Artist description Rock 'n' Roll with an alternative edge & southern accent. Raindance brings influences ranging from blues to metal & sometimes even throws a little country or jazz in just to keep you guessing.

Music Style Rock 'n' Roll

Musical Influences Led Zepplin, STP, Pearl Jam, CCR, Muddy Waters

Similar Artists CCR, Led Zepplin, Black Crows, Collective Soul, STP

Artist History Raindance began in the bayou city in 1997 after the demise of singer/songwriter Wil Van Winkle’s band Bad Influence. The latest in a long line of band failures Wil decided to start recording a CD on his own, upon the completion of the CD he would begin looking for suitable band members to play a wide variety of rock ‘n’ roll styles based on blues, 50’s-60’s rock, modern/alternative rock, country, & jazz. The basic idea was to include something for everyone & always to play something that the band would enjoy as well. The name Raindance was chosen due to Bad Influence’s ability to somehow play only on rainy days, there was never a show the band played without it raining. Raindance was able to keep that tradition up playing some early shows in near flood conditions but never canceling one. Currently Raindance is touring Central Asia & Europe. The band has started to recieve recognition from radio in the US, Former USSr, and Europe.

Group Members Wil Van Winkle Vocals/Guitars/Keys. Vlad Ivanov Drums. Taras Zadoya Bass. Jorge Artavia Gomez on Percussion & Sax. Extended family members include: Tom Spencer Guitars/Vocals. Steve Harms Bass. Lisa Harms Drums/Vocals. Buddy Jack Bass. Tim Sexton Drums. Central Asia Wil arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Thanksgiving Day, no turkey, no dressing, no pie. The first Christmas was hard quite a few differences were noted. It was on this basis that he began writing Christmas Halfway Around the World, originally meant to be the only Christmas song, things flowered & 4 songs were written. Raindance had begun recording their next CD an 8 song EP with 4 original & 4 classic Christmas songs. After a live interview/performance on Tashkent’s 101.5 Radio Grande Wil announced that he was looking for musicians to reform Raindance. At first calls were slow, but thanks to the efforts of the German Embassy, more & more contacts were made. Raindance, already being played on Radio Tashkent & Radio Grande, was gradually becoming more popular & the calls from musicians. Raindance was now adding new members Max Zadoya on guitar, Taras Zadoya on bass, & Vlad Ivanov on drums.

Instruments Guitars, Bass, Drums, percussion, Male Vocals, Saxophone (sometimes), Percussion

Albums Shake It Baby!! (Studio), Shakin It Live, Christmas Halfway Around the World, Shmekt Gut

Press Reviews 420RADIO.COM- "With a musical range crossing the boundaries of Southern Rock, Alternative, & 50's Rock 'n' Roll, Raindance brings a blend of musical geniusto the scene. Their unique sound has brought them excellent reviews in "Shake It Baby!!"With the compilation of the different styles, everyone is bound to hear something they like." - 02/24/00, GIGMASTER.COM- "Raindance's influences begin with the blues player of the Mississippi Delta all the way to the grunge/alternative players of Seattle. Best described as southern rock Raindance shows their wide variety of musical tastes in their playing."--02/29/00, VITAMINIC.COM - "Raindance knows no boundaries"--04/06/00, LISTEN.COM - "Gritty acoustic rock with a Led Zeppelin influence and propulsive choruses. Crisp guitars supply the southern-sounding riffs, and pinched, high vocals provide the melody."--Date unknown 101.5 Radio Grande Tashkent- "A unique sound" Q94 Missouri- "Thats good stuff"

Additional Info Hi Maw! We're gonna be movin to Berlin in July Goodbye Uzbekistan!!

Location Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan

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