5/1/2012-We had an amazing show with John Wetton on Sunday, he's such a great guy! Here's a video shot from the audience of us doing the King Crimson classic "Lament", we'll have some proshot material in the near future. Here's a nice group shot taken by Paul Thomas.
 |
|---|
4/24/2012-We are very pleased to announce that our entire 90-minute performance from 2011's Rites of Spring Festival in Gettysburg, PA will be included as a FREE BONUS with the first 2000 copies of "Trouble With Machines". Release is scheduled for July 17th, and we'll have pre-order info soon so you can be sure to nab one of these first 2000. Here's a preview of "District 97-Live at Rites of Spring", our performance of the Genesis classic "Back in NYC". Filmed and edited by Zeitgeist Media and recorded and mixed by Mike Potter, we are very excited to present this document of one of our biggest shows to date. Please spread it around if you're so inclined.
3/31/2012-HUGE NEWS!!!! John Wetton will be joining us as a special guest for our performance at Reggie's Rock Club on April 29th, we're so excited! John will be performing on our song, "The Perfect Young Man", as well as a surprise from his legendary back catalogue. Crimson fans are not gonna wanna miss this..More info on the shows Page. Tickets are here.
3/11/2012-Check out Leslie strutting her stuff on some Bonnie Raitt!
2/29/2012-Our new CD "Trouble With Machines" is in the mixing stages, and Mr. John Wetton seems pretty excited about it! Here's what he had to say on his website about his contribution to it:
Fans of this ' ere website, Chicago's District 97, and prog music in general will be delighted to hear D97's new album is at mixing stage---I just received a first mix from Jonathan this morning. My tenor is a foil to Leslie's innocent in TPYM, a prog/opera extravaganza. I turn out to be an utter cad---far from the perfect young man (the Brit cast as villain again?), I am ghastly. Absolutely brilliant, the band is more-than-slightly UK influenced, I love Leslie's voice, and I wish them every success, I'm proud to be associated with them. Don't miss this gem.
1/23/2012-We have a new Live Album out! District 97-Live at WFPK was recorded in Louisvile, KY by WFPK FM on November 18th, 2011. You can Download it on Bandcamp for a measly $5, but you have the option to contribute whatever you'd like above that. $20 will get you a DVD-R or CD-R of this show, $30 gets you both. Scroll down to check out the complete video of this show.
1/2/2012-Jonathan is nominated in the Best Up and Coming Drummer Category in the Modern Drummer Readers Poll. Your vote would mean a lot!
12/29/2011-You say you want a a whole D97 concert with HD Video and Audio? Well, by golly, here ya go! Happy Holidays from all of us in D97, here's our gift to you for all your support.
12/5/2011-Mixing our CD will be.....Rich Mouser! Rich has mixed all the Transatlantic studio albums and most of the Spock's Beard/Neal Morse CDs. He knows what's up!
11/28/2011-We're on Pandora! Check out District 97 Radio.
11/23/2011-Our full set/interview from 11/18/2011 on WFPK FM is now available for streaming at the Live Lunch Archive. Check it out!
11/20/2011-Awhile back, we asked fans for questions on our Facebook page, and we finally got a chance to answer them last Thursday night at our Louisville hotel. We had a pretty good time :-)
11/16/2011-To coincide with our appearance at Headliners in Louisville on Friday, 11/18 (details on the SHOWS page), we'll be performing LIVE ON THE RADIO on WFPK FM from 12-1 PM EST. You can listen in live on the Live Lunch website.
10/25/2011-Here's our full set shot from the audience opening for Kansas on 9/23 in Elkhart,IN:
10/19/2011-D97 bassist Patrick Mulcahy appears in this episode of NBC's (now cancelled) The Playboy Club. Check him out all made up to look like an early 1960's popster starting at 13:37 during "It's My Party" backing up Colbie Caillat (as Leslie Gore)!
10/15/2011-Here's some behind the scene footage of us tracking guitar/goofing around in the studio. Check out/subscribe to our Youtube page for more!
10/12/2011-OK, the sound quality's rough AND it's way ahead of the visual, but here's Kansas' frontman Steve Walsh introducing us on 9/23/2011 in Elkhart, IN:
10/11/2011-We have lowered the prices on our Merch Page. All prices include shipping. Buying direct from the band is the best way to help us keep doing what we're doing!
10/8/2011-We're playing Louisville, KY for the first time on Friday, November 18th. We'll be joined by Little Atlas. There are a couple of Smartphones who are extremely excited about this show...
