Roots Collective

Artist Information

Biography

Roots Collective is Madison, Wisconsin’s hottest roots rock reggae band in the finest one drop tradition. Formed in 2005, by lead singer/keyboardist Michelle Flood, Roots Collective focuses on playing music with a message that speaks to all people no matter what race, age or background. The players, all from the Madison, WI area have performed with other popular local acts such as Natty Nation, Que Flavor!, Jose & Sumlimes, Tony Brown, Vibe Syndicate & The Mustache.

Making Roots Collective a roots rock reggae force to contend with, and setting them apart from other groups in the are flawless vocals as well as a strong rhythm section with killer guitar solos. Michelle Flood brings her naturally strong and elegant voice to original songs that have won her awards and wowed audiences that have experienced their shows. Joining the band in 2012 MC Mic Pro, transplanted to Madison from the Milwaukee area, adds his fresh and conscious urban flow to many tunes in the RC songbook.

These Days EP, the latest CD, released in June 2011 features four original tunes that feature heavy drum and bass beats, a touch of funk-rock reggae-ness surging underneath lyrics which speak about current times and feelings associated with these times. The EP was recorded live for a television performance and won best world album on the year in the 2011/2012 Madison Area Music Awards.

News! RC is currently working on a new six song EP releasing in 2013 to be available in the spring/summer.

The members bring over twenty years of musical experience to stage…and have shared the stage with many heavyweight reggae acts such as: Matisyahu, Eek-a Mouse, Justin Hinds, The Long Beach Short Bus, & Steel Pulse

Roots Collective achievements
~ Winner Best World Album "These Days EP" - Madison Area Music Awards 2012
~ Performer at MAMA's 2012
~Nominee Best World Song - 2012 MAMA's
~ Performer at Summerfest 2009 & 2010, the world’s largest outdoor music festival!
~ Performer at the Monona Terrace “Tunes at the Terrace” (July 2009 & 2010)
~ Performer at the 20th Annual Marquette Waterfront Festival (June 2009)
~ Performer at the 2009 & 2010 Lunchtime Live! Downtown Madison music concert series
~ Madison Area Music Award for best world song of the year 2007
~ Nominee for best world song and album of the year in the 2008 MAMA’s
~ Nominee for best female vocalist in the 2009 MAMA's
~ Nominee for best world song & album in the 2009, 2010 MAMA's
~Nominee for best world performer 2010 MAMA's
~ Performer at the 2008 SOCO Music Festival at Alliant Energy Center’s Willow Island

List of local venues played:
The Monona Terrace
Memorial Union Terrace
The High Noon Saloon
The Hody Bar & Grille
UW-Steven’s Point
The Majestic Theatre
The Crystal Corner Bar
Mr Robert’s Bar & Grille
The Club Tavern
Quaker Steak & Lube
The Nau-ti-gal
Legends Sports Bar & Grill
and many more….

Bios:
Michelle Flood – Born and raised in Madison, WI Started playing piano at age 5 and studied piano and voice at UW LaCrosse. Left UW LaCrosse in 1994 and was singing at a Madison Karaoke bar when she was discovered by an area reggae musician. Over the next several years Michelle would hone her skills to become Madison’s best reggae keyboardist playing with local reggae acts Blackstarr, OPTA and I-N-I. Vocals featured later in 1999 when she started the funk/r&b/reggae band Basil where she was the primary songwriter/singer/keyboardist. Started Roots Collective after watching a Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Live DVD saying, “I want to do that again!!” Michelle wears many hats with Roots Collective (singer/primary songwriter/keyboardist, manager, sometimes sound engineer & booking person). Michelle can also be seen singing with the prestigious Festival Choir of Madison.

Steve Truesdell is a seasoned guitar player who weaves his excellent guitar playing into the Roots Collective songbook. Steve also plays with Weapons of Mass Defunktion.

Jared Flood (drums)
Originally from Oregon, WI Jared began studying drumset at age 13. He studied with Clyde Stubblefield "the original funky drummer" and Chicago based drummer Vincent Davis. Jared has played in many bands including The Full Watts, Autumn's Dance and Basil. Jared brings his funk/hip hop influence to the reggae drumming styles for a guaranteed good time.

Jason McGoldrick - Locking into the pocket of the one drop with Flood is veteran bass player Jason McGoldrick who has earned his chops touring over the past ten years as an original member of Reason for Leaving and is a current member of the popular Sublime Tribute of Jose and the Sumlines.


Jon Hoel brings the cool factor to the Roots Collective crew having seasoned his sax leads and fills while leading his own improvisational jazz group Nuggernaut. Hoel works closely with Flood's melodies in adding to the hip reggae sound that only a tuned in horn player can do. Plays in bands The Mustache, Nuggernaut and the Jonathan Hoel Quartet. Jon is also one of the primary organizers for the annual summer benefit Recreational Rhythms Music Festival which supports the United Way of Madison.

Mariono Weaver - bio coming soon!

Instrumentation

Michelle Flood - Lead Vocals, Vocals & Keyboard
Jason McGoldrick - Bass
Jon Hoel - Saxophone
Jared Flood - Drums
Stefan Truesdell - Lead Guitar
Mariono Weaver - MC

Discography

Some Live Songs EP (2007 - Live @ High Noon Saloon)
Rising EP (September 2009)
These Days (June 2011) - AVAILABLE ON CD BABY!

Official Website

http://www.reverbnation.com/rootscollective

Links

• Facebook
• Come Visit our store on Cafe Press!

