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JanSport® Hits the Road for SXSW with The Broderick & Launches its "Unzipped" Music Blog
Follow JanSport's 2009 Battle of the Bands winners as they blog from the road at www.JanSport.com/unzipped
San Leandro, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2010) - JanSport, the original outdoor gear Brand that equips people globally with quality backpacks, travel gear and collegiate apparel, today announced the launch of its South by Southwest mini tour with its 2009 Battle of the Bands winner, The Broderick. Outfitted in JanSport's Heritage Series (www.JanSport.com/heritageseries), the band will embark on a weeklong tour, championing their way through the Midwest before heading down south to Austin to play the JanSport sponsored official SXSW showcase at Maggie Mae's from 11:30am - 5:30pm hosted by Sonicbids, the world's largest web site for gigging musicians. RSVP here: www.sonicbids.com/sxswparty.
After winning JanSport's Battle of the Bands at the start of 2009-beating out 14,000 other entrants-The Broderick (www.sonicbids.com/thebroderick) have fine-tuned their sweet jangly jams to a fine-point precision. The Bloomington, Indiana-based four-piece, actually cull their moniker from local slang that means "a brawl." No matter though, The Broderick by any other name would still sound just as sweet backed by their infectious melody-driven rock. They've played with Tapes & Tapes, White Rabbits, Great Lakes Swimmers, and The Whigs during their short but healthy career, and there is no doubt that list is ready to blossom.
Spearheaded by lead-singer/song-writer/guitarist/keyboard player Max Mullen, The Broderick perfectly melds a folk tradition with an inspiring exploration of indie-rock futurism. Drummer Quinten Schulze adds a harder edge to the dreamy indie pop by slapping the skins with punk rock fervor. The band's bassist Eric Day adds a bop-worthy undercurrent to the music, while guitarist John Codespoti drives home the package with intoxicating work on the ax. Songs like "Middleman" have garnered sweeping praise from places like MyOldKentuckyBlog with rousing sing-along choruses and intricate guitar rhythms.
The Broderick are furiously recording new songs that will eventually comprise their debut album and in the meantime, touring extensively. And while the foursome may joke about one day making a rap album, it's a sure bet that an LP of indie-rock bliss will come first.
THE BRODERICK'S ROAD TO SXSW:
Wed 3/10/10 Chicago, IL at Tonic Room
Thu 3/11/10 Bloomington, IN at The Bishop with Surfer Blood (Pit Stop Music Marathon)
Fri 03/12/10 Toledo, OH at Mickey Finn's Pub with Tobacco
Sat 03/13/10 Cincinnati, OH at Northside Tavern with Tobacco
Sun 03/14/10 Nashville, TN at Exit In with Tobacco
Fri 03/19/10 Austin, TX at Maggie Mae's (323 East 6th Street) JanSport Presents The Sonicbids Official SXSW Showcase: 11:30am - 5:30pm, 21+ ID and SXSW badge required RSVP at www.sonicbids.com/sxswparty.
"We're excited about our trip to South by Southwest," said Max Mullen, lead singer of The Broderick. "Thanks to JanSport, we have an amazing opportunity to showcase our music and what we do at one of the best festival venues in the country."
"This is our second year sponsoring a band en route to South by Southwest and we're thrilled to make it an annual tradition," said Laurie Heller, marketing communications manager for JanSport. "Music is a true means of self expression, a characteristic at the soul of the JanSport Brand, and we look forward to celebrating the originality and talent of The Broderick, our 2009 Battle of the Bands winner, in Austin this year."
Visit www.JanSport.com/unzipped to follow The Broderick on the road, get updated tour locations, set times, free song downloads, and the chance to win free product giveaways.
For more information about JanSport's upcoming Battle of the Bands competition launching this summer, log onto www.sonicbids.com/JanSport.
About JanSport®
Founded in 1967, JanSport is the original outdoor gear Brand that equips people globally with quality backpacks, travel gear and collegiate apparel. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, JanSport stands for fun and discovery. The company's products are sold in retail stores throughout the world. For more information, visit www.JanSport.com.
About Sonicbids
Sonicbids is a web site that helps bands get gigs, and promoters book the right bands. With festivals, clubs, colleges, music licensing and much more, Sonicbids offers a diverse range of gigs for every kind of musician. Its 200,000+ bands represent an international community of artists, with something for every kind of promoter. The company was launched in 2001 by Panos Panay, a Cyprus native and former booking agent with a love of soccer (he calls it football), working to "empower the artistic middleclass." For more on Sonicbids, visit www.sonicbids.com.
CONTACT:
Heathcliff Berru
Life or Death PR
heathfliff.berru@gmail.com
Carrie Steinberg
JanSport
510.614.4072
carrie_steinberg@vfc.com
