Chris Trapper & Tim Mahoney

Thursday, 2/11 • Doors 8pm • Show 9pm • $8 Flat • Over 21 Only • Buy Tickets

Chris Trapper

Official Website    Myspace

The trick to the irresistibly organic, pure pop sound is that the music, and even the lead singer, take a back seat to the real star: the songs. As the principal songwriter and singer for nationally acclaimed 
alt-rock trio The Push Stars, Chris Trapper is equally sure-footed in his solo career. When on hiatus from The Push Stars, Chris writes, records and tours in support of his solo CD’s.

His words and music can best be described as an interesting blend of 1950’s pop, 1990’s rock and old-timey jazz with the ever-present under story of Chris’ distinctive baritenor. It’s intricate power-pop with a  compelling knack for telling everyday stories.

Trapper’s solo projects are effortlessly woven within the scheme and schedule of The Push Stars work. The solo CD’s exist as a natural byproduct –unique in their conception and execution. They belong as part of The Push Stars repertoire and the fans make the transition with ease.

Trapper’s first solo effort (released 2002 on the artists’ own Starlit Records) “Songs from the Drive-In” displays his talent for making radio-friendly music that treads the line between Top 40 rock and grassroots folk. Beneath the sunny melodic surface, there is a darker side to the songwriting. The result is a much more personal-sounding collection of songs – a throwback to his days as a lone folkie on the Boston scene.

The current CD “Hey, You” (released Fall 2006) is Trapper’s first alt-rock solo effort and features guest performances by The Push Stars, Great Big Sea, afro-cuban band Sonando, Martin Sexton, Matt Beck 
(Matchbox Twenty) and Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter). Inspired by his ever-growing collection of on-the-road mix tapes (Chris is fairly old school, he likes a good mix tape just as much as he likes his iPod) the words and music on “Hey, You” are an interesting blend of pop, rock, 
celtic and latin music. 

Chris Trapper continues to tour both regionally and nationally and has shared the stage with such illustrious contemporaries as Rob Thomas, Martin Sexton, Great Big Sea, Guster, Jess Klein and most recently, 80’s pop-icon Graham Parker. Trapper’s list of awards and accomplishments is equally impressive including several prestigious SOCAN writing awards and certified gold and platinum for his work with Canadian celtic-rock 
band ‘Great Big Sea’. 

Tim Mahoney

Official Website    Myspace

Tim Mahoney, Winner of Ray Ban’s ‘Never Hide’ Contest in Partnership With Rolling Stone and Myspace

Tim Mahoney’s CD, Stay/Leave, secured his highest profile gig to date. Mahoney was announced as the winner of the Ray-Ban ‘Never Hide’ music contest in partnership with Myspace.com and Rolling Stone magazine. Mahoney performed pool side at the Rolling Stone magazine 40th Anniversary party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. Mahoney will have a “Never Hide’ photo spread and article in Rolling Stone’s November 14 issue.

About Tim Mahoney & Stay/ Leave CD
Stay/Leave reflects the Minneapolis singer/songwriter’s commitment to his craft and growth as a musician. Evident through the honest and pensive lyrics, Mahoney¹s latest CD, released in February 2007, reaches a deeper poetic level than his previous recordings. While prior Mahoney albums feature his driving grooves, Stay/Leave marks a change for the songwriter.

The album documents his emotions; serving as a memento of love not quite lost but not let go, either. Stay/Leave is Mahoney’s most well produced collection of infectious, radio-ready songs people will sing to in their cars.

Combining a catchy pop/rock sound, bittersweet lyrics and a comfortably raspy voice, Minnesota raised Tim Mahoney etches himself as a mainstay in the Midwest music scene. His 150 shows per year and extensive travels clearly reflect his commitment to music, performance, and his fans.

Mahoney’s commitment and latest CD, Stay/Leave is gaining acclaims; with CD sales reaching six figures, thousands of plays on Twin Cities radio stations, and hundreds of fans singing along to his songs at live shows.

Mahoney signed to Target’s Emerging Artist Program. 500 Target Stores throughout 18 states in the Midwest will carry and displaying Mahoney’s latest release Stay/Leave. Mahoney is the first unsigned artist asked to be a part of the Target’s Emerging Artist program.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 8:32 pm and is filed under Past Shows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.