Formely named Sima Cunningham and Smaze, The Audians is an indie-rock band from Chicago that draws on Rock, Blues, Cajun, Soul and Folk music to create a fresh and original musical style that is quickly getting attention in the Chicago music scene. The four band members, all high school students, play multiple instruments including guitar, violin, piano, bass, drums, trombone and trumpet.
The band includes singer, songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist Sima Cunningham, Dorian Gehring on electric guitar, violin and vocals, Jonah Geil-Neufeld on drums and vocals, and Jake Saner on bass. Formed in the past year, Sima and Smaze has performed at the Hideout and Uncommon Ground and is booked for a date at Cabaret Metro in late November. Just 16 years of age, Sima Cunningham has been performing publicly for years in Chicago clubs and coffeehouses with pick-up bands and solo. Last April, Sima and the band released their first recording project, “Squeeze,” a six-song CD that includes five songs written by Sima. Produced by Brian Deck (Red Red Meat, Califone, Iron and Wine, Josh Rittter), “Squeeze” reflects influences as diverse as Wilco, Nirvana, Bright Eyes, No Doubt and Willie Mason. Her songs touch on urban teenage life, drugs, politics, and war. Sima and Smaze are recording a second “live” album in the studio in early November, also produced by Brian Deck.
Jonah, Jake and Dorian grew up together, formed Smaze in 2003 as a Cajun-soul-jam band trio and began performing at coffee shops, clubs and high school events. They have a CD, “All the More Reason to Spend These Years in a Tree,” which is available through their website, www.Smaze.org. They also play with a traditional Cajun band called the Cajun Vagabonds that just recorded its first studio CD, which is available at their live performances.
Sima, who studied jazz and classical piano for ten years, has been a member of the Chicago Children's Choir since 1996, performing at Chicago Symphony Center, the Lyric Opera House, Ravinia, and Carnegie Hall in New York. Her songs can be heard on her website, www.theaudians.com . Her CD’s are available through the website and area record stores.
For more information, visit their website: http://www.theaudians.com
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