Nightjar

Genre: Rock, Garage, Alt-Country
Based in Indianapolis, IN
Official Band Site: www.nightjarmusic.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nightjarsongs
MySpace: www.myspace.com/nightjarsongs

Releases: "Hometown Stranger" - 2010

Band Members:
Greg Osborne, Chris Hess, Nathan Dynak, Ty Hoskins, Mandy Hege, Joe Hodson

Highlights:
Nightjar has shared the stage with national touring artists including Joe Firstman, Brian Wright, and the Rustlanders. The band has played venues throughout the Midwest including shows in Chicago, Indianapolis and South Bend. In 2009 Nightjar won the Broad Ripple Music Fest Virtual Battle Of The Bands.

Band Comparisons:
Drive-by Truckers, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Rolling Stones, Ryan Adams, Old 97’s

History:
In 2007 songwriters Chris Hess and Greg Osborne came together to create a unique Rock/Americana music experience.

Hess moved to Indianapolis for a teaching position at Butler University after having spent many years in the American Northwest in a successful country-rock band, Chuckanut Drive.

Osborne's prior experience included lead vocals and guitar for a variety of bands that performed regularly in Indianapolis. His early musical training was more formal; classical piano and Spanish guitar.

Osborne's wife, also a professor at the university, introduced the two to each other. A few practice sessions and one short performance in front of some fellow professors quickly solidified the new partnership.

Hess' musical influences included notable performers such as Johnny Cash and The Band along with current singer-songwriters such as Joe Purdy and The Avett Brothers. Osborne grew up admiring everything from '80s indie bands such as The Smiths and R.E.M. to country artists such as Lyle Lovett.

After the first few recording sessions and a mutual love for current artists such as The Drive-By Truckers and Ryan Adams it was clear that the two's musical project aspirations were destined for a harmonious future.

Hess quickly recruited Ty Hosklns on violin and bass guitar to form Nightjar.

Within a few months a compilation of songs written by both Osborne and Hess were recorded in Osborne's home studio and later released to the public.

Shortly thereafter Seattle transplant and Michigan native, Nathan Dynak, joined the group on drums. It wasn't long after that the band performed their first live shows in November of 2008.

Joe Hodson joined the band in 2009 and quickly drew praise from audiences for his aggressive lead guitar style that made the band fiercer than even its earlier formations.

The group sought out female harmonies that seemed to give Nightjar a smoothness that often contrasted well with their, at times, rougher and edgier songs. Mandy Hege joined the band in the Spring of 2009. Her strong vocals and limitless on-stage energy were an instant fit.

Currently, Nightjar is preparing their first EP release due out in the Fall of 2009.