Asparagii
Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States | SELF
Music
Press
I'm With The Band: A lucky Friday the 13th at Bar 525
4/13/2012
By Scene262 staff
Just some things I think might be interesting this week.
Friday the 13th is going to be scary at Bar525. Scary good, that is. What else would you expect from something called Zombie Apocalypse? It's going to be an out of town affair at the downtown bar with two Kenosha bands along with a Madison act. Madison's Venice Gashouse Trolley and Kenosha's Asparagii and Terry n' The Front make for a night of truly original music. Sounds and styles include rock, reggae, hip hop, jam, funk and groove. Basically, if you're sick of over-processed music that all sounds alike, you'll love this show.
Zombie Apocalypse is Friday, April 13 at Bar 525, 525 Wisconsin Ave.
- Scene 262
Shoe donation drive kicks off Saturday
8/15/2011 6:01 p.m.
BY JOE POTENTE - Kenosha News
A group of local volunteers has got a home for those old pairs of shoes collecting dust in the back of your closet.
Mark McCarthy would like to see you take them to one of a half dozen selected Kenosha businesses and leave them behind for those in need.
McCarthy is a Kenosha resident and the man behind the local incarnation of Soles4Souls, a national drive to collect new and “gently worn” shoes for victims of natural disasters all over the world.
A daylong kickoff of the Kenosha drive is set for 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday at TG’s Restaurant and Pub, 4120 Seventh Ave. Donations will be collected there and at five other establishments through Sept. 3.
“I think it’s going to be a successful project,” said McCarthy, who heard Shoes4Soles founder Wayne Elsey describe the project in a radio interview earlier this year.
Elsey, according to the Soles4Souls website, is a Nashville, Tenn., shoe company executive who was inspired by the December 2004 tsunami that devastated Sri Lanka and elsewhere along the Indian Ocean coast. Elsey used his contacts in the industry to gather 250,000 pairs of shoes for those affected by that disaster; in the years since, the program has collected 15.4 million pairs around the world.
McCarthy saw Kenosha as a good place to further the effort.
“We were thinking in this economic time we’re sitting in, this would be a good idea,” McCarthy said. “We’re not asking for money from people. We’re just asking people to go through their closet and see what they’ve got in terms of gently worn shoes.”
In a pilot at St. Catherine Commons senior housing complex, McCarthy said he has already collected a few hundred pairs.
Local partnership
McCarthy teamed up with Sharing our Service, a local organization of service industry workers that TG’s employees Angela Cook and Shannyn Franklin founded earlier this year.
Cook and Franklin used their ties to local musicians to assemble Saturday’s kickoff, which will feature free performances by eight musical acts and a southern-style “low country boil” dinner cooked by Franklin.
In anticipation of substantial crowds, Cook said TG’s received permission from the city to erect a tent and stage the musical performances outside in the tavern parking lot.
“I’m very excited about this,” Cook said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, and I think we’re going to collect quite a few shoes for people in need.”
Cook said she likes the idea of a charitable event where people can donate without necessarily opening their wallets.
“How can you go wrong?” she said. “Everybody has shoes.”
If you go
What: Soles4Souls drive to collect new or lightly used shoes for disaster victims
When: Kickoff from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday; donations collected through Aug. 3
Where: Kickoff at TG’s Restaurant and Pub, 4102 Seventh Ave. Donations accepted at TG’s as well as Alpaca Art, 5813 Sixth Ave.; Andrea’s 2401 60th St.; The Coffee Pot, 4914 Seventh Ave.; DeBerge’s Framing & Gallery, 2008 63rd St.; and Peacetree Originals, 4721 Seventh Ave.
What’s needed: Shoes of any size, including flip flops, sandals and kids’ sizes.
Saturday’s event: Will include a southern-style “low country boil” dinner and musical performances by The Real Deal, Asparagii, Yves Francois, Mark Paffrath, Jimmy Pendleton and Mallory Hellen, Jill Plaisted and Terry Maraccini, Rusty Horse and Three Hours Ago with Tamara Pierce.
- Kenosha News
Two artists, one show
9/15/2011 11:32 p.m.
By Paddy Fineran - Kenosha News
Remember a while back when I told you about Matt Meyer and his “Story Teller” shows at Art Bar? Each week he trades songs with another artist. Next week’s (Sept. 22) guest will be reggae/jam/space-folk/rock band Asparagii. It will be a night of expect anything, and that is good.
Matt Meyer and Asparagii perform at 6 p.m. Thursday at Art Bar, 5301 22nd Ave.
- Kenosha News
A different type of Oktoberfest
9/29/2011 11:32 p.m.
