FlyPaper

DEADWOOD | Energetic, enthusiastic fans filled the streets in Deadwood, and bands filled the air with music Saturday for 22nd annual Deadwood Jam.

Stan and Sue Jungeman of Huron, who have attended the Deadwood Jam most years since 2000, said they were drawn back this year by headliner Styx. They said Saturday’s weather was perfect for the event.

“We have been so bummed out because the last five years have been wet and cold …,” Stan Jungeman said. “But we couldn’t have asked for better this year,” Sue Jungeman said.

While headliners Styx, Augustana, and Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats were big draws, many people also found new bands at the Jam. “We came for Styx, but we really discovered Fly Paper, and we’re so excited to meet them. They were awesome,” Shawna McDonald of Gillette, Wyo., said. McDonald said she attended the first Deadwood Jam with her parents and has been coming every year since.

Fly Paper, a three-piece blues/rock band from Kalamazoo, Mich., was the third group to play Saturday afternoon and were enthusiastically received by the crowd. They had a long line of fans waiting to get their newly purchased CDs autographed after their set.

This was one of the biggest shows the band has played in its two-year history, drummer Ashley Ickes said. This was the band’s first time at the Jam, but they have played in Deadwood three times before.

Bassist Joe Chamberlin said the group was glad for the opportunity. “We’ve been having a lot of fun playing our songs together, and so we’re really excited about opportunities like this, to take what we’ve been doing and present it in front of a larger audience with the hopes that it will lead us to more gigs like this and into a bigger audience and different parts of the country.”

Deadwood Jam board member Bill Pearson had asked the band to fill in a slot at the last minute. “I had Fly Paper’s CD, and I knew they were really good,” he said.

Pearson said he and the 12-member, all-volunteer Deadwood Jam board like to have a variety of bands in order to introduce the audience to music they might never have heard before.

“There are three things that make this year special," Pearson said. "One, the weather; two, Styx; and three, the first annual wine and brew fest,” Pearson said, noting that the warm weather was helping beer sales.

The wine and brew fest took up a corner section of the Deadwood Jam grounds and featured several wineries and Crow Peak Brewing Co.

“It’s a great event with music and the perfect weather today,” Crow Peak bartender Mike Cane said. “It’s a great way to introduce people to our beers and what is happening at our brewery.”
- Rapid City Journal

DEADWOOD | Energetic, enthusiastic fans filled the streets in Deadwood, and bands filled the air with music Saturday for 22nd annual Deadwood Jam.

Stan and Sue Jungeman of Huron, who have attended the Deadwood Jam most years since 2000, said they were drawn back this year by headliner Styx. They said Saturday’s weather was perfect for the event.

“We have been so bummed out because the last five years have been wet and cold …,” Stan Jungeman said. “But we couldn’t have asked for better this year,” Sue Jungeman said.

While headliners Styx, Augustana, and Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats were big draws, many people also found new bands at the Jam. “We came for Styx, but we really discovered Fly Paper, and we’re so excited to meet them. They were awesome,” Shawna McDonald of Gillette, Wyo., said. McDonald said she attended the first Deadwood Jam with her parents and has been coming every year since.

Fly Paper, a three-piece blues/rock band from Kalamazoo, Mich., was the third group to play Saturday afternoon and were enthusiastically received by the crowd. They had a long line of fans waiting to get their newly purchased CDs autographed after their set.

This was one of the biggest shows the band has played in its two-year history, drummer Ashley Ickes said. This was the band’s first time at the Jam, but they have played in Deadwood three times before.

Bassist Joe Chamberlin said the group was glad for the opportunity. “We’ve been having a lot of fun playing our songs together, and so we’re really excited about opportunities like this, to take what we’ve been doing and present it in front of a larger audience with the hopes that it will lead us to more gigs like this and into a bigger audience and different parts of the country.”

Deadwood Jam board member Bill Pearson had asked the band to fill in a slot at the last minute. “I had Fly Paper’s CD, and I knew they were really good,” he said.

Pearson said he and the 12-member, all-volunteer Deadwood Jam board like to have a variety of bands in order to introduce the audience to music they might never have heard before.

