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.
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!”
Stratospheerius & Friends album release party Dec 15th!
Dear friends,
Coming home after the conclusion of the Kansas 50th Anniversary Tour, I’m excited to play the final 2024 show with Stratospheerius and also celebrate my 50th birthday! Our shows are few and far between these days due to my touring schedule, so we hope you can join us for an incredible evening of music!
Sunday, December 15th
6:30 P.M.
Black Box Theater at the Williams Center
15 Sylvan St, Rutherford, NJ 07070
Phone: (973) 886-6077
Tickets for the in-person show are available at:
The Tea Club (featuring Kansas bassist Dan McGowan)
For years, we have heard rave reviews about the Tea Club in the NJ Prog scene. Stratospheerius was supposed to do some double bills with this incredible band, but it never materialized. Flash forward to 2024, when bassist/vocalist Dan McGowan became a full-time member of Kansas. We instantly hit it off and became good friends…. and now the long awaited Tea Club/Stratospheerius show is finally happening!
Dave Bainbridge is an incredibly talented guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter/producer. Best known for his work with the Strawbs, Lifesigns, Dave & Sally, & Celestial Fire. Dave sat in with Stratospheerius at our Orion show in Baltimore a few years ago. He will blow your mind!
Randy McStine is one of the most talented people we’ve ever met! We swear he’s been abducted by aliens. He is the only person who has toured with Stratospheerius on guitar, bass, and drums! If he ever takes up violin, I’m out of a job. Randy is a guest vocalist and guitarist on our new album and has numerous solo projects out, the latest of which, “Mutual Hallucinations”,” is a true masterpiece! He has toured with Stu Hamm, as a member of Porcupine Tree, and most recently, Steven Wilson’s band.
Joe Deninzon-Electric violin/lead vocal
Jason Gianni-drums/background vocals
Michelangelo Quirinale-guitar/background vocals
Bill Hubuaer-keys/background vocals
Dan Asher-bass
“…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.”
For the past two decades, I have travelled the country doing residencies with college and high school orchestras, teaching improv workshops and putting together concerts incorporating my original music and arrangements of rock and pop classics. This past week, I had the pleasure of working for my friend Mark Wood as part of his 25-year nationwide Electrify Your Symphony program. The teachers and the kids at Westbury High School in Long Island were incredibly inspiring and did an amazing job! Here are some highlights from the performance.
After a year and a half of touring, there are only 10 shows left of the Kansas 50th Anniversary tour! Purchase your tickets now at www.kansasband.com.
See you down the road!
Ladies & Gentlemen,
It’s finally here!
The lead off-single from our forthcoming album is out on all streaming services and also available from the 7d Media Bandcamp!
HERE is the landing page with ALL the links to the song!
…and HERE is the video!
Two days of filming. Over a hundred hrs of editing! The official video for Stratospheerius new song, “Outrage Olympics,” is now LIVE!
Thank you to everyone who took part in making this video, and particularly to our good friend/video editing sensei David P. Levin!
Between writing and recording this song and finishing the video, it took a year! Really proud of this one and happy to share it with the universe. Can’t wait for you all to hear the full album from 7d Media out on October 11th!
New Album, “Impostor!” out on October 11th!
We’re happy to announce that the pre-order link to the new Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius album “Impostor!” is NOW available from 7d Media. The album will be released worldwide on October 11th on all platforms.
Anne Leighton is my longtime manager, publicist, and close friend who has stood by me through thick and thin. Here’s a recent interview I did for her podcast.
Joe Deninzon interview with Jeff Gaudiosi
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Gaudiosi for his show, “Misplaced Straws.” Check it out!
After 6 years of writing, recording, mixing, and mastering, the new Stratospheerius album is FINALLY done! The album will be titled “Impostor!” We are looking at October 11th as the official release date.
Yeah, I know what you’re gonna say. “Impostor” sounds a bit familiar… we did release some singles from this album in the past few years. They’ve been floating around. But the songs have been remixed and remastered, and there’s a whole other side of the album you have NOT heard that will blow your mind! Standby for pre-save and pre-order links in the coming months..
NEW RECORD DEAL!
We are honored to have just inked a deal with 7D media, the record label owned by Trey Gunn from King Crimson and AJ Chippera. After a few months of deliberating, comparing options from a few different labels, we have decided to move forward with 7D and are excited about our new collaboration!
