Finally it's here! A EP of original music by Exit 10 entitled, "Blues Noir". Hear 5 new original songs from the band on CDbaby.com. The songs show the powerful instrumental performances and soulful vocals that Exit 10 fans have come to expect. Give them a listen and let us know how you like them. So far, there is a lot of buzz and we will be performing them live at Madam's Organ on Friday, October 16, 2009. Thanks to all your fans and friends for your continued support! Exit 10 hopes you enjoy checking out some of our music, information, photos, email and other special features. We hope you enjoy our site and would be happy to hear from you!

It is always tough to name a band, since in my opinion, names are too limiting and may define one's vision in too narrow of a scope. Our culture seems to be obsessed with the number 10 - The Top 10, a Perfect 10, 10 Ways to Personal Fulfillment, etc. To me, Exit 10 is a metaphor for nirvana or heaven , as in what happens to a cat who uses up its 9 lives. Exit 10. Also, I like the fact that the name doesn't define the music and we like the initial reaction of "What does that mean?...Exactly.

My initial concept for the band was, but is not limited to, taking American standards, like stuff the Rat Pack would perform and interpret them using more avant garde aproaches. Such as the electric music of Miles Davis in the late 60's and 70's like "Bitch's Brew", "Big Fun" and "Live at the Filmore". Its driving funk rythems and energy seem as fresh today as they were controversial in their time. Secondly, I was exposed to the "Electric Mud" album by Muddy Waters, which teamed him with some of Chicago 's psychedelic musicians, key to which was Bob Cosey on electric guitar, who wound up playing with Miles Davis on the "Agartha" and "Pangea" albums. More connections. This album used some psychedelic fuzz bass and Soprano sax in lieu of the traditional blues harmonica. This showed me that you could take Muddy's traditional blues, really mess it up and keep the original fire at its core. Thirdly, was rediscovering Memphis Soul. On a recent trip to Memphis , I bought the Stax Box set and began to really pay attention, studying Isaac Hayes' string arrangements, use of fuzz lead guitar over wah-wah rhytem guitar. I discovered William Bell, the very under-rated soul crooner, later Albert King blues/soul recordings and a whole lot more. It was a great inspiration to check out the place where so much funky music was born. Finally, thanks to my wife and many travels to Brazil , I have been keenly interested in Brazilian music from bossa nova, samba and Brazilian pop and funk to its rich avant garde tradition represented by Hermeto Pascal and Victor Asis Brasil. Over the last 8 years, I have been amassing a significant collection of Brazilian music and instruments which I use occasionally on live performances and in the studio.

All this, and the combined influences and talents of the group members make Exit 10 one of the most unique and exciting groups around.