You might call Theo Katzman the hardest working man in the music business.  If you look at his facebook or twitter feed, every few days, he’s either entertaining crowds with his original music, sitting in with another musician or band, or recording a track somewhere for someone.  This U of M School of Music alum spent his college days gigging with the local pop band My Dear Disco, teaching music, giving songwriting workshops, and eventually recording his own critically acclaimed solo album. He has recently moved back to his native New York to pursue his music career from Brooklyn, where he’s been keeping busy selling out venues between stints on tour nationwide.

To top it all off, he can also play practically any instrument you put in front of him including drums, guitar and bass, and often writes and performs all of his own parts in the studio.  This approach allows him the freedom to explore the depths of his creativity and songwriting, while crafting lean songs with tight arrangements, and well placed, thoughtful parts.  When performed live, either solo or with a band, these songs are delivered with an energy and enthusiasm that woos audiences and takes the music to the next level.

His sound is often described as Indie Soul, although he balks a bit at any specific label.  His music does indeed encompass a range of influences from folk, to soul, blues, rock and more, but “indie” is the genre that Katzman is most comfortable with as it allows him the greatest flexibility to explore his sound without feeling confined.  To listen to his music, one can easily hear the influence of his idols like Feist, Wilco, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell expertly blended with the vibe of R&B greats like Al Green, Otis Redding, and D’Angelo.

His debut album, “Romance Without Finance” displays his mastery of songwriting and his power to evoke emotion with well-crafted lyrics, sweetly sung vocal melodies, and toe-tapping grooves.  Join us on Thursday for the last Sonic Lunch of the season as we welcome back one of our favorite past performers to his former hometown.

This Thursday at Sonic Lunch, we’ll be gettin’ down and dirty with the original kings of crabgrass, Black Jake & the Carnies!  This band of vagabonds made their debut performance on Halloween night in 2002, and it’s not hard to see why.  These guys look like they’re from another time and place, despite the fact that they hail from Ypsilanti.  Part circus act, part punk band, part ragtime, and 100% wildly rolicking fun, they blend an interesting collection of old-timey instruments into an uptempo sound, creating what they’ve dubbed “crabgrass,” which isn’t quite alternative bluegrass on speed, but isn’t too far off either.  The unique blend of banjo, washboard, train whistle, jug and all manner of odd percussion toys, make the Carnies something closer to a manic jug and string band from the previous century that you’ve got to see to beleive.

While the band’s music, a combination of Jake’s smartly penned originals along with the odd ’80s pop cover, certainly stands on its own, Black Jake & the Carnies’ stage performances have been making a name for the band for the last 10 years.  You can never quite tell what they’re going to bring with them to get people jumping and dancing and having a good time, but let’s just say it’s wise to be prepared for lots of audience-participation, some pretty outrageous costumes, and enough raw energy to jump-start a Volkswagen. Jake’s banjo is even adorned with colored blinking lights. Yes, this is a band that knows how to have a good time and has fun doing so.

Black Jake and the Carnies have spent the last year feverishly touring in support of their 2011 release, Sundry Mahems, which is the band’s highly acclaimed second album.  Join us for a performance you won’t soon forget, by a band that will leave you hootin’ and hollerin’ for weeks to come.

Like a mix tape made by a well-traveled friend, The Ragbirds music is diverse and foreign, yet somehow familiar.  The voice at the front of The Ragbirds carries the freshness of the journey itself, and the lyrics point out the scenery like a friendly tour guide.The 2012 release of The Ragbirds fourth studio effort, Travelin’ Machine, is a new milestone for the band.  It’s the soundtrack of the observant road-warrior, with layers of world grooves that stir the listener to move. The songs strike a balance between home and adventure, drawing upon elements of Pop, Gypsy, Afro-Cuban, Celtic, Middle Eastern and African sounds, with a little Cajun spice.  Join us for The Ragbirds Thursday, August 16 from Noon to 1:30p in downtown Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza.  Visit soniclunch.com for more information and the week's lunch partner.

This week at Sonic Lunch we are delighted to bring in the singer/songwriter duo, Seth Bernard and May Erlewine.  Seasoned songwriters with five solo records each and two duo albums to their names, Seth and May draw from a deep well of American folk, country, blues and soul music. Like all the best musicians, they have the ability to still a room  or captivate and electrify an audience and ignite a dance floor.  Our lunch partners will be Ashley's and Sweetwaters. Due to rain, we're moving indoors to The Ark on Main Street, instead of Liberty Plaza.  Follow us on facebook.com/soniclunch or soniclunch.com for the latest information.  See you at Sonic Lunch!

Bank of Ann Arbor’s mobile banking app is now available. Find our mobile banking app easily by installing the new Bank of Ann Arbor branded mobile app for iPhone and Android phones.  Current users of TouchBanking may be prompted to upgrade when they log in.  Others can search the iTunes app store or the Google Play store for Bank of Ann Arbor to download the free app. Download it today!

 Note: You might need to know your iTunes or Google Play log in credentials to get app. 

An electric jazz quintet based out of Ann Arbor, The Macpodz specialize in a unique and very danceable mix of rock, jazz, funk, and fusion that is equal parts Miles Davis and Frank Zappa (or as the band terms it, “disco bebop”). The band’s first professional gig was backing up political poet and raconteur John Sinclair in 2006, but the Macpodz’s infectious, fun energy and dance-heavy approach to musical exploration soon made them a popular draw on their own terms. Since then, their relentless touring has brought them national fame sharing stages with Trombone Shorty, Levon Helm, Umphrey’s Mcgee and Fergie & Slash at the NCAA Final Four.

Also playing this week is Syracuse, NY based tour de force Sophistafunk. Rooted by old school funk/hip hop, the trio explores electronic dance grooves while infusing each tune with soul and positively charged lyrics. Their tight musicianship and energetic live performances jam packed with vintage tones and live instruments, consistently wins die-hard fans after only one listen.

Join us for another great Sonic Lunch this Thursday, August 2!