“There are three things that make this year special," Pearson said. "One, the weather; two, Styx; and three, the first annual wine and brew fest,” Pearson said, noting that the warm weather was helping beer sales.

The wine and brew fest took up a corner section of the Deadwood Jam grounds and featured several wineries and Crow Peak Brewing Co.

“It’s a great event with music and the perfect weather today,” Crow Peak bartender Mike Cane said. “It’s a great way to introduce people to our beers and what is happening at our brewery.”
- Rapid City Journal

Kalamazoo-based alternative/blues rock trio Fly Paper are currently promoting their self-titled full length release. Inspired by the classic 90’s and 60’s rock movements as well as folk, blues, funk and some stellar female artists such as Fiona Apple and KT Tunstall, this could either be a strong release or completely mediocre. It’s always refreshing to see bands who push for some real soul and aren’t afraid to pay tribute to their influences; to continue the exploration of the rock genre. However, the right balance has to be struck in order for it to be effective. It’s the soul that makes it or breaks it – it’s very important to understand that.

The opening track “Fly Paper” starts with a slightly funky guitar riff and a groove you’d expect given the band’s description, but what you may not expect are the smooth, effortless delivery of vocalist Micaela Kingslight, who seems to know where to go, and singlehandedly narrates the quest. I already want to visit Kalamazoo, as Micaela displays some Ani DiFranco-type confidence and almost scat delivery as she rhymes and croons over this infectious track. There is a kind of 60’s inspired spirituality to “Fly Paper” as well – the chorus hits the mark in a big way.

“Is It Just Me” underwhelms slightly with the slightly boring and average verse; it’s both the chord choices and their delivery that don’t offer much here. However, the chorus offers some Fiona Apple-esque soul, and the mood is both determined and beautiful as Kingslight sings “I won’t walk away”. The song closes with a John Frusciante/RHCP style breakdown with fuzzy guitars and bass raging.

“Blackwater” is another soulful alternative rock track with a slight funk a la Chili Peppers. The feel is pleasant, if not overly hooky or affecting. “Circuitry” lets the band shine a bit more as they take on a ska rhythm and give Micaela Kingslight the chance to do what she does best – flow like a river and let her charisma show. The mood is both catchy and gripping.

“In My Room” was a surprise, with its sudden folk departure, but the band shines here, and, much like the Smashing Pumpkins, it would be a good move to incorporate even more of this style into their act. Both the music and vocals are gorgeous. “Any Minute” positions Micaela as a doomsayer, albeit one with a much more seductive and engaging voice than any town crier I’ve heard. The Fiona Apple influence once again shines here. The beauty of this song, and the mystery, is that she sounds ok with the approaching doom. There is a menacing, peaceful delivery here and it’s one of the more intriguing aspects of the album.

“Sky Highway” is a great alternative track that captures some of the showgaze beauty that acts like the Pixies were famous for. “Spoonful of Sugar” shows Fly Paper flexing their blues muscles, and there is definite tone there. It could have very well been placed earlier in this collection. “Second Skin” and “It’s Gonna Rain” both have similar vibes, with “It’s Gonna Rain” taking the edge. It’s quite infectious, and shows the types of grooves Fly Paper like to stick to.Fly Paper’s self-titled debut is a good album. The music, at times, doesn’t have too much to offer and the band would benefit from some more creativity as far as effects, chord structures, fresh ideas; Micaela Kingslight emerges, however, as a fascinating talent, and the band has great potential. This would be an excellent live act.
- skopemag.com

Kalamazoo-based alternative/blues rock trio Fly Paper are currently promoting their self-titled full length release. Inspired by the classic 90’s and 60’s rock movements as well as folk, blues, funk and some stellar female artists such as Fiona Apple and KT Tunstall, this could either be a strong release or completely mediocre. It’s always refreshing to see bands who push for some real soul and aren’t afraid to pay tribute to their influences; to continue the exploration of the rock genre. However, the right balance has to be struck in order for it to be effective. It’s the soul that makes it or breaks it – it’s very important to understand that.

