Insigniya

Artist Information

Biography

Transcending the boundaries of genre, Insigniya has hit the ground running since the band’s start in January 2009. Taking influence from a vast range of musicians, Insigniya has been breaking down barriers in creating original music that cannot be classified simply as jazz, rock, or funk.

Insigniya is centered on the concept of channeling a special energy through an audience, creating a feeling of freedom and self-empowerment, while giving people sounds to bob their heads and shake their bodies to. This energy is found full force at shows and getting it recorded is the ultimate goal when the band is in the studio. With a constantly growing loyal fan base, Insigniya is attracting more and more people to shows, which have a unique atmosphere full of high energy and full-throttle senses-saturating sensations.

In January 2011, Insigniya released a self-titled EP and since has been making waves around the Northeast. Only in their third year, the group has already performed at venues such as The Middle East Downstairs (Boston), Nectars (Burlington, VT), Sullivan Hall (NYC), and Cafe Campus (Montreal, QC).

In Summer 2011, the group made their debut on the festival circuit, performing at festivals such as StrangeCreek & Wormtown (MA), Disc Jam (MA), Camp Coldbrook (MA), The Big Up (NY), Liberate (VT), Bella Terra (NY), Evolvefest (NJ), Heads In Harmony (ME), Magnetic Gathering (NH), and Lesphestival (NY).

The band has many big plans for the near future including releasing a full length album as well as continually extending the range of touring.

Instrumentation

Jake Fletcher - Electric Bass, Keyboard/Synthesizer
Josh Weinberg - electronic percussion, Acoustic Drums
Dan Searl - Guitar, Guitar Synth

Discography

Insigniya's self-titled EP was released on January 20th, 2011 (Jan. 10th digitally). All songs from the EP are available on ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby, as well as www.Insigniya.com


Our songs are on Jango, have had radio airplay on Evolvement Radio (101.5 FM WXGR), 91.3 FM WXPL, and 91.7 WMWM. They have been used in Westford Public Access Television programs as well as Melrose Music Television.

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Last.fm
• ReverbNation

Audio

• Borderline Stella
  Listen   Download
• Funk Breath
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• Give It Some Time
  Listen   Download
• Not Again
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• Moving Forward
  Listen   Download
• Freedom Jazz Dance
  Listen   Download

Video

Insigniya - Spring Run 2011.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Extra! Extra! Three time-traveling, superhuman musical prodigies have landed in our fair state with a two-pronged mission [+ Show ]
  

  Insigniya By Bruce Elliot up-and-comers-insigniya-at-copyExtra! Extra! Three time-traveling, s...Insigniya
  
  By Bruce Elliot
  
  up-and-comers-insigniya-at-copyExtra! Extra! Three time-traveling, superhuman musical prodigies have landed in our fair state with a two-pronged mission: to spread music of self-empowerment and forge a new era of sonic exploration. They call themselves Insigniya, and they’re here to enlighten us with what they label funk fusion livetronica, but you’ll just call mind-blowing ecstasy.
  
  The members of Insigniya have, thus far, managed to pass themselves off as mere Massachusetts mortals. They are: Dan Searl ~ guitar, guitar synthesizer, Jake Fletcher ~ bass, synthesizers, and Josh Weinberg ~ drums, samples/sequencing. One day while Dan and Josh were hanging with mutual friends in the fall of 2009, Dan called out, “Does anyone here play an instrument?” Josh answered, the two started jamming, and they completed the sonic picture some months later when Jake arrived on bass.
  
  With influences from Miles Davis to Coltrane, Wayne Krantz Trio, Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Lotus, and Cream, Insigniya began spreading its own brand of astonishing progressive-fusion to the masses. And their grooves are funkier than the men’s room at Fenway on free burrito night during extra innings. Yeah man, that’s funky, and the festival circuit is eating them up
  
  “Josh went to a few festivals, had an awesome time at all of them…and most importantly experienced a scene where Insigniya’s music could thrive and flourish… From this, we reached out to festivals we wanted to play, which has led to the band being on the bill for 11 festivals around the northeast in the 2011 season.” Attend one, and you’ll experience “a party, a great time, a transcendental experience, good people, joy, ever-improving light shows, dancing, and raging,” explains Josh.
  
  With an upcoming east coast tour, live DVD, and plans to release a studio album in December, Insignia’s musical mission will soon be accomplished. For more, including tour and festival dates, visit www.insigniya.com or like them at www.facebook.com/insigniya.music.

