Paladino

Equally rich in meaning and melody, Paladino delivers honest, heartfelt lyrics and soaring, stirring harmonies. Their songs blend genres (Americana Rock, Indie Folk, Progressive Bluegrass) with poetic imagery and novelistic detail, shot through with real emotion and dynamic musicality.

Founded in late 2014, long-term friends Mark Harrig (mandolin/vocals/guitar) and former band member Phil Wamser (concertina/keyboard) having picked up a mandolin and concertina both joked about their miniature instruments and thought to start a bluegrass band. Yet, the addition of new friends Matt Webber (guitar/bass), Weston Grit (bass/guitar), Chris Haise (Piano) and Chad Burgess (drums) brought new influences and instrumentation. Burgess frequently blames himself for derailing the band from its bluegrass trajectory and morphing into the Americana Rock/Folk band they are today. Their collection of songs display a wide array of stylistic diversity due to each member of the band contributing their personally written songs, lyrics and vocals.​
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Paladino's 2nd Album, "Friend a Dinosaur", due out Late Summer / Early Fall. In 2016, Paladino released their debut EP “Bellows” which was nominated for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee’s Album and Independent Release of the Year. The release covers a broad spectrum of subject; from nostalgia, volatile relationships, an Iowa axe murderer, and a day in the life of a turtle.

Following Paladino’s debut release, they began immediately writing and recording their first full-length album of all new material released Dec 2017. Titled “Friend a Dinosaur”, a play on Paladino’s name, the upcoming album embraces their alt-country and rock roots, while maintaining the multiple lead singer format. Gone are the classical-inspired layered arrangements juxtaposed with arty folk. In their place: over driven and melodic electric guitars, riff-based anthems and harmony saturated hooks. They set out to make the loud louder, the quiet quieter, and most importantly keep the two dynamics existing in harmony. Those who had appreciated their quirky lyrics will not be disappointed; “Friend a Dinosaur” runs a whole new gamut of unconventional subject.