Artist Information

Instrumentation
Nick Langis - Lead Vox
George Langis - Guitars/Vox
Sean Keenehan - Drums/Percussion
Turan Yon - Bass

Biography
"The desire is to connect in a world where you may want to dissapear from." Created in the completely independent environment of the band's 24 track analog recording studio, Signal Sound Source, on Chicago's west side, Left Setter's eponymous debut is mind-blowing - both sonically and artistically. The songs are heavy, the melodies are fresh and the message is positive without being naive. They're a band that is doing everything that a major label band should be doing - street teams, tours, videos, electronic press kits, a full-length CD - on their own terms. That strength, determination and resolve is well documented in this eleven song testimony to finding yourself in the challenging and sometimes hidden beauty of the complex world in which we live.

Though the themes that run through these songs may be demanding, the connection Left Setter has formed with it's loyal and ever-growing audience through its intense, high octane live shows is proof enough that a band with beautiful melodies, heavy riffs and a exceptional vision is exactly what today's music fans have been waiting for.

Founded by the brothers George and Nick Langis, Left Setter was only complete after adding Sean Keenehan on drums and Jimmi Nolan on bass. Understanding that blood was thicker than all else, the four
musicians have dedicated themselves both to their music and to each other in a bond that could only be called "brotherhood".

The songs were written, rehearsed and recorded in an environment most bands would envy. George Langis is the owner/producer of the renowned Signal Sound Source where the CD was created. As a result, the band was able to produce an album with complete artistic freedom and the time and resources to
experiment with sounds, techniques and various unique approaches to capture the distinctive sonic vision of the band.

Signal Sound Source, is at the epicenter of the burgeoning new music scene in Chicago and has been drawing attention from its growing roster of signed and unsigned artists, including: Mudvayne (Epic/Sony Gold Record), Dolari, Swidden, Illroot, Materialissue (Polygram), Lungbrush, Lucky Boys Confusion (Elektra) and Magnaphonic.

Left Setter has quicky become a mainstay at the top venues in Chicago, such as Metro, Double Door, House of Blues and performed with numerous top acts in Chicago and across the country, including: Mudvayne, Sevendust, Gravity Kills, Big Wreck, Queensryche, Fear Factory, Econoline Crush, The Flys and Caroline's Spine.

When talking to the band, a few "buzz" words that epitomize the band, their goals and ideals become apparent:

Synergy - Integrity - Energy - Melody - Harmony
Synergy: The simultaneous action of multiple elements working together
Integrity: Honesty; moral soundness; wholeness
Energy: Mental or physical force; material power of the universe
Melody: A pleasing succession or arrangement of sounds; a poem suitable for setting to music or singing.
Harmony: Agreement in feeling or opinion; combination of sounds considered pleasing to the ear.

As always with a great band, the songs speak best for themselves. But when talking to young men with such a clear vision of who they are and what they are about as human beings and musicians, it may also help to hear directly from the band members:

Quotes from the band

The Songs
- "We focus on the song writing. it's about communicating about the world around us. We don't focus on the anger." - Nick Langis
- "There is a positive vibe beneath these songs about love, trust, dreams and keeping that child inside of you alive." - Nick Langis

The Fans
- "We love our fans, we always have people coming up to us after a show telling us how they can relate to what we're talking about." - Sean Keenehan
- "I have had people come up to me and say I look possessed when we play. We can be taken over by the moment." - Jimmi Nolan

The Live Show
- "A lot of bands that spend so much time in the studio can't get that energy across, but we love it." - George Langis
- "All four of us always show up with 100% which feels like giving 400%" - Sean Keenehan
- "We did some graveyard shifts from midnight until 8 in the morning - and then we'd go do our day jobs." - Jimmi Nolan

The Recordings
- "We all put our trust and ideas on each others shoulders, as a result we created a compilation of music that, by our standards, is timeless." - George Langis
- "We tried to keep this as organic and pure as possible. We use vintage tube amps, 2-inch tape and we self financed this whole project." - Nick Langis
- "We had complete artistic freedom and used all the technology available, but kept it real." - Sean Keenehan

The Message
- "There are problems always - but are you willing to work towards the solutions?" - Nick Langis
- "As we grow as people, we are trying to shake our small mindedness." - Jimmi Nolan

The Brothers
- We fight and love...and referee,
It brings out humor, humility and the "us against the world" mentality.

