June 2012 WAMI Featured Artist – The Lucas Cates Band
Led by the rich, versatile vocals of Lucas Cates and wrapped by refined, expressive harmonies and musicianship from guitarist/violinist Kenny Leiser, bassist Mark Noxon and drummer Jesse Warmka, The Lucas Cates Band (TLCB) is quickly turning a major regional buzz into a national draw. Their blend of pop, rock, blues, reggae, funk and alt-country makes the Madison-based band hard to pigeonhole but easy to enjoy, if you love good music. A Broadjam review describes their sound as
“unique popcountry-rock-punk-cool.”
And music site Space City Rock out of Dallas, Texas writes “if your attention isn’t caught by the soothing vocals, great acoustics or funny lyrics.. then you, my friend..should check to see if you’re still breathing.” The quartet of talented musicians is touring North America in support of their 4th original album. Cates says the new album, ”Captures the essence of the band. The energy, the jams, the dynamics– all of it!” The infectious melodies are quickly gaining new fans from coast to coast and hitting the airwaves. Tunes like “Turn the Light On” are being called an example of how “a song can build into something memorable, even majestic” by The Daily Page MadTracks Reporter Jessica Steinhoff. The band is also planning for another release late in 2012.
The band’s secret weapon is their friendship and the true admiration each has for the other’s talents. All four have played in other bands but found an incredible chemistry when the current line-up came together five years ago. “Kenny is the musical attraction of the band,” according to Noxon. “He’s up front and commands attention in the way he plays.” Meantime, Leiser says, “Jesse Warmka is without a doubt, the best drummer. He feels the music while listening to what’s going on around him.” These examples of mutual affection, helped the group skyrocket quickly on the local and regional scene. TLCB won 16 Madison Area Music Awards in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 including the coveted Artist of the Year award in 2009. The band was also voted Pop Artist of the Year by the greater Wisconsin Area Music Industry in April of 2012. TLCB has an intensive national and regional tour schedule– adding fans at every stop. Boasting over 175 shows and adding 40,000 miles to the odometer per year, Cates says, ”A year ago none of us imagined where we’d be today and I assume next year we will say the same thing. We have similar goals and expectations for ourselves, as well as a long-term goal of making this a lifestyle choice.”
If current success is any indication– television, radio, newspaper and website coverage across the country, a song picked up by the Cincinnati Ballet, music videos, international, satellite, college, AAA and commercial radio– the group’s momentum is unstoppable. A review by Kenneth Burns of Isthmus calls TLCB’s live show the “most technically remarkable playing. Bassist Mark Noxon and guitarist/violinist Kenny Leiser are virtuosos, and watching them trade riffs was thrilling.” Leiser simply says, ”We’re doing what our fans have asked for, across the country. I hope it helps propel us further along our excellent adventure.” The Lucas Cates Band maintains full control over booking, management and publicity; in essence, acting as their own label. The group is committed to moving their career to the next level, together. “These relationships are binding. We are in it for the long haul,” says Cates.
-Teri Barr “Independent Living”
www.lucascates.com–our website
www.lucascates.com/songs -link to all our recorded tracks
www.myspace.com/lucascates
www.reverbnation.com/lucascates
www.twitter.com/lucascatesband
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lucas-Cates-Band/158273467616 -our facebook page
Links at YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPxrfXhYl8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGQVeRqHaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3R1qi3PR4c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heQC3PfCW4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFm3FiVzhhk
Link to cdbaby page where all our discs can be found for sale
www.cdbaby.com/Search/bHVjYXMgY2F0ZXM%3d/0
Lucas Cates
lucascates@hotmail.com
608-213-6659
for booking/promo/management