“Aquino reminds us of the beauty of acoustic sound and the value of reaching out to make beautiful music as part of shared experience. His voice is clear and this storyteller transports you to experiences in your past, shared past and other’s experiences to bring us all closer together.”
Check out the whole review from [Q]Onstage HERE. Thanks to Sherri and [Q]Onstage for their support of the arts!
I've been nominated for some Audio Verse Awards. YAY! Here are the categories:
Best Original Composition for a Self-Contained Production
Blood Heart w/ Ernio Hernandez for The Last Call
Cape May Warbler for Hot Drinks
The C.A.T. Festival Theme Song for The Cocotazo Audio Theatre Festival
Best Original Composition for a Dramatic Production
Blood Heart w/ Ernio Hernandez for The Last Call
Cape May Warbler by for Hot Drinks
The C.A.T. Festival Theme Song for The Cocotazo Audio Theatre Festival
Best Audio Engineering for a self-contained Production
Hot Drinks
Rincón
Something Inside That Head of
The Last Call
Unforeseen Circumstance
Something Inside That Head of Yours
Best Audio Engineering for a dramatic Production
Hot Drinks
Rincón
The Last Call
Unforeseen Circumstance
Best Actor in a Role for a Self-contained Dramatic Production
as Ahote in The Last Call
as Hector in Rincón
Please vote by going here: http://www.audioverseawards.net/site/semi-finals-voting-form/
The Password is pancakes.
THANK YOU!
You read right. You can stream it on this site or you can download/purchase it at these sites:
The next and last introduction goes to Declan Remus. Dex and I have been connected for roughly 20 years. We've always been each other's supporter. Whether it's music or biking for autism or just being a friend (cue the Golden Girls theme song) it's been a pleasure to have Dex in my life.
Dex has been playing guitar and writing music since the early 90's. He (and few other great friends of ours) started a band in college called Brandon's Art. (Get me drunk and you'll hear the demos.) Then there was a long stint of him playing in the Springsteen tribute band, Thunder Road. They toured the shore (and beyond). We reconnected about 8 years ago and Dex has been my right hand man when it comes to my music. I can't be more thankful for that. His tasty guitar work can be heard on the City Stars track "Milly" as well as a bunch of songs on my debut album, Giants Will Fall.
So make sure to venture out to the Bloomfield Public Library tomorrow at 2p for the City Stars - Album Release and to hear Dex lay down the law. Let us know if you're coming: https://www.facebook.com/events/371388376629142
The next introduction is Ken Kusama. Ken is a multi-instrumentalist that recorded the additional lush guitars on Amaze Me for the City Stars EP. He also contributed drum and guitar parts on my debut album Giants Will Fall.
I've known Ken for a while now. He's a fan of coffee, capos, and open tunings. We briefly played as a duo. I got to not only to share the stage with Ken but to become close friends. Unfortunately, he won't be around for the City Stars - Album Release show but the band and I will make sure to capture the spirit of Ken on Amaze Me.
So make sure to let us know if you are coming to the release show by going here: https://www.facebook.com/events/371388376629142/
The next City Stars - Album Release introduction goes to bassist, beer connoisseur, and amazing friend, Christian Davis. Christian recorded the low end for a bunch of songs on my first album, Giants Will Fall, and will accompany me on some of those songs this Saturday. Here's some more about Christian:
"After years of contributing to the rhythm sections of tri-state area bands, and working with some wonderful songwriters, Christian Davis set out to find his own voice. He initially worked out guitar parts on bass, with thoughts of forming a band, but in time bass became the only instrument. He’s developed a raw style, with bare bones bass tones and rhythms, and stream of consciousness lyricism. His lyrics express feelings on the future, the past, relationships, politics, and self-exploration."
Christian has really developed a unique bass/vocal performance style that is wonderful to hear. Hopefully we'll see more of his solo stuff in the future (nudge, nudge). For now, come on down Saturday to the show and see Christian tear it up.
Barbara Carames is a force to reckoned with. Not only did she lend her voice to the track "Amaze Me" on City Stars but gets her voice out there in many ways. Check this out:
"Unbeknownst to the world, a shy, 7 year-old girl started singing and she kept doing it because she LOVED it! Her journey of self-expression and shared-expression would ultimately lead Barbara to various forms of music and theater. In college at Stevens Institute of Technology, Barbara would become a well-rounded Renaissance woman of the arts, singing in choirs and cabarets, performing in leading stage roles, and honing her craft in just about every production role she could get her hands on. Since then, life as a corporate professional have kept Barbara very busy but she does her best to make time and embrace her passion for the arts when she can - especially when a dear “amigo” invites her to collaborate! Her experience recording with Aquino on City Stars has been nothing short of amazing and one Barbara will always appreciate and treasure!"
Same here, Barbara! Same here. I've known Barbara as a performer from a young age (we met in elementary school) and I am beyond thrilled to have her sing "Amaze Me" at the City Stars Album Release Show on Saturday. Are you coming?! Don't miss her sing!
It was a little over a year ago that I asked Gene-Manuel Whirling if he would consider creating the album art for City Stars. I only had demos of the songs. I sent them to him and he felt an immediate connection. Inspired by the themes in the songs and his love for architecture, he created the current cover. He absolutely captured the essence and tone of the album. I couldn't be more happy. More on Gene-Manuel:
"Gene-Manuel Whirling is a self-taught, mixed-media artist, who follows his instincts when it comes to the work he creates. He learns by doing and does his best to not let the fear of 'not knowing' get in the way of making art."
To see more of G-M's beautiful works, you can go here: https://www.thewhirlinggene.com or consider purchasing some of his art here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhirlingArt
The City Stars Album Release show is Saturday! Please make sure to let us know your coming by heading over to the link.
