BOOKING INQUIRIES
SIMON SAYS BOOKING

Founded in January of 2002, Simon Says Booking is a fully functioning booking agency and publicity firm representing artists around the country, acting as talent buyer for venues, and securing talent for festivals, universities, and other events.

Garaj Mahal
Garaj
Mahal

listen
shows
Freekbass
Freekbass
listen
shows
Hot Day at the Zoo
Hot Day at the Zoo
Lovewhip
Lovewhip
listen
shows
Chicago Afrobeat Project
Chicago
Afrobeat
Project

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shows
Mystic Rebel
Mystic Rebel

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shows
VIDEO

Big Leg Emma
Big Leg Emma

One Under
One Under

Latest News:

Simon Says Bands signing festivals all over USA
Simon Says Bands are being signed to festivals and events around the country as we speak. One Under signed for 10 Lakes MF in MN; Fareed Haque and Freekbass are signed for Tabfest in Ohio; Taj Weekes and Adowa are signed for everything from the Sierra Nevada World Music festival in California, Musikfest in Bethlehem PA, Alive after Five in Boise, Ketch'em Alive in Ketchum, Alive after the Grind in McCall, International Fest in Green Bay, Orton Pk music fest in Madison, and others. Big Leg Emma is playing the Blue Heron music fest as well as community events around NY and PA. Aphrodesia is in the midst of executing a national tour for this summer to include stops July 26 at Nelson Ledges in Ohio and August 2 at the Silver Maple Music festival in MI. More announcements to come!

Simon Says Booking signs Garaj Mahal!

Two years after signing guitar master Fareed Haque and handling booking for the Fareed Haque Group and its many incarnations internationally, Simon Says Booking is proud to announce the signing of Garaj Mahal. The band is renowned all over North America as the jazz funk jam kings, as illustrated by the winning in 2007 of the Independence Music Award for best jam band. It would be easier to say where Garaj Mahal hasn't played in the last few years, as they have covered nearly every major festival and club in the country. Featuring guitar and sitar virtuoso Fareed Haque, world-renowned bass master and educator Kai Eckhardt, gospel-inspired funky jazz keyboardist Eric Levy, and consistently in-the-pocket, natural-born drummer Alan Hertz, Garaj Mahal combines a century of musical experience to create a sound that's always new, freshly infused with a wide spectrum of musical expression, and always smoking hot. Their new album is almost ready to be released on Owl Records, while their last album, Blueberry Cave, was lauded after its 2005 release on Harmonized Records .

Jukebox: ROCK OUT!
HOT AVAILS

Seeking May 3 for Big Leg Emma in the mid Atlantic to go with a play in Ocean City MD on May 4. Seeking April avails in the East for Garaj Mahal. Seeking May 1-3 for Chicago Afrobeat Project possibly in MI and northern OH, western NY, northern PA, etc. Woodbox Gang is seeking dates in the Mountain states to go with plays in Telluride and Fox Theater in Boulder in June, leading to UT the last weekend of June. Fareed Haque Group seeking interest in Chicago general vicinity in April, Minnesota and upper midwest in May, and nationally July and August (west coast tour in August.) Mystic Rebel is hitting the road hard and seeking dates throughout the East. Interested? Email for more information.

Simon Says Booking signs Aphrodesia

Simon Says Booking is proud to announce the signing of one of the West Coast's most exciting bands, Aphrodesia. In addition to being a West Coast touring juggernaut, these cats have travelled the globe playing festivals in multiple countries in Africa. Their journey to that continent inspired them tremendously and acts as the backbone of the new music that they have put out on their album Lagos by Bus which is already gaining them accolades all over the world.

Simon Says Booking and Publicity seeks new team members!

We are looking for strong candidates for booking agent trainees, experienced agents, and people interested in a publicity position. Please let us know if you have experience in these areas and a willingness to live in the Pioneer Valley in MA. Training is available, and salary and commissions are negotiable. We are an agency on the rise, and we're looking for people who are able to grow with us. Internships are avialable too for college students and others willing to provide effort to learn about the music industry. Interested? Email for more information.

