By creating a lush soundscape to elevate and stimulate your mind state, Aaron Squirrel, (born in Oklahoma in 1988) has quickly established himself as one of the most talented session guitarists in the state of Oklahoma. Squirrel's interesting last name is of Loyal Shawnee descent. He is an artist who blends many genres together, able to coax haunting Robert Johnson esque howls to Aphex Twin electronica madness to a nice sit down raga jam with Ravi Shankar. With his versatile talent Squirrel performs with three, successful bands around the states as well as hired session work some recent achievment include:
Squirrel & Friends (Indie Rock) Since 2005 Squirrel & Friends have opened up for Eric Johnson, Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Johnny A., headlined Jazz in June in, Stillwater Blues Fest, US Conference of Mayors,and appeared on a local T.V show called Soundcheck. Squirrel & Friends are working on their debut album "Limber, Lively, Focused" due for release Spring 2011.
Sounds of Urban Life ( Cover band/R&B/ Hip-Hop) aka S.O.U.L. S.O.U.L has opened for Bobby Valentino, Marcus Houston, and most recently Case who chose S.O.U.L to be his touring band for the Australia and US tours in Fall 2010.
Scott Hartman and Co. (Pop Rock) finished 3rd in side stage warfare a contest to open for John Mayer, the song "Always" which is the first single from the group had 17,000 plays in just one month and continues to be #1 in the male singer songwriter genre on Ourstage.com. Also appearing in the Chevy Bricktown showcase aired on News 9 highlighting the abundant talent in Oklahoma.
Squirrel is also attending The Academy of Contemporary Music in downtown Oklahoma City, where he studies under many industry professionals such as:
Scott Booker: School President and "he created Hellfire Enterprises, Ltd, an artist management company and continues to work with the three-time Grammy Award winning Flaming Lips today."
Chris Hicks: who is the currently is serving as the Coordinator Of Academic Operations at the ACM@UCO in Oklahoma City.
Chris has appeared on: Jay Leno's Tonite Show, Dave Letterman, Rosie O'Donell, A&E "Live By Request" two CBS Reba Special's the ACM Awards,and the CMA Awards. Chris was recorded on Reba's Grammy nominated single with Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood, "On My Own", and Kenny Rogers 2002 release.
Chris has also performed live with Sara Evans, Brooks and Dunn and jazz trumpet great Chet Baker. "
Matt Stansberry: Perfomance Production Professor
"Over the past few years Matt has been ambitiously touring and getting his music in front of eager ears. In 2008, Matt and his band toured Japan for sold out crowds in Tokyo, Hitachi and Kyoto. The following year Matt toured Irleand and England on a Europe acoustic tour entitled, "Let the Peasants Be Kings". Prior to his international tour dates, Matt played across the U.S. in a wide variety of venues including the King King Hollywood (Hollywood, CA), the legendary South by Southwest Music Festival (Austin, TX), DFest - Oklahoma's premier music festival (Tulsa, OK), Hard Rock Cafe (Dallas, TX) and numerous concerts and showcases across the Midwest, which includes Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. Matt's "Love Struck" was featured in an episode of The Real World XXIII."
Michael Trepagnier: Adavanced Audio Production Professor
"In Astoria, Queens, recording home to artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Will Stratton. In 2006, Michael began working as Assistant Engineer at Philip Glass’ studio, The Looking Glass, in downtown Manhattan. At The Looking Glass, he worked with engineers and producers such as Brian Deck, Gil Norton, James Brown, Rick Ocasek, Tony Visconti, Claudius Mittendorfer, Hector Castillo, Mario McNulty and Markus Dravs. He worked on movies, soundtracks and albums by artists such as Coldplay, Brazilian Girls, Motion City Soundtrack, Robyn Hitchcock and Phillip Glass." Trepagnier engineered, mixed, and mastered Sounds of URban Life's single "Winner"
Travis Linville: Guitar Professor
"Travis Linville is a guitarist, singer/songwriter from small town Chickasha, OK. Linville has performed 200 shows per year for the last 12 years all over the US, Canada and Europe as a solo artist, band leader and as a jack of all trades sideman. Years of paying dues as an underage guitar slinger paid off when linville formed the Burtschi Brothers in 2000. The hip, alt country, jazz/jam, quartet quickly became an Oklahoma favorite and put Travis on the map among Oklahoma's finest guitarists. Since 2006 Linville has been taking his solo show all across the U.S. and overseas wowing audiances with his fingerstyle guitar work and his soulful songwriting. The music seems to come out effortlessly. The songs are clever and thoughtful. The spirit is undeniable. Linville currently resides in Norman, Ok and is performing all the time. Recently shows have found Travis rocking with a gritty electric duo featuring electric dobro/guitar with drummer Chris Foreman. When he's not out singing songs Travis is producing records at his DirtyBird recording studio for talented musicians from all over the region."
