Featured Shazzle Artist - Vanattica

VANATTICA | Shazzle Featured Artist

Name – Vanattica

Members – Drake Gravely (22) – Drums, Backup Vocals
Travis Leonard (21) – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Tom Miebach (22) – Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals
Shawn Fairchild (21) – Bass Guitar, Backup Vocals

Location – Champaign, IL

LABEL: Green St. Records

Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/vanattica

Shazzle Featured Artist Vanattica in front of a truck

Genre – Rock/Alternative

Influences Include – 311, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Underoath

Shazzle Featured Song - Believe

About –Vanattica formed when four longtime friends; Travis Leonard, Cal Joslin, Tom Miebach, and Drake Gravely (all from the small town of Mahomet, Illinois) united in late 2004. Cal, Tom, and Drake have played together since they were twelve years old, forming The Other Side in 2001. The Other Side recorded and produced two albums of original music: the self-titled debut in 2003 and Blind Ambition in 2004. Their song "Open Your Eyes" was entered in a local radio station (WPGU) Battle of the Bands contest, winning the High School division and earning second place overall. Travis Leonard started collaborating with Cal on music in late summer of 2004. During the fall semester, while Travis was attending college in California, and Cal in Tennessee, they began writing songs together using the internet to share ideas. Back home during holiday break, Cal and Travis were joined by Tom and Drake, who both attend college in Illinois, for their first rehearsal as a new band. Songs and recording ideas were initiated and developed during the second semester, and the four came back home in June to get started on this project. After a few rehearsals, the group chose the name Vanattica in tribute to their friend, classmate, and former bandmate, Tyler Van Atkins, who tragically lost his life during their freshman year of high school. Recording of Saturday Night Staredown began the following summer of 2005, with completion in just over one month. All fourteen songs were written, recorded, and produced by Vanattica, using their own equipment in their own homes. The boys continued to write new material and collaborate via the internet as they all attended college in different states, yet they came together once again in the summer of 2006. With new songs and ample dedication Vanattica took to the road, playing shows throughout Illinois and Indiana. The productive summer of 2006 ended with a music video shoot, produced by Shatterglass Studios and filmed at The High Dive in Champaign, for their song "Hear Me Out." In order to spend more time with the band, lead singer Travis decided to transfer to the University of Illinois in the fall of 2006, allowing three members to regularly collaborate. Although Cal Joslin, the bassist, continued to study music at Belmont College in Nashville, throughout the fall of 2006 Travis and lead guitarist Tom frequently performed acoustic sets around Champaign-Urbana to hone their skills. Also, during this fall semester members of the band were interviewed on radio station WPGU 107.1, and the band was chosen to be included in the 2007 edition of the Green St. Records compilation album, which showcases the best in local music of the Champaign-Urbana area. Upon the winter break of late 2006, Vanattica performed brand-new material at several shows to enthusiastic audiences. During the early months of 2007, bass player Cal Joslin separated from the band to pursue other goals. Bassist Doug Greene (also from Mahomet, Illinois) quickly replaced Joslin in the Vanattica lineup. Vanattica has been playing multiple shows during the summer of '07 and also completed a new album entitled Poetic Justice at Apocalypse Cow Recording Studio in Chicago IL during the month of August. The album was released in early January and Features 11 Original tracks of catchy Alt/Rock material. All artwork and photography for the album was also created by the band. The band is traveling to Philadelphia mid May for 11 days to work with Playwork Productions on become a success in the music industry. Playwork Productions (The Starting Line, Four Year Strong) periodically selects an exclusive list of bands to come through and work with people in the music industry and boost careers. The band will also be recording a new 3-4 track demo at Big Sky Audio while there. This is also a part of the Playwork deal. Artists such as Shinedown, Anthrax, Sister Hazel, Barenaked Ladies, and Three Doors Down have graced the studio with recording time. While on this journey, Shawn Fairchild will be joining the Lineup and replacing Doug Greene for good. So far during late '07 and early '08 the band has been on high demand. Playing around the state of Illinois and all the popular clubs in the Champaign-Urbana area. Vanattica looks forward to whatever is in store for them next.

Vanattica's Most Recent Blog::

12/14/07 NEWS!! (Poetic Justice Release, Upcoming Gigs, Playwork Productions / Big Sky Audio)

What's up Vanattica enthusiasts,

It's been awhile since our last posting, so I thought this would be a good time to catch you up on what's in store for us.

First off, the new album. As you all probably know by now, we're coming out with our second full length album 'Poetic Justice'; which was produced by Apocalypse Cow recording studio. It's taken us a good amount of time to prep the material and artwork for duplication through our company. We recently sent out the final art proofs to the art team at disc makers which are working out all format corrections as we speak. The plastic wrapped album will be back to us by very early January. We have not yet picked a release date for the album, but we're planning on offering a small discount on it and other merch items on the day of release. If you just can't wait, we're offering the album for digital download directly through our myspace (http://www.myspace.com) on Snocap. We're also selling our old album, Saturday Night Staredown, that way if you're interested. Poetic Justice will also be available on Itunes when released if you want to obtain it that way.

