HEY, CAPTAIN KNIGHT by Night!

AN OZAUKEE TALENT MUSIC REVIEW

By Angie Mack Reilly August 19, 2016

GRAFTON, WIS.  If you listen closely, there is a low rumbling coming out of southern Wisconsin.  It’s a refreshing new band that has been hitting the circuit while touring to promote their newest EP.  Hey, Captain Knight released THE OPENER this past December and are being well received by Midwestern, music-loving audiences of all ages.  That rumbling sound is the momentum that they are gathering like a Wisconsin snowball growing into the base of a snowman.

First of all, the five member band is “semi-fresh” out of college.  They all went to UW-Whitewater and are college buddies who share a love for playing music.   The lead singer, Andrew Mindham of Boscobel, recently came to Grafton to teach his first school year at John Long Middle School in 2015-16.

Who wouldn’t love listening to some all-around good,  college educated boys from Wisconsin?  

The other “boys in the band” have careers in Medical Sales, IT Consulting, Web Developing and Associate Recruiting.  They are all responsible “male Millennials” who hold down day jobs while having some fun playing music on the weekends.

I first heard Andrew and his band buddy Tony Ingrassia play an acoustic set at the June Ozaukee Talent 10-10-10 Open Mic.

During their “sound check” I was immediately impressed with their easy-going, “can-do” attitude as they attempted to adapt their sound to fit the acoustics of the historic Timothy Wooden Building, also known as the North Shore Academy of the Arts.  They were extremely pleasant and easy to work with.  They didn’t complain about the sound system or that they weren’t loud enough.  No.  They were pretty “chill” about the whole thing.  They were courteous and kind.  Zero ego.  For a venue manager, this matters.

When they began their set, I immediately picked up on their professionalism and talent.   They quickly connected with their audience as they performed effortlessly.   Being a tough critic, I listened closely  only to discover that Andrew’s vocals were pretty much flawless.   Every word that he sang was natural, authentic and soulful.  Their youthful enthusiasm impressed me.  The ease of Tony’s guitar playing captivated me.  They blended well.  As an audience member, I felt comfortable as I was brought back to memories of my own college days as a Music Theory major.  Their performance was refreshing and fun.

Hey, Captain Knight’s  latest music video, SHE’S THE GIRL, can give you a feel for what I am talking about.  That good clean vibe that they carry.  It’s fresh.

One of the key components that sets this band apart is that they appeal to different age groups.  They offer youth a positive face to look up to.

I looked up Andrew on http://ratemyteachers.com and pulled up this comment,

“Mr mindham is an awesome teacher who is very nice helps me with my work and is very easy going he also has an awesome band”

Middle school, high school, college.  Students of all types can connect.

And the rest of us can relate.  Surely we can remember when the world was full of possibilities, void of offenses and not taken too seriously.   When life was about having some honest fun with friends and not about political BS or paying bills.  They make us forget about “adulting” and we feel vibrant and youthful again.  The Baby Boomers can appreciate that they “work for a living” and “have for themselves a good, solid education”.  And those upward in age can appreciate each band member because they remind them of their favorite grandson.

I will say it again.  Who wouldn’t love listening to some all-around good, college educated boys from Wisconsin?  They are the type of band that you would feel comfortable sending both your 12 year old son and grandma to see.  Yes, they have that wide of an appeal.

Musically, they are tight.  Professionally tight.  Everything of theirs that I have listened to is performed well, blends well and is mixed well.  In other words, these guys have some musical chops and aren’t afraid to share their skills in a playful manner.  Have you ever seen the movie, Amadeus?  Yeah, that.

The music teacher inside of me got curious.  So I Facebook messaged Andrew,

Hey Captain Knight 1

The Elementary Education major from a rural Wisconsin city of 3,000 replied,

Hey Captain Knight 2

Do you know what that little bit tells me?  Prodigy material.  Talent at that level rarely “just happens”.

I wanted to see them perform this summer in the Paramount Plaza that I helped the Village of Grafton conceive.  However, the “rules” as to who can play are:

Group 1 Village and Village sponsored activities 
Group 2 Non-profit Grafton community service clubs, organizations, and youth groups 
Group 3 Businesses located in the Village of Grafton 

http://www.village.grafton.wi.us/388/Paramount-Plaza

Only one of the band members lives in Grafton.  (Good thing nobody famous like Jack White, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton or even Buddy Guy wants to perform in the plaza.  You know, musicians from around the world who understand the foundational importance of the recordings made in #graftonwi during the 1920s and 30s.)

Anyhow, on Saturday September 10, Hey, Captain Knight will continue their tour and defy the number one Millennial stereotype that they are entitled and lazy.  They will be performing for a Watertown Fire Department Benefit.

What venue or festival WOULDN’T want to have these college educated Millennials by day and HEY, CAPTAIN KNIGHT by night?  For booking, contact heycaptainknightofficial@gmail.com

My only advice for the band?  Start getting your website ready, boys.  You guys are going places!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS @ozaukeetalent

UPCOMING EVENTS

8/21 VOCAL WORKSHOP  $20  50% off for giving a rating and/or writing a review on my OZAUKEE TALENT FACEBOOK page or on Google.  Ratings, reviews, testimonials, etc…really help my business!  🙂  So thank you!

