Every Saturday night at 11PM on KSTW (Channel 11 in the Emerald City), Band In Seattle broadcasts their newest episode. This week the  TV show, which features local musicians’ music and interviews, will present the Nicholas Russell Band and Big World Breaks. To get a little insight into the program, we asked BIS founder Conrad Denke about what’s coming up this week.

Jake Uitti: What’s special about this week’s episode the Nicholas Russell Band and Big World Breaks?

Conrad Denke: Big World Breaks is headed by a Washington Middle School teacher, Aaron Walker Loud, who teaches drumming. His wide taste in music led him to create a band that first accompanied break dancing. As it grew, more Latin influence came in and with a wide array of instrumentation, a unique full sound was created. I interviewed Loud at his school while he was working with a group of students in a drum line. He’s a strict task master insisting on hard work and focus, but you can tell he loves the kids he teaches and wants them to succeed.

The Nicholas Russell band is headed by my youngest brother Nicholas Russell Denke. Russell is our Mom’s maiden name and a lot easier to deal with than the German name Denke. Nick is the youngest in our family of nine siblings and I’m the oldest. The two of us are the only ones to take up music as a profession. Nick has been in many bands over the last 20 years and this latest incarnation is amazing because one day he just decided to ask the best musicians he knew if they’d like to be in his band, and to his surprise, they all said ‘yes.’ On Keys is Mark Cardenas, who made a platinum selling record with Prince when his band was called “The Time.” The drummer, Geoff Saddler, has played in many top bands. Same for the bass player, Jon Bayless and backup vocalist, Alexis Ames. Together they create a wonderful sound with Nick’s highly creative words and chords.

Watch a clip from this week’s Band In Seattle, with Mikaela from Big World Breaks cuttin’ a rug!