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The Art of Electricity is available on CD and for the very first time across all streaming / download platforms including Spotify, Amazon, and CD Baby. Remembering The Art of Electricity through photos, videos, and a reflective interview with Brian Shamie of the Daily Herald’s Chicago Sound Check. The Art of Electricity was recorded at Groovemaster Studio with producer Johnny K. After the album's release at Metro Chicago on December 13th 2014, the Aaron Williams Band toured for one and a half years (50 shows) in support until the tour closing performances at House of Blues Chicago on April 30th and at the 4th annual Homegrown Arts and Music Festival August 6th, both in 2016.
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* songs only Included on CD release
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PETER SPERO (ORGAN/KEYS): "One of the things I most loved about recording with The Aaron Williams Band at Groovemaster Studios was the complete artistic atmosphere that Aaron was able to create. It made the songs recorded for the Art of Electricity album incredible works of rock and roll art!"
9-Song CD or 6-Song digital download EP includes the singles "No Forfeit", "Lightning Bolt," and "Ash" written and performed by Aaron Williams with studio appearances by Stubhy Pandav (Vocalist of Lucky Boys Confusion), Peter Spero (organist), Kris Ahrens (Drums/Percussion), and Daniel Wonsover (Bass).
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Click Here to Listen on Spotify
Click Here purchase on CD Baby
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STUBHY PANDAV (GUEST VOCALIST): When Aaron asked me to guest on “Ash”, at first, I was hesitant. Going into the studio to sing on someone else’s “baby” can either be disastrous or beautiful. Luckily, the studio was professional, Aaron was prepared and open to ideas. The experience was great and we were able get a solid tune out!! Congrats on the anniversary!
Recording at Groovemaster Studios
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Aaron Williams Band recorded and mixed the album at Groovemaster Studios with producer Johnny K over 2012 & 2013. The Art of Electricity was a new artistic direction from Williams' previous acoustic based albums. The new sound came together after playing an array of electric guitars and tones from the Johnny K's studio collection. Technical and punchy rhythms mixed with craftily catchy songwriting has made The Art of Electricity a timeless and memorable album. A unique work that has stuck out in an over saturated Chicagoland music scene, dominated by cover bands.
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JOHNNY K (PRODUCER/ENGINEER): "It was a pleasure working with Aaron. His songwriting, and sound have a nostalgic familiarity. The album reminds me of listening to Chicago's WXRT"
CD Release Party Live at Metro Chicago
December 13th 2014
December 13th 2014
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METRO 12/13/14 : SETLIST Promised Land Ash Our Seashore Feeling Okay Lightning Bolt No Forfeit Runaway Soul Slow Down Encore: Fire in Me Little Time For Me |
Most songs off "The Art of Electricity" debuted on national radio WKQX DEMO312 show hosted by James VanOsdol. Click the links below to listen to the podcast from the original broadcast on 101.1FM.
Aaron Williams Band "Lightning Bolt" & 88 Fingers Louie
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Aaron Williams Band "Ash" with AM Taxi
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Aaron Williams Band "No Forfeit" with Fridays Pilots Club & Like Language
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Aaron Williams Band "Promised Land" with August Hotel, Marina City & Man Called Noon
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Aaron Williams Band "Promised Land" with Smoking Popes & Bury Me In Lights
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Aaron Williams Band "Promised Land" with Chance the Rapper & Darling Suns
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"Art of Electricity masterfully runs the gamut of modern rock and pop songs, owing as much to Williams’ undeniable talent as a songwriter as to his irresistible charisma as a performer" - Jim Hanke (Vinyl Emergency)
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"Lightning Bolt" performed live on NPR's Sessions from Studio A with Carl Nelson
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"Promised Land" performed live on Chicago Acoustic Underground with Michael Teach
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"Ash" performed live on Car Con Carne with James VanOsdol
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Tour Fliers/ Photos
Aaron Williams Band performed most of Chicago’s most prestigious venues and toured all over the country in support of the album. The tour brought them to South By Southwest Austin TX for five performances, Viper Room in West Hollywood, Metro Chicago, Double Door, Lincoln Hall, SRIM Fest Milwaukee, Homegrown Arts and Music Festival, and House of Blues Chicago. Ash and Promised Land have been performed LIVE on WGN Radio, the Mancow Morning Show, and 101.1FM WKQK's Car Con Carne. Checkout some fliers, artwork, and photos from the tour.
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DANIEL WONSOVER (BASSIST): Looking back to the recording of The Art Of Electricity, I have nothing but fond memories. Those were some incredible times. You ever hear that saying that "you don't know you're in the golden years until they're gone"? That really sums it up for me. I was super lucky to have Aaron take me under his wing as a band leader, a mentor, someone more experienced than me to show me around the block. It was really an incredible experience and the drive on that guy is unlike anyone else. He is a natural leader, entrepreneur, visionary ... It's great to be around and those were awesome times. Everything was so exciting and full of optimism. In terms of the album itself ... wow ... what a cool thing to be part of. The songs are filled with energy, power and a pinch of "zazz" that is unique to Aaron in everything he writes. Catchy hooks, great riffs and so much energy ... so freaking much energy .. which is classic Aaron. You can put that guy on a stage for 10 hours straight and he wont let up. He'll entertain the crowd the whole time, whether it's 10 people or 10 million ... He's like a freaking freight train of energy. A tank that can drive the speed of a ferrari! Haha ... He really is one of the best performers I've ever worked with ... honestly, in terms of rocking a stage, he might be the best .... and his sound is very uniquely his own. I don't want to use the word "quirky" cause it might have a negative connotation, but under all the ROCK that's happening, there is this unique, fun loving, quirkiness that ONLY sounds like Aaron Williams ... and to me, that's one of the greatest things you can do as an artist. Be uniquely yourself. Anyone can learn a million scales or whatever else, but more importantly than all that is being your unique self, and Aaron did that on the Art of Electricity. I think..... Jerry Garcia, once said "Don't be the best at what you do .. .be the only one that does it" ... and i'll tell you what ... Aaron has done exactly that. His fun loving spirit comes through all of his music. It's really pretty special. He is one of the greatest hangs, the greatest pals, he takes care of his friends, his community, he's so much fun, creates such a home for his bandmates, other local bands, all the people around him, and you can hear it in what he does. It comes through the music, 100%. He's really one of a kind, man ... and he asks for nothing in return. It's pretty incredible. I'm just grateful to have been part of it all. I honestly can't say enough but ... hopefully all this is sufficient to get my point across. But yeah, there is only one Aaron Williams in the universe and I'm glad to have been a part of his life ...