Fade into the music of local band Fade 2 Shade
Date 4/18/2002 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureGot any plans for Friday night? Well pause that video game and put away the homework because Fade 2 Shade is scheduled to entertain us in Marty's April 19 at 9 p.m.
Jim Kowitz ('03), SAC Spotlight Co-Chair, heard about Fade 2 Shade when their agency sent a promotional pack with all the information about the band, and also a CD.
"I really enjoyed the make-up of the group and the music they created. I also looked at the list of cover songs they play, including tunes by the Dave Matthews Band, Rusted Root, and Paul Simon, and thought that they would be fun to dance around with," said Kowitz.
Fade 2 Shade introduced themselves to the music industry in the fall of 1997 on the campus of St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Through mutual friends and a need to find a place to live, Craig Heitkamp (lead vocals/guitar) and Randy Engelmayer (bass guitar/vocals) became roommates. After a few months, Craig and Randy had impromptu jam sessions at the house, and before long the two were playing nights at a local coffeehouse. At one particular performance, Ryan Inselman (drums/vocals) came to watch the duo, and after the show the three of them planned their first rehearsal.
During that fall of 1997, the band spent much of their rehearsal time writing original music with plans of recording an album. At one such rehearsal, Derrick Raiter (percussion/vocals) sat in with the band and later joined the group. Later that year, Andrew Kopp (saxophone/flute) and Matt Everson (guitar) sat in on their first rehearsal and the group that would become known as Fade 2 Shade was officially formed.
Last summer Kowitz went to see them in the Twin Cities because they played a lot of shows at different venues across the cities and Midwest and felt that "they were awesome, and really got the crowd up on their feet and having fun."
"I thought this would be a great show to finish the year off with, and a nice release for students, so I went ahead and booked them," Kowitz continued.
Fade 2 Shade started the New Year of 2001 by embarking on a 100+ date national tour of colleges and universities. The tour lasted over four months and took Fade 2 Shade through 25 states. During the tour, Fade 2 Shade performed selected shows with national acts such as Universal recording artist Sister Hazel, Warner Brothers recording artist Sixpence None the Richer and hip-hop/rap legends Naughty by Nature.
Also, be sure to listen for 2 songs from Fade 2 Shade's new album to be used by MTV for the MTV Undressed television series.
Kowitz commented, "This is going to be a great show to finish SAC Spotlight's successful year with, so come on out if you want to hear good music, and come on out if you want to dance. This show is going to be a lot of fun!"
The concert is free w/ CAF, $7 w/o CAF and is sponsored by SAC Spotlight and Flamingo Ball.
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Erin Kube
A&E Editor
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