10/2/2011-Hard to believe, but CalProg was a year ago today, truly a seminal moment in D97 history. The entire show is available for download on Bandcamp. Our donation program (wherein you get your name in the liner notes of the new CD and other cool gifts), will be wrapping up once we finish the new CD, so act soon if you'd like to partake in that. Thanks to all who have thus far, you've been a HUGE help! Here's a video from that performance as well as Leslie talking about the donation program:
9/01/2011-A sneak peek at what we're up to in the studio, at work on the next CD:
8/28/2011-We won Sound and Vision Magazine's Breaking Out Contest, thanks to all who voted! Here's the announcement.
7/25/2011-BIG SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: We are extremely excited to be sharing the bill with KANSAS on Friday, September 23rd in Elkhart, IN! More details on the Shows page.
7/18/2011-We have some new T-Shirt models: John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, Asia) and Steve Walsh (Kansas)! Here's John pictured with Jordan Rudess and Mike Mangini of Dream Theater. You can get these same shirt on our Merch page:
 |
|---|
Here's Steve Walsh
 |
|---|
7/4/2011-Lots of new shows!! Chicago on 7/14, then we hit the road in August for Cleveland, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Pittsburgh, then head back to the studio! Check out the shows page for all the details.
6/4/2011-New show announced at Cefalo's Restarrant and Nightclub in Pittsburgh, PA Saturday August 6th. Look for more dates coming soon on the Shows page.
5/28/2011-We had an absolutely amazing time on the road. Thanks to everyone who came and for the immense support you showed us! Here are some really wonderful photos from RoSfest just to prove to you what a great time we had.
Here's what Leslie had to say about the tour:
5/9/2011-We are one of 9 bands entered into a contest affiliated with CBS. If we make the top 3 we get to film a documentary w/concert footage (DVD bonus feature?). If we win, we headline a show at Chicago's Metro. Voting is really simple (must be logged onto Facebook). We'd appreciate your mouse-click here.
Here's a second contest at Sound and Vision where we could win a ton of gear, voting requires no registration.
5/3/2011-We're most likely entering the studio in June to begin work on our 2nd CD. We're really excited about the new material and can't wait to share it with you all. Problem is, studio time is expensive! If you'd like to help ensure the album reaches its potential, please consider making a donation through the Merch Page (The donation button is towards the bottom). We've got lots of gifts for those who do (credit in the liner notes, signed merch, play on the album etc.)!. All amounts are appreciated and will receive a thank you from us. Regular purchases are also a great help. Please spread the word if you're so inclined, thanks!
4/25/2011-From cellist Katinka Kleijn, "Dear District 97 fans, I am very sad to announce that due to the commitments that my job at the Chicago Symphony as well as solo projects require, I can no longer fulfill my responsibilities as a band member of District 97. It has been a blast (literally) and an amazing adventure for me, that widened my musical mind and horizon. The musicians of District 97 are some of the most inspiring and brilliant musicians I have ever played with, and I know that very great things are in the future for District 97. Thank you everybody for your awesome support in the last years and for listening!!!"
We thank Katinka for lending her singular talents to us during the past few years, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours. In the meantime, there are many exciting things in store for District 97 that we can't wait to share with all of our fantastic supporters. Hope to see you on the tour!
4/19/2011-Here are a couple videos of new material filmed 4/8/11 in Chicago, IL at The Abbey
4/13/2011-We could win a whole mess of gear if our video does well in this contest at Sound and Vision. If you have a moment, voting takes less than 5 seconds and requires no registration.
4/11/2011-Our tour with Roine Stolt's Agents of Mercy of the US Midwest and East Coast has been solidified. Check the SHOWS page for dates and ticket purchasing information. Hope to see you on the road!
3/31/2011-Rob gives an in-depth interview about improvisation around the 2hr 20 min. mark of the latest installment of Love Letters. He's the "mystery guest."
3/6/2011-Due to her numerous time-consuming committments, cellist Katinka Kleijn has stepped down as a full-time member of District 97. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with her in both the recording studio and select live performances as a special guest.
2/25/2011-We are booking a Midwest/East Coast tour in May with Agents of Mercy, the new project from legendary Transatlantic, Flower Kings and Kaipa guitarist Roine Stolt and his Flower Kings bandmate Jonas Reingold. Check the shows page as we continue to add dates!
 |
|---|
2/13/2011-Check out our Bio page for the thoughts of Bill Bruford, John Wetton, Roine Stolt and other incredible individuals on District 97.
Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, Genesis etc.): I love the CD...the sheer skill and gusto with which they tackle it makes you laugh out loud. Great drumming. Jonathan plays and writes like a demon. Congratulations to them. (Bill and Jonathan, both Paiste Cymbals artists, had a chance to jam out together last December in Memphis, TN)
2/8/2011-At long last, our Merch page is hopping! Now's your chance to get signed and unsigned CD's and T-Shirts directly from the band, it's the best way to support us! Just click on the Merch tab at the top of the page for all the details. Check out how spiffy are shirts look..
 |
|---|
2/5/2011-Was Hybrid Child your favorite Progressive Metal release of 2010? If so, vote for it at MetalStorm, where it's one of the nominees. Registering to vote is easy and quick!
