Alt band Paradigm set to rock The Beach

Courtesy of Paradigm Music

Lead singer Shannon Curtis is flanked by the boys in the band.

By Lesley Nickus
On-line Forty-Niner

When its album was released in 2002, Sacramento-based rock band Paradigm visited our campus for the first time. Now, Cal State Long Beach students get another chance to be entertained by this group of talented young artists this week.

Two aspiring artists formed Paradigm in 1999 in Sacramento, Ca: guitarist Steve Stratton and vocalist Shannon Curtis. Later joined by Tony Edwards, Keith Ogden and Kyle Knowlton, the group came together to create the album “Standing in Line,” which was released in 2002.

“Standing in Line” includes music that has a feel similar to that of most popular alternative bands today such as Coldplay, and Evanescence. Like Evanescence, the female lead grips the attention of the audience with her soothing yet strong vocals and grasps the emotion of each word with ease.

The accompanying guitar and drums are sewn into a pattern that provides a pleasurable listening experience for the audience. Musicdish.com’s Michael Allison is quoted on the Web site www.paradigm-music.com saying: “If there is one thing that mainstream music needs more of, it’s female rock singers who can actually sing a rock song. This is how a rock band is supposed to sound. The songs are passionate, professionally written, intelligent and… heartfelt.” Paradigm is well on their way to providing what music today is in need of.

The group has played venues from Washington to Utah and throughout California, including popular local clubs such as Los Angeles’ Whisky A-Go-Go and Sacramento’s Hard Rock Café. Their current tour includes over 25 college campuses on in the West and their music is played on over 60 college-based radio stations, leading them to acquire a large college fan base. They have been placed on alternativeaddiction.com “Unknown Top 10” (Information courtesy of www.paradigm-music.com) and have plans to begin touring with Jewel beginning in June.

Paradigm will be playing at the Southwest Terrace at CSULB today at noon. This is a free concert and will, no doubt, be well worth the time taken to listen. For more information about Paradigm, their history or upcoming shows, or to purchase their album, Standing In Line, please visit www.paradigm-music.com.