Hard Proof
Releases New Album Stinger
via Modern Outsider Records
Listen to “Stinger” on Relix Magazine, here: https://goo.gl/gS5qre
Listen to “Trickle Down” on Glide Magazine, here: https://goo.gl/vN9irm
“Hard Proof tightly fuses sounds from sub-Saharan Africa with adventurous jazz
and deep funk to stimulate your brain and move your feet.”
– KCRW
“Bringing a funky vibe to their music, Hard Proof is a band that is
as infectious as they are talented.”
“Austin-based 10-piece ensemble Hard Proof brings together influences of African funk,
world music, and jazz to create something unique.”
– Live for Live Music
Austin, TX – January 13, 2016 – The Austin-based ten-piece collective of musicians known as Hard Proof has officially release their new album Stinger via Modern Outsider Records today! This highly anticipated album arrives on the heels of Hard Proof’s 100% analog 45rpm LP produced by Jim Eno (Spoon) for his Public Hi-Fi imprint last year. Stinger was produced by Chris “Frenchie” Smith, who has worked with The Darkness, Built to Spill, Meat Puppets, the Toadies, and myriad Austin bands. The album is now available for purchase via iTunes and streaming via FLOOD Magazine and Spotify.
Hard Proof is: Aaron Sleator (guitar), Derek Phelps (trumpet), Gerardo Larios (guitar, keyboard), Jason Frey (tenor saxophone), Joe Sokolik (bass), John Branch (guitar, keyboards), Joseph Woullard (baritone saxophone, flute), Stephen Bidwell (drums, percussion), Tony Cruz (congas), and Tommy Spampinato (percussion).
Founded in 2008, Hard Proof is a super-group featuring members of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, The Calm Blue Sea, Cougar, Ocote Soul Sounds, the Echocentrics, and several other notable Austin acts. As if they weren’t busy enough between Hard Proof and their other bands, the Hard Proof Horns have found work as sidemen with notable acts such as Spoon, Antibalas, Gary Clark Jr., Broken Social Scene, the Walkmen, Dave Matthews Band, Band of Horses and others.
The band began by studying the blueprint of Fela Kuti’s Africa 70 band, as well as funk and jazz from the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. While their self-titled album was well received on its 2010 release, there seems to be universal agreement that their live shows are something not to be missed. Austin taste-maker Laurie Gallardo of KUTX may have put it best: “This local nine-piece ensemble always puts on an electrifying live show, an absolute blowout of non-stop percussion action and blasting brass, bringing the best of both worlds to the stage by mixing classic styles and plenty of their personal panache to own the show.” In 2013, Hard Proof released their first vinyl, partnering with Canada’s Kept Records for the Dragon/Tere 45 that they tracked with Adrian Quesada of Grupo Fantasma and Brownout. In 2014 Hard Proof released a Cassette Store day cassingle, and played the Austin City Limits festival after a successful East coast run.
Hard Proof’s new album Stinger is officially out today! For more information, please visit: http://hardproofmusic.com/.
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Follow Hard Proof:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardproof/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HardProof
Stinger Tracklisting
01. Stinger
02. Men Of Trouble
03. A.R.A.S.
04. Incendiary
05. Trickle Down
06. Boss
07. War Gin
08. Lots
09. Soul Thing
Upcoming Shows
Jan 13 – Austin, TX @ Antone’s
Feb 11 – Austin, TX @ The Continental Club
Feb 14 – Valentine, TX @ Big Bend Brewing Valentine’s Day Celebration
Mar 13-19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW 2017
Mar 24 – Kerrville, TX @ Head for the Hills Festival
