Applying everything he's learned from his 6 years as the front man for the genre defying band Hooch, singer/songwriter DEREK RAMNARACE is currently writing and recording under a new moniker simply titled THE SOAPBOX PROJECT.
The SoapBox Project is a collection of music, words, ideas, musicians, locations, eardrums and pulses. It is a work in progress but with a superb cast of top notch players, excellent songwriting and a passionate live show, The SoapBox Project is quickly gaining fans and praise throughout the Midwest Music Scene.
The sound has been described as Roots, Roll n' Soul though many believe it's hard to sum it up that easily citing obvious influences in reggae, blues, bluegrass, folk and many others. Song selection for a new album is nearing completion and live tracks, random videos, and promotional materials will be up on this site over the course of the next few weeks/ months. Keep your eyes and ears on this page for all of the news and updates!!!!
Derek Ramnarace has been booked to all of the Midwest's top festivals including Summerfest, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Wookiefoot's Harvestfest, Feel Good Festival, Grateful Garcia Gathering, Campout Roots Festival, Juliapalooza w/Atmosphere, Blottopia in Chicago, and many others.
After releasing their first effort "The Best Damn E.P. Ever" and the self produced full length "Kick The Dog", Derek and his band Hooch co-produced their last album, the self titled "Hooch", in Ojai,California with Jimmy Newquist from Caroline's Spine and Grammy Nominated producer Dwight Marcus, who also handled the mixing. The album was mastered by Multiple Grammy Winner Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab in Los Angeles. Hooch toured extensively for six and half years, building a strong fan base all around the midwest.
Derek Ramnarace has shared the bill with such acts as.
Phil Lesh, Shooter Jennings, The Wood Brothers, Keller Williams, John Mayer, Maroon 5, 311, The Roots, The String Chesse Incident, The Stockholm Syndrome, Widespread Panic, Caroline's Spine, The Black Crowes, Atmosphere, The Big Wu, Umphree's McGee, O.A.R., Medeski, Martin & Wood, G. Love, Rusted Root, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Les Claypool, Buckethead, Particle, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, North Mississippi Allstars, Rob Wasserman, Willie Waldman, DJ, Logic, Soulive, Dred Zepplin, Xavier Rudd, Donovan Frankenreiter and many, many others.
