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Vibe Syndicate

dontchawannaknow?

About Me

Vibe Syndicate is an original 6-piece band from Madison, Wisconsin whose sound incorporates elements of funk, soul, r&b, jazz and hip-hop. Influenced by everything from James Brown to Miles Davis, the band features Carolynn Black on vocals and the occasional tambourine, Jon Hoel on saxophone and flute, Wade Alters on keys, Todd Thomas on guitar, John Mesoloras on bass, and Aaron Streicher on drums. Their combined experience and musical knowledge is clearly evident in their electrifying stage performances. A typical set at a Vibe Syndicate show is heavy on the original tunes with some choice covers from artists like Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, and west coast funk band Breakestra, to name just a few.Released in October 2007, their deubt cd “Check Yourself,” flows from one style to the next, wrapping political verses and lusty come-ons around funky grooves and sultry beats. The title track rants against an insensitive lover, while the calypso flavored “Give me more” pleads for, well, more. Ms. Black’s lyrics are often inspired by her experiences living in New York, including “Can you believe?” which recounts 9/11 as seen from her Brooklyn backyard.Carolynn Black, who also sings with local legend Clyde Stubblefield, joined the band in 2005 after moving to Madison from New York where she was a regular performer at famed Greenwich Village club The Bitter End. John Mesoloras, also a local middle school music director, plays with several outfits including jazz chanteuse Gerri DiMaggio. Jon Hoel, a seriously funky brass man, also plays with The Get Down Syndrome and has helped to organize the Recreational Rhythms festival four years running.Voted Best New Band in 2007 by Isthmus readers in the Annual Manual, Vibe Syndicate has also been nominated for Madison Area Music Awards (MAMA) in 2007, 2005 and 2004.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 4/26/2006
Band Website: vibesyndicate.com
Band Members: Wade Alters on keyboards...Carolynn Black on vocals...Jon Hoel on saxophone...John Mesoloras on bass...Aaron Streicher on drums...Todd Thomas on guitar
Influences: if it has a killer groove and a luscious sound, it's probably moved us all in some way. Here's just a few: Stevie Wonder, Brand New Heavies, Jill Scott, Sly & The Family Stone, Breakestra, Prince...
Sounds Like: good question. you tell us...
Record Label: Wondercat
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Oh well, we didn’t win...

So we didn't win a MAMA this year, oh well. It's an honor just to be nominated, really. Wait a minute, didn't I say that last year? Well, it's still true. Maybe if they have an r&b category next y...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Sun, 11 May 2008 10:45:00 PST

We were nominated again!!!

Vibe Syndicate has been nominated for Urban artist of the Year, and our debut cd, Check Yourself has garnished a Best Urban Album nomination for the 2008 MAMAs (Madison area Music Awards) Check out th...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 PST

Great review on Mad Tracks

Check it out - our first review on Mad Tracks... http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=15461
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:10:00 PST

The CDs have ARRIVED!!!

YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!! The CD's have arrived and look and sound FABULOUS. Come get your very own copy - hey, you can even get it signed! - at our CD release party on Friday, October 26th at The KING CL...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:35:00 PST

Vibe Syndicate voted Madison’s Best New Band!!!

Check it out! The 2007 ISTHMUS Annual Manual is out and Vibe Syndicate has been voted Favorite New Band!  Thanks to all who voted - we love you all! http://www.thedailypage.com/mad-tools/mad...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:19:00 PST

MAMA voting

Okay, so MAMA voting is underway. Here's all you have to do: go to www.broadjam.com/mama and register for only $5. Go through the voting and when you get to the Artist of the Year categories, if...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:20:00 PST

We want our MAMA!

The nominations are in and Vibe Syndicate is up for a Madison Area Music Award (MAMA) this year. We've been nominated for R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of The Year! WOOHOO!!! Voting for this round ...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 07:26:00 PST

What's new?

Okay, so fall (and winter) has come and gone and still no cd release. These things always take more time than you think! We're still working on it and hoping for a spring finish. In the meantime, we'l...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:43:00 PST

NEW TRACKS!!

So we've been working on the cd all summer, recording tracks at DNA studios, and also in John Mesoloras' apartment! We've still got some more stuff to lay down and tweaking to do, but I thought I'd po...
Posted by Vibe Syndicate on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:14:00 PST