MUSICIANS: Vyasa Dodson - vocals & guitar Dean Mueller - bass Dave Melyan - drums Alex Shakeri - piano & keyboard
DESCRIPTION:
"Left Coast Blues is an album that should create attention with its danceable shuffles, tasteful guitar and rollicking piano. The Insomniacs definitely have a winner here.” – Blues Notes
"When it comes to jump blues and cool old RnB, the Insomniacs are true keepers of the flame!" – Phil "Suburban Slim" Wagner
“Left Coast Blues” is the impressive debut release by one of the youngest and most promising blues bands currently performing in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Portland, Oregon, a region that has been home to such nationally recognized talent as Robert Cray, Curtis Salgado, and Paul deLay, The Insomniacs have quickly established themselves with a solid reputation for delivering highly energetic live performances, along with intoxicatingly melodic, well crafted originals.
The band is led by 25 year-old vocalist/guitarist Vyasa Dodson, who draws inspiration from many of the Left Coast's most highly regarded and influential musicians including Hollywood Fats, Little Charlie Baty and Junior Watson. Accompanied by Dean Mueller on bass, Alex Shakeri on keyboards, and Dave Melyan on drums, The Insomniacs have successfully blended together an irresistible and potent mix of vintage swing, blues and classic rock ‘n’ roll, designed to reach out and appeal to both a broad and youthful audience.
In just a short period of time the band has already accumulated numerous awards and critical praise including a 2006 Muddy Award for "Best New Act" presented by the Cascade Blues Association, and airplay on the nationally syndicated radio news/talk program, the Ed Schultz Show, which has over 3 million listeners and is heard on over 100 affiliate stations across the nation. It’s now time to stop counting sheep and begin occupying those sleepless nights more effectively with the rejuvenating sounds of The Insomniacs!
CREDITS: Executive Producer: Randy Chortkoff / Produced by Dean Mueller and Vyasa Dodson / Engineered and Mixed by Dean Mueller (Ripping Glass Studios, West Linn OR - www.rippingglass.com) / Bonus tracks recorded & Engineered by Don Tartard live from the “What Love Is” movie industry premier afterparty at the Avalon, Hollywood CA - March 20th, 2007 / Mastered by Robert Hadley (The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, CA.) / Artwork & Design by Joshua Temkin (joshuatemkin@gmail.com) / Band Photo by Andrew Castellano / Inside Band Photo by Kurt Johnson / Liner Notes by Scott Dirks / Radio Promotion by Frank Roszak / Retail by Jeff Fleenor / Business Affairs by Malcolm Wiseman