The opening track “Fly Paper” starts with a slightly funky guitar riff and a groove you’d expect given the band’s description, but what you may not expect are the smooth, effortless delivery of vocalist Micaela Kingslight, who seems to know where to go, and singlehandedly narrates the quest. I already want to visit Kalamazoo, as Micaela displays some Ani DiFranco-type confidence and almost scat delivery as she rhymes and croons over this infectious track. There is a kind of 60’s inspired spirituality to “Fly Paper” as well – the chorus hits the mark in a big way.

“Is It Just Me” underwhelms slightly with the slightly boring and average verse; it’s both the chord choices and their delivery that don’t offer much here. However, the chorus offers some Fiona Apple-esque soul, and the mood is both determined and beautiful as Kingslight sings “I won’t walk away”. The song closes with a John Frusciante/RHCP style breakdown with fuzzy guitars and bass raging.

“Blackwater” is another soulful alternative rock track with a slight funk a la Chili Peppers. The feel is pleasant, if not overly hooky or affecting. “Circuitry” lets the band shine a bit more as they take on a ska rhythm and give Micaela Kingslight the chance to do what she does best – flow like a river and let her charisma show. The mood is both catchy and gripping.

“In My Room” was a surprise, with its sudden folk departure, but the band shines here, and, much like the Smashing Pumpkins, it would be a good move to incorporate even more of this style into their act. Both the music and vocals are gorgeous. “Any Minute” positions Micaela as a doomsayer, albeit one with a much more seductive and engaging voice than any town crier I’ve heard. The Fiona Apple influence once again shines here. The beauty of this song, and the mystery, is that she sounds ok with the approaching doom. There is a menacing, peaceful delivery here and it’s one of the more intriguing aspects of the album.

“Sky Highway” is a great alternative track that captures some of the showgaze beauty that acts like the Pixies were famous for. “Spoonful of Sugar” shows Fly Paper flexing their blues muscles, and there is definite tone there. It could have very well been placed earlier in this collection. “Second Skin” and “It’s Gonna Rain” both have similar vibes, with “It’s Gonna Rain” taking the edge. It’s quite infectious, and shows the types of grooves Fly Paper like to stick to.Fly Paper’s self-titled debut is a good album. The music, at times, doesn’t have too much to offer and the band would benefit from some more creativity as far as effects, chord structures, fresh ideas; Micaela Kingslight emerges, however, as a fascinating talent, and the band has great potential. This would be an excellent live act.
- skopemag.com

The guitar work is what will immediately bring listeners in to FlyPaper’s self-titled release. The titular track is the perfect introduction to the band, as this guitar is found alongside a rich and emotive set of vocals and utterly on point drum work. Taken together, what listeners will find is something unique, while still touching upon blues and rock. Is It Just Me slows things down, and allows FlyPaper to add considerably to their bag of tricks.

The track touches upon the jam band genre, all while adding bits of a Jane’s Addiction or “Paranoid Android”-era Radiohead to their sound. Blackwater strips things down to their component parts, including guitars that look back to the blues tradition. Tying these guitars to the overall FlyPaper sound provides a great deal of momentum – listeners will be eagerly anticipating the rest of the album. Circuitry is a wholly new track – there are hints of surf music, The Police, and even 311 to be heard during the five-minute runtime.

This longer runtime would typically turn listeners off from any band that attempted it, but FlyPaper is talented enough to make a track that will have listeners hanging on every note. FlyPaper continues to buck trends in popular music by keeping the quality level of the tracks on FlyPaper consistent; Any Minute is the first track on the second half of the album, and the band’s meandering guitar / drum dynamic keeps things flowing nicely. FlyPaper ends the disc in a similar fashion; It’s Gonna Rain pushes the vocals to the fore. With the narrative aspect entrusted to these vocals, listeners are taken on a journey before the disc spins to a close.

Top Tracks: Is It Just Me, Spoonful of Sugar

Rating: 8.4/10


- www.neofutur.com

The guitar work is what will immediately bring listeners in to FlyPaper’s self-titled release. The titular track is the perfect introduction to the band, as this guitar is found alongside a rich and emotive set of vocals and utterly on point drum work. Taken together, what listeners will find is something unique, while still touching upon blues and rock. Is It Just Me slows things down, and allows FlyPaper to add considerably to their bag of tricks.