Second, some upcoming gigs and dates
1.06.08 - The Elbo Room (Chicago, IL)
1.11.08 - Friends & Co. (Charleston, IL)
1.13.08 - The Canopy Club (Urbana, IL)
2.01.08 - The Show hosted by Raymond Morales 104.5 WRFU live (Urbana, IL)
2.02.08 - Pogo Studio (Champaign, IL)

If you need any info on these gigs, don't hesitate to contact us on here, or at Vanattica@hotmail.com

Last, Playwork Productions and Big Sky Audio. No, we didn't just forget to tell you about our trip to Philly; because it was postponed! Unfortunately there were conflicting dates with multiple members of Vanattica and there was no way to go forward with the trip. We are rescheduling for a couple months later, so keep your eyes peeled for these dates and information concerning the trip.

That's all the news for now, check back frequently for updates and blog posts. Peace, -d-

UPCOMING SHOWS

02/01/2008 10:00 PM - The Show 104.5 WRFU @ Independent Media Center

202 S. Broadway Ave.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
US
Cost:N/A
Description:The Show on 104.5 WRFU, hosted by the one and only Raymond Morales, once again welcomes Vanattica to perform a set live on the air. Vanattica will be performing various tracks off of their new album ’Poetic Justice’ as well as some brand new material that promises to leave you wanting more.

02/02/2008 08:00 AM - GSR promo session @ Pogo Studio

35 E Taylor St
Champaign, Illinois 61820
US
Cost:N/A
Description:Green Street Records supplies Vanattica and other label bands with a recording session for the new promo compilation featuring the best of the Champaign - Urbana area’s local talent, as well as bands stretching to Chicago.

02/02/2008 07:00 PM - The High Dive

51 Main St.
Champaign, Illinois 61802
US
Cost:$5.00
Description:Vanattica has been booked for a show at The High Dive for the first time! The doors open at 7:00pm and Vanattica will play at 7:45. Other acts performing include... Mer/Sarah Vonderharr. There is a dj to end the night at 10:30pm. For more info on the show and tickets... visit: http://www.thehighdive.com

02/23/2008 08:00 PM - The Iron Post

120 S. Race
Urbana, Illinois 61801
US
Cost:$5.00
Description:Vanattica returns to the Iron Post again to rock the establishment. For info check out http://www.theironpost.com or call (217)-337-POST!

03/02/2008 08:00 PM - The Canopy Club w/ The Moves 708 S. Goodwin

Urbana, Illinois 61801
US
Cost:$7.00
Description:We will be playing a show with our good buddies from Chicago, The Moves. The Moves will be playing at 8:00pm and Vanattica will go on at 9:00pm. For more info on The Canopy Club visit (http://www.canopyclub.com/canopy-about.php) or call (217) 344-BAND.

05/10/2008 08:00 PM - Blake Giles presents Kanye West and Vanattica on the Quad

Urbana, Illinois
US
Cost:N/A

05/16/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US
Cost:N/A
Description:Production Workshop /w Playwork Productions. The Start. We’ve been extended an exclusive offer from Playwork Productions (http://www.myspace.com/playworkproductions) who have worked with bands such as The Starting Line and Four Year Strong. We’ll be taking a journey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 16th through May 27th. In our time there we will be learning some key tips on the music business as well as recording a new demo at Big Sky Audio (http://www.bigskyaudio.com) where artists like Three Doors Down, Anthrax, Shinedown, Barenaked Ladies, and Sister Hazel have recorded.

05/17/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Production-

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US
Cost:N/A
Description:Recording. We’ve been extended an exclusive offer from Playwork Productions (http://www.myspace.com/playworkproductions) who have worked with bands such as The Starting Line and Four Year Strong. We’ll be taking a journey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 16th through May 27th. In our time there we will be learning some key tips on the music business as well as recording a new demo at Big Sky Audio (http://www.bigskyaudio.com) where artists like Three Doors Down, Anthrax, Shinedown, Barenaked Ladies, and Sister Hazel have recorded.

05/18/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions-

05/19/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions

05/20/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions-

05/21/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Production-

05/22/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions - The Birth of Travis Leonard-

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US
Cost:N/A
Description:Recording. Celebrating the birth of our gigantic singer. We’ve been extended an exclusive offer from Playwork Productions (http://www.myspace.com/playworkproductions) who have worked with bands such as The Starting Line and Four Year Strong. We’ll be taking a journey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 16th through May 27th. In our time there we will be learning some key tips on the music business as well as recording a new demo at Big Sky Audio (http://www.bigskyaudio.com) where artists like Three Doors Down, Anthrax, Shinedown, Barenaked Ladies, and Sister Hazel have recorded.

05/23/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions

05/24/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Production-

05/25/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Production-

05/26/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions

05/27/2008 08:00 PM - Playwork Productions

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US
Cost:N/A
Description:Last day of Recording! We’ve been extended an exclusive offer from Playwork Productions (http://www.myspace.com/playworkproductions) who have worked with bands such as The Starting Line and Four Year Strong. We’ll be taking a journey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 16th through May 27th. In our time there we will be learning some key tips on the music business as well as recording a new demo at Big Sky Audio (http://www.bigskyaudio.com) where artists like Three Doors Down, Anthrax, Shinedown, Barenaked Ladies, and Sister Hazel have recorded.

Important Vanattica Links:

Order Poetic Justice::

Thanks again for taking the time to listen to our music and we hope you enjoy!

Join Their Mailing List / Street Team::

http://vanattica.musicnation.com

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