Contact Information
| Personal Management | culturalperspectives.net |
|---|---|
| Booking | band@thevintagemink.com |
| Phone | 612.823.7865 |
| Address | not available at this time |
| Band Members | Josh von Mink Jacob Michael |
Band History
The Vintage Mink is and always has been Jacob Michael and Joshua James, the brothers. It all began playing in small garage bands with nothing but Mid-West time. The dynamic is boiling hot and bubbling over with guitar expressions from all different styles and influences combined into a single Rock unit. Working with a variety of influential drummers and musicians over the years, the duo has brought the music of The Vintage Mink to a vast audience. Hailing from the distant shores of Minnesota on Highway 61, the pair carries a mystique and temper that has fused Rock and Roll into a Frankenstein of genres and powers. The brothers have been playing together since the age of 9 and 10 and have never relented in the search for new means of expression through art and music. 2008-2009 marks the next chapter in story of the band as they follow up self-titled debut EP with their new release, Brothers On Fire!
Joshua James aka Josh Von Mink
Born in Minneapolis, Joshua began his musical journey at a young age. Growing up on the North Shore of Lake Superior gave Josh the time and space to find his own voice as a performer and producer. As a multi-instrumentalist, his influences come from many different sounds but always returning to the guitar as his instrument of choice. With a wide variety of accolades under his belt for such a young age, Joshua has brought his solo music and the music of The Vintage Mink across the globe. "Working with my brother and my family is like forging wonderful works with grit, iron and fire. We are always fine tuning ourselves and constantly pushing each other to grow in our music and in our lives." Joshua is known for his attention to detail within every process of the music business. Whether he is producing or performing, teaching or recording, his heart and soul radiate his continual commitment to excellence as a solo artist and front man of The Vintage Mink.
Jacob Michael
Jacob Michael established a name for himself as a versatile Blues axe-slinger in his school years packing Minnesota pubs at age 11. After playing for many notable groups and founding The Vintage Mink, Jacob moved to Boston where he is currently ripping up the scene after graduating from Berklee College of Music. With Blues and Soul dug deep into Jacob's musical vocabulary, he plays an All-American style of Rock & Roll that has a fresh sound and a new attitude that comes shinning through like a spotlight on The Vintage Mink. He touches on everything from Jazz, to Reggae and Funk creating a personal yet familiar voice. Jacob's Rock & Roll philosophy is that of a scholar, a disciplined and conscientious student. The music has evolved into a melting pot of style that constantly takes different forms and new sounds while paying homage to the traditions and the greats. "The Vintage Mink has been a journey that is extreme and takes me to new musical worlds of possibility…" stated Jake when asked about his role in the band. What started back home on Highway 61 is now a tradition and a lifestyle for the bothers that is on going and ever changing.
Byron Mercurius
Born in Guyana, South America, Byron Mercurius has been a professional musician for over 40 years. He began by playing the trumpet, guitar, piano and finally progressed to his current instrument, the trap drum set. At the young age of 22, Byron was invited to play in the popular touring band, Sam & Dave. He toured nationally and internationally with this successful iconic band for close to 4 years. He has played with numerous musicians and groups like Millie Jackson, Cool & The Gang, United 8, The Jones, The Invitations, David Ruffin and Rising Lion to name a few. As a studio musician he has laid tracks for Salt & Pepper, Billy Ocean, Keith Diamond, Joylon Skinner, among others. For the past 10 years, Byron has been Producer and Musical Director for Harvest Moon Records based in Portland, Oregon. As Bandleader and Lead Vocalist for Rhythm Culture, he writes and performs his own original roots reggae infused with blues and jazz music at schools, festivals and clubs. Harvest Moon Records and Byron's involvement with “The Brothers” and now The Vintage Mink has spanned 10 years, their full professional musical careers. Byron's feel and energy contribute to not only the percussion but the entire becoming of the band. [To learn more, visit rhythmculture.org]
The Brothers have led me through a decade of musical adventures, on the stage and in the studio, which have sparked my own musical development. The dedication and passion they have for writing and playing their original music is not only inspirational, it's infectious.
Ramsey Embick
Around 1990 in Los Angeles, Ramsey was a rising studio musician and recording engineer. He has laid down tracks with rock gods KISS and has worked with countless heavyweights such as Ray Charles, The Commodores, Edgar Winter, and Gladys Knight while maintaining a career as a virtuoso pianist in his jazz combo, The Original Cats. After a fruitful but long spell in L.A., he returned to his native Oregon. It was there he met the brothers on their 2007 Pacific Northwest Tour. He sat in with the bothers for a few amazing gigs and soon found himself laying down tracks on most of the Brothers On Fire album. Ramsey immediately became interested in working with The Vintage Mink when he heard what he calls "genuine Rock and Roll". Ramsey's involvement has enriched The Vintage Mink beyond the point of no return with wisdom and style. [To learn more, visit ramseysalsa.com]
I've had so much fun working with The Vintage Mink. So much of today's music is only about the look! It is so refreshing to be confronted with real talent making a real effort to reach a real audience. The Vintage Mink to me means great tunes, great execution, big fun! My hope is that we'll all continue to hear albums and songs on TV and film like everybody else with The Vintage Mink's level of talent.