The track touches upon the jam band genre, all while adding bits of a Jane’s Addiction or “Paranoid Android”-era Radiohead to their sound. Blackwater strips things down to their component parts, including guitars that look back to the blues tradition. Tying these guitars to the overall FlyPaper sound provides a great deal of momentum – listeners will be eagerly anticipating the rest of the album. Circuitry is a wholly new track – there are hints of surf music, The Police, and even 311 to be heard during the five-minute runtime.

This longer runtime would typically turn listeners off from any band that attempted it, but FlyPaper is talented enough to make a track that will have listeners hanging on every note. FlyPaper continues to buck trends in popular music by keeping the quality level of the tracks on FlyPaper consistent; Any Minute is the first track on the second half of the album, and the band’s meandering guitar / drum dynamic keeps things flowing nicely. FlyPaper ends the disc in a similar fashion; It’s Gonna Rain pushes the vocals to the fore. With the narrative aspect entrusted to these vocals, listeners are taken on a journey before the disc spins to a close.

Top Tracks: Is It Just Me, Spoonful of Sugar

Rating: 8.4/10


- www.neofutur.com

Michigan based trio Fly Paper featuring Micaela Kingslight release their latest self titled CD in 2012. Band members include Micaela Kingslight (lead vocals, lead guitar), Joe Chamberlin (bass, vocals) and Ashley Ickes (drums, vocals). Micaela Kingslight is no stranger to the MUsic Business. She was awarded the Emerging Artist Grant from the Gilmore Foundation in order to record her first solo album Still, which was released in October 2009, following a summer North American tour. She was awarded first place in the 2010 Indiegrrl International Songwriting Contest for her song “Aurora,” and headlined the 2010 Indiegrrl Music Conference in Knoxville.

The CD kicks things off with rocking title track an impressive intro piece that dishes out solid low end groove, with driving rock rhythms against mean sounding guitar, Infectious vocal hooks and harmonies from Kingslight. Track 2 “Is It Just Me” serves-up another strong piece combining hooky R&B guitar with dynamic vocal passion and flowing rock rhythm that methodically flows and ebbs its way through to emotional fruition. Track 3 “Blackwater” dishes out a a slamming jam band ditty with amazing solo guitar licks, mesmerizing guitar rhythms and dynamic vocal delivery that leads you head first into a grand slam chorus. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of classic Fiona Apple, KT Tunstall, Gavin Degraw, Sublime, and even Liz Phair. The music has everything you would expect from a 3 piece standard – great low end rock grooves, driving distorted guitar rhythms with a few impressive solo’s, catchy melodic vocals and a few well-placed harmonies layered along the way. This band really clicks and delivers many tight grooves – testament to hundreds of hours of rehearsal time no doubt. Now turing our attention over to Kingslight: as for her vocal style and delivery is world class. She brings some serious vocal mojo to the table and reminds me of a female Lenny Kravitz. She takes many vocal risks throughout the CD indicating to me a strong and confident vocal ability. Her falsetto is to die for and her vocal phrasing is extremely melodic, creative and entertaining. As the CD slowly Kingslight reveals more and more of herswlf to you, and its obvious she's a marquee talent. Fly paper is an accomplished 3 piece unit (writing and playing) and they also bring to the table a lot of musical variety via this impressive 10 song catalogue. From hypnotic “Circuitry” to heartfelt “In My Room” to slamming “Any Minute” to melodic “Sky Highway” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 10 “It’s Gonna Rain” the perfect faille statement for a CD of this caliber.

All songs over 4 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line in typical Jam Band fashion. I would recommend Fly paper trim up the songs about 20% - do this and you got yourself a winner. The solo guitar on track 1 is so pushed down within the mix I can barely hear it. After listening to the entire CD I get the impressive this was a post production mistake and was not by design.

