In Wisconsin, notable record producer and mass communications guru, Mark Shurilla brought the city wide of musicians to their knees when he passed unexpectedly mid May 2012. A wellspring for emerging music artists is in Milwaukee, for it is home to The Worlds Largest Music Festival, according to The Book of World Records, called Summerfest, and it is often referred to as 'The Big Gig'. You can find information about it here at http://www.summerfest.com . A staple of the acts during the 11 day event come from the local arena, which seems to breed quality unique music. Elvis Thao of 'Elvis Thao and The Creatives' is one of the shining emerging stars on the not so distant horizon, and he performed at The Renegade Stage at this year's Summerfest.
At the tenacious fest, there are tribute performers, such as Mark Shurilla's 'The Day the Music Died', a show that features a plethora of music from musicians long since gone, Shurilla now included, and Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, with surprise visits onstage from Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash and maybe even a 4 year old Johnny Cash. There are punk veterans, such as The Violent Femmes, from the region. The area was also home to mammoth stars, such as Liberace, Les Paul, Steve Miller, and now Bon Iver, who made his mark in the style of 'Emo' . Emo is a newer style that unleashes misery in an avant garde way, and one may feel as though they are relating to the artists on a rainy day while looking out a water streaked window through tear stained eyes, and that tastes good like salt on the bottom of a popcorn bowl. Wisconsin was also home to Frankie Yankovic, the polka king, and hybrid fusion of rock, pop, jazz and jamband, such as Wilco and Semi-Twang that sounds like it's name and nearby the area also includes members of Cheap Trick and Traffic, and the list is seemingly endless.
The last CD recording that Shurilla developed before his untimely death was with hip hopper lyricist Elvis Thao of 'Elvis Thao and The Creative's' and resulted in their 'Water Street Experiment' heavily influenced by Shurilla's musical hand. It is as hybrid as you can get. It is old meets new, It is an interesting combination of neo white pop music with winning melodies, legacy making guitar riffs, and youthful, idealistic lyrics wrought with urban angst and political tones. It's intellectual and invitational, sometimes it roars and often makes one think. The album begins with Shurilla's voice booming, now a ghost, and is made further enterprising by percussionist Victor De Lorenzo of The Violent Femmes, and Daniel 'Miles' Mullen of Plasticland, McTavish, The Greatest Hits Band, and Mud River Lee & The Bluegrass Orchestra, demonstrating his dedication to his artistry of strings. All this and violin, piano, bass, and choirs were fashioned together in Jeff Hamilton's Studio, called Hamtone Records. Think with glue and paper clips by music novice but seasoned writer Thao, it is turned into a fine album with a little help from his friends. I ask could he be the next John Lennon? We give the CD a HIGH ALTITUDE at a 4.0. Go out and buy it, you will find it fresh and will love it. I know I did. http://www.elvisthao.com