Sonicbids
Simon Says Booking announces an EPK partnership with Sonicbids for online submissions. We are choosing one band from Sonicbids to add in 2008. In addition to the one band chosen, it is likely that many submissions will receive the opportunity for freelance work from Simon Says Booking. In the past two years, two bands have been chosen for exclusive representation through Sonicbids and dozens of bands have been offered work. Sonicbids, it works. All submissions are guaranteed to be viewed and submission music will be heard.
Zen Tricksters the Zen Tricksters- America's favorite Jam Band!
THE ZEN TRICKSTERS - Formed 24 years ago, the Zen Tricksters´ mission is to blend jamming originals with tasty Dead nuggets to create sets you only dreamed about hearing. A festival and club staple across the USA, the Zen Tricksters are America's favorite jam band.
web site / shows / listen
Bumpus BUMPUS - From Chicago, IL Much like Sly Stone fused the pop music of Jefferson Airplane with the heavy funk of James Brown, Bumpus incorporates propulsive rhythmic grooves with into deeply layered yet uncluttered songs that form the foundation for rich soul and gospel-laden vocals. While you can't hear Bumpus without the word funky coming to mind, there's an unmistakably modern and relevant element to their music.
web site / listen / EPK
Midnight Spaghetti MIDNIGHT SPAGHETTI - Midnight Spaghetti & The Chocolate G-Strings has been satisfying funkophiles with monster grooves since January 2003. Their blend of old school funk, party rock, conscious frenetic rap, a killer horn section, and a contagious enthusiasm for life left people wondering what planet they came from, but more importantly, how they could get on that mothership. Getting their start at university house parties, Midnight Spaghetti has developed into an important player in the Mid-Atlantic music scene. Their yearly charitable music festival, Spaghettifest, is host to dozens of local, regional, and national bands.
listen / shows
Dave Keller Band DAVE KELLER BAND - Dave Keller has paid his dues the old fashioned way -- spending hundreds and hundreds of nights singing and playing his heart out. At sweaty, dirt road bars. At swanky ski saloons. At huge summer festivals. At jam-packed dance clubs, city halls, college theaters, prison gymnasiums, and blues cruises. You name it. Chances are Keller has played there. And chances are those audiences still remember dancing like crazy to his deep soul singing, his gritty guitar licks, and his super-tight, super-funky band.
web site / listen / shows
Jounce JOUNCE - Born and raised in the shadows of New York City, Jounce is a fresh, captivating quartet comprised of Joe Ciarallo (drums), Matt DeSteno (guitar), Dan Mallon (rhodes, organ, synths) and Dan Tamberelli (bass). Spending the last several years honing a sound that includes references to rock, funk, jazz, and modern beat music, Jounce merges these influences with both instrumental and lyrical story telling.
web site / listen / shows
Max Allen Band Max Allen - Max Allen is a singer / songwriter / guitarist who has been performing professionally since the age of 16. He has nearly 600 performances to his credit at various venues, colleges and festivals in 14 different states. Known for his intricate guitar work, catchy lyrics, contagious melodies and energetic live performances, Max is in the upper echelon of rising artists on the circuit today.
web site / Myspace / Press Kit
David Gans David Gans - Well known as the host of the national Grateful Dead hour, David Gans has been touring for years both as a singer-songwriter and as a full band playing original music and everyone's favorites. He has a devoted following of fans and is a great addition for clubs and festivals.
web site
 One Under Flowmotion - Seattle-based groove virtuosos Flowmotion seamlessly blend funk, jazz, rock and blues with African and Latin rhythms to create a fresh, unique sound all their own. The group’s live performances are renowned for their infectious, positive energy, stellar musicianship – and packed dance floors. Their recorded output garners heavy rotation with fans and casual listeners alike. “Energetic Jimi Hendrix guitar bravado, driving funk bass lines and Clauson's gruff vocals help ground the songs within the rock genre, while the band's tendency to break into unscheduled improv keeps the live shows fun and flamboyant.” By Tizzy Asher  Seattle P-I 2007
web site / listen / shows
Juggling Suns ROOTSTAND - From Michigan - Swashbucklin Folk and Blues - "These deep and broad roots have sprouted a stout, nonvariegated sound that grows low to the Earth. Resistant to influences together that makes you think you think it's been around the whole time. The guitar is strong and raw, yet impressively precise and intricate. The singing angst-free and smooth. Brant's music gets a weary John Henry to set down his hammer and a burdened Jesus to lay down his cross." --Vigilance Newspaper, Port Townsend, Wa
web site
Juggling Suns GARY BACKSTROM BAND - Gary Backstrom was the band leader for a band called Jiggle the Handle that was very popular around New England and the nation for years and years. He’s a great songwriter and singer, and he plays an amazing guitar. The rest of the band is filled out with tight musicians from bands like Depth Quartet, Max Creek, Rev Tor and Jiggle. Gary can perform as a group or as a solo artist, and audiences will be amazed by his beautiful voice and emotive songs.
web site / listen
Sonicbids
Simon Says Booking announces an EPK partnership with Sonicbids for online submissions. We are choosing one band from Sonicbids to add in 2006.
Latest News:

ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS!
Do you want a band, comic, or special event at your school? Let's make it happen! email here.

