In this Issue:

Sunburst Instructor Band Bonanza

• The Buckle Downs
• Heather Kropf
• Starship Mantis
• Telavision
• The Clock Reads
• townsppl

Important Dates:

• Spring Recital Concert @ Sunburst - Sat Jun 17th

• Group Program Summer Season Start Dates - Week of Mon June 12th 

• Sunburst at Squirrel Hill Night Market - Sat Jun 17th 

• Night at the Hip-Rock Opera Camp Start Date - Mon Jun 19th

• Warped Summer Camp Start Date - Mon Jun 26th

The Buckle Downs

Instructor(s):

Ernie, Kiki & Jonathan

Genre:

Soul / Funk / Rock 

How did this project get started?

The Buckle Downs started as Damien (bass), Ernie (guitar) and Jon (guitar) jamming with the intent of forming a throwback funk / soul band. Ernie knew Kiki from playing with townsppl and she joined up and completed the group. Soon after we got Dave (keys) and Jonathan (drums) and were able to develop a sound unique to the members of the group.

What kind of cool stuff have you done?:

We are finished with our first full length record, “Hard Truths”, and after 3 years we feel it’s a good representation of where we are as a band.  It is going to be released in June and we are very excited about it!

What’s next for this project?

With the album release, we have lots of fun shows coming up.

Upcoming Gigs:

• WYEP Summer Music Fest @ Schenley Plaza: 6/24 - 6:00pm
• Record release show with Donora and special guests @ Club Cafe: 7/21 - 6:00pm
• Supporting the Telephone Line - @ Mr Smalls: 8/18 - 7pm
• Allegheny Music Fest w/ Rusted Root - @ Hartwood Acres: 9/3 - 6pm

@thebuckledowns IG/TW • thebuckledowns.com

Starship Mantis

Instructor(s):

Ben

Genre:

Funk mixed with hip-hop, pop, fusion, jazz, rock, and even elements of EDM. 

How did this project get started?

After a long summer of being on tour with a blues band, i had a revelation that i needed to finally get my own project up and off the ground. I created the group out of multiple funk/jazz/experimental improvisation bands i had played in previously.

What kind of cool stuff have you done?:

So far, we’ve shared the stage with Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy), Big Mean Sound Machine, Marbin, and we have plenty more shows with big name acts coming up! We also are gearing up to headline Farmjammalamma 10, Deutschtown music festival, and many more festivals across the east coast!

What’s next for this project?

Our current goal is to finish our first full length studio album by spring 2018! We are also working on organizing a multi-state tour for next summer. 

Upcoming Gigs:

• 6/13 @ Cattivo, opening for Ghost Note (Snarky Puppy side project)
• 6/30 @ spirit, celebrating Beauty Slap’s first album release with them and Chalk Dinosaur.

starshipmantis.com • facebook.com/starshipmantis

Heather Kropf

Genre:

Alt-pop/rock

How did this project get started?

New album Lights happened through a crowd funding campaign so I could work producer Lex Price and national-level session players in Nashville.

What kind of cool stuff have you done?:

Lights is my fifth album and by far the coolest thing I’ve done (so far!).

What’s next for this project?

I’m putting together some touring to support the album, and I will be launching a radio campaign later this year.

Upcoming Gigs:

• June 23 - Studio AM (Homestead) - 8 pm

HeatherKropf.com

Telavision

Instructor(s):

Tim

Genre:

RnB/dance

How did this project get started?

A Lifelong obsession with melodies

What kind of cool stuff have you done?:

Played shows across northeastern US, collaborated with some outstanding Pittsburgh creative talent 

What’s next for this project?

More music making, more shows

Upcoming Gigs:

Djing at Goldmark in Lawrenceville June 14

soundcloud.com/telavision

townsppl

Instructor(s):

alex

Genre:

folk - pop - indie - world

How did this project get started?

the project began as a series of elaborate demos with me bouncing around and playing all the instruments and singing big back up vocals. the demos became the actual music and an old craigslist parlor acoustic guitar became the featured instrument.

What kind of cool stuff have you done?:

first album care and feeding cracked wyep’s top 3 local albums for 2013 and included album art that turns into a venus fly trap sculpture. also played some great shows with a 10 person band (featuring lots of sunbursters!). 

What’s next for this project?

i’ve been working on the follow up album for about 3 years and its due to drop in early september with some singles coming out over the summer. it’s kind of a concept album using a small pallet of sounds including a few guitars, the uke, piano, upright bass and a variety of homemade percussion instruments/kitchen utensils, it’s been a ton of fun to make!

townsppl.com • instagram.com/townsppl_

The Clock Reads

Instructor(s):

John

Genre:

Fusion

How did this project get started?

 I met the drummer and original bassist in jazz band... we formed a trio... now we are a quartet

What kind of cool stuff have you done?:

I have gotten to play a lot of different venues, some big some small, and seen some cities/places I wouldn’t have otherwise... I’ve also met a lot of new people

What’s next for this project?

Festivals in the summer and more touring and recording (hopefully) in the fall

Upcoming Gigs:

we are the last outdoor set at Deutschtown music festival in Northside  on Friday night July 14   (good show for students! Outdoors and family friendly)

theclockreads.band

Bring a Friend to Summer Camp and Save HUGE

Invite a friend to a Summer Camp at Sunburst (not currently in our database) and BOTH campers get $150 off! Here are our camps:

June 19-23rd - Night at the Hip-Rock Opera: Vol II

June 26-30th - Warped Summer: Punk Rock Extravaganza

August 7-11th - Camp Studio: Let’s Make an Album!

Read more about summer camps and sign up here.

Check out Didi’s amazing artwork at:

deannamance.com