While the music industry most often focuses on “the next big thing” band playing in the downtown glam stages in LA and New York or London and showcased by the labels and agencies, there is a world of superb bands playing covers and original songs in local clubs outside of the big city lights who are as good as any band-of- the-week, but laid back and far more resilient. One such band is Santa Barbara-based The Paradise Kings, who play cover and original rock, blues, and swing tunes that get people up to dance. The quartet (plus guest vocalist Jan Ingram), has been performing for years in wineries, corporate events, local venues, private house parties, and serving as the opening act for big time blues shows. They have just released their debut album, Controlled Burn to excellent reviews.
No Small Children is a band like no other. Born on an elementary school playground in the spring of 2012, the trio are school teachers by day and a phenomenally successful hard rock band by night. Three months after deciding to use their recess breaks as band practice time they had an EP out, countless shows behind them and an East Coast tour booked. Their remake of the classic Ghostbusters theme song was released by RCA records and is featured in the new Ghostbusters movie. The band’s original song, ‘Big Steps‘, is featured in the Netflix series, Santa Clarita Diet. The band released their third album, Hold Tight, I’m Flying, in 2015 and singles produced by the legendary, Bob Marlette (Rob Zombie, Black Sabbath). Their live shows are insanely animated and can exhaust both the audience and the band.
