The trials, tribulations, and grassroot determination of our team has exposed us as one of the most upcoming and notorious roots bands on the scene. Few other bands dig as deep in to the God-given mojo and animusical magnetism afforded to Michigans favorite acoustic ghetto rebel sons.
Rootstand successfully marries the sounds of traditional forms of Roots musics, like Irish reels, and old world polkas, Caribbean ska to American blues and bluegrass to the cutting edge sounds of experimental blues and groove, urban hip-hop, dancehall reggae, and electronica. Our music is very diverse, yet completely logical: Ska and Polka, bluegrass and reggae, hip-hop and country blues, dancehall and Irish reels. What we do is not a token conglomeration of popular forms, it is altogether something new, a new sound, built upon the foundations of traditional music but never intending to replicate it.
Rootstand had the opportunity to jam with a host of great musicians in the past couple years, including John Sinclair, Donna the Buffalo, Lotus, The Brothers Past, Sam Bush, George Clinton and the 420 Funk Mob, Victor Wooten, The Zen Tricksters, Melvin Seals and Rob Wasserman, Tony Furtado, Vince Welnick Band, Mr. Blotto, Derek Trucks Band, Benevento and Russo Duo, Railroad Earth, Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna, Ekoostik Hookah, Tim O'Brian, Chris Smither, Tony Rice and Peter Rowan, Jerry Garcia Band, Henry Butler, Mamadou Diabate, Cornmeal, Grada, Jazz is Dead and seriously many more. We are honored to have shared the stage with these, and all our brother and sister musicians.
From Will Stewart's article in the Ann Arbor News Spotlight, May 26th, 2005
"...listen closely and elements as diverse as Irish reels and dancehall reggae mingle comfortably alongside country blues and bluegrass, murder ballads and high-lonesome harmonies."
Rootstand, the critically acclaimed Northern Michigan based band is booking dates to fill their 2007 schedule! After their appearance at The Wheatland Music Festival in September of 2006 and many other club and festival performances, the guys are poised for an epic year in '07.
Lead vocalists and lead guitarist Brant Losinski said, “The reception we received this summer, after all this band has been through the last couple of years, is nothing short of amazing.” While touring the nation relentlessly in '06 Brant, along with John Synder and the rest of Rootstand, has added many new fans to the Rootstand Community. Rootstand has set goals of broadening their fan base while maintaining commitments to dedicated friends and family.
This band displays their collective musical roots in tunes of old from Celtic to the Blues and blending in the freshest tones and rhythms from Reggae to Hip Hop. It is often said, but here is a band that can not be called a specific genre. Rootstand stands alone in its ability to bring together old traditional songs and with contemporary sounds. Please browse what the Press is writing about this unique group of musicians and decide for yourself if your patrons would be talking for weeks to come about the Rootstand experience.
NOTE: Jam Cam Chronicles selected Rootstand's version of I Know You Rider for their Memories of Jerry segment on last years Sunshine Daydream edition. Two other songs from Roots and Branches, and Grassroot Ghetto were also selected for other segments from Jam Cam's summer compilations from 2006.