By Paddy Fineran - Kenosha News
So you’re a die-hard live music fan and the five bands at the Rhode theater Saturday night just won’t cut it for you. What are you going to do? Afterall, Sundays in the fall are for football and — finally — baseball playoffs. Right?
Don’t try to get that nonsense past the folks at Scotty’s. That’s because they are hosting one of what I’m sure will be many Okoberfests this month. You won’t find an oom-pah or polka band among the seven that will be performing, but they are all quite entertaining and worthy of raising a stein to in appreciation. Acoustic Soul, Cosmic Railroad, Kevin Grissom, Matt Meyer, Fire Up Acoustic, Asparagii and Amy Ashley will all be saying, “Raise ’em up; Eins, Zwei, Drei, Prost!”
Oktoberfest at Scotty’s is 3:30-10 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 2) at Scotty’s, 2117 50th St.
- Kenosha News
Asparagii’s music
11/17/2011 10:32 p.m.
By Paddy Fineran - Kenosha News
You may as well hear something different this weekend. What do you want? Jam music? Maybe reggae? How about free form jazz or perhaps space-folk? Well, let’s see. In order, how about Asparagii, Asparagii, Asparagii and Asparagii?
Asparagii performs all that type of music starting at 9 Saturday night (Nov. 19) at TG’s, 4120 Seventh Ave.
- Kenosha News
End of the world?
12/29/2011 11:32 p.m.
By Paddy Fineran - Kenosha News
I know a lot of people who simply will not allow the new year to come unless there is some rocking live music happening. It’s a pretty good bet that a lot of them will be over at High Spirits in Trevor this weekend. Why? Because the best-named local New Year’s Eve bash is happening there. The Apocalyptic New Year’s Eve Midnight Masquerade Ball is going down right there along the Wisconsin/Illinois border.
The ever-energetic Richard Cranium will lay down the alternative rocky, edgy pop-ish, old-school punk sounds. The always grooving Asparagii will provide the jam-based, trippy atmospherics. Together, yeah. It sounds like a good way to bring in the last year of humanity, according to those crazy prophecies. It’s time to party like a Mayan!
Richard Cranium and Asparagii perform Saturday night at High Spirits, 12417 Antioch Road in Trevor.
- Kenosha News
Rock the Earth
4/20/2012
By Paddy Fineran - Kenosha News
Earth Day 2012 is Sunday (April 22). Hattrix is going to celebrate tonight (April 20) by hosting some of the earthiest, fingers-in-the-rich-soil-of-music bands in te area. Madison's ColorPhase dubs itself a "rock 'n' roll/ indie soul band." Terry 'n the Front has a rock 'n' roll attitude as filtered through punk, jam, funk, and soul influences. Asparagii is a band that pretty much plays whatever tickles their fancy. One posting I saw described them as "organic spaceship music." Expect everything - including the kitchen sink.
The Hattrix Earth Day Celebration is tonight (April 20) at Hattrix, 2425 60th St.
- Kenosha News
Asparagii is proud to announce that we signed an endorsement deal with Steve Clayton Inc. Check out www.steveclayton.com for a wide variety of premium guitar picks and accessories. We’ve been using their picks for many years now, and we just busted out our first batch of custom printed Asparagii picks on New Years Eve! Try to catch one at our next show!
- Bonus Round Productions
~ "Asparagii is a band that is hard to nail into a specific genre, and that's good. Jam-based with whiffs of reggae and spacey-folk along with touches of whatever tosses their confetti that night is pretty much what they're about." ~ Paddy Fineran, Kenosha News - Kenosha News
Guitar duo Asparagii offer a unique take to acoustic rock. With vocals reminiscent of Van Morrison and other early singer-songwriters fused with an R&B edginess, Asparagii are fresh and funky. Pairing a striking raspy vocal performance with rhythmic guitar strumming and a tight drum/bass combo, Asparagii's product is reminiscent of Uncle Kracker.
The jazzy guitar pattern of “Cell Phone” is addictive in its complexity, while songs like “True Green” are instant slow-dance hits with their gentle bluesy vibe. Subtle reggae influences can be felt in the song “In the Country,” a island-inspired dedication to rural life, while the impressively unique fusion of jazz-guitar strumming and dub rhythms drive songs like “Top of the World.” All of this paired with a consistently potent vocal performance mixed with 70's flair results in a truly unique take to acoustic rock.
- Musicononlinealive
Discography
Asparagii EP: http://www.asparagii.com/asparagiiep
Stream or Download our live recordings for Free at our Live Music Archives Page: http://www.archive.org/details/Asparagii or www.asparagii.com/recentsetlists
Currently in the studio working on their first album.
