Charlie Mars + Nate Ihara (solo acoustic) November 11, 2011

With his latest album, Like A Bird, Like A Plane, Charlie Mars has sewn together tightly crafted songs with moods and melodies that pulse with sex, wonderment and personal destruction - all themes that may clash on paper but in music, suggest mysteries that are organic to us all. He recorded the album in Austin, TX with drummer J.J. Johnson (John Mayer), keyboardist John Ginty (Citizen Cope), bass players George Reiff (Jakob Dylan) and Dave Monzie (Fiona Apple). The video for lead single "Listen to the Darkside" (a nod to Pink Floyd) featured "Weeds" star Mary Louise Parker and premiered as a Music Mix exclusive on Entertainment Weekly's website, www.ew.com.

Mars is known for his compelling live performances. Mars released three independent albums before signing with V2. His self-titled, 2004 major label debut was hailed by Rolling Stone as "Big emotional rock from Mississippi...with a knack for hooks, and the hooks here have real barbs: They tug at you and just might draw some blood." High profile tours with artists such as R.E.M., KT Tunstall, Citizen Cope and Bob Schneider followed. When V2 folded, Mars returned to his independent roots, financing Like A Bird, Like A Plane himself, and releasing it on Rockingham Records in conjunction with the Nashville-based Thirty Tigers.
http://www.charliemars.com/

Nate Ihara blends a variety of influences together combining the echoes of The Police's hooky vocal melodies with Elvis Costello's angst-ridden but lighthearted tongue-in-cheek lyrics. A strong, sincere voice, electric guitars, and old 80's analog synthesizers flavor his songs with thematic melody lines. Together, they create a clever and timeless Indie/Pop Rock sound that is all his own. He has had music featured in several nationally released films and motion picture soundtracks as well as in Aaron Spelling television programs. Nate has also toured a majority of the U.S, and his songs have had airplay on several major FM, Internet, and satellite radio stations. Ihara has had the privilege of sharing the stage with the likes of Kings of Leon, Soul Asylum, and 311 as well as many other national acts. Nate's live; solo acoustic performances are energetic and entertaining. Cracking jokes and acknowledging fans, friends, and family, Nate maintains an intimate and fun atmosphere. He strives to make every show a little different and ultimately enjoyable for all ages.

We Were Kings was formed in 2010. Three years in the making frontman Nate Ihara has pieced together his solo turned group effort with songs, band members, and producers one by one. Ihara formerly fronted the now defunct D.C. based band Welbilt before picking up the bass guitar for The Blackjacks, another popular band from the area currently by way of Nashville, TN. The songs are inspired by a variety of influences ranging from Sting and The Police to Elvis Costello, Brighteyes to The Black Keys, Ryan Adams, and One Republic. While the band itself is young it's members are all veterans of the music scene on both the local and national level.
http://www.wewerekings.net/

Official Website: http://www.jamminjava.com/