8/22  North Shore Academy of the Arts Jr. Stagekids Present “Disney’s Jungle Book” at 5pm.  Donations accepted at the door for admission!  1111 Broad Street in Grafton.

8/29  NSAA Jr. Stagekids Willy Wonka Auditions 4pm.  Must register through the NSAA website in advance.  (For ages 6 to 11 and directed by Angie Mack Reilly of Ozaukee Talent) 1111 Broad Street in Grafton.

9/1 Fall Semester for Private Lessons begins and September payment is due

9/7 FALL OPEN MUSIC LAB begins Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:30 for Pre-K and Kindergarten

9/9 Ozaukee Talent Youth Choir begins 4:30 to 5:30 Fridays (ages 9 through high school)

9/18 “10-10-10” Open Mic starting at 4pm  PROMO VIDEO FOR EVENT 

SCHOOL’S OUT!  ACT OUT!   Sign up for “off days” in your school district

10/23 GUITAR WORKSHOP with Alex Wilson (strongly recommended for all of my guitar students).  Alex has been awarded multiple times by the WISCONSIN  AREA MUSIC INDUSTRY as one of the top guitarists in the state.  Only $20!

11/6 “10-10-10” Open Mic

12/11 “Caroling In the Community” 4pm FREE

NOW REGISTERING FOR FALL PRE-K and KINDERGARTEN MUSIC CLASS

NOW REGISTERING FOR FALL! OPEN MUSIC LAB! Explore musical concepts in our brand new interactive musical learning lab! Hands-on activities, experiments, projects and fun learning activities will be provided!

Instructor: Angie Mack Reilly, founder of Ozaukee Talent, email angie@ozaukeetalent.com

Dates/Times: Open 15 Wednesdays September 7 to December 21 (100% attendance not required.) Off November 23. 10:30 to 11:30 am.

Ages: 18 mos. to 6 years. Parents of children who are not potty-trained must remain on 3rd floor waiting area “just in case”. Wi-Fi is available.

Cost: $150 REGISTER HERE

A NOTE FROM YOUR TEACHER

My ultimate goal as a teacher is to foster a lifetime of love for music in each student and to enjoy the process of learning.   I use a “student-led” approach; meaning that I encourage each student to participate in the learning process through utilizing their ideas and things that interest them musically and otherwise.  I place a strong emphasis on innovative thought, individual thought and the creative process.  I also like to incorporate multi-disciplinary learning.  I believe that the process of learning music should be enjoyable.   I provide a safe environment where students are encouraged to take musical risks, make mistakes and are challenged to grow at their own pace and level creatively.  –Angie

Some Things Are Caught, Not Taught

by Angie Mack Reilly, founder of Ozaukee Talent (c) July 21, 2016

I wish that I could remember who I originally heard this great quote from.

“Some things are caught, not taught.”

I have used this saying quite a bit, especially with my vocal students.  A perfect example would be trying to teach a student of mine how to “perform” the song as opposed to “just singing” it.  I will say something like,

“Some things are caught, not taught.  Here.  Let me show you what ‘performing’ this song looks like.”  And then I will get in front of them and show them by example.  Sometimes, teaching in the performing arts requires more than just words.  It requires showing the passion or emotion of a certain piece.

Children are great mimickers; some more than others.  Growing up, I was good at mimicking characters in cartoons like Marvin the Martian and Goofy.  A lot of my vocal training consisted of mimicking Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand.  Honest!

Marvin-the-martian-color-Step-8

I firmly believe that, as artists, we are subconsciously and consciously inspired by what our senses are exposed to.  When my three sons were growing up, I am thankful that we exposed them to so many diverse experiences in the arts.  I think that is one of the greatest gifts that we can give our children.

The greater Milwaukee area is fortunate to have so many opportunities to appreciate the arts between the festivals, concert venues and performing arts venues that we have.

If you want to instill a greater appreciation for the arts in your child or even help develop their talent, expose them to diverse arts opportunities that they can mimic.  Some children learn better by watching or hearing rather than telling.

A great example would be from one of my summer drama sessions yesterday.  A six year old student of mine performed “Thriller” by Michael Jackson for the class.  I could tell that he has watched the music video several times and learned how to mimic the moves.  My niece is a fabulous mimicker.  Let me tell you, she can sing and perform every nuance from the movie, “Frozen” like nobody’s business!

So, for my Ozaukee County parents, Port Summer Musical Theatre opens with “The Little Mermaid” tonight.  The shows will start this evening at the Port Washington High School at 7:30 pm.  There will be 7:30 pm shows tomorrow night and Saturday night and then a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday.  Tickets will be sold at the door.  Not only will your child catch some inspiration, but they will catch some nice air conditioning in this hot, hot, hot weather as well!

 

Ozaukee Talent Located Inside PokéStop

For all of you Pokémon GO gamers in gas efficient small vehicles, scooters, bikes and feet, you can stock up on accessories, Pokéballs. set up lures and meet other gamers at 1111 Broad Street in Grafton, WI.

Ozaukee Talent is located on the 3rd floor of the Timothy Wooden Building PokéStop (also known as the North Shore Academy of the Arts).   Check into #ozaukeetalent while you are at it!  You just might be surprised with a special surprise!

Stop by the Grafton Library as well!

Screenshot_2016-07-12-09-22-171

It’s great to see so many new faces in the neighborhood!  Welcome!