Tie-Dyed Giants

 

The collective began as a duo in 2013 with Corey Kapanka and Stephen Wozniak playing together at a local restaurant and cafe in Holly, MI, earning just $25 each a night, with a cheap sound system and mid-grade instruments, trying to start however they could, at any place that gave them a shot.

 

Gaining interest from other music instructors who Stephen and Corey worked with at a lesson studio, the collective grew by a member every several months, up to seven members at it’s largest, rehearsing together every week, upgrading to high-end professional gear, adding many more venues to their circuit, and decided on a name, Tie-Dyed Giants.

 

Over the next few years, Tie-Dyed Giants built its reputation in Holly, Fenton, and surrounding areas as a dependable, lively, engaging group, with each member independently recognized for their talent and personality. As 2017 rolled around, a few members gradually bowed out to pursue other avenues of life, leaving the current four core members they have today (Corey Kapanka, Stephen Wozniak, Russ Sauter, Eric Long), with a handful of highly-talented satellite musicians called upon for larger gigs.

 

Currently, Tie-Dyed Giants performs as a 2- to 4-piece band, depending on a client’s needs, while the individual members can often be found performing solo throughout the region.

 

[Note Worthy Gigs]
– Dan Kildee rally at the historical Durant in Flint, MI, sharing the stage alongside the legendary Motown bands The Contours and The Supremes.

– Mackinac Island harbor at the iconic Mary’s Bistro for the annual summer sailboat race, two years in a row, for a dozen gigs.

 

[Overview of the Core Members]

Corey Kapanka (Guitar, Vocals): Father of two, owner of A Joyful Noise Music Studio in Fenton, MI, since 2016, has been playing guitar since age 11 and teaching since age 15 (2007).

 

Stephen Wozniak (Vocals, Guitar, Bass): Singer-songwriter, producer and mixer, has been singing lead in bands since 2007 and playing guitar since age 13. Also, handles all recordings and live sound for the band.

 

Eric Long (Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Bass): Voice, guitar, and piano instructor, has studied voice at Oakland University and taught since 2013.

 

Russ Sauter (Drum Kit, Percussion): Master of all things percussion, has studied music education at Michigan University Flint and taught drums since 2014.