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Shipwreck Union Wins Midwest Showcase
Detroit-based rock 'n' roll band Shipwreck Union (pictured above) were crowned champions of the Independent Music World Series (IMWS) Midwest showcase. As winner of the grand prize, the band is awarded over $35,000 in prizes including recording equipment, instruments, CD manufacturing services and DJ equipment. Shipwreck Union also earns the title of Top Independent Act in the Midwest.
The group competed against five other acts from the region at the Elbo Room in Chicago on May 13. Other finalists included Full Flava Kings (Tulsa, OK), Nadir (Westland, MI), Rebel's Advocate (Iowa City, IA), the Etiquette (Milwaukee, WI), and the Its (Chicago).
Shipwreck Union and the other finalists performed for a panel of 12 judges representing Billboard, ASCAP, NARAS, Universal Music Group, Future Entertainment, and the Chicago Tribune. Over 1,000 unsigned bands and independent artists submitted entries for the Midwest region of the IMWS.
The IMWS is produced by Disc Makers.
The next showcase, for the Southeast region, takes place July 22 at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN. For more information, call 888-800-5796 or visit discmakers.com/music/imws.
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- Billboard's Musician's Guide
IMWS MIDWEST WINNER
Artist: Shipwreck Union
Detroit, Michigan
IMWS Midwest Winner: Shipwreck Union
On May 13, 2004, Broadjam Artist Shipwreck Union won the top honor, Top Independent Act in the Midwest, at the Independent Music World Series in Chicago. As they took their first steps toward the national spotlight, they were also rewarded with $35,000 in gear and prizes. Broadjam would like to congratulate this act, whose performances captivate fans and music industry executives alike.
Shipwreck Union was created by long-time musicians Nick Lucassian and Scott Krause. The band's raw and undeniable sound comes alive through the haunting and alluring lead vocals of Nick, the soulful bass of Scott, the pure energy and ecstasy of Eric Hoegemeyer on drums and the electrifying chords of Steve Zucarro on lead guitar. Long-time friends, the band mates have played alongside national acts such as Kid Rock, Big Block, Charm Farm, and Uncle Kracker. Yet, the dream of starting their own band and writing and performing original music could not be broken. Their dream became a reality when Shipwreck Union was born in December 2002.
The Detroit-based band, whose debut CD is set for release later this year, has credited many music greats such as Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, The Who, The Beatles, Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley for inspiring their sound today. While drawing from their influences, Shipwreck Union has managed to create a soulful rock sound that is incomparable to any other. The vivid and expressive lyrics of their original songs exude what music was meant to be...music you can feel.
- Broadjam.com
Fast-rising local newcomer Shipwreck Union... - Detroit Free Press
SHIPWRECK SAILS: Detroit-based rock band Shipwreck Union won the Independent Music World Series’ Midwest showcase, held May 13 at the Elbo Room in Chicago.
As the grand-prize winner, the band picks up recording equipment, instruments, CD manufacturing services and DJ equipment valued at more than $35,000.
Shipwreck Union also earns the title of top independent act in the Midwest.
The group competed against five other acts from the region, performing for a panel of 12 judges representing Billboard, ASCAP, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Universal Music Group, Future Entertainment and the Chicago Tribune. More than 1,000 unsigned bands and independent artists submitted entries for the Midwest region of the IMWS, which Disc Makers produces.
- Detroit News
The Lowdown: Nick Lucassian's songs are intense and brooding, heartbroken and passionate, yet still twinkle with the spark of renewed hope. Delivering lyrics that detail heartache and political frustration alike, his mournful voice makes audiences swoon and reflect at the same time. Not one to be pigeonholed into the Nickel-Creed world of modern radio rock, the singer-guitarist delves into country, blues and the soul of Motown.
The History: Lucassian started Shipwreck Union four years ago -- with a banjo player, two guitars, a keyboard and his unforgettable voice. But something didn't feel quite right. After recording a six-song EP for Rustbelt Records, Lucassian disbanded his five-member crew and set off on the road to play guitar for good friend Matt Shafer, a.k.a. Uncle Kracker. After his stint on a major tour, Lucassian decided to relaunch Shipwreck in early 2003, recruiting his fellow Kracker bandmate, bassist Scott Krause...
The Name: "I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere," Lucassian says of his state of mind when he started the band. "I felt like I was shipwrecked." But now, he writes songs to "calm his demons," has an improved outlook. "I'm just trying to learn to face life," he says. "To accept the things I can't change."
