Center for the Arts of Homer presents: Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots and Sophistafunk

Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots, a tenured, original, five-piece moxy rock band steered by magnetic songstress and force of nature Maddy Walsh, celebrated its fifteen-year "bandiversary" with a sizzling east coast tour. Their recently released fourth studio album, Talk, showcases a matured grasp of songwriting, paired, as always, with the band's signature electrifying, high-energy performances characterized by soaring, powerhouse female vocals, luscious four-part harmonies, a library of modern and vintage key sounds, bold and inventive electric guitar stylings, and an incomparably tight rhythm section. Walsh has since released two solo albums, pandemic-era The Tunnel Sessions (2020), and Humanmade Thing (2021), the latter being released with a sold-out show at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY. A new record is on the horizon to be released in 2025. MW&TBS has shared festival and event bills with the likes of Lake Street Dive, Silversun Pickups, Valerie June, Rubblebucket, Jukebox the Ghost, Amy Helm, Donna the Buffalo, Sharon Jones, The Punch Brothers, Steve Earle, Anders Osborne, Blues Traveler, Eddie Money, and Rusted Root, among others, and they continue to show exponential growth as they expand their touring radius, gaining new fans and momentum with each crackling live performance. ___ From underground shows to international festivals, Sophistafunk has been described as “Rage Against the Machine meets The Roots, dipped in P-Funk.” They’ve also become widely known on the touring circuit as a rare Hip Hop meets live electronic jam band, performing multiple sets at Electric Forest and Camp Bisco (USA), as well as BoomTown and Shambala (UK), to name a few. They’re well known from New York to New Orleans, and have particularly strong followings in California, Colorado, Michigan, New England, and the Great Northwest, among others. After celebrity chef Guy Fieri became a fan of the band, he invited Sophistafunk to perform at many of his events and private parties around the country, including at the Super Bowl in Tempe, AZ. The band even appeared twice on his TV show “Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives.” They were also featured as the house band for four episodes of “Guy’s Grocery Games” and in 2020 premiered a music video on Food Network’s “Triple D: Takeout Edition.” Sophistafunk’s multi-year relationship with Fieri culminated in the invite of a lifetime: to be regular cast members on his brand new game show!! Add a little funk, and “Guy’s Ultimate Game Night” was born! The rest is history. The band is rooted in undeniable musicianship and authenticity, blending intoxicating beats with mind-expanding flows. Mad scientist Adam Gold is known for his heavy synth basslines and funky vocals. He plays four vintage keyboards at the same time, sometimes even while beatboxing! Gospel trained drummer and singer Emanuel Washington combines neo-soul with deep house, reggae, and more. Frontman / emcee Jack Brown evokes comparisons from Mac Miller to Michael Frantí, but his lyrical skill and conscious vibes are truly one of a kind. The band also features musical guests, ranging from brass instruments to guitars, turntablists, female singers, & other surprises. Lately, they’ve been touring with sax powerhouse Tommy Weeks of the Funky Dawgz Brass Band. Sophistafunk is for music lovers. Through the years, they’ve become one of the most exhilarating and fulfilling live music experiences around. They blend genres as a broader analogy for people coming together, leaving audiences with an undeniable afterglow of funky positivity. For years, Sophistafunk has been pioneers on the live music circuit, unafraid to push boundaries with their sounds and their messages. And now the whole world is finding out. ______ OPENER Theocles is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter out of Richmond, VA. Taking the stage with nothing but a guitar, a loop pedal, and a mic, Theocles uses his soulful voice to carry the audience through a range of emotions, from tearful ballads to pop bangers. He draws on inspiration from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Aretha Franklin, and Hozier in both his originals and his covers, putting on an energetic one-man-band show. Whether it's an amphitheater, your local brewery, or a street corner, Theocles loves nothing more than sharing his music with the world!