Backside Pick

Backside Pick kicks off their Fall tour today. The band will be playing 15 dates in 14 different cities in 8 states. Here's a video of Backside Pick being photographed at the tour's inaugural venue: Hailey's club in Denton, Texas where they're very excited to be playing with Detroit-based NOMO. Check their myspace for information and tour updates.

Backside Pick is:
Rocky Ottley - guitar and vocals
Justin Stanton - keys
Cooper Appelt- bass
Tony Spiro - drums
Sylvester Onyejiaka - tenor sax
Nick Wlodarczyk- trombone
I previously blogged about Nick's music here.

not pictured, but awesome:
Evan Weiss - Trumpet
Mike Hodges - aux percussion
Chris Villanueva- keys

I'm back in Texas!

...In my dreams. That's right, it's April Fools Day so it's time for all things fun & random. Coming up later this month is the Denton Arts & Jazz Fest. In celebration I'm posting a video I did about it a few years ago for a competition I won to work as a photographer/videographer at the University of North Texas. And now playing at every computer on earth with internet access, my youtube channel.



Opening music from Chicago, then "Prospekt Mira" as played by Barbara Buchholz, written by: Tilmann Denhard & "Chameleon" arranged and performed by Gary Eckert. The theremin music Barbara creates has really rooted itself in my brain in an awesome way. She's changed my opinion on and the way I listen to electronic music. Take a listen also to Barbara's myspace page and her side projects: Finnproject, Tango Electrique, and other collaboration with Tilmann.

Wood Are Sick

"Let's start with a controversial example"


A funky jazz cat; a soulful rockstar, with a tenor trombone.
Nick Wlodarczyk. Five consecutive consonants touring the globe with rock band Polyphonic Spree - Jammin' with Paul Slavens, Virtual Insanity, Backside Pick, Little Brian, he's been a Thelonious Monk Institute Finalist, placed high with ITA, and played bone on a Grammy nominated recording with the Mancini Institute. Nick's even been at IAJE as a vocalist, recorded his own CD, and could probably make it as a stand up comedian! He's a swell fellow. (Illustration above by Nick Earl)


Nick, straight up. Below, Nick's CD release party at the Greenhouse restaurant with Tony Baker (left) and LA-based trombonist Andy Martin (left). Not pictured, but still drummin' it up: Michael D'Angelo. Nick Wlodarczyk currently studies under Steve Wiest, and is featured nationally in many performances like this one.


With Jamiroquai tribute band Virtual Insanity, Nick trades his trombone for a tambourine.


I just included the Backside Pick logo 'cause it's so fun! They've recently been on a tour to Costa Rica and have released an EP titled Like I Do