Fly paper’s debut statement clearly proves this 3 piece is a force to be reckoned with in Michigan. The guitar has bite, the bass an drum rhythms have serious low end groove, the songs are all short and sweet musical experiences, and the overall production is solid. But make no bones about it the primary focus here should be up front, on the female standing there - Micaela Kingslight. She’s got the charisma, the pipes, the persona, the writing skills, and she plays a mean rhythm guitar. If he just so happened to write all this music - well she could be bigger than any of realize at the moment. All in all it makes for a deadly combination. Fly Paper will stick in your mind long after the CD has flown out of your media player. Need I say more. - www.musesmuse.com

Michigan based trio Fly Paper featuring Micaela Kingslight release their latest self titled CD in 2012. Band members include Micaela Kingslight (lead vocals, lead guitar), Joe Chamberlin (bass, vocals) and Ashley Ickes (drums, vocals). Micaela Kingslight is no stranger to the MUsic Business. She was awarded the Emerging Artist Grant from the Gilmore Foundation in order to record her first solo album Still, which was released in October 2009, following a summer North American tour. She was awarded first place in the 2010 Indiegrrl International Songwriting Contest for her song “Aurora,” and headlined the 2010 Indiegrrl Music Conference in Knoxville.

The CD kicks things off with rocking title track an impressive intro piece that dishes out solid low end groove, with driving rock rhythms against mean sounding guitar, Infectious vocal hooks and harmonies from Kingslight. Track 2 “Is It Just Me” serves-up another strong piece combining hooky R&B guitar with dynamic vocal passion and flowing rock rhythm that methodically flows and ebbs its way through to emotional fruition. Track 3 “Blackwater” dishes out a a slamming jam band ditty with amazing solo guitar licks, mesmerizing guitar rhythms and dynamic vocal delivery that leads you head first into a grand slam chorus. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of classic Fiona Apple, KT Tunstall, Gavin Degraw, Sublime, and even Liz Phair. The music has everything you would expect from a 3 piece standard – great low end rock grooves, driving distorted guitar rhythms with a few impressive solo’s, catchy melodic vocals and a few well-placed harmonies layered along the way. This band really clicks and delivers many tight grooves – testament to hundreds of hours of rehearsal time no doubt. Now turing our attention over to Kingslight: as for her vocal style and delivery is world class. She brings some serious vocal mojo to the table and reminds me of a female Lenny Kravitz. She takes many vocal risks throughout the CD indicating to me a strong and confident vocal ability. Her falsetto is to die for and her vocal phrasing is extremely melodic, creative and entertaining. As the CD slowly Kingslight reveals more and more of herswlf to you, and its obvious she's a marquee talent. Fly paper is an accomplished 3 piece unit (writing and playing) and they also bring to the table a lot of musical variety via this impressive 10 song catalogue. From hypnotic “Circuitry” to heartfelt “In My Room” to slamming “Any Minute” to melodic “Sky Highway” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 10 “It’s Gonna Rain” the perfect faille statement for a CD of this caliber.

All songs over 4 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line in typical Jam Band fashion. I would recommend Fly paper trim up the songs about 20% - do this and you got yourself a winner. The solo guitar on track 1 is so pushed down within the mix I can barely hear it. After listening to the entire CD I get the impressive this was a post production mistake and was not by design.

Fly paper’s debut statement clearly proves this 3 piece is a force to be reckoned with in Michigan. The guitar has bite, the bass an drum rhythms have serious low end groove, the songs are all short and sweet musical experiences, and the overall production is solid. But make no bones about it the primary focus here should be up front, on the female standing there - Micaela Kingslight. She’s got the charisma, the pipes, the persona, the writing skills, and she plays a mean rhythm guitar. If he just so happened to write all this music - well she could be bigger than any of realize at the moment. All in all it makes for a deadly combination. Fly Paper will stick in your mind long after the CD has flown out of your media player. Need I say more. - www.musesmuse.com

Flypaper are a young upstart trio from Michigan whose self-titled debut just recently began making the rounds. With a bit of marketing on smaller radio markets across the country, and a thick resume of gigs and the experience they brought, Flypaper is a very well produced and performed album. Their style could be summed up as alternative blues rock, but they vary in tone and texture enough to lay claim to a wide variety of influences from eary proto-rock, the days of Zeppelin and Hendrix and some of the blues revival of the 90's. It's all cultivated in one enjoyable, classy package.

