Aziola Cry is an instrumental trio from Chicago consisting of Chapman Stick®, guitar, and drums. It is this unique line-up and interplay between the Stick® and guitar that help define the band’s sound. The numerous time-signature changes and moody tempo shifts in their compositions are all a part of the overall goal of telling a story through music.The band was formed in 2004 when Chapman Stick® player, Jason Blake, sought out musicians to play the new music that he had written. This search yielded local guitarist, Mike Milaniak and longtime collaborator/drummer, Tim Stickradt. The band then entered the studio to begin recording their debut CD. The result was “Ellipsis,†an eight-song album that tells the story of loss and inner turmoil. Touted as “quite a monumental album,†“timeless†and “highly recommended,†their debut album received rave reviews while setting the stage for what was to come from the band.For their next CD, the band decided to record a twenty-two minute epic song that is divided into three parts. Entitled, “Ghost Conversations,†it is a tale of affirmation and self reflection. “The album works as the final chapter of the “Ellipsis†story,†Blake said. “It also finishes a chapter in the band’s writing, which is why the stories tie together.†Praised as being “a listening experience that will leave you breathless and exhilarated,†the new album led Ytsejam writer Tommy Hash to label the band as the “leaders of dark experimental ear candy.†Following the release of “Ghost Conversations,†the band embarked on a successful Midwest tour that included an appearance at M.A.R.S. Fest in Milwaukee.2007 saw a member change when Tom Murray became the new drummer for Aziola Cry. The band has already written music for a new full length album and expects to get in the studio sometime later this year. “The next album is going to take the sound of the first two recordings a step further,†Blake explained. “The concept of the album will be unlike anything that we have done up to this point.â€