On fame: Having toured with radio favorite Uncle Kracker, Lucassian knows the pressure big stars face from fans, producers and record labels. "I want to get my songs heard by people my way," he says. "It's true music. I try to get the songs in their truest, simplest form." Still, he says, "When you write a song and it moves somebody, that's just such an incredible feeling. So, in a way I do want to be famous, because that's the only way to get people to hear my songs."
Live: Shipwreck Union plays at 8 tonight at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward, Ferndale. 248-544-3030. $7. It's an opening slot for friend Josh Bramhall, and the bill includes the Brothers Groove. More at www.shipwreckunion.com.
By Liz Hill, Free Press special writer
Copyright © 2004 Detroit Free Press Inc.
- Detroit Free Press/ Liz Hill
Shipwreck Union Wins Midwest Showcase
Detroit-based rock 'n' roll band Shipwreck Union (pictured above) were crowned champions of the Independent Music World Series (IMWS) Midwest showcase. As winner of the grand prize, the band is awarded over $35,000 in prizes including recording equipment, instruments, CD manufacturing services and DJ equipment. Shipwreck Union also earns the title of Top Independent Act in the Midwest.
The group competed against five other acts from the region at the Elbo Room in Chicago on May 13. Other finalists included Full Flava Kings (Tulsa, OK), Nadir (Westland, MI), Rebel's Advocate (Iowa City, IA), the Etiquette (Milwaukee, WI), and the Its (Chicago).
Shipwreck Union and the other finalists performed for a panel of 12 judges representing Billboard, ASCAP, NARAS, Universal Music Group, Future Entertainment, and the Chicago Tribune. Over 1,000 unsigned bands and independent artists submitted entries for the Midwest region of the IMWS.
The IMWS is produced by Disc Makers.
The next showcase, for the Southeast region, takes place July 22 at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN. For more information, call 888-800-5796 or visit discmakers.com/music/imws.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2004 VNU eMedia Inc. All rights reserved.
Read our TERMS OF USE & PRIVACY POLICY
- Billboard's Musician's Guide
Discography
SELF DEFENSE released Sept 20, 2005 through Redeye USA. On sale now in stores, ITUNES.com & www.shipwreckunion.com
Photos
Bio
When Shipwreck Union toured arena stages and cruised the television late show circuit as backing band to another known Detroit act, they saw first hand how quick-gotten fame can fall out of favor. But Shipwreck isn’t in it for the fame – as evidenced by their blue collar, DIY attitude. No longer in the market for a major label, Shipwreck Union decided, “Let’s get our own investors, our own public relations team and our own distribution company.” So they did, and the Detroit music scene – a discerning crowd who routinely hand-pick the nation’s next big thing – came out in droves to hear Shipwreck’s homegrown mix of hard rock, blues, and Motown soul that makes a moody patchwork out of straight-ahead rock ‘n roll.
Singer/songwriter Nick Lucassian, who weighs in on guitar and keys, prefers emotional truth and feel-good melodies over pseudo-cerebral, overdone productions. His delivery is heartbroken and clench-your-fists passionate – sometimes angelic and often outraged. Steve Zuccaro’s scathing guitar, Scott Krause’s deep-groove bass and Eric Hoegemeyer’s balls-out, sweat-soaked drum beats fuel the fire.
“I’m just trying to learn to face life,” Lucassian says. “To accept the things I can’t change. I’ve watched people close to me disappear, I’ve walked away from seemingly perfect opportunities that didn’t ring true, and had a meeting of the minds with these three other guys who have the same mission – it comes down to what’s right.”
What’s “right” by Shipwreck’s standards is coming to terms with doing things on their own terms. Which is to say, they’ll have it done right, even if it won’t get done right away. Their debut release, Self Defense, was written, recorded, and produced by the band over the course of two years. They self-funded the recording process, in part with winnings they received at a Chicago-based battle of the bands competition in 2004. In the meantime, they released an EP to satiate audience demands at the capacity shows they performed in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles. By the time the band headlined Detroit’s first ever Motor City Music Conference in April ’05 it was obvious the audience wanted more.
“We get off stage and the crowd is sweating as much as we are, and half the crowd knows our lyrics better than we do,” says bassist Scott Krause. “We’ve been holding them off for awhile but it feels great to finally deliver the full length we’ve been promising.”
Shipwreck Union’s Self Defense is a mile-marker on a journey that reveals not only who they are, but where they’re coming from. Citing influences that range from The Clash to Johnny Cash, from Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding to The Beatles and The Who – Shipwreck Union’s soul-baring songwriting and rock ‘n soul sound rumbles with old-school grit and silky Motown melody straight out of Motor City.
Self Defense was released nationally on September 20th 2005
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