Delavan-Darien High School sophomore Erik Penniman and his band, “Jade,” will be among the featured bands to play at Burlington’s Chocolate Fest on Thursday, May 25.
Jade will compete in the high school “Battle of the Bands” contest at the four-day festival in Wisconsin’s “Chocolate City, U.S.A.”
The high school band “Jade” features, from left, DDHS sophomore Erik Penniman, lead guitarist; Kyle Holmes, a sophomore guitarist/songwriter from Williams Bay; Jake Falcon, a senior bassist from Elkhorn; and Evan Rees, a junior drummer from Williams Bay.
Penniman is the lead guitarist in the band, which also features Jake Falcon, a senior bassist from Elkhorn; Evan Rees, a junior drummer from Williams Bay; and Kyle Holmes, a sophomore guitarist/songwriter from Williams Bay.
The band got the invitation after doing a Facebook publicity and marketing effort. It is one of five high school bands entered into the contest.
“Not only did we secure a spot, we had so many supporters go and like and share our entry on Facebook that we received $100 for having the most likes,” Penniman said. “That’s what gave us an automatic ‘in’ to play at Chocolate Fest.”
All of the band’s music is original, and the band styles itself after Los Angeles-based Lifehouse.
“This band has been a really neat experience to be apart of because it has allowed all of us teenagers from different schools and grades to come and bring communities together through music,” Penniman said. “It’s been so cool to get so much positive feedback from our work and it makes us only want to perform and get out there more. We’re very excited to play at the Battle of the Band competition at Chocolate Fest. No matter the outcome, we just enjoy getting to know one another and strengthen our friendships and love for music.”
SEE THEM ON STAGE:
The Chocolate Fest High School Battle of the bands starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Follow the band on Facebook.