Each member of the three-piece is, individually, a succesful musician who have taken similar yet varying paths that seem to have found a cohesive conclusion with Flypaper. Frontwoman Micaela Kingslight has a lifelong musical pedigree, born into the trade and early in discovering her gift for the guitar. Indeed it is her soulful, bluesly licks and riffage that drive much of the record forward, consistently tasteful and impressively original in comparison to my usual listening habits. Her voice, as I've read is often compared to Fiona Apple. While I can hear it, at times I can liken it more to Norah Jones, especially in her softer, more apprehensive moments. Bassist and band manager Joe Chamberlin has all the experience neccesary to handle both jobs. His sense of melody and groove keeps the rhythm section in sync with Micaela's expressive playing. Drummer Ashley Ickes has years of learning and teaching under her belt, and is often given a wide space in which to show off her chops. In theory and in practice, Flypaper are a sum of their parts, and have managed to reap all of their individual talents and in turn sow an album's worth of catchy, memorable tracks where none truly stand out amongst the rest. I've been hard pressed over a dozen or so listens to really call any track a highlight, but certain moments stick out. The fuzzed-out, southern-rock guitar runs on "Blackwater" are a big for instance. Also the Radiohead-esque "Circuitry" and some of Ashley's fierce fills stand out amongst the rest. "In My Room" is the track that most brings to mind Norah Jones, and where Micaela convinces me she has as much potential as a vocalist as a guitarist.

You're not likely to find a better collection of pure blues rock anywhere that Flypaper delivers. It has a touch of elegance, an obvious sense of confidence that only lifetimes of musical education can bring, and most importantly, the vital chemistry that can make or break any combination of musicians. For three musicians with so much to offer on their own, the collective known as Flypaper manages to make good on those promises and then some. - www.musicemissions.com

Flypaper are a young upstart trio from Michigan whose self-titled debut just recently began making the rounds. With a bit of marketing on smaller radio markets across the country, and a thick resume of gigs and the experience they brought, Flypaper is a very well produced and performed album. Their style could be summed up as alternative blues rock, but they vary in tone and texture enough to lay claim to a wide variety of influences from eary proto-rock, the days of Zeppelin and Hendrix and some of the blues revival of the 90's. It's all cultivated in one enjoyable, classy package.

Each member of the three-piece is, individually, a succesful musician who have taken similar yet varying paths that seem to have found a cohesive conclusion with Flypaper. Frontwoman Micaela Kingslight has a lifelong musical pedigree, born into the trade and early in discovering her gift for the guitar. Indeed it is her soulful, bluesly licks and riffage that drive much of the record forward, consistently tasteful and impressively original in comparison to my usual listening habits. Her voice, as I've read is often compared to Fiona Apple. While I can hear it, at times I can liken it more to Norah Jones, especially in her softer, more apprehensive moments. Bassist and band manager Joe Chamberlin has all the experience neccesary to handle both jobs. His sense of melody and groove keeps the rhythm section in sync with Micaela's expressive playing. Drummer Ashley Ickes has years of learning and teaching under her belt, and is often given a wide space in which to show off her chops. In theory and in practice, Flypaper are a sum of their parts, and have managed to reap all of their individual talents and in turn sow an album's worth of catchy, memorable tracks where none truly stand out amongst the rest. I've been hard pressed over a dozen or so listens to really call any track a highlight, but certain moments stick out. The fuzzed-out, southern-rock guitar runs on "Blackwater" are a big for instance. Also the Radiohead-esque "Circuitry" and some of Ashley's fierce fills stand out amongst the rest. "In My Room" is the track that most brings to mind Norah Jones, and where Micaela convinces me she has as much potential as a vocalist as a guitarist.

You're not likely to find a better collection of pure blues rock anywhere that Flypaper delivers. It has a touch of elegance, an obvious sense of confidence that only lifetimes of musical education can bring, and most importantly, the vital chemistry that can make or break any combination of musicians. For three musicians with so much to offer on their own, the collective known as Flypaper manages to make good on those promises and then some. - www.musicemissions.com

If you hear the beats of a Kalamazoo-based band Fly Paper, you cannot help yourself but to start dancing. The groovy blues-rock sound is rich, deep, and soulful, and listening to it is an experience in itself. Formed in early 2011, Fly Paper has been winning listeners hearts with their energy, talent and distinctive sound ever since.

