Griz

         Grant Kwiecinski AKA Griz is a DJ and electronic producer from Southfield Michigan. Griz has became widely popular as he continues his career producing new era funk, electro- soul, future funk along with hip-hop beast, and mash 

up’s with heavy saxophone to top it all off. Griz is been what’s been said to be the future of funk and is sweeping the nation with his movement. Griz was originally signed to Liberated Music a label that represents old school Motown soul, future funk and new age cutting edge electronica. Now Griz has moved on and has recently started his own label “All Good Records” Located in the heart of Detroit. Singing fellow artist and producers “The Floozies”, Chicago’s “Manic Focus” and “The Geek x VRV”.

Some of Griz’s most notable works include Aero Smiths-Dream on (Griz remix), Damian Marley -Welcome to Jamrock (Griz remix) and his most recent album Rebel Era. With big hits like “Hard Times”, “Getting live”, and in his most recent hits “Funk party” and “A Fine Way to Die’ (Ft, Orlando Napler) he shows off his amazing act for mixing up soul and funk music together in a way that you cant help but move. Griz spreads his love all around making all of his music available for free. He believes that music should be free and shared with everyone. However he does have to make a living so he does leave a pay what you will option more of a form of donations.

Griz has been traveling all around the world playing large music festivals such as Tomorrow World, Electric Zoo, Decadence, Electric Forest, and Chicago’s very own North Coast and Lollapalooza Music Festivals plus many more. Griz I been known for his funky collaboration with such artist like fellow producer and sax player Dominic Lalli of big gigantic, Exmag, Gramatik and the infamous super group Big Grizmatik. As stated before in earlier blogs this group composed of Griz, Gramatik and Big Gigantic formed for there first time at Electric Forest back in 2013.

Last year’s Electric forest Griz was reporting on twitter, Instagram and Snapchat that he was in a cabin in the wood somewhere in Michigan, leaving eager foresters hoping for a surprise performance to drop on the fest. Unfortunately this did not happen (I know I was there), However all of which that made up the super group, Big Grizmatik are on this years Electric forest line up except for Griz. Griz has recently made comments via Twitter and Instagram talking about last year being there in the woods but this year he’s going to do it better. Hopefully this suggests that this year he’ll make his surprise visit to join the super group again for another historic performance. No better place then Electric forest the origins of this group to come together once again. After all it is Electric Forest anything can happen, I’ve learned though my years going to the forest you can always except some mind blowing surprises.

Griz has recently started his “Griz Say It Loud World Tour”, supporting his new album release “Say it Loud” scheduled to drop on March 31^st. The tour is scheduled come to Chicago April 17^th at the Aragon Ball Room. With supporting acts of, The Floozies, and Exmag (Select Dates only), Muzzy Bearr, And the ARTIFAKTS. Don’t sleep on this one wherever your coming from weather it’s the Mid West, East Coast, or West Coast, do yourself a favor, and experience the movement yourself.  Get the Funk down and go to a Griz show near you!

Snails

Snails, is a Montreal based Dj from Canada, and has recently been breaking through the music scene very quickly. Snails recently signed with fellow producer Skrillex to OWSLA records, has been making a huge impact with his unique sound of flexes synth, heavy base lines, and combination of hip-hop beats. This music has become a genre of its own gaining the reputation as vomit step. Snails, has been known for his wide verity of collaboration form fellow artist, ETC! ETC!, Antiserum, Herobust, and most recently Big Gigantic with there new single “Funk With Me”.

Snails, has been going through the ranks with easy, with supporters such as, Flosstradomus, Datsik, Excision, Skrillex, Diplo, Kill The Noise, and many more. Snails has recently embarked on his first North American headlining tour with select artist on specific dates such as heavy hitter Bro Safari, Zomboy, Carnage, and the legendary Dada Life, with more artist TBA. He’s starting his tour March 7^th in Los angles California and ending the tour at the most magical place for any artist to perform then non other than Electric Forest Music Festival.

His latest tracks have been going viral and making a huge impression with original hits like “Dirty Raxxx”, “KRMT” and “Slugs”. His fan base has been greatly growing with his snail minions slugging from all around the country just to make it to his shows. Some fans have even been so devoted to his music; they claim they’ll find their soul mate at one of his shows. Its doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down anytime soon since he made his first impressions on the scene back in 2012 and has already came this far. I think its safe to say Snails is here to stay and we can expect much more great and crazy music from this talented new upcoming artist.