Audio

• Money
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Maximum Ink October 2009 [+ Show ]
  

  "Patterned after the famously horn fronted reggae bands of the past, this Madison based outfit regal..."Patterned after the famously horn fronted reggae bands of the past, this Madison based outfit regales tales of love & unity with a soul felt altruism. By featuring a rotation of three vocalists (including one female) each of these 5 tracks bolsters a separate sound and vibration to be inspired by"

• 77 Square WI State Journal [+ Show ]
  

  "One band that certainly deserved high praise was Madison's own Roots Collective. Great reggae band...."One band that certainly deserved high praise was Madison's own Roots Collective. Great reggae band." - On playing SOCO Music Festival

• WORT 89.9 Event Coordinator [+ Show ]
  

  On playing the 2008 WORT Block party in May..."Your performance was joyful, uplifting and profession...On playing the 2008 WORT Block party in May..."Your performance was joyful, uplifting and professional..."

• Isthmus Newspaper [+ Show ]
  

  "Reggae, breezy island grooves, and a soupcon of funk and fusion are on the menu at this dance happy..."Reggae, breezy island grooves, and a soupcon of funk and fusion are on the menu at this dance happy event"

• WORT 89.9 FM [+ Show ]
  

  "The sound of Roots Collective is roots, rock, reggae. The addition of trumpet and saxophone has bl..."The sound of Roots Collective is roots, rock, reggae. The addition of
  trumpet and saxophone has blessed the righteous riddim section making this
  sextet "the" roots band of Madison. If your preferences in reggae music are
  Bob Marley and Aswad, this is your night for live reggae music."

• 2008 MAMAS Nominee! [+ Show ]
  

  RC has been nominated for best world song of the year and best world album of the year in the 2008 M...RC has been nominated for best world song of the year and best world album of the year in the 2008 Madison Area Music Awards. Voting ends April 30th with winners being announced on May 10th at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI

• RC lands spot on 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour!! [+ Show ]
  

  The 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour, a product of Ourstage.com, is a series of band battles throughout the m...The 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour, a product of Ourstage.com, is a series of band battles throughout the midwest with the winner of each battle receiving a performance slot at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes, MN in July! RC is scheduled to "battle" it out with 4 other bands in Milwaukee, WI on Friday April 25th

• Madison Area Music Awards Winner! [+ Show ]
  

  Congratulations to Roots Collective whose song "What U Get" recently won a Madison Area Music Award ...Congratulations to Roots Collective whose song "What U Get" recently won a Madison Area Music Award for Best World Song of the Year 2007

• Madison Made Music Project Winner! [+ Show ]
  

  Roots Collective is pleased to announce that "Truth" is being featured on a compilation CD being put...Roots Collective is pleased to announce that "Truth" is being featured on a compilation CD being put together by the Madison Made Music Project and Porchlight Inc. to benefit organizations working to lower poverty and homelessness in the Madison area. MMMP Festival is being held on September 20th featuring all the winners at several different music venues around town...our venue TBA.

Setlist

We have enough material to fill 4 hours of soulful reggae music.

Concrete Jungle (Judy Mowatt)

You Don’t Care (Judy Mowatt)

Strength to Go Through (Judy Mowatt)

Fly Me To The Moon (Burning Spear)

Fussin’ & Fightin’ (Rita Marley)

Hooked on You (Aswad)

Dubfire (Aswad)

Just a Little Herb (Aswad)

Reggae Song (Aswad)

I’m Not Fooled (UB40)

All I Want to Do (UB40)

Pressure Drop (Toots & The Maytals)

Stir it Up (Bob Marley)

I Shot the Sherriff (Bob Marley)

Zion Train (Bob Marley)

Them Belly Full (Bob Marley)

Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)

Jammin’ (Bob Marley)

Natural Mystic (Bob Marley)

Rat Race (Bob Marley)

Pimpers Paradise (Bob Marley)

Forever Loving Jah (Bob Marley)

Waiting in Vain (Bob Marley)

Redemption Song (Bob Marley)

One Drop (Bob Marley)

Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley)

Tightrope (Steel Pulse)

P’s & Q’s (The Wailers Band)

Johnny B. Goode (Peter Tosh)

No, No, No (Dawn Penn)

So Much Things To Say (Bob Marley)

Guiltiness (Bob Marley)

The Heathen (Bob Marley)

One Love, People Get Ready (Bob Marley)

Turn Your Lights Down Low (Bob Marley)

Lively Up Yourself (Bob Marley)

So Jah Seh (Bob Marley)

Rebel Music (Bob Marley)

Natty Dread (Bob Marley)

Revolution (Bob Marley)

Bend Down Low (Bob Marley)

Another Day (Zoe)

Jah Chariot (Etana)

I Shall Sing (Marcia Griffiths)


ORIGINALS:

What U Get (M.Flood)
Love & Unity (M. Flood, J.Flood)
Truth (M.Flood, J.Flood)
Seven (M. Flood)
Money (M. Flood)
Fire (M. Flood)
I Rise (M. Flood)
Turn Around (M. Flood)
No More (M Flood)
Chain Reaction (M Flood)
Pass Him Up (M Flood)
Free Up (M Flood, J Flood)
Run Around (M Flood)
One Bright Day (M Flood)
If I Could (M Flood, M Weaver)
Hypocritics (M Flood, M Weaver)
Wind it Up (M Weaver)

Basic Requirements

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