• Insigniya brings music, life, and freedom to Church [+ Show ]
  

  “A multimedia experience.” That’s how they’re billing this Thursday evening burner of a show at Chur...“A multimedia experience.” That’s how they’re billing this Thursday evening burner of a show at Church, the cool but often-overlooked music club/restaurant near the Fens. Headliners Insigniya might be only a trio, but they have the agility to slice off sharp-edged, jazz-driven slurs that call up the finest moments on Zappa’s Hot Rats. You’d swear you’re hearing an orchestra in places when Insygnya goes on prog-y trips down the rabbit hole. It’s the type of attack that’d digest well with the jam-friendly sort, making the hot-handed party-troupe Wobblesauce a perfect complement on this bill, as well as the promise of live painting and an “incredible light show.” This is adding up to be quite the experience. - Jeff Wallace

• "Fat Guitar Sound and Tight Rhythm Make Unique Trio" [+ Show ]
  

  Insigniya's debut recording is a four-track EP, featuring three original compositions (one a live re...Insigniya's debut recording is a four-track EP, featuring three original compositions (one a live recording) and a cover of the Eddie Harris-composed jazz standard, "Freedom Jazz Dance". The Boston-area band consists of guitarst Dan Searl, bassist Jake Fletcher, and drummer Josh Weinberg. The trio plays what sounds a lot like classic progressive fusion a la Bruford and Brand X: One drum figure from the second track, "Not Again," recalls Bill Bruford's transition from "By the Light of Day" into "Presto Vivace and Reprise" on the first U.K. album. Yet, of course, there are no keyboards. But Searl's fat guitar sound and the busy though tight rhythm section leave no gaps.
  Insigniya's version of "Freedom Jazz Dance" is rather funky, and each musician gets a chance to shine. The live track "Funk Breath", shows the band to be just as good onstage as in the studio. Here's hoping for a full-length release soon. --Jason M. Rubin

• "These guys await an amazing future" [+ Show ]
  

  Please visit http://issuu.com/hopewhenmag/docs/9th_issue to see full review and interview - we are f...Please visit http://issuu.com/hopewhenmag/docs/9th_issue to see full review and interview - we are featured on page 53.

• "Funk/fusion/jam-band gives listeners a sense of freedom and self-empowerment." [+ Show ]
  

  "We enjoy playing, recording, and writing music more than anything else – from the start it was the ..."We enjoy playing, recording, and writing music more than anything else – from the start it was the only option for us"
  
  
  
  Funk/fusion/jam-band dedicated to creating music that gives listeners a sense of freedom and self-empowerment.
  
  
  Why or how did you choose your bandname?
  
  We were always connected to the idea of empowering people with our music, and so we began looking up different terms for self-empowerment. In this search, we came across the word “insignia” which we simply modified to become Insigniya.
  
  What inspired you to pursue a music career?
  
  
  We enjoy playing, recording, and writing music more than anything else – from the start it was the only option for us all.
  
  Can you recall any particular moment or experience that may have moved you to persue a music career? If so, please explain:
  
  
  One of the first gigs Insigniya had was at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA. Having previously won the battle of the bands in Westford, Insigniya was able to pack the venue. People were up and dancing, getting lost in the music, we were fulfilling our goal – we were setting people free with our music. Looking out into the crowd and seeing this was an experience more rewarding than anything any of us had gone through – this experience pushed Insigniya to pursue a career in music.
  
  What or who are your biggest musical influences (past or present)?
  
  
  The Wayne Krantz Trio, Oz Noy, The Disco Biscuits, John Scofield, Pat Matheney, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, James Browwn
  
  How do you describe your music to others?
  
  Funk/Fusion/Nu-Jazz/Rock
  
  Any memorable experiences while performing live or while touring "on the road"?
  
  
  Playing at the Village Smokehouse in Lowell, MA was a memorable experience and a good time. We had Boston’s Old Men Playing Chess open for us. We drew in 100+ people and everyone was up and dancing, really grooving out to our music.
  
  What kind of feedback have you received from your current release?
  
  
  “Insigniya = Gods”
  
  “U guys r going to blow my mind.”
  
  “My mind is officially blown.”
  
  “Congrats on winning battle of the bands, your cover of Frankenstein was amazing.”
  
  
  
  
  What is the inspiration behind your current release?
  
  
  All of our songs on our EP are tunes we have enjoyed playing for a long time. Our goal with releasing our EP (hopefully out on ITunes and Pandora by mid-May) is to share the Insigniya sound with the world.
  