1/31/2011-BRAND NEW MUSIC VIDEO!! "Termites", from our 2010 Laser's Edge release, Hybrid Child.
1/26/2011-So..we might need an orchestra to play on some of our next album. Who wants to be that $5000 donor through our CalProg download offer who helps make that happen and gets to play on it? :-) Of course you get PLENTY of cool gifts for donating LESS than $5000 too ($25 gets a credit on the CD, $50 gets that and signed T-shirt or CD etc.) when you download the show. I'll let Leslie take it from here
1/25/2011-We are opening for German Power Metal icons Gamma Ray on Thursday, Feb. 3rd @ Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago. It's an early show, doors at 6 and we play shortly thereafter. ALL AGES!! More info and advance tickets on the Shows page
1/21/2011-Here's a new and insightful interview with Jonathan for Singapore's MadAboutAsia website.
12/22/2010-Jonathan, a Paiste Cymbals artist, shows off some of his wares at the Memphis Drum Shop by playing along to some D97 cuts.
12/18/2010-Check out Jonathan live on UK radio tonight at 11:15 PM GMT and 5:15 PM Central Time streaming here on The Hawke Chill Out Session.
12/15/10-Jonathan, Patrick and Ed Clift from Paiste Cymbals took a trip down to Memphis on Dec. 7th, 2010 and spent the day with legendary drummer Bill Bruford! We had an amazing time. Here are some pics, with video on the way! Here's Bill and Patrick
 |
|---|
Here's Bill and Jonathan
 |
|---|
12/11/2010-Apparently we have an absolutely HUGE fan. Post a video on Youtube of one our songs if you think you can do better!
12/7/2010-Leslie talks more about the download/promo on Bandcamp and reminisces a bit about our CalProg experience,
12/6/2010-Our CalProg set is up for download on Bandcamp. In addition to the download, there's also the chance to get your name in the credits of the next D97 CD, get signed merchandise, and even play on our next album! Check Bandcamp for all the details. Here's a video from CalProg
12/4/10-Check out our article in the latest edition (Dream Theater issue) of Classic Rock Presents Prog!
12/2/2010-Our full live set from CalProg will be available for download Monday, December 6th on our Bandcamp site. It's been fully mixed and sounds great!
11/23/2010-Jonathan contributes alongside Yoko Ono, Steve Hackett and many more amazing individuals to an article on The Beatles "I'm Only Sleeping" at Progsheet. Also, 11/24 is the last day to vote for "Hybrid Child" as one of your favorite Prog albums of 2010 on The GlobalProgressive Rock Top 100 DISCS OF 2010 Internet Poll!
11/8/2010-Live radio interview with Jonathan at Outsight Radio Hours. The interview starts an hour into the show. Lots of D97 played throughout the broadcast!
11/3/2010-Check out an in-depth interview with Leslie, Jonathan, Rob and Jim from the internet radio show Love Letters!
10/30/2010-First the bad news: James Labrie's US tour is cancelled, therefore we will not be opening for him on 12/7 @ Reggie's. The good news: We DID open for Carl Palmer at Reggie's on 10/27, and had an amazing time. Here's a video shot from the audience of "I Don't Wanna Wait Another Day"
10/22/2010-More big news; we are opening for Carl Palmer @ Reggie's in Chicago this Wednesday, Oct. 27th! You can get advance tickets AND EXCLUSIVE VOUCHERS FOR SOUNDCHECK ACCESS from us with no service fees for a total of $25. Email us at district_97@yahoo.com and we'll hook you up, supplies are limited! Souncheck at 4:15, show at 7 PM. 17 & up.
10/17/2010-In-depth interviews with Jonathan (in English at bottom of page) and Leslie.
10/10/2010-Check our Facebook Page to see all of the latest reviews/photos etc. You don't have to be a FB member to view it, but if you are, say hi to us!
10/4/2010-We had an absolutely AMAZING time at CalProg on Saturday. Here's a video of our "CalProg Cover", a medley of Presto Vivace(UK)/Back in NYC (Genesis) Also, here's a rare free improv from us at The Columbia Dance Center from 9/25.
9/30/2010-As you may have heard, our CD Release show had to be postponed due to a very unfortunate occurrence. It has been rescheduled for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT MARTYRS'. Check the shows page for more details on this and new shows coming up in Dekalb and St. Charles in October! ALSO, we are going to California this weekend! Our festival debut is Saturday at CalProg in Whittier, CA! GET TICKETS NOW!!.
9/19/2010-WFMT has posted interviews with Jonathan and Katinka on their blog. Don't forget our CD Release show is Thursday @ Sub-T!!
