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planetaryblues.com
Three brothers. One band. One mission.
Planetary Blues is formed by the trio of Martin Schaefer-Murray (guitar and lead vocals) Bobby Schaefer-Murray (bass) and Michael Schaefer-Murray (guitar), The band is based in Valparaiso, Ind., near Chicago, and has been paying dues in Midwest bars and at local festivals for nearly a decade. But the weekly grind of playing regular dates at local watering holes has been accented by appearances with some impressive company. Planetary has organized shows with Son Seals and the Kinsey Report, as well as, played the Chicago Blues Festival.
The name of the band, and the shortened moniker by which their fans know them – Planetary – exemplifies who they are and what they hope to accomplish. First and foremost, they are a rock band, taking influence from a wide range of musical styles and melding it into their own distinct vision of what music is capable of, and how they can interpret and present it in a new way.
Their recently released EP, "Souler," is a five-song testament to who they are as a group. It marks a new era for the band, in which they are moving forward and staking claim to their musical identity, one that acknowledges and appreciates its roots and influences, but is wholly unique to this time, this place and this group of musicians. The name of the EP is a statement of that identity. It speaks to Planetary's consciousness on both a spiritual and global level. Spiritual in that the band recognizes the importance of the human soul during a time in our culture when that essence is bombarded and attacked on a daily basis. Global in the band's belief that people must push for alternative energy sources to halt pollution and protect the health of the planet and its inhabitants. Listening to the songs presented on "Souler" re-awakens the sensibilities of late-60s social consciousness, embodies the down-and-dirty working class ideals of the Blues, and represents flashes of the cultural impact that funk, soul and hip-hop has had on all three brothers.
Like most rock bands worth their salt, Planetary got their start playing, and being influenced by, the Blues. The band was born in 1999 in their mother's basement, where they spent countless hours learning entire albums by Chicago Blues greats like Buddy Guy and Son Seals. From there, over the course of the past 8 years, Planetary has held onto those roots while expanding outward into various other corners of the musical universe.
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Cloud Cult
Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)
Since 1995, Cloud Cult have crafted sprawling, cathartic albums that have won them the attention of the New York Times, MTV, Spin, Billboard, and a devoted following of fans.
During that time, the band has grown from the solo project of singer/songwriter Craig Minowa to include cellist Sarah Young, violinist Shannon Frid, painters Connie Minowa and Scott West (who create paintings live at the band’s performances), and recent addition bassist Shawn Neary (formerly of Tapes ‘n’ Tapes), and Arlen Peiffer.
Last year saw the band headline the KEXP BBQ. Past headliners have included Devotchka and Ghostland Observatory. The band also headlined the second stage at the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheater between Spoon and The Flaming Lips on the Main stage.
Despite offers from major labels, Cloud Cult has chosen to remain independent, recording and releasing their albums through Earthology Records, a not-for-profit environmental record label established by Minowa in 1998. On a self-funded shoe-string budget they have achieved top 20 CMJ radio charting for all of their last three albums, a domain usually reserved for the SubPops and Merges of the world.
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