bill with such artists as Warren Haynes, Eric Krasno (Soulive), Marco Benevento, and Oscar-winning hip hop group Three Six Mafia. In August 2007, Joppa entered the studio to record with acclaimed producer Jim Fox (SOJA, Israel Vibration, Steel Pulse) at Lion and Fox Recording Studios in College Park, MD. Their album “Capes and Umbrellas”, released in October 2007, featured 11 of Ramzy’s original tunes, five of which have been licensed by Cat 5 Music Publishing in Miami, as well as the instrumentals licensed by MTV news and documentaries. Ramzy has been consistently performing at east coast venues for the last seven years, including at D.C.’s Kennedy Center, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, and New York City’s Sullivan Hall. Ramzy has also performed at political events and rallies, such as Barack O’bama fundraisers and Iraq war Protests, composing many songs embracing the message of peace and justice. In 2008, Ramzy was granted a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he currently studies and performs with a diverse group of faculty and international students. Ramzy is eager to share his original music with new audiences, and looks forward to the debut of his new album “Killing in Vain” this summer.

Free Download: Freedom Blues - Joppa


Check Joppa out at myspace.com/ramzysuleiman

Fick

Alternative/ Rock/ Jazz

"Step right up, boys and girls, don't be shy. We've got a wiiiiide range of delights... for you and yours to come explore, so c'mon take a look inside."

Guitars, Piano, Bass and Drums.... the lineup is nothing new - almost cliche. But what Fick brings to the table is anything but. Founding members Kyle Fick, Jeremy "Red" Redding and Dan Nolan spent years writing and performing with dozens of musicians before finding the right crew.

"I think the originality in the band stems from the fact that every song we've put together has gone through a number of hands, " Red said. "Most songs you'll hear us play have been touched by four or five drummers over the years, each one leaving his own stamp on it."

Completing the lineup with Brian Dean in early 2006, Fick, is riding on the release of their debut Album released December 2006.

The album, titled Neon Carousel, features a wide gamut of genres and influences. While listening to their debut effort, it's impossible not to notice the veins of funk, jazz, blues, dance and of course, good ol' Rock 'n Roll, blending together to create the unique sound of their 13-track album.

"The title came to us as the album started coming together," Dan said. "It felt like a carnival where around every corner, there was something new and unexpected waiting."

Welcome to the show!

Warmest - Fick


Check them out at: myspace.com/fick

Krysta Youngs

Pop/ Electronic/ Alternative

I have Pat Benetar's balls, Gwen Stephanie's stylish creativity, Ed Kowalczyk's passion, Dianne Warren's pop instinct and a splash of Madonna's persistence.
Krysta Youngs possesses a canny gift for storytelling, a delightful penchant for hi-octane, hugely melodic pop, and danceable grooves that just won’t quit. Her performances are captivating and her songs—rockin’, heartfelt, and literate—often pack devastating impact.
It might confuse things, or at least go against type, to know that Krysta Youngs has a fetish for the color pink, an infatuation with Top 40 stardom, and a fabulousness that just won’t quit. But it’s the yin of her straight talk and the yang of her girlie girl side that makes her completely unique, and who she most definitely is.
Frankly, you’ve got to see it to believe it.

Free Download: It's Going Down - Krysta Youngs


Check her out at: http://www.myspace.com/krystayoungs

Kevin Laurence

Pop/ Rock/ Alternative

Kevin Laurence’s music has developed from single notes on a piano to a unique and eclectic repertoire of original music. With influences such as Billy Joel, Elton John, The Beatles and countless others, Kevin has created a sound that took the 23 year old singer-songwriter years to develop. At the young age of five, the foundation of Kevin’s musical journey was laid when he would spend hours at the piano figuring out the tunes he would hear as his dad's vinyl collection would be playing out of the home office. Throughout elementary and middle school, Kevin consistently rebelled against piano teachers that wanted him to play the notes on the page as he was insistent on making up his own songs.

Tragically, Kevin’s number one fan, his father was killed in a car accident in 2001. He was left devastated and delved into writing songs that expressed the pain he felt from the loss of his father. This was a turning point in Kevin’s life that only stimulated his drive to fulfill his dream of becoming a songwriter and performer. Kevin began to have numerous bookings throughout high school and college at cocktail hours, corporate functions, and fundraisers throughout the greater Miami area.

In the summer of 2006, Kevin recorded a five track demo in a friend’s bedroom which eventually led him to producer Keith Morrison in Miami, Florida. There, they embarked on creating “Green To Red EP"; a collection of songs that would become his debut album. Nearly two years since the release of "Green To Red EP", Kevin has completed production on his follow-up effort entitled "Island Of Forgotten Memories". The seven-track album was selfproduced

with an objective to make a record focused on the songs themselves rather than fancy production. The album will be released in June 2009 on CDbaby, iTunes, and other online retailers.

Free Download: Turnpike - Kevin Laurence


Check him out on: myspace.com/kevinlaurence

Dusty Drake

Country/ Rock

Since Dusty Drake has the physique of a body-builder and a neatly trimmed goatee, is seen riding a motorcycle on the back cover of his debut, and sounds a bit like the blustery Toby Keith, it could be easy for some listeners to pass him by, thinking that he's just a trick of macho marketing. That's unfair, because his eponymous debut is a refreshing surprise -- a record that navigates the arena rock pomp of contemporary country with a dose of traditional country instrumentation and songwriting smarts. He can succumb to silliness on occasion, such as on the rah-rah radio song "Radio" or any time that he lets the testosterone take over, but his muscular baritone helps sell these songs. Better still, he balances straight-ahead, anthemic modern country songs with some nicely gonzo touches, such as slipping an oversized Van Halen-styled guitar into a rocking country tune. Best of all, he is a strong writer, as evidenced most of all by "Too Wet to Plow," "Not Bad for a Good Ole Boy," "Smaller Pieces," and "Ain't Nobody's Business." A taste for sentiment and silliness may keep this from being continually engaging, but at its best, Dusty Drake is tuneful, rocking, memorable modern country, beating Toby Keith at his own game. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

A Kiss Like This (written by Zac McDaniels)- Dusty Drake


Check him out at: dustydrake.com
or at: myspace.com/dustydrake

The Suspirios

Surf/ Punk/ Rock

Surf Zombies from Oshkosh WI
In the aftermath of the fallout, 3 ragged zombies rose from the ashes. In search for human flesh to consume, they happened upon musical instruments. Seeing as how they could not find and people to eat they decided to spend their time playing music, and to their amazement people began coming out to hear them. Upon seeing this, the zombies quickly sprung on these stupid humans and devoured their flesh to the bone....and thus the Suspirios were born!

Zombie Hooker Party - The Suspirios


Check them out at: myspace.com/suspirios