9/15/2010-Hey CalProggers; We regret to inform you that despite her best efforts, our cellist Katinka Kleijn will not be able to participate in CalProg due to a prior committment with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Don't be discouraged though, we are well-versed in putting on great shows as a 5-piece, and we are confident CalProg will be no exception. See you there!
9/14/2010-Hybrid Child is officially available EVERYWHERE (iTunes, Amazon etc)! Get it wherever you like, but we suggest lasercd.com .
9/9/2010- We're featured in the current issue of Progression Magazine. "The story behind this young ensemble featuring a cellist and singer from American Idol fame. Says vocalist Leslie Hunt: "I told them, 'You guys are wizards, I want to sing in your band! I mean, you don't understand, I want to be involved!' I was wide-eyed, totally blown away." Pick it up!
9/8/2010- Our CD Release/Listening Party is Monday 9/13 @ The Ale House in Oak Park! More details on the SHOWS page. In advance of that, here's an article from the Wednesday Journal discussing our hometown roots.
9/4/2010- We're #1 for the 3rd straight week on the Gagliarchives Radio Show. Tune in tonight at Gagliarchives.com at 11 PM ET to hear an interview with Leslie and Jonathan and lots of our music!
8/28/2010- Jonathan wrote a blog entry for Modern Drummer. Check it out!
8/23/2010-THIS JUST IN: "Hybrid Child" is currently for sale and in stock at lasercd.com . Here's your chance to get the CD weeks ahead of release!
8/22/2010-The local press chimes in; the Daily Herald interviews Leslie here . The Trib interviews Pat and Jonathan here .
ONGOING-We're starting to get some nice reviews of "Hybrid Child." Bill Kopp's is here . A Japanese review with humorous translation is here . Charles Snider's of Muzik Reviews is here. BabySue's, American Idol haters to the max, is here. Lords of Metal's is here. Classical Music Sentinel's is here. Sea of Tranquility's is here. Jordan Blum's is here.
7/17/2010-D97 is playing ROSfest in Gettysburg, PA on Sunday, May 22nd, 2011!! More info at rosfest.com.
7/14/10-New live videos from 5/19/10 @ Martyrs' added to our Youtube page. Check them out at http://www.youtube.com/user/D97Music
ALSO
A new interview with Jonathan is up at: http://billsprogblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-than-10-questions-withdistrict-97.html
6/14/10-We will be participating in CalProg 2010 in Whittier, CA. Saturday Oct. 2nd! More details at www.calprog.com.
6/10/10- Download, and then share, our version of Olivier Messiaen's 1941 masterpiece "Dance of Fury, for the Seven Trumpets" exclusively at http://district97.bandcamp.com/
6/6/10-Be sure to take a listen to our version of Olivier Messiaen's legendary 1941 masterpiece "Quartet For The End of Time: Dance of Fury for the Seven Trumpets" in the music player at the bottom of the page. We recorded this for Hybrid Child, but were not granted permission by the Messiaen Estate to release it. Please enjoy this web exclusive!
6/4/10-Here's the brand new cover art by Bjorn from Killustrations for Hybrid Child, due out worldwide September 14th on Laser's Edge Records.
 |
|---|
5/13/2010-A nice writeup in Goldmine!: http://www.goldminemag.com/blogs/american-idol-alum-goes-prog
5/11/2010-American Idol alum delves into progressive rock with Chicago's District 97; just signed to premier prog rock label Laser's Edge
Ken Golden, President of Laser's Edge Group, announces the addition of Chicago's District 97 to the Laser's Edge label. The label will release the band's debut album Hybrid Child in Fall 2010.
Featuring 2007 American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt, District 97 mixes adventurous musical prowess with accessible catchy vocal melodies. The band features exceptional musicians including Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Katinka Kleijn.
District 97 was formed in the Fall of 2006 by drummer Jonathan Schang, keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Patrick Mulcahy and guitarist Sam Krahn. The foursome from Chicago honed a no-holds barred style of Liquid Tension Experiment inspired Instrumental Rock before deciding to add the right vocalist. They found their vocalist in Hunt, a 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. With a look, sound and stage presence comparable to a young Ann Wilson from Heart, Hunt's dynamic performances pushed the band into a new direction. After attending a show and being highly impressed, Kleijn joined the band. She was followed shortly thereafter by one of Chicago's finest young guitarists, Jim Tashjian. With this new lineup of peerless musicianship in place, District 97 began wowing crowds and establishing a devoted fanbase through packed shows at legendary Chicago venues such as House of Blues, Schubas and Martyrs'.
We are in the process of negotiating with a very well-respected Progressive Rock record label to release our debut, "Hybrid Child" worldwide. Stay tuned for details, and take look at our music video from our first single, "I Can't Take You With Me."
This was filmed in February at the Serbian Cultural Arts Center by The Allan Film Company. Enjoy!
