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WAKE UP!

They kill !!!

About Me

Members of WAKE UP! have performed or recorded with: Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Medeski Martin and Wood, Yo La Tengo, Jaco Pastorious, Cecil Taylor, BLOODY RIOT, Charnette Moffett, Cinematic Orchestra, Ornette Coleman, Sun Ra, Don Cherry, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) AND MANY MORE...

WAKE UP! - from the beginning

January 2009 - Federico Ughi, Demian Richardson, David Moss and Daniel Carter were invited to a recording studio in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn, New York by producer, pianist and scientist Matthew Putman to document a project later titled “The Gowanus Recordings”.

May 2009 - The members of WAKE UP! all knew each other from previous music collaborations (see below) but it was only in May that Ughi, Richardson, Moss and Carter started getting together regularly as a quartet and playing in Tompkins Square Park in New York City. They officially became a group under the name WAKE UP! by the end of that month. The name WAKE UP! came out of a conversation during which Ughi remarked that the scene was “dead” and there was nothing happening, saying: “People WAKE UP!”. Moss and Demian immediately replied: “WAKE UP!... That's the name for our group”.

June, July, August 2009 - Street tour. The band plays everyday in the streets and parks of NYC. They decide to do this in a time when not many bands play in the street, let alone, meet everyday. By doing so the band sound grows very fast, being inspired by the city, the people and street life. The band sound changes especially around the beginning of August when Moss starts playing electric bass more and more often and when Richardson gradually adds several electronic pedals/effects to his trumpet.

July 31st 2009 - Police shuts WAKE UP! down on First Avenue and East Houston St. in the Lower East Side. They are summoned to appear in court and nearly arrested for ”Unreasonable Noise”. See video on website.

August 18th, 2009 - Recording of the self titled album in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, New York produced by Matthew Putman (also plays piano on one tune). September 16th, 2009 - Court date in lower Manhattan for “Unreasonable Noise”. See video on website.

October 15th 2009 - First official show in a venue (Parkside Lounge, NYC).

November 9th 2009 - Live at Fontana's, NYC.

December 2nd 2009 - Live at 269. James Keepnews produces a WAKE UP! show at Local 269, NYC.

January 13th 2010 - Live at The Delancey, NYC

January 15th 2010 - Live at The Stone, NYC

January 25th 2010 - Live at The Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY

February 7th 2010 - Live at Cake Shop, NYC

April 9th 2010 - Recording with Ornette Coleman. WAKE UP! often meets with legendary sax player Ornette Coleman to play. After a rehearsal Ornette enthusiastically suggests to meet the very next day and record the session. WAKE UP! considers Ornette Coleman a mentor and a major inspiration in their music.

April 18th 2010 - Goodbye Blue Monday, Brooklyn, NY

May 25th 2010 – CD release party, Parkside Lounge, New York, NY

Before WAKE UP!

- Federico Ughi/Daniel Carter. Ughi met Carter in 2000 at the Pink Pony in the Lower East Side (then a cafe/music venue) while Carter was playing a show. They soon started collaborating together as a duo and in larger groups, touring Europe, performing in various festivals and recording many projects as documented on 577 Records.

- Demian Richardson/Daniel Carter. Richardson and Carter met in 2006 in the street in Manhattan. Soon after Daniel Carter started introducing Richardson to many local musicians.

- Federico Ughi/Demian Richardson/Daniel Carter from 2006 played regularly as a trio, performing in NYC and at the Festival Ponta Delgada Portugal (October 2008). The very first time they all met it was on July 2006 at Ed Schuller's house where they played as a quartet with Ed Schuller on acoustic bass.

- David Moss/Daniel Carter. Moss and Carter first met at a show that Carter was doing with a hardcore/noise band at Cake Shop in February, 2007. Later they played their first session at City College University in Harlem and continued to do several sessions and shows thereafter, collaborating with various musicians and dancers.

- David Moss/Demian Richardson. Moss met Richardson on The Bowery after Richardson heard Moss playing outside for a “Music in New York” event. Soon after, they became extremely active every week, recording and playing several sessions and shows. Later, Richardson formed his Quartet with Moss in 2008, performing in venues throughout the city.

- USO. In November 2008 many musicians including Federico Ughi, Demian Richardson, David Moss and Daniel Carter gathered for a number of rehearsals under the name United Sound Orchestra. This was also the first time Ughi and Moss played together, despite already having met each other 8 months prior at the venue ABC No Rio in the Lower East Side.