Nnamdi at Edgewater Music Fest

Chicago punk rockers, circus act, and marching band Mucca Pazza formed on a principle that many musicians shun out of hand: band geeks are awesome. In fact, much of Mucca Pazza's appeal comes from their wholehearted acceptance -- even celebration -- of the band nerd identity. The 30-piece group includes standard marching band fare like saxophones, sousaphone, trumpets, trombones, and drums in addition to less common elements like accordion, guitar, violin, and designated cheerleaders. Taking to the stage in intentionally mismatched thrift-store band uniforms, Mucca Pazza perform repertoire including rearranged rock tunes, traditional Czech folk songs, original compositions, and other strange bedfellows too numerous to name. Band director Mark Messing first invited instrumentalist friends to meet up in Chicago's industrial district to play, hoping to create a "marching band culture nostalgia group." More and more musicians continued to arrive for auditions, until the band had swollen to its current epic size. Building up interest and curiosity through word of mouth alone, Mucca Pazza began performing in local bars and clubs. Though it took some time, concert attendees eventually started to outnumber musicians. Performance venues themselves began to compete with the band for oddness, and have included public parks, the stage of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and canoes floating down the Chicago River. In 2007 Mucca Pazza filled a bus and took to the road for their first-ever tour, following the recording of their debut EP, the 30-minute A Little Marching Band. Plans were in the works for more touring and a full-length album to be released in 2008. Freaks: Greg Hirte (violin), Gary Kalar (mandolin), Ronnie Kuller (accordion), Jeff Thomas (guitar) Woodwinds: Nick Dempsey, Eve Monzingo, Dave Smith, Noah Tabakin Trumpets: Justin Amolsch, Loto Ball, Ben Cole, Sam Johnson Bones: Nick Broste, Tom Howe, Elanor Leskiw, Dave Ramey, Dan Stark Sousaphone, etc.: Mark Messing Percussion "K12": Larry Beers, Paul Brannon, Andy Deitrich, Tony DiMartino, Rick Kubes, George Lawler, Ronnie Malley, Jon Steinmeier Cheerleaders: Sharon Lanza, Lori Myers, Meghan Strell http://mucca-pazza.org

For years Hip Hop fans have desired a MC who combines old school lyricism with new school swag. Filling that void is one of Chicago’s finest, Kastaway. Straight from Chicago’s Westside streets of North Lawndale and Garfield Park, Kastaway has lived through much in his 19 years. His struggling, single mother tried to shelter him from pain, but his drug-abusing father forced him to become a man too early. Instead of letting the grit of the neighborhood destroy him, he uses it to polish the facets of his music: seamless flows, poetic lyrics, and compelling beats. While other MC’s limit themselves to booty, bling, and rims, Kastaway chooses to create music that explores the intricacies of life in the hood and seeks to portray the truth about the people who have been labeled the “permanent underclass”. With a knack for detail, Kastaway verbally paints vivid pictures of his life and neighborhood from many different angles. Kastaway carries the lyrical agility of Jay-Z, aggressive consciousness of Ice-Cube, the diverse rhythms of Busta Rhymes, and the battle ready mentality of Big-Daddy Kane. He is able serve Underground Hip Hop Fans with hard rhymes, while simultaneously crafting songs with catchy hooks. In Kastaway’s forthcoming trilogy 1.9.3.4. EP Vo1 1,The D.Allen Project Vol 2,and the Untitled third ep listeners are taken on a journey of a man searching for truth, acceptance, validation and happiness, all while keeping the music true to real Hip Hop roots.