Jet Edison
RME Cafe @ River Music Experience (129 N Main St., Davenport, IA)
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Price: tbd
Age: 21+
Doors: 8pm
Show: 9:30pm

Colorado-based progressive, improvisational act Jet Edison takes non-traditional approach to filling dance floor

Boulder-based quartet Jet Edison is anything but a traditional rock band. With its distinct blend of genre-mixing music, the rock-fusion band's members bring together individual influences from across the musical spectrum, creating original songs with strong technical musicianship, thought provoking lyrics and talented improvisation.

Through the use of different time signatures, tempos, dynamics and other musical elements, the music is as interesting as it is groovy and dance-friendly. Jet Edison strives to bring a different sound to the modern jam band scene.

Word of Jet Edison's captivating performances has spread rapidly, gaining them recognition across the Rocky Mountain region and beyond. The act, which is emerging as a nationally touring act, was nominated as Colorado's "Best Rock  Band- Jam/Improv" by Westword. The combination of intriguing original compositions, talent, and raw energy are giving audiences something to dance to all night long.

The members of Jet Edison met through mutual friends in Boulder. Originally, guitarist Max Kabat and bassist Adam Mason (who happen to share a birthday) were playing in the basement of a CU dorm with a mutual drummer friend. Keyboardist and trumpet player Phil Johnson said he ran into that friend on his way back from practicing at the music school, and was convinced to come meet his friends. Everyone hit it off and started talking about forming a band. Drummer Alex Johnson (no relation to Phil) was recommended by another friend later on, and was found to fit into the band perfectly.

Although the band's members say "rock-fusion" is a good description for their music, "we really touch on every genre that interests and influences us, which can be quite a lot," Alex said. "On stage, I'd say we bring a fun and energetic experience that can be 'imaginative' and make you think as well. I think we strive for that kind of thing; not just a good time but a great place to enjoy yourself, dance your pants off, and still think about the lyrics and the music. Using different time signatures, tempos, dynamics, etc. all makes the music interesting as well as groovy."

No matter the description, there is no denying the band puts on one powerful and dance-friendly show. "The live experience with Jet Edison is a high-energy musical experience with songs to suit a variety of listeners," Phil said. "Unlike other shows, Jet Edison provides the listener with a collective of varied sounds and rhythms, leaving almost no style untouched. Covers can range from classic rock anthems of the '60s and '70s to recent dance and pop numbers all with the range and flow reflecting the human experience."

Whatever it is the band plays, it's the audience's reaction to their music that motivates the musicians to play. "There is something that happens between musicians and the audience, and that is why I keep lugging gear all over the country and setting it up and tearing it down, because there's nothing like that energy," Alex said. "The vibe and emotions on peoples' faces in reaction to something you are helping to create is amazing. So, our intentions on stage are certainly to promote happiness and make people think and feel something that they don't usually get in their usual day-to-day through our music and occasionally, our antics."

It's an even deeper experience for Phil. "I think when we play together we hope the audience can all share in the unique experience of that 'moment,' the 'moment' when all the problems of people's day-to-day life melt away and they can relish in the sonic enjoyment that brings their conciseness into focus and frees their inhibitions. We also hope that our music can serve another purpose as art or self-expression bringing the listener into a more engaging level of thought."

Band members also all appreciate being a part of Colorado's music scene. "I came out west in large part because of the music scene. It's nothing short of flourishing here," Phil said. "There are so many music opportunities it seems like every bar in Boulder has music on at least one night a week. There are lots of bands competing for attention, but unlike bigger scenes, like NYC or L.A., everyone's really nice and genuine."

Being from Colorado seems to help the act away from home as well. "Being a band from here is awesome on the road, as a lot of people hold Colorado in high regard when it comes to music, so it can make us look cooler than we are before they even hear our music," Alex said. "At home it's a great and beautiful community of musicians and bands. We frequently play with other bands/musicians and act as subs for members, and talk shop too, it's really great. The only down side is there are a large number of bands that play in the same vein so you have to work hard and differentiate yourselves from the 'pack,' so to speak. That is a good thing though, too, as it keeps us writing more tunes, playing more shows, and always crafting our sound."

The band recorded and released a full-length album, Adopt a Highway, last year. Phil explained, "I'd never before tried such an ambitious recording project and even though the result is something very different then what Jet Edison sounds like today, I think it holds it's own." It is available on the band's website at www.jetedison.com.

According to Phil, the band plans to "buckle down and focus" on original music and its live show. "We need to write music that reflects are growth as a band and produces the energy and originality of our combined talents. This year we'd like to play 125 gigs, tour a lot more and even play a few festivals," he said.

With the band's abundant talent and overwhelming dedication to the music, there is nothing to keep them from accomplishing these goals, and more.

Jet Edison
Adam Mason: Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Vocals
Alex Johnson: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Max Kabat: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Phil Johnson: Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Trumpet, Vocals

MORE INFO:
http://www.jetedison.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/JetEdison
http://www.facebook.com/jetedison

ST. LOUIS (April 2, 2012) - A soy checkoff study shows a European Union renewable-energy policy would ultimately cost U.S. soybean farmers money by lowering U.S. soybean prices.

The study, funded by the United Soybean Board (USB), shows the EU's Renewable Energy Directive, which currently excludes biodiesel made from U.S. soybean oil in renewable energy quotas, could decrease U.S. soybean prices by as much as 35 cents per bushel. If left unresolved, the regulation would cost U.S. soybean farmers more than $1.1 billion per year.

The checkoff contends the policy unfairly singles out biodiesel made from U.S. soy. USB Immediate Past Chair Marc Curtis says the checkoff continues to work with the American Soybean Association (ASA) on efforts to gain inclusion for biodiesel made from U.S. soy.

"The EU is the second-largest market for U.S. soybeans, and that market is at risk due to this regulation," says Curtis, a soybean farmer from Leland, Miss. "We can use this study to show allied organizations and the U.S. government how much of an impact this regulation would have on U.S. soybean farmers. It will also give the U.S. government facts to demonstrate to the European Commission that the regulation needs to be based on sound science."

ASA continues to work with the U.S. government to reach an agreement with the EU to include biodiesel made from U.S. soy in the policy. Meanwhile, the U.S. government will begin sending certificates with every shipment of U.S. soy to the EU. The certificates will verify U.S. soy complies with U.S. conservation laws and regulations that satisfy the policy's criteria.

According to the study, the EU biodiesel regulation would negatively affect the price of U.S. soybeans as well as the cost of shipping U.S. soy to other markets. U.S. soybean farmers currently enjoy a 10-cents-per-bushel advantage over farmers from Brazil and Argentina on soy shipments to Europe, the study shows. However, on shipments to China and India, that shipping advantage over South America drops to less than 3 cents per bushel.

The EU's policy requires all transportation fuels used there to include 10 percent renewable energy. In order to qualify as a renewable fuel, it must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 35 percent. The Europeans claim biodiesel made from U.S. soy reduces GHG emissions by only 31 percent. Soy-checkoff-funded research shows biodiesel made from U.S. soy reduces GHG emissions by between 39 percent for U.S. soybeans shipped to and crushed in Europe and 49 percent for processed U.S. soy biodiesel shipped to Europe. USB has funded efforts to provide this data to key decision makers in the EU and in other parts of the world.

Soybean oil remains the dominant feedstock for biodiesel production in the United States, and the soy checkoff funds most of the U.S. biodiesel research and promotion through the National Biodiesel Board.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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