SistaStrings • Phillip-Michael Scales • B~Free
Mon 02/17/20
7:00PM
All Ages
music
$12 ADV // $15 DOS
Show Lineup
SistaStrings
(Milwaukee, WI)
Genre: Experimental
The sound of SistaStrings can’t be described in one word. The Milwaukee-based sister duo (Chauntee – violin, Monique – cello) combines their classical background with R&B and a touch of gospel that culminates in a deep, lush sound. Formed in 2014 after the sisters graduated from college, the sisters began composing string arrangements for local hip-hop artists and the rest is history. SistaStrings has performed with Malik Yusef, Black Violin, Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony, Lupe Fiasco, BJ The Chicago Kid, and The Roots. They have soloed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. They will be releasing their debut EP in 2019.
Phillip-Michael Scales
(Chicago, IL)
Genre: Soul
Growing up, Phillip-Michael Scales had an uncle who played guitar for a living. He knew it was a big deal but didn’t understand the significance that his Uncle’s name was B.B. King. Even though Phillip-Michael played guitar, he shied away from soloing and most things blues. Instead, he fell in love with songwriting when an english teacher told him “A great writer can make their reader identify with anyone.” The trouble was he couldn’t find his story in the blues.
Born with a fierce independent streak and a passion for performing, Scales fronted his own indie bands, wrote and recorded his own music, and worked to make a name for himself on his own terms. All the while, his uncle just smiled a knowing smile and encouraged him to “stay with it.” As Phillip-Michael began to discover “the blues” in his private and personal life, their relationship grew closer.
It wasn’t until his Uncle passed away, that Scales began incorporating more of the blues into his music. “These days I’m finding more of my story in the blues. A lot has led me here between politics, my identity, and of course: Legacy.” The result is a sound he calls “Dive Bar Soul” which takes a bit of indie rock story telling and couples it with the passion of the blues.
His most recent single, “O, Hallelujah” broke 50k plays and he has been featured in Rolling Stone France. His music has taken him all the way to the Middle East, as well as festivals across Europe and North America.He has opened for Fantastic Negrito, Anderson East, Guster, David Cook, Bethany Joy Lenz, Matt Hires, Billy Raffoul, Crystal Bowersox, Tyler Hilton, Jon McLaughlin, and Cory Brannan.
B*Free featuring For the Culture
(Milwaukee)
Genre: Hip-Hop
When you’re first introduced to the soulful sounds of singer, producer & multi-instrumentalist B~Free, it is but a mere taste of all the capabilities this young lady embodies. From composing original songs at only 7 years old to training in flute, voice and piano, the Chicago-born Milwaukee native has dedicated her life to music. B~Free is a proud alumna of the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and has earned degrees in musical studies from both Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and VanderCook College of Music. The 2012 release of her debut project, “Open Mic, Open Heart” earned her rave reviews from reputable blogs for her original compositions. However, in 2014, tragedy struck as an 11-month hiatus and vocal cord surgery left the young singer fearing the loss of her gift. Yet she persevered; dropping her latest self-produced album, the “Ode 2 A Luv Affair LP,” in late 2016 – hailed as the #1 Milwaukee Album by the Journal Sentinel in 2017. Today, B~Free serves her musical community as a curator, educator, and artist of all sorts. Having performed in a number of venues throughout the country, Free has shared stages with a variety of artists, and provided direct support as the opening act for Janelle Monáe’s Milwaukee tour date at Summerfest 2018. Her treasure chest of talents continues to catapult her up the ladder of the music scene, as she remains hungry to give music what it’s been missing: a chance to B~Free.
The ‘Ode 2 A Luv Affair LP’ is available for streaming and purchase on ALL digital media outlets!
For The Culture Bio
Rock, Soul and fusion-influenced band For The Culture is an eclectic force in the realm of music. Formed and debuted in Milwaukee, WI, the group features a wide-ranging assemblage of musicians, centered around synth player and leader Quinten Farr. The band’s full lineup consists of Farr himself on keyboard/synthesizer, along with bassist Calvin Turner, guitarist Aram Feriants and drummer Jonathan Harris. Having an emphasis on the ethnic fusion of Rock and Roll with the likes of Neo Soul music, the group resides within the self-proclaimed genre of “Rock-Soul.”