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THE INSTINCT

Guitar & Vocals: Adem Dalipi

Bass & Vocals: Donovan Lawnicki

Drums: Stacy Ycatz Norris

Guitar: Grady Caplin

Keyboards: Aval Zaucha

The Instinct is a high energy, blues-influenced band that has played locally and internationally since 2016. Members include Grady Caplin (guitar), Adem Dalipi (guitar), Donovan Lawnicki (Bass & vocals), Stacy “Groove Girl” Norris (drums), and Aval Stanley (keyboards & harmonica). The young band has played dozens of high profile shows and festivals, and has enjoyed extensive media coverage. 2019 had an exciting start, with the band returning to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 2018, The Instinct was presented with the Chicago Music Award for Most Talented Teens, performed in the Youth Division at the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and played several festivals and shows in Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Ontario. In July 2018, the band shared a bill with Eddie Money, Jonny Lang, Beth Hart, and many other top acts at Bluesfest Windsor. The Instinct aims to show that the Blues is alive and well with the younger generation.

The Instinct formed in the summer of 2016 when the band met at the Fernando Jones blues camp and immediately realized they had a musical connection. The Instinct was signed to blues festivals before the end of that summer. Those early performances paved the way for a busy 2017 schedule, which was highlighted by two performances at The Chicago Blues Festival.

You can contact The Instinct at: theinstinctband.com

“I want to have the younger generation keep the blues alive...I want young people to love blues. Blues is like music history.”

-Stacy GG Norris (Daily Memphian)

From Chicago, Illinois. Plays all genres including Blues, Rock, and Jazz. She is the drummer for two blues-influenced bands THE INSTINCT & MUDCITY BLU (A TRIO)

Stacy Groove Girl Norris is the recipient of a 2018 Chicago Music Award as a member and the drummer for the Instinct (the band was also nominated for a CMA in 2019). She also received along with MudCity Blu an Intercontinental Music Award 2020 (for Blues). Her influences include Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, Tony Royster Jr., Clyde Stubblefield, and Sheila E. She participates in the annual international drumming contest Hit Like a Girl which promotes female drumming and equity in music. She received a Berklee College of Music Aspire Summer scholarship for her HLAG performance of "Birdland". Stacy has participated in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2018, 2019, and 2020 representing Canada South Blues Society (18-19 with the Instinct) and Windy City Blues Society (with MudCity Blu) in the youth category. While still in school at the University of St. Francis (Joliet, Il.) majoring in Digital Audio and Recording Arts, Stacy continues to perform in and around the Midwest and internationally spreading her joy and her heritage of the blues, the roots of modern American music.

Available as a session drummer and independent projects

You can contact Stacy at stacygroovegirl@gmail.com

BIO

Playing fast around the drums is one thing. But to play music, to play with people for others to listen to, that’s something else. That’s a whole other world.

– Tony Williams

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