Mr. Blotto was born in Chicago as an off-night vehicle for musicians who loved each others playing but were in different bands at the time. The only rule was that they would only play what they loved. That philosophy continues today and has led Mr. Blotto into unique musical situations.

Mr. Blotto takes the Jam band asthetic into areas unfamiliar to the standard Jam Scene. They have been known to cover entire albums by Led Zeppelin and the Who as well as perform entire shows of Country and Reggae. Artists as diverse as the Grateful Dead, the Flaming Lips, Willie Nelson and The Velvet Underground have seen their material interpreted by Mr. Blotto in the 2000+ shows the band has performed in the last 15 years, yet covers only pepper the bands hefty catalog of original material stemming from five studio albums and other unreleased crowd favorites.

At the forefront of the Bay Area’s Jazz/indie music scene, Oakland band Glimpse Trio/Duo, with their signature blend of frenzied musicality with sincere lyrics. Glimpse Trio music is accessible, appealing, and challenging all at once. For their third and fourth albums, Glimpse Trio worked with engineer/mixing guru, Oz Fritz (Tom Waits, Primus), and mastering engineer, Doug Sax (Rolling Stones, the Who). These upcoming albums featured their already innovative sound, while firmly staying grounded in their jazz and garage rock roots. Together, lead singer and guitarist, Mike Sopko, and drummer, Hamir Atwal, are the driving force behind Glimpse Trio’s music.

Hamir Atwal – Hamir began playing the drums at the age of 10, and started playing professionally at the age of 18. He studied at the Berklee College of Music on a scholarship studying improvisation with saxophone great Joe Lovano and trombonist/composer Hal Crook. Hamir is featured on Greg Osby’s 2008 release, 9 Levels, and toured with his band for over two years playing such places as The Village Vanguard in NYC and the Green Mill in Chicago. After graduating from Berklee, Hamir moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he collaborated with musicians such as clarinetist/composer Ben Goldberg (Tin Hat Trio), trumpeter Darren Johnston (Nice Guy Trio) and saxophonist Patrick Wolff. Hamir’s rock/jazz/improv group Glimpse Trio was founded with guitarist Mike Sopko in 2010. They released their 1st CD entitled “1985,” which was described by Downbeat Magazine editor, Frank Alkyer, as “a furious blend of rock, jazz, blues with infectious folkiness.” Glimpse Trio’s second CD, “Garage,” was released July 2012, featuring Anticon producer/keyboardist Martin Dosh (Andrew Byrd), and bassist Chris Lopes (Jeff Parker, Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane). In addition to performing, Hamir has also has taught drum clinics at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, the Berkeley Jazzschool, and Music Academy International (Nancy, France). Hamir has performed with such musicians as Joe Lavano, Greg Osby, Hal Crook, Dave Santoro and many more.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Mike Sopko, has been playing and studying guitar for over 20 years. Now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mike teaches locally and performs through out the the US. Mike has studied with a variety of teachers such as Dave Fiuczynski, John Schott and Bob Fraser, developing an array of guitar styles, including jazz, classical, rock and Bluegrass. Over the years, he has played, recorded, and toured with such musicians as Thomas Pridgen, G. Calvin Weston (Ornette Colman), Mike Watt, Dosh, Nina Ott, and Chris Lopes (Jeff Parker). Currently, Mike teaches at the Avloni Academy of Music, where he has been the head guitar instructor since 2003. In 2010, Mike founded the Bay Area jazz/rock band, Glimpse Trio, with drummer, Hamir Atwal. Glimpse Trio’s first album, 1985, was awarded Frank Alkyer “Editor’s Pick of the Month” in Downbeat Magazine.

Sister Speak is a collaboration of musicians supporting the expression of the woman’s voice. Sister Speak has toured nationally and played over 500 shows, including appearances on Canada’s Global TV, opening for major artists such as Air Supply at Humphrey’s in San Diego, at NAMM, House of Blues San Diego, The Belly Up, Hard Rock Cafe, at various festivals and all over the USA and western Canada. In 2011 they were nominated ‘Best New Artist’ at the San Diego Music Awards.

Led by singer/songwriter Sherri-Anne, Sister Speak combines Sher’s captivating vocals and unique guitar stylings with drummer Lisa Viegas’s dynamic percussive beats. Sister Speak has performed with a variety of artists – Sam Cathcart, Swift Pony & Stephen Gentallali to name a few. Their most recent line-up features vocal harmonies and lead guitar by the soulful Tolan Shaw, and tasteful bass guitar grooves by Jacob Miranda.

Sister Speak’s presence is inspiring and refreshing, lending to a wide range of genres – mainly “Alternative/Blues & World.” With 2 live CD’s and a 2012 Demo under their belt, Sister Speak is currrently working on their DEBUT full-length album! Estimated release: November 2013