Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Charleston Scene Article

Still Time has a little something for everyone
By Samantha Test

With its laid-back and upbeat sound, Still Time seems like a perfect match for the Lowcountry.

On a first national tour for its second album, "See America," the band will make its Holy City debut Tuesday night at The Pour House.

The up-and-comers out of California describe their music as groove rock; mixing blues, rock, jazz and funk. Influences include Ben Harper, Dave Matthews and Van Morrison.

The band says that fans can expect a positive and happy experience at the shows.

"What we try to do is just kind of bring random groups of people together to enjoy a positive and high energy kind of show," said Dan Curcio (vocals, guitar), on the phone from New Orleans.

"It's mainly about the positivity. We love so much what we're doing and it comes through in our show."

He'll be joined by bandmates Chris "Haircut" Arntzen (guitar), Nick Bilich (guitar), Paul Smith-Stewart (bass), John Vucinich (drums) and T-Bone Steak (harmonica). The guys and their songs are no strangers to the mandolin, slide guitar and upright bass, either.

"We have people come out that are heavy-metal fans. We've even opened for some metal acts, but it works," Curico said. "If you like a different style, you can still like what we're doing."

As a testament to their versatility, Still Time has shared the stage with Jason Mraz, G. Love and Special Sauce, Michael Franti, Spearhead, Ziggy Marley, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, UB40 and Robert Randolph.

"We're for fans that appreciate honest and genuine kind of music. I've heard Charleston has that kind of scene," said Curcio.

"We're for people who want to come together and have a good time and hear new, unique music."

After conquering its first scene at San Luis Obispo, Calif., Still Time toured the West Coast with its first album, "Stream of Consciousness" (2007). The new album and tour is a 65-date national circuit.

Wherever they go, though, just be sure to keep an eye on bassist Smith-Stewart. He tends to wander during shows: anywhere from the bar at a local venue to the balcony at the South by Southwest music festival.


Monday, April 5, 2010

Still Time See America Tour Blog - Chapter 1

Line Up Magazine Article

Still Time: Fresh California Groove-Rock

Written by Line Up Media

With so many rock music fans craving a more meaningful and deeper connection than what they can find on the radio, music fans are always on the lookout for the next authentic and soulful band to burst onto the scene. Still Time is spreading their message and their California, eclectic groove-rock sound on their first national, 65-city, “See America” tour.

With their high energy set and positive lyrics, the band has shared the stage with artists such as Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, G. Love and Special Sauce, Michael Franti & Spearhead etc, and play a unique blend of rock, reggae, funk, and blues that is often compared to artists such as Van Morrison, Ben Harper, and Blues Traveler. While Still Time’s credo is good time music and a party friendly message, the band as individuals and the music have evolved a bit past the partying to a deeper place. “The cool thing about our shows is that our fans know how to party and yet are deeply connected to the meanings behind our songs – this awareness leads to a sort of celebration of life that we’ve hoped to create from the days we started writing music,” said lead singer, Dan Curcio. Still Time members are Dan Curcio (vocals), Chris (Haircut) Arntzen (guitar), Nick Bilich (guitar), Paul Smith-Stewart (bass), John Vucinich (drums), and T-Bone Steak (harmonica).

This celebration of life resonates throughout Still Time’s first and second self-released and critically acclaimed albums – it’s what keeps the band so close and what has made their grassroots effort such a success. They have built everything together – from funding their first album by digging up gold coins T-Bone buried in his backyard years before, to working and living together in a yurt and converted barn on the California coast, to taking driving shifts in their cross-country tour across the U.S. in a used 1993 R.V.
“It’s been a ton of work getting this tour together ourselves between booking and promoting the shows, preparing and fixing the RV, etc. but we enjoy doing the work ourselves and I think we’re appreciating the experience that much more since we have worked so hard for this. The response and energy from the crowds of brand new fans so far on this tour has been incredible and has made everything well worth it.”

For a lot of cities on the tour, Still Time is playing to some people in the audience who have never heard them before, and while on week three of their 130 day tour, Still Time caught the ear of 30 year radio veteran, Terry Hucks, General Manager of 106.1 MDX in San Angelo, Texas. “I’ve not seen a band in a long time connect with and entertain an audience like Still Time”, said Hucks. “By the end of each show they seem to excite and refresh a new group of music fans”, says Publicist, Stephanie Ramirez. “At their last show at SXSW, Paul (bassist) climbed up on a balcony over-looking the crowd and played for a couple of songs. So you really never know what to expect.” Come out and sing and dance with Still Time.