The Stepkids

All Music Guide:

Connecticut’s the Stepkids are a trio of songwriters/vocalists consisting of Jeff Gitelman (guitar), Tim Walsh (drums), and Dan Edinberg (bass and keyboards). Before this fusion project, the members performed as the touring backing group for a number of high-profile R&B and rap soloists, including Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, Lauryn Hill, and Pharoahe Monch. The Stepkids signed to Stones Throw in early 2011, and then went off to play the label’s showcase at SXSW that spring. After releasing two 12” singles, "Legend in My Own Mind" and "Shadows on Behalf," the trio went on to make their self-titled debut, a live-sounding conglomeration of psychedelic funk and neo-soul, recorded straight to analog tape. After months of promotion, Stones Throw slated the release for September of 2011.

Wikipedia:

The Stepkids are an American psychedelic soul band composed of Tim Walsh, Jeff Gitelman, and Dan Edinberg. Their live performances are characterized by kaleidoscopic projections by experimental video artist Jesse Mann, consuming the stage with light for a multi-sensory experience while the band plays.

Music

The Stepkids' music is a fusion of punk, jazz, West African traditional, 1960s folk, neo and classic soul, classic funk and 20th century classical.

In October 2010, the band was signed to Stones Throw Records.

In Fall 2011, the band went on tour with The Horrors.

On September 27, 2011, the band released their debut album, The Stepkids (album). Mojo placed the album at number 25 on its list of "Top 50 albums of 2011." SPIN also placed the album at number 19 on the list "20 Best R&B albums of 2011”.

On October 4,2011, the band released a music video for “Legend in My Own Mind”, starring Wyatt Cenac, and Kurt Braunholer and directed by Tom Scharpling.

In 2011, the band performed at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, and the Big Chill Festival in Ledbury, England. In 2012, the band performed at the Sydney Festival in Sydney, Australia.