We are eternally grateful to our dear friend Nick Katona and his label, Melodic Revolution Records, for everything he and his team have done for the band. Our back catalogue is still available on www.melodicrevolutionrecords.com and our friendship and collaboration on our back catalogue will continue.
NEW VIDEO!
Three weeks ago, we filmed the video for our upcoming single off the new album, titled “Outrage Olympics.” We had a blast filming at Alpha Wave Studios in Whippany, NJ and The Art Factory in Paterson, NJ! The song is a rant against cancel culture, and the visual motifs in the video include a LOT of creepy eyeballs, drones, surveillance cameras, us being chased around by drones (running around like the Beatles in the movie “Help!”), and some killer performance footage. The video and single will come out a month ahead of the album’s release date, and we can’t wait for you to experience it!
Big thank you to Dave Silver, Dave Milone, and the whole crew at Alpha Wave. Thanks to our director, David Levin, photographer Jody Gianni, Bella Gianni, Mike Polese, Bob Konig, and everyone who helped out.
Here are some photos from the shoot:
UPCOMING SHOWS
Stratospheerius returns to
Kennett Flash
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
$25 all tickets | $5 BYOB
The Kennett Flash is proud to present JOE DENINZON(violinist from KANSAS) & STRATOSPHEERIUS with special guest TIM MOTZER!
Guitrist/composer Beledo was born in Montevideo Uruguay.
He began formal music and piano study at age six.
Versed in classical theory, composition and technique, adept in the traditional styles of his birthplace, drawing inspiration from vast and diverse modern musical forms, Beledo has earned his place among the most sophisticated, versatile, and gifted artists of our time!
The Kansas 50th Anniversary tour continues into December of 2024! Due to numerous sold-out shows and overwhelming demand, the band has added a third leg to the tour! You can see all the tour dates at www.kansasband.com
As of this writing, I have just played my 70th show with this legendary band. About to start a much-needed break before we start up again. During the summer, we are taking a break from the 50th Anniversary set and playing shows with the “Classics” set list, which includes songs that we have not performed on the current tour.
Here are some pics from recent concerts. What a ride it has been! I’m SO honored to work with these incredible people. From my bandmates to the management and crew, this is a very special family and I’m pinching myself every day that I get to work with them!
As most of you know, teaching is a big passion of mine. I’m honored to be returning once again to teach and perform at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp/Music Festival! Mark is the inventor of the Flying V 7-string fretted violins I play, a groundbreaking performer and educator, and a good friend. This will be the camp’s 15th Anniversary and my 14th year working there. Every July, a bunch of us electric string nerds get together in Olathe, KS, rock out and share our wisdom! I have gotten to know some amazing kids who grow up attending this camp and are now enjoying successful careers in music! Among them, Mia Asano, Razz Vio, Lydia Gentry, Kat Lines, and many others. It’s great to hang and play with my colleagues and friends, Matt Bell, Tracy Silverman, Chuck Bontrager,Greg Byers, Patrice Jackson, and more…!
This year, I’m gonna be teaching Rock String Arranging, Soloing, and how to Play & Sing at the Same time. I also may be performing my entire electric violin concerto with Ableton wizard/producer Cole Sipe!
If you’re a string player, guitarist, bassist, keyboard player, or singer, sign up at www.mwroc.com
Frame by Frame & BEAT
There is quite a bit of King Crimson in my life. Having just signed a deal with Trey Gunn’s label, 7D. Stratospheerius performed a cover of “Frame by Frame” on our live blu-ray, ‘Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock.” Plus, the studio version of that cover will be featured on our new album. With Adrien Belew touring with BEAT, performing 80’s Crimson this fall, I thought it apropos to share our version fo this classic song. Here’s the video from the live album. You can order the full live box set HERE:
In case you don’t know, I started a Patreon page a few years back. I haven’t been promoting it aggressively enough, but I wanted to share it with you once again. At the base tier of $5 per month, you get “Gig Diaries.” Monthly stories I share from my quarter century as a freelance musician in New York. Stories you wouldn’t believe that someday I plan to turn into a book. Other perks include monthly downloads of unreleased bootleg material, zoom concerts and lessons, free signed swag, free show tickets and MORE!
Check it out and please consider becoming a member.
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