The three members of the band, Micaela Kinglsight, Ashley Ickes and Joe Chamberlin may seem to be an odd pairing, especially geographically (Micaela grew up mostly out West, Joe being raised in Indiana, and Ashley calling Kalamazoo home in her youth), but their deep musical roots make them an ideal trio. Micaela, who spent much of her youth touring with her musical family, was recording her first song at the age of five and performing concerts by the time she was only nine years old.

This passion for music only intensified when she relocated to Michigan in 1994, and has even been able to share this passion by teaching guitar at schools such as Kalamazoo College and Crescendo Academy of Music. Micaela recorded her first solo album “Still” in 2009, with the help of the Emerging Artist Grant she was awarded from the Gilmore Foundation. Also there to help produce and add a rock bassline to several songs was fellow Fly Paper bandmate, Joe Chamberlin.
Fly Paper

Photo courtesy of Fly Paper

Joe’s musical career started nearly as early as Micaela’s did; before deciding to switch over to the more mainstream sound of guitar at age 13, he was proficient at both violin and clarinet as a child. Before joining forces with Micaela, Joe added his modern rock sound to an astonishing number of bands, spending four years touring the West Coast with a band call Magic Theater before returning to the Midwest to lend his talents to The Bones Brothers.

Ashley Ickes, the musician responsible for the unique, energetic jazz-rock drums in Fly Paper’s songs, had an enthusiasm for music as a young age, as well. Growing up in Kalamazoo, Ashley began playing drums at age ten and, after realizing her passion for music, decided to study in the jazz program at Western Michigan University (from which she plans to graduate this month!). Like Micaela, Ashley also shares her love for her craft by teaching.
Fly Paper

Photo courtesy of Fly Paper

After adding Ashley to the mix, the trio knew they had created something special. On July 29th they launched their first album, which they self-produced, at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo. The launch party drew quite a crowd, which was probably not of great surprise to the band: their following is so devoted to the music created by Fly Paper, that their first album was fan-funded! After the launch, the band immediately began a 14 show, cross country tour to play to the fans that helped make their dreams a reality.

And these live shows are exactly what Fly Paper thrives on. Joe says, “Fly Paper is all about making music that people will get excited about. Music that they’ll want to see live. The live show is always just a little bit different, depending on the night and the audience. The band hopes everyone will leave the show looking forward to the next time we come to
town.”

Fly Paper plans to make a music video, take another tour and produce a second album. Fly Paper fans have plenty to be excited about in the future of this great trio! ~Hayley Serr, Feature Writer - www.awesomemitten.com

KALAMAZOO — Singer/songwriter Micaela Kingslight won the 2010 Indiegrrl International Songwriting Contest and will perform at the nonprofit organization’s festival in Knoxville, Tenn., later this month.

Indiegrrl Women in the Arts, based in Martinsville, Va., was created to promote music and arts for women. It hosts an annual conference and festival, as well as produces a compilation album.

Kingslight’s single, “Aurora,” won the contest, which is in its third year.

Kingslight, and her band featuring bassist Joe Chamberlin and drummer Ryan Andrews, will perform twice at the 2010 Indiegrrl Women in the Arts Conference and Festival, Aug. 19-22.

Kingslight said the event will allow her to network with major label officials.

You can hear Kingslight and her band when they play at 10 p.m. today at District Square, located beside Wild Bull Saloon & Steakpit, 139 S. Edwards St.

For more information, go to micaelakingslight.com. - Kalamazoo Gazette

KALAMAZOO — Singer/songwriter Micaela Kingslight won the 2010 Indiegrrl International Songwriting Contest and will perform at the nonprofit organization’s festival in Knoxville, Tenn., later this month.

Indiegrrl Women in the Arts, based in Martinsville, Va., was created to promote music and arts for women. It hosts an annual conference and festival, as well as produces a compilation album.

Kingslight’s single, “Aurora,” won the contest, which is in its third year.

Kingslight, and her band featuring bassist Joe Chamberlin and drummer Ryan Andrews, will perform twice at the 2010 Indiegrrl Women in the Arts Conference and Festival, Aug. 19-22.

Kingslight said the event will allow her to network with major label officials.

You can hear Kingslight and her band when they play at 10 p.m. today at District Square, located beside Wild Bull Saloon & Steakpit, 139 S. Edwards St.

For more information, go to micaelakingslight.com. - Kalamazoo Gazette