Email
Print
Feed
Santah's comin' to Wasted Plains
Santah, a Chicago-based rock band, will perform at the Wasted Plains Rock & Roll Revival. The Wasted Plains event in Woodstock will be one of the final stops on the group’s most recent tour. The five-member band, with a sound self-described as “atmospheric-pop rock,” met while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and have been playing together for the last four years.
They released their debut album, “White Noise Bed,” independently in 2010 and nationally in 2011. Lyricist, guitarist and vocalist Stan McConnell said the group derives its inspiration from nature, water, classic folk musicians and performers such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Wilco.
“[We get our inspiration] from real bands that don’t use computers,” said McConnell, adding the band wants to do something really special and out of the ordinary. 
According to their website, members of Santah “fearlessly commit themselves in their newest batch of songs … dreamy love songs like “Indigo” and “Teeth” wade into warm waters … [and] sprawling anthems balance out the slower tunes.”
Though most members of Santah live in Chicago, McConnell said he has some ties to McHenry County.
“My father [Bruce McConnell] graduated from Woodstock High School, class of ‘75,” he said.
“And my grandparents live in Harvard.”
McConnell’s sister Vivian is a guitarist and vocalist in the band.
“It’s kind of a family affair,” he said.
Santah members also include drummer and percussionist Steve Plock, bassist and pianist Otto Stuparitz and pianist, organist and synthesist Tommy Trafton.
The band’s usual haunts are typically small rock clubs such as Lincoln Hall in Chicago, where the group recently shared the stage with Elephant Gun, who also will be performing at Wasted Plains.
Santah’s tour schedule varies based on their record release schedule. Their newest record – “You’re Still A Lover,” is set for release Oct. 16. McConnell said the group plans to head out on a second tour from Oct. 11 to 21 before closing themselves into the studio to create a new full-length record.
Though this will be Santah’s first Wasted Plains performance, the band is no stranger to Woodstock – Santah had previously rocked out at the Woodstock Opera House, where McConnell said the group had a great time.
“It was an excuse for my family to get together,” he said.
“We’re hoping [the performance at Wasted Plains] will be the same kind of thing.”
McConnell said he believes the event is going to be very special for the people of Woodstock, noting Chrome Attic, the organization responsible for launching Wasted Plains, has put a lot of heart and work into this year’s festivities.
“Wasted Plains Rock and Roll Revival is something the community can get behind. And Santah is very performance-ready. We’re going to give a great show,” McConnell said.
Tickets to Wasted Plains are $15 at the door. To learn more about Santah, visit www.santahmusic.com.
