Scene and Heard

Friday, November 18^th will see two of the country’s most vibrant and original bands, Chicago’s District 97 and Florida’s Little Atlas, share the stage at headliner’s Music Hall in Louisville.

District 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist.   The band was formed in the Fall of 2006 by drummer Jonathan Schang, keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Patrick Mulcahy and guitarist Sam Krahn (eventually replaced by current guitarist Jim Tashjian). The foursome from Chicago honed a no-holds barred style of Liquid Tension Experiment inspired Instrumental Rock before deciding the right vocalist was needed to complement their sound; enter 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist, Leslie Hunt.

With a look, sound and stage presence comparable to a young Ann Wilson from Heart, Leslie’s dynamic performances pushed the band into a new direction that forged a unique marriage between accessible, catchy vocal melodies and an adventurous instrumental prowess. She was followed shortly thereafter by one of Chicago’s finest young guitarists, Jim Tashjian. With this new lineup of peerless musicianship in place, District 97 began wowing crowds and establishing a devoted fanbase through packed shows at legendary Chicago venues such as House of Blues, Schubas and Martyrs’, along with appearances at festivals such as CalProg 2010 in Whittier, CA and the Rites of Spring Festival in Gettysburg, PA in 2011.  Most recently, the band brought the house down performing with the legendary band “Kansas” in Elkhart, IN.

In May 2010, the band signed with progressive indie label Laser’s Edge, who oversaw worldwide physical and digital release of District 97’s debut effort, Hybrid Child, which was released to worldwide acclaim in September 2010, and went on to top many “Best of 2010” lists.  Running the gamut from Meshuggah-inspired metal, the epic majesty of Yes, and the melodicism of the Beatles, Hybrid Child unveiled District 97 as a true force to be reckoned with, and one that has taken the music world by storm. With fans ranging from high school students to world-class musicians such as Bill Bruford, John Wetton and Carl Palmer, it appears no one is immune from the alluring new sounds of District 97.

Joining District 97 will be Florida’s Little Atlas.  Voted best original rock band in Miami, Little Atlas has released their last two albums on Atlanta’s 10T Records.  This adventurous four-piece band is known for their instrumental prowess, heady lyrics, and turn-on-a-dime arrangements.  Like District 97, they are alumni of the Rites of Spring Progressive Music Festival.

The Nov. 18th Show at Headliners Music Hall, a state-of-the-art music venue that holds up to 750 fans, will be the first Kentucky show for either band.