Utilizing a layered, atmospheric approach to beat craftsmanship and jazz improvisation, San Francisco Bay Area quintet Secret Sidewalk has armed themselves with a multitude of talented musicians and musical tools to build a compelling and distinct sound of their own. Founded in 2010 by Mike Boo, Alex “Pu22l3” Abalos, and Asonic Garcia, and soon joined by Mike Reed and Marcus Stephens, Secret Sidewalk is comprised of a close-knit group of musicians, all born and raised in the Bay Area, yet at the same time deriving from vastly different backgrounds and crafts. Accordingly, when Secret Sidewalk conspires musically they connect organically, to infuse a complex, psychedelic sensibility to their limitless soundscapes, challenging conventional constructs of music making.

In assembling their avante-garde, electroacoustic hooks, Secret Sidewalk member Mike Boo supplies his rogue veteran wisdom to the collective. As a pioneering turntablist and producer, with deep roots in the worldwide turntablism movement and scratch music community, Mike was a member of the original Alpha Pup Records roster and a co- creator of the Controller One Turntable. On the forefront of modular synth renaissance, Alex “Pu22l3” Abalos, adds his modular synthesis compositions and innovative techniques using an MPC 2000xl. In addition to Secret Sidewalk, Pu22l3 is also a contributing force to San Francisco based DIY community based renegade sound system collectives 5lowershop, Katabatik, and Spaz. A seasoned drummer and songwriter, Mike Reed brings his well versed traditional drum styles to the group while incorporating new electronic technologies to provide a dynamic, expansive rhythmic foundation on all of his musical collaborations. Mike has performed with Myron & E, the M­tet, and Planet Booty, as well as in a number of Bay Area party, rock, and punk bands. Composer and musical chameleon, Marcus Stephens commits his saxophonics and versatility to enrich Secret Sidewalkʼs inspired sound. Marcus performs with the likes of the Souls of Mischief, Myron & E, Marcus Shelby, The Key Choice Ensemble, Con Brio, Lyrics Born, Spaceheater, Jazz Mafia and Mophonoʼs Halftone Society. Asonic Garcia contributes his signature sample based instrumentation, a gritty sound of dusty, atmospheric and ethereal vibrations dubbed “Lo Fi Smoke Music”. Asonic has worked with cassette based labels Mitamine Lab and Sickonasty and curated one of the Bay Areaʼs first live beat showcases “Beat House Rock”.

Secret Sidewalk regularly performs live throughout the Bay Area. Some of the groupʼs past shows include playing at the classic “Change the Beat” night (thrown by Mophono, Citizen Ten, and The Gaslamp Killer), Low End Theory (Los Angeles and San Francisco), South by Southwest (Grown Kids Radio SXSW Showcase), SF Offsides, San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, Oaklandʼs 2nd Annual Hiero Day, and Secret Sidewalkʼs brain child, “Smart Bomb”, the most forward-thinking live and electronic showcase in the Bay Area. Secret Sidewalk released their 4-track album Truncate Mastadon the Dragon Wilson in 2010 (available as cassette or digital download). Stay tuned for their much anticipated 45 release, Cholo Curls, on Change the Beat Records (Summer 2014).