  Why should potential fans be turned on to your music?
  
  
  The mix of traditional and modern harmony and rhythmic feels combined with catchy vocals provide an excellent opportunity to dance and have a good time.
  
  What sites can fans find you at online?
  
  
  http://www.myspace.com/insigniyamusic
  http://www.facebook.com/insigniya.music
  http://www.reverbnation.com/insigniya
  http://www.sonicbids.com/insigniya
  
  What can fans expect from you in the near future?
  
  
  A further developed live show, festival gigs, a new website, additional merchandise, and a full length album on ITunes, hopefully by the fall.

• "Rock & Roll: New Band wins Battle of the Bands at Fitchburg State" [+ Show ]
  

  When Josh Weinberg doesn't pick up his phone right away, the music sets the tone for him. It’s an ol...When Josh Weinberg doesn't pick up his phone right away, the music sets the tone for him. It’s an old Jimi Hendrix tune. Weinberg, a 17-year-old from Littleton, is part of the year-old band, Insigniya. With Weinberg on drums, Dan Searl on synthesizer and guitar, Dan Rahilly on guitar and Justin Baker on bass, the young rockers are accumulating fans by the day.
  
  
  
  The band comes together
  
  Weinberg said it was Hendrix's “Voodoo Child” that cemented the band when he and Searl were jamming one day last January. When they played the classic tune, the music clicked and they both knew they had a band. .
  
  
  
  Describing the genre of Insigniya
  
  Weinberg said the genre is hard to identify.
  
  “It transcends the boundaries, but it's funk, jazz and jam,” said Weinberg.
  
  He said while Searl writes the melodies, he will pick up on the beat and develop the song as an ensemble.
  
  “I love jamming,” said Weinberg. “Dan will come up with a beat that I will interpret as I hear it.”
  
  He said Searl has a jazz background and incorporates New Age “grooves” as well.
  
  
  
  When the music began
  
  Weinberg has been drumming for six years, starting at Indian Hill and now taking lessons with a faculty member at Berklee.
  
  “I was always tapping on things as a kid,” said Weinberg, “with rhythms going in my head.”
  
  That's when he knew drumming would be his vocation.
  
  “I started lessons at age 11 and didn't stop,” he said.
  
  
  
  What makes Insigniya stand out?
  
  He said while he loves the Beatles and Hendrix, Weinberg and the band write their own music. His main criticism of some popular bands today is that they are derivative, sounding like one another too much.
  
  “Of 11 tunes we play in a set, 8 are original,” said Weinberg.
  
  He said he has a fan base from Littleton High School that tries to get to all his concerts. In February, the band will return to the Village Smokehouse in Lowell. In May, he is hoping to participate in a three day “Strange Creep” music extravaganza in Greenfield. The band played the upstairs room at the Middle East in Cambridge this week, and has several other dates coming in the spring.
  
  “Hopefully we can get on the festival circuit,” said Weinberg.
  
  “I hope we keep getting bigger and writing better music,” he said. “My dream is to go on a national tour in a couple of years.”
  
  
  
  What fans say:
  
  
  
  “I’m gonna be front and center.”
  
  
  
  “Insigniya = Gods”
  
  
  
  “U guys r going to blow my mind.”
  
  
  
  “My mind is officially blown.”
  
  
  
  “Congrats on winning battle of the bands, your cover of Frankenstein was amazing.”

Setlist

Originals:

- Moving Forward
- Not Again
- Give It Some Time
- Let's Jam
- Funk Breath
- Here We Go
- August Ends
- Studio 54
- Whatever Happens...
- Borderline
- Kinda Blues
- This Floor
-Gimme Some More
- While It Lasts

Covers:

- Frankenstein (originally by Edgar Winters Group)
- Voodoo Child (originally by The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
- Fire On The Mountain (originally by The Grateful Dead)
- 1979 (originally by The Smashing Pumpkins)
- Freedom Jazz Dance (original funk arrangement) (originally by Eddie Harris)



(have included these covers as well)

- Cissy Strut (originally by The Meters)
- Chameleon (originally by Herbie Hancock)
- Little Walter Rides Again (originally by Martin, Medeski and Wood)
- Gravity Rides Everything (originally by Modest Mouse)
- Walkin' The Dog (originally by Aerosmith)
- Blackout (by John Scofield)
- The Chicken

Insigniya's sets can range from an hour to 3 hours.

Basic Requirements

Calendar