Photos
Bio
Genre- Organic Spaceship Music
Press--
"Asparagii is a band that pretty much plays whatever tickles their fancy. One posting I saw described them as "organic spaceship music." Expect everything - including the kitchen sink." - Paddy Finneran Kenosha News
"You may as well hear something different this weekend. What do you want? Jam music? Maybe reggae? How about free form jazz or perhaps space-folk? Well, let’s see. In order, how about Asparagii, Asparagii, Asparagii and Asparagii?" - Paddy Finneran Kenosha News
Go to www.asparagii.com/press for more Press Coverage
Bio
Asparagii is a New Wave, “Jam Band” from southeastern Wisconsin which features Avant-Garde musical improvisation served on a plate of original compositions and hand picked covers. With their exceptional songcraft and propensity to cross genre boundaries, every show is incomparable to the next. While managing to win over new comers and maintaining the loyalty of their devoted fans, Asparagii c
ontinues to radiate an immense amount of energy engaging listeners in an emotionally uplifting experience; taking them on an adventure without leaving the room.
The Bands music is heavily influenced by artists such as Phish, Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, Umphreys McGee, Moe, Animal Liberation Orchestra, Galactic, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Little Feet, Michael Jackson, Prince, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Steely Dan, Todd Snider, Leftover Salmon, and many more. After maintaining an aggressive touring schedule, averaging over 50 shows per year, including high profile headlining performances and festival appearances, they have started to evolve into their own genre, dubbed “Organic Spaceship Music.” Endorsed by Steve Clayton, Inc., the three piece works relentlessly to progress to the next level. Their reputation continues to grow, moving up the ranks in the Midwest scene. In addition to their Live Music Phenomena, the three piece has even been known to play games with their audience, such as Simon Says, including them as part of the show.
Based out of Kenosha, WI, Asparagii has captivated audiences at venues around the Midwest such as; The Rave, The Brat Stop, The Abbey, The Frequency, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, High Noon Saloon, Underground Lounge, Elbo Room, Red Line Tap, Goose Island, Wildlife Refuge, and many more. They have performed along side; The Big Wu, Umphreys McGee, The Heavy Pets, Cosmic Railroad, ifdakar, Terry n the Front, Richard Cranium, and Roster McCabe among many others. The band has also entertained at many festivals including; Fungus Fest (2009, 2010), SRIM Fest (2011, 2012), Summer Camp (on the road tour). Celebrate America (2012), VGHT Summer Carnival (2012), Racine County Fair (2012), Harvest Fest (2008, 2009, 2010), Hoe Down (2008, 2009, 2010), Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering (2011, 2012), Abominable Snow Ball (2008), Bratstock (2011), Folk Off (2009), WIJAM Weekend (2012), Phish Deer Creek Pre Party at Closeby Campground (2012), as well as hosted and set up their own Festivals and Special Events including; New Years Eve (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), Log Jam (2009, 2010, 2012), Earth Day Celebration (2011, 2012), 4th of July Fest (2008, 2009, 2011), and Burning Jam (2008) among many more.
Go to www.asparagii.com/showhistory for a complete List of venues, festivals, and Show History
LOG JAM
LOG JAM is Asparagii’s annual Music and Arts Festival celebrating good vibes through regional & local musicians, artists, vendors, and sponsors, as well as music and art lovers of all ages. 2012’s festival was focused on environmental awareness and featured children's recyclable art activities, a beach clean-up & a silent auction to raise money for Environmental Health Concept's Community Garden Project. Log Jam 2012 took place at the beautiful Pennoyer Park in Kenosha Wisconsin. The grounds featured a bandshell with superb acoustics and scenic beach views overlooking Lake Michigan. Asparagii Presents: Log Jam spaned the weekend of September 8th and 9th 2012 and emphasized only the best talent, in conjunction with unique arts, crafts and merchandise vendors, representation of local non-profit and environmental organizations, and a variety of great food and ice cold beer, along with community and family fun.
Go to www.asparagii.com/logjam for more info on Log Jam
History
Pre 2007
Jay and Mike Bielarczyk performed together numerous times throughout the years, but it was after a particular gig at the Showboat Theater in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, when they decided to unite. The two cousins tossed their musical skills, ideas, and some of their finest ingredients into a bag, kicked it around a bit, threw it in the microwave, and out came ~Asparagii.
Oct. 2007 to Aug. 2010
Asparagii first unfolded as a two piece, folk, reggae band, captivating audiences with their feel good, acoustic, homey sound. Continuing to evolve and shape the band, Jay and Mike began indulging in effects, keyboards, and occasional l
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