"This record is a garden. It's all so relative because you need sunshine to make it grow and the gloom is also part of the equation. Just like too much rain, too much sun can kill too." - Left Setter

Chris Payne - Disc Jockey - Q101

"In a town that is known for it's vibrant and flourishing music scene, there is one band that seems to be making a tremendous impact with a sound and style of it's own. I believe left setter is one of the most promising bands that Chicago has to offer."

Richard Milne - Disc Jockey - WXRT 93.1
"Left Setter delivers a strong heartfelt groove, but it's the sweet pop hooks that keep me coming back."

BC: So, how long have you guys been rockin’ together?
As Left Setter, we have been jamming for about 5-6 years now, all in all almost 10 years.

BC: Being Brothers, (Nick and George) do you ever find "sibling rivalry" to be an issue?
Instruments have been thrown, arguments, etc.

BC: How do you handle any disputes between the two of you?
In the studio, we truly push each other and have high expectations of one another. A good argument usually generates focused, creative energy and songs are written.

BC: When did you begin playing your respective instruments?
All of us began our music careers at very young ages, trying to follow the paths of our rock heroes.

BC: Were you self-taught or did you end up paying for lessons?
Both: It is important to learn theory and how to read music. It is equally important to listen to music and emulate the artists that you admire. You take what you learn in a lesson and apply it to what you are listening to. All music is relevant.

BC: How would you describe your sound?
Big, dynamic, melodic, intense, edgy, dark.

BC: Your band has been compared to some pretty impressive groups (Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Zeppelin). Who would you say has been the biggest influence on your band?
So many influences. I'd say bands like The Beatles, Radiohead, Zeppelin, The Who, Jane's Addiction, Faith No More, The Doors, Van Halen, Incubus, Rush, Maiden, Ozzy, Sabbath, System of a Down,

BC: How about personally?
Each other.

BC: How did the release of your latest album "Autumn Leaves" go?
Actually, we named the new album Left Setter II. It has been going fantastic. We have been starting to get some good reviews as well as receiving national radio airplay and booking tour dates. There is much work to be done.

BC: Do you currently have any new projects in the works?
We are constantly writing and creating in our recording studio, Signal Sound Source. We are also playing a show on March 19th at Elbo Room in Chicago where we will play 2 sets along with Martin Scorcese's film "Scarface." Very different for us, should be interesting/exciting.

BC: Back to the question of musical influences of sorts, is there any particular album that you just couldn't get enough of as a kid?
For me personally, The Who "Sell Out"

BC: Being Chicagoans, is there a favorite venue that you've played or a most memorable show in the city?
We love playing House of Blues, Double Door and a new club up north called Kinetic Playground. Most memorable was opening up for Queensyrche at the Tweeter Center.

BC: Is there and Chicago venue you'd love to play, but have yet to rock?
The Aragon.

BC: When can we expect to see Left Setter play next?
March 19th at Elbo Room, April 29th at Kinetic Playground.

Five Fun Facts about Left Setter
1. Left Setter's operation is a family. We own our own recording studio, we're self-managed, produce our own albums, videos, website, etc. totally DIY
2. We enjoy traveling, so touring is like vacationing to us.
3. The band consists of 2 Greeks, an Irishman and a Turk. So what's the
punch line?
4. Proud to call our home Chicago.
5. Every time someone asks our band name, they always repeat 'Left Center?!'

How are you today?
Excited to be featured on Chicago Music Guide

What's your favorite midnight snack?
Does a burrito qualify as a snack?

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Sky Blue

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
It depends. Dress shoes, yes. Sneakers, no. Never thought of that before does that mean something?

If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself? (be honest)
I've always believed in reciprocity treat others the way you would want to be treated. So I guess I'd say yes.

Thank you for your time and you may be excused now

Website
http://www.leftsetter.com

Discography
Left Setter, Left Setter -eponymous debut full-length album
"Autumn Leaves" from upcoming full-length album, Fall 2005 release