Hope this newsletter finds you in good spirits. Despite the world being on fire (literally and figuratively), we can still find solace in good music, art, friends, and all the beautiful things life has to offer.
Sorry to start on such a dark note.
First off, on behalf of Stratospheerius and myself, our hearts go out to all the people who lost their homes in the tragic LA fires that took place in January. One such person is our good friend, Rich Mouser. Rich was the engineer who mixed and mastered our “Impostor!” Album. He is a brilliant engineer whose resume includes artists like Tears for Fears, Wheezer, Dream Theater, and Spock’s Beard. Rich lived in Altadena and lost his home and his legendary recording studio, “The Mouse House,” where some of our favorite albums of the past three decades were created. His daughter started a Gofundme to help Rich recover some of his lost equipment so he can continue making beautiful records and rebuild his life. Please consider making a donation.
You can also donate to the artistic community through https://musicares.org, an organization run through the Recording Academy to help musicians. They are currently focused on artists based in the LA area affected by the fires.
New Stratospheerus Video “Voodoo Vortex Part I”
Our latest video is from our song, “Voodoo Vortex Part I” from our “Impostor!” Album. This is an instrumental song with a seventies vibe, inspired by some of my electric violin heroes, like Jean-Luc Ponty, Jerry Goodman, and Eddie Jobson. The seventies washeavily populated by innovative electric string players who paved the way for guys like me. The video includes AI footage generated by Robert Minsk, combined with still shots of Stratospheerus taken by Jody Gianni and performance footage from our album release back in December filmed by David P Levin. Enjoy!
“Outrage Olympics” video featured in two film festivals!
This is the first time one of Stratospheerius’s videos has been recognized by the film industry!
Our video for “Outrage Olympics,” which came out a few months ago, will be featured in two international film festivals; “Independent Shorts Awards” in LA and the “North Film Festival” in NYC. The video will be shown on the big screen for the North Festival, followed by a Q&A with myself and director David P. Levin, this coming Thursday Feb 27th at 2 P.M. at the Producers Club Theater:
358 West 44th Street, New York, New York 10036 United States
Joe Deninzon strings featured in Super Bowl DoorDash commercial
I was psyched to have my string work featured on a recent DoorDash commercial, which aired during the Super Bowl. I recorded all the violins, violas, and chin cello, in collaboration with my longtime colleague Aaron Paul Low. The commercial features one of my favorite comedians, Nate Bargatze.Check it out!
Prayers for Kansas’s Ronnie Platt
My good friend and Kansas bandmate, singer Ronnie Platt, has been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, forcing us to cancel tour dates through the end of March. We hope too be back in April and are taking time off while Ronnie recovers from his surgery and as we look for a possible sub until Ronnie is able to tour and sing again. Sending him our prayers and healing vibes.
Four months after its release, our new album, “Impostor!” continues to make waves around the world! With rave reviews, multiple critics’ “best of 2024” lists,” air-lay on 120 stations nationwide, and 3 months (and counting) on the Relix Jamband Charts!
We are blown away by the overwhelmingly positive response and are grateful for the love people have shown for this music. It makes all our efforts worthwhile.
Here are some recent international reviews, which you can punch into google translate:
Attention, European fans! Stratospheerius is happy to announce that we recently signed a deal with Burning Shed distribution in the UK and Just for Kicks Music in Germany for our CD, “Impostor!” You can now order the physical CD directly from those sites and avoid expensive shipping costs associated with the US.
“When a band jumps several levels from one record to the next as Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius have done, I am reminded of all the unsung artists toiling away, pouring their hearts and souls into the music, chasing the dragon as it were. In this case, I think Impostor! is an example of watching the band grab that fire-breathing reptile by the tail. Well done, gentlemen!”
“Impostor! stands out for its refined blend of progressive rock, fusion and jazz-rock. Fans of intricate musicianship and complex compositions will find this album captivating… just like I did.”-Jose Antonio Marmoi
“…Ushering the violin into its rightful place as a lead prog instrument, Joe Deninzon and his band serve up a diverse and inspired collection of original songs plus one choice cover. Accept no impostors, Stratospheerius are the real deal…”
“With excellent composition and production, a seven-stringed instrument conferred by the angels, brilliant drumming, guitar, bass, keys and vocals and outstanding production, this album is more than just another good Prog album. It is a veritable classical gas.”
What an incredible year 2024 has been! Despite a few ups and downs, including a very close-call car accident, I’m grateful to be safe and alive and doing what I love to do!
This year was a milestone. New chapters, new releases, and… I turned 50!!
They say that age is just a number and I’m ready to keep going full blast; touring, recording, teaching, and spending time with family and friends.
Here are some highlights of 2024.
New year, new Viper!
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In January, after 2 years of waiting, I finally picked up my new Mark Wood 7-String “Viper” electric violin. I had this one specially painted with the smoke from the opening credits of my favorite show, “Breaking Bad,” and dubbed the instrument “Heisenberg.” Alongside my old red 7-string Viper, it is now my main axe on all Kansas, Stratospheerius, and other gigs. Thanks to all the people at Wood Violins for the incredible craftsmanship.
I love my new baby!
New year, new Label!
In April, Stratospheerius signed with 7D Media, the label owned by Trey Gunn from King Crimson and AJ Chippero. On October 11th, we released out 6th album, “Impostor!” Which has garnered wide critical acclaim and made numerous “Best of 2024” lists! You can read some reviews HERE and download/order/stream the new album HERE!
Stratospheerius “Outrage Olympics” new video & Single
In April, we filmed for two days at Alpha Wave Studios in Whippany, NJ and the Art Factory in Paterson, NJ ro make the video for our first single, “Outrage Olympics,” directed by David Levin. If you hasvent’ checked it out already, here it is! And while you’re at it, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
With my crazy touring schedule with Kansas, Stratospheerius only got to play 4 shows this year, but they were all special shows.
Feb 9th at the Iridium in NYC with our friends Ad Astra.
June 27th at Kennet Flash in Kennett, PA with Tim Motzer
June 28th at Starlight in Southbridge, MA with Peruvian guitarist Beledo, culminating in our December 15h Album Release Party/my 50th Birthday Bash at the “Progstock Presents” Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ with our friends Simon Godfrey, Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), The Tea Club (feat. Kansas bassist Dan McGowan, and Stratospheerius.
We played the epic closing track, “Chasing the Dragon” live for the first time, and the best gift, for me, was my daughter Arianna sitting in as a guest vocalist. Here are some photos from that night taken by Jody Gianni.
In 2024, I completed my 115th show with Kansas, and the third and final leg of the massive 50th Anniversary Tour! This was the experience of a lifetime! Highlights this year were performing in Topeka, the band’s hometown, alongside founding members Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope, playing “Dust in the Wind” on Robby Steingardt’s white Barcus Berry violin on the final show of the tour at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, performing in front of 15,000 people singing along at theFestival d’été de Québec in July.
There are many more tour dates for Kansas in 2025. You can see them all at www.kansasband.com
Education Station
In July, I had the privilege of returning for my 14th year to teach and perform at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp Music Festival! I played my entire 30-minute Electric Violin Concerto, the performance of which will be posted next month. Also had the chance to work with Mark‘s Electrify Your Symphonyprogram at the Westbury, LI high school in November. Looking forward to more MWROC and EYS in 2025!
“When a band jumps several levels from one record to the next as Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius have done, I am reminded of all the unsung artists toiling away, pouring their hearts and souls into the music, chasing the dragon as it were. In this case, I think Impostor! is an example of watching the band grab that fire-breathing reptile by the tail. Well done, gentlemen!”
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