| 10/17/2008 8:50:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | | If You Go | • What: Release party for Fedora's first CD, the self-titled "Fedora."
• When: 7 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Ludlow Bar in Monroe, 407 Sixth St.
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Fedora ready for big break
Local band having CD release party
Brian Gray
MONROE - People in Monroe and in the surrounding communities already know the band Fedora.
The local band, known for its performances of rock and blues, formed three years ago. Made up of Derek Hendrickson, 20, who plays the drums; Garrett Wartenweiler, 22, who plays bass guitar; lead singer Alec White, 21, who also plays guitar; and Eric Ziegler, 21, the band has become well-known locally after performances in Monroe, Madison and other area venues. The band focuses on original material but also plays a variety of rock and blues classics.
All four group members work together on their songs.
"Someone comes up with an idea and we all help organize it," Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson said he likes to perform in front of an audience. The band and the crowd can feed off each other's energy and enthusiasm.
They recently went into the studio to make their first CD. It was a unique experience, Hendrickson said, because they wanted to make sure the songs sounded "fresh."
"If we had to do one more than four or five times we went on to another song," Hendrickson said.
They've written about 25 original songs and put 13 of them onto the CD, self-titled "Fedora."
Roy Elkins, who founded and owns Broadjam, a company with more than 90,000 bands on its Web site, produced the CD. Elkins has experience in the music business and also has a reputation as someone who knows something good when he hears it. Elkins said he was thoroughly impressed the first time he heard the band's demo tape.
"These guys are energetic and incredibly creative," he said. "I've been in the music industry all my life and this band is very rare. They have natural ability and talent."
Elkins said Fedora would be comparable to Jim Morrison fronting Led Zeppelin with Duane Allman playing guitar, with a modern sound.
"They are something special," Elkins said.
The band has always relied on its live performances and word of mouth to increase its fan base.
With their new CD, they can reach an even wider audience. One of the songs on the CD, "Vampire," is being considered for a movie soundtrack and next spring the band will travel to Austin, Texas to perform.
More information about the band is available at www.fedoraband.com.
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