Cornmeal
and
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

Tickets: $15
http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/8682239

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Cornmeal
Cornmeal has never been a band to shy away from reinvention and after over a decade, they are proving just that as the band sets out with a newly reformed lineup, a fresh energetic sound and heads back into the studio to finish their long awaited rest studio album after almost 6 years. A nationally recognized live music institution, Cornmeal is heavily influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. With a growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of bluegrass and live performance.

With the release of their debut album “In The Kitchen” (2001 Livin’ Live records), Cornmeal secured its place as one of the top bands in its genre. 2003’s “Tales from Magic Stone Mountain” (Livin’ Live records) garnered much critical attention and became a staple on College and AAA top 10 lists throughout the country. In May of 2006, Cornmeal released their third album, “Feet First”, which became proof positive that Cornmeal’s tenure on the road brought on an honest and mature sound. Produced by former guitarist Kris Nowak and bassist Chris Gangi, “Feet First” features a strong condence in songwriting, musicianship and the ability of this band to stylistically ride the fence and bring it back home without missing a step.

In the beginning of 2010, Cornmeal released their rest live album, “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I” (2010 Livin’ Live Records), an album that pays tribute to the fans. Towards the end of 2011, Cornmeal released the follow up, “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. II” (2011 Livin’ Live Records). During this time the band went into the studio set to record their rest album in over 5 years. Self produced by bassist Chris Gangi and tracked in Chicago at the prestigious Rax Trax recording studios, the process was cut short due to lineup changes and the album was shelved. After almost a year of auditions, rehearsals and wood shedding new material the band is poised to return to the same recording space to nish the album polishing the old material and setting forward with a new sound, new songs and a fresh perspective on the future.

While playing a blend of high prole venues, jam-band and bluegrass festivals to thousands nationally, Cornmeal has been a main stage act at some of the most renowned festivals in the country. These festivals include Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Magnolia Fest, Wakarusa Music Festival, and Summer Camp Music Festival as well as having performed on multiple stages at Bonnaroo, All Good Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, 10K Lakes, and many others. They pride themselves on the energy they put forth each night creating an unrivalled live performance that continues to shape itself into an energetic one of a kind experience. “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I & II” prove that Cornmeal continues to be a band to watch out for. Every show they play is a unique experience that leaves fans begging for more.

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Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
In 2010, the five Wisconsinites that today make up Horseshoes & Hand Grenades found themselves in a living room in the college town of Stevens Point, WI, holding acoustic instruments and enjoying a hodgepodge of fermented beverages. Music ensued that evening and while many of the party guests eventually bid their goodbye well into the morning hours, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades wasn’t ready to let the get-together fade. Three years later, the music still hasn’t stopped and the party is still going strong, from the mountain west to the river towns of the midwest that the quintet calls home.

Early open mic performances at a central-Wisconsin country bar called the Northland Ballroom led to other shows and the band began to realize their love for playing music together and traveling to new places and new people. As the band continued to perform regularly on weekend nights, while also hanging out and picking at parties and get-togethers just about any night of the week while attending school, a sound began to form that was reflective of the musical influences of the individuals that make up the group. While strongly rooted in bluegrass, old-time, and folk music, the band produces a sound that draws on the vaults of music collectively or individually enjoyed through the course of their lives thus far. The music doesn’t lend itself well to definitions or boundaries. One could probably be formed, but the boys seem to generally prefer fishing a river, or enjoying the company of friends and barley beers.

With their music well-defined or not, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades has began to form a place in the midwest music scene, gaining recognition on both a regional and national scale. The band took 3rd place at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Band Competition in 2012 and has shared the stage with Merle Haggard, the Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, Charlie Parr, the Big Wu, Pert Near Sandstone, and many more. In 2012, the group received a nomination for a Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award in the category of Bluegrass/Americana. The group’s recent album release, This Old Town, has been featured on the popular Wisconsin radio show, Simply Folk, as well as other radio shows across the country. Being mostly inspired by rivers, valleys, good friends, and good drink, this five piece is as sturdy as any midwest riverbed and will make your toes tap from sundown to sunrise.

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