Independent US rockers Jake Stigers and the Velvet Roots launch their debut UK release, the album “Do You Feel High”, in stores throughout the UK with Voiceprint Music on 8th May 2007.  Stigers, who has built an impressive following both sides of the Atlantic with a reputation for powerful vocals, accomplished songwriting and exceptional live performances, closed the deal late last year after a third successful UK tour.

A lifelong performer, from a childhood alongside his mother in the church choir to missionary work in the deep south and an eventual move to New York as an independent musician, Stigers quickly connected with a devastatingly good band in the Velvet Roots. Nunzio Signore (lead guitar and producer of all of Stigers’ albums) has toured and recorded with Bo Diddley, Brian McKnight, Kelly Price, Destiny’s Child, Will Smith, Tina turner and many others; whilst Roberto Ruiz (bass) and Rob Draghi (drums) are veterans of the US independent circuit, and the big names don’t stop there; older brother Curtis Stigers, who has one of the most distinctive voices in jazz, co-wrote the song “Only Wanna Be With You”; the second time the brothers had worked together after Jake supplied backing vocals for Curtis on the album “Time Was” (Arista).

Together the band recorded two independent albums, Comin’ Back Again and No Vacancy, which sold over 7,000 copies around the US  The band has appeared at over 350 live performances taking in the best venues the US east and UK have to offer; CB’s Gallery, Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, Arlene’s Grocery just to name a few, the Bluebird Café in Nashville, the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, supporting blues man Albert Lee in London at the Borderline and a solo acoustic set at the Camden Barfly. simply through the Internet.

Unusual for an independent artist, media support has also been strong, with extensive AAA radio in the US, live performances on a multitude of BBC radio channels in the UK and appearing on NBC’s nationally televised “Star Tomorrow”. Jake has also picked up the ASCAP Plus Award three years in a row and was just selected for the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame New Writers compilation. Web support has also been strong with almost 20,000 fans subscribed to the band’s mailing list and MySpace and exclusively glittering reviews from music webzines and magazines;

"And then there are those rare indie artists who seem to emerge fully formed from the ether with just about every little detail—hooks, vocals, arrangements, production—in place and ready to blow up your radio. Indie stars like Jake Stigers.”  Daily Vault

"Indie artist Jake Stigers is a rock singer/songwriter force aspiring to the same league as the great Jude Cole, an artiste who apparently and unusually arrives fully formed and confident, nothing naïve or immature here.  The songs all supply shed-loads of hooks, great rock riffs, scorching lead and back-up vocals set in solid arrangements and production to make harmonious AOR of the highest caliber” Blues Matters Jake Stigers has a great voice that seems to blend the pipes of front men of rock’s glory days with the swagger of more contemporary artists.  If only they all came this great.” Pop Matters

For more information about Jake Stigers, visit www.jakestigers.com or myspace.com/jakestigers