Simon Says now handling some comedy and variety acts!
Simon Says Booking is now handling some alternative entertainment options including comedy, the escape artistry of Jason Escape, hypnotists, magicians, and more. While not our normal fair, a variety act may be exactly what your event needs to spice things up a bit. email here.

Simon Says Booking and Publicity is seeking interns and job applicants!
As our company grows and prospers, we are looking for additional people to add to the team. Do you need an internship to help satisfy your school credits? Do you go to school in New England? Are you a booking agent in another part of the country looking for a change in scenery? Know that we are interested in speaking with you. Email for more information.

Five Time Cincinnati Music Award Winner, FREEKBASS, releases DVD

Dubbed Freekbass by producer Bootsy Collins, this amazing bass player, along with his band and an amazing list of invited friends, brings to you his latest DVD work on Sliver to Shiver. The DVD captures a performance at Bootsy's birthday bash at the University of Cincinnati in the Fall of 2006 during which Freekbass is joined by Bootsy, enigmatic guitarist Buckethead, Cincinnati's Animal Crackers, and a whole host of eager fans for an historic performance. Extras on the video also include the Cincinnati Reds' fan song I'm a Reds Fan, as well as bootleg video performances and productions. Especially cool is a peek at a Bernie Worrell show with Freekbass as a special guest bass player. The coolest extra feature, though, may be a quick documentary on the creation of Freekbass' MDX Guitars' creation- an amazing peek at the construction of an original bass guitar design. Overall, this fun DVD packs a lot of Freekie fire power.

Moses Guest announces long awaited but unexpected Western Tour

Like a bear waking from a long winter's slumber, Texas' road warriors Moses Guest are shaking off their sleepiness and have announced an upcoming tour of the West with stops planned in SF; Portland, OR; Boise, ID, McCall, ID; Winter Park, CO; culminating in a huge outdoor concert in Carbondale CO on July 4th. With a little luck, their new album already recorded and mixed and now titled Best Laid Plans will be ready for this amazing tour that begins in late June.

Simon Says Bands heading to the West Coast to play festivals and clubs

Simon Says bands have been chosen to play some of the best festivals in the West this year, and we have major national tours routed! Chicago Afrobeat Project has been chosen for High Sierra Music Festival and they will be playing a two week run that includes appearances in Redding CA for Viva Downtown, Mt Shasta CA for their Independence celebration, and club dates through Omaha NE, Victor ID, Salt Lake City UT, Ft Collins CO, Lawrence KS, Camp Euforia in IA and Celebrate Clark ST in Chicago. Freekbass has been chosen to play Viva Downtown in Redding CA as well, and he will be playing dates throughout CO, CA, and into festival appearances in Idaho and Montana. Dates are available for this tour! Woodbox Gang has been chosen to play the Trinity Tribal Stomp and Viva Downtown in CA, festivals in ID and MT, and will be playing club dates in CO, CA, OR, WA, ID, MT and elsewhere. There are dates available on this tour! For more information on these bands, check out the jukebox which begins with a feature on their music.

Chicago Afrobeat Project on tour of the Southeast

On the heels of several high profile festival appearance announcements including High Sierra Music Festival and moe summer campout, Chicago Afrobeat Project are in the Southeast from March 30 through April 6. In that time they will play the Orange Peel with new friends Los Amigos in Asheville, NC; Rhythm and Brews in Chattanooga, TN with old friends Dubconscious; as well as hitting shows in Columbus, GA; Charleston, SC; The Georgia Theater in Athens; Boone, NC; and then on home to Chicago for their regular first beat show at the Kinetic. April will prove to be very busy for them as well with dates all over the nation including a tour of the Northeast.

Simon Says also represents these fine artists:

Boston Horns - East Coast Funk. The name says it all.
Natural Selection - Smooth R&B and Funk from Philadelphia
The Equalites - New England's Roots Rock Reggae Kings
Somebody's Closet - A rootsy jam band with great vocals focusing on tight song arrangements.
The Stolen Records - Energetic young band from Boston drawing huge crowds with their reggae rock pop crossover. The Peacheaters - An amazingly truthful rendition of this legendary band from Georgia.


 
 
 
 

 
 

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