Big Gigantic

Big Gigantic is a live instrumental hip-hop and jazz based band that is composed of the funky duo Dominic Lalli (saxophone and producer) and Jeremy Salken (Drums). These two originate form Boulder, Colorado breaking through to the scene with a funky style that was too big to stay in Boulder. Dominick specializes in DJ performance and production as well as live sax mashup’s that are beyond incredible bringing such a big unique sound you just have to experience for yourself. They’re specially known for their live performances and funky, creative remixes and mashup’s as well as collaborations with many a huge verity of artist.

Their impact of the music scene has sculpted a new realm of music with such emerging artist as Griz Fellow Producer and Sax player, Exmag, Branx, and many others. And all of which will be present for this years 2015 Electric Forest so I’m sure there will be more big surprises to come. Even creating super group performances with combined acts such as, Griz, Gramatik, and Big Gigantic all together forming the infamous super group Big Grizmatik. Electric Forest Music Festival and “This Song is Sick” (music blog) helped the formation of the super group back in 2012 having these artist perform a secret setup by This Song is Sick. The super group returned to Electric Forest the following year with new collaborated music to make its debut to the world being a headliner to the 2013 festival.  

These guys have become more than just musicians but have generated such a fan base around the world they have what is called there very own Big Gigantic family. They’re coming back to Chicago in just two weeks form today, March 14^th for their first time since New Years 2013. And It can tell were in for quite the show. I’ve saw Big Gigantic back at Summer Camp Music Festival in 2010 for my first time and was instantly blown away. They’ve evolved into this generation’s culture icon for those who follow this style of music. Spreading the love and good vibes with their saxy music and funky vibes. They will be streaming the show live firm the Aragon via yahoo stream on March 14^th with joining acts of Jackal, Michal Menert, Probcause and special guest the Chicago till than be on the look out for update’s form the show and do yourself a favor and tune in live and get a taste of the Big Gigantic Experience.

Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well Tour

THE GRATEFUL DEAD 

The legendary Grateful dead reunite to perform their "Fare Thee Well Tour", with the remaining original members, at none other than Chicago’s very own solider field. Scheduled to play three shows throughout the forth of July weekend Celebrating their 50^th anniversary marking there final performances together. Remaining members include, Mikey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir. Also Three-artist who’ve close kept relationship with the band throughout the years of the dead will also accompany them in the Fare Thee Well Tour. Artist includes, (Guitarist) Trey Anastasio, Jeff Chementi (keyboards), and Bruce Hornsby (Piano).  

Tickets sold out in record time with no surprise as thousand of dead head from all around the world sat by awaiting the release of the tickets. The events major turn out reaches headlining news broadcasting on national television with the hugely costly news of resale tickets. Tickets reaching upward towards the price of $116,000, for a pair of two general admission tickets. Stubhub.com seems to be the go to place if you have the funds to pay the ridiculously over priced resale tickets almost up to $1,500 a ticket. However there’s good news for those deadheads out there who didn’t have the chance to get tickets.

Chicago announces that they will be allowing tailgating at solider filed for the 3-day event. Chicago’s even agreed to open the gates up earlier for the final nights. The lots are scheduled to open up at 1 pm, a whole good 6 hours before the psychedelic legendary jam band takes the stage at 7 pm. However there’s a catch, the eager dead heads will be asked to leave once the show begins and overnight camping outside the event is not prohibited. Although there is talk about provide more accommodations for those who aren’t able to be at the show directly. Such rumors of on demand viewing, and local parks have viewing parties. Chicago expects to overly exceed the amount of tickets sold of 70,000, in dead heads coming down to Chicago in general. 

This will be a historical mark in music history as well as a mark in Chicago's history, for housing one of the most famous world wide legendary psychedelic Jam bands of all time. And you can bet I’ll be one of those Dead heads hanging in the lots living it up with the rest of the beautiful dead family. Once again I'll do my best to share some of my experience back here, but sometimes certain things aren’t just meant best as memories, however I’ll do what I can to capture some of the weekends festivities to come J.