Adam Panic : iSOUND.COM™

Biography

You've released 3 records, played in front of thousands of people, have a single in rotation on local FM radio that is constantly receiving rave reviews and requests, you are climbing up the charts on the national and local list of artists at the independent record stores in your hometown, you've toured and have played shows with countless major label and independent artists, you've won best singer/songwriter at the Arizona Infusion of Music awards, and you're 19 years old. Your name is Adam Panic. Who is Adam Panic? Born January 27, 1986, Adam Panic is one of the most ambitious, talented, and young songwriters to emerge from the Arizona music scene. At the age of 10, Adam had just started writing songs for his band while the rest of his age-demographic was watching TV and doing homework. By the age of 16, Adam decided to start something new. After failed attempts to launch a serious career with other musicians for the past 6 years, Adam turned to himself to advance his career in music. That summer, he began working on his first album that would be titled, The Vamp. The Vamp was released in November of 2002 and showcased something truly remarkable -- A 16 year old with an extraordinary ear for writing pop music. "Paradise Valley high schooler Adam Kootman's one-man show --- he played and recorded it all himself --- evinces sophomoric charm with its ramshackle pop tunes." - Thomas Bond, Get Out Just after the release of The Vamp, Adam set out and assembled a live band and began playing shows in late December of 2002. Using TVs playing static, Adam showcased his showmanship and ability to entertain a crowd... and he was still only 16. Soon, the demand for a follow-up was apparent and Adam sought out prolific producer / engineer, Bob Hoag (The Format, ex-Pollen). What was created was A Siren EP, a tasteful cluster of 5 cleverly crafted songs which would begin to wet Arizona's appetite for more. Still in high school and only 17 years old, A Siren EP proved to be the hit record that put Adam onto the next plateau of the music scene. Being compared to Elvis Costello and The Beatles seemed odd to Adam since prior to that record, he hadn't listened to much of them. The response was huge, and local radio station The Edge 103.9 FM began putting "In Red" in rotation on "Local Frequency". In demand for more songs, Adam began to record the follow-up EP to A Siren EP in January of 2004. Recording the single, "We All Do", The Edge quickly picked it up and put it into rotation. The rest of the We All Do EP was recorded in early April of 2004 and was released August 2004. Adam had no idea what was to follow the release of this EP. "When listening to Adam Panic's latest EP “We All Do” it is hard to wrap the boggled brain around the fact that this kid is all of eighteen years old. Panic is seemingly incapable of writing an intro, verse, bridge or chorus on any of the five tracks represented here that is not near-perfect power pop." "the hook-happy “Buy Me Out;” the glorious Beatle-esque “Sweet Casey,” with its delicate intro and sprite tempo changes; and the soft, introspective “Prove Your Point.” Panic is a rare talent and the scary thing is he's is only going to get better" - Chris Orf, Get Out "We All Do" was receiving multiple requests a day on local radio station The Edge 103.9. Subsequently Adam was asked to play the mainstage at the annual Edgefest festival of 2004. Sharing the mainstage with Adam that day was Something Corporate, Story of the Year, Flogging Molly, The Format, Goldfinger, Authority Zero, Chronic Future, Denver Harbor, and Unwritten Law. The response was phenomenal. Soon after the festival, Adam was asked to be apart of the annual Edge 103.9 FM calendar, featuring "We All Do" acoustically recorded live on air as apart of the compilation. Local independent record stores Zia Records began selling out of Adam's EPs, eventually putting him into the #14 spot for overall sales, including all national and major label artists. In May of 2005, Adam assembled a crew of musicians for a live band and he set out on his first tour, traveling all throughout the west and middle of the United States. That same month, Adam was nominated for best singer/songwriter and best male group/artist at the 4th annual Arizona Infusion of Music Awards and was asked to play at the ceremony. The AIM awards were voted on by all the leading participants in the arizona local music scene. Adam went home that night with best singer/songwriter, backing up the hype that was beginning to surface around his music. Adam has since shared the stage with many major label and indie artists including : The Format (Atlantic), Something Corporate (Geffen), Razorlight (Universal), Hellogoodbye (Drive-Thru), Steel Train (Drive-Thru), The Dresden Dolls (8 ft.), Authority Zero (Lava), Denver Harbor (Universal), and Jack's Mannequin (Maverick).