Music Fest Spotlight: The aTOMix
By Joe Bachman
This will be an ongoing series leading up to “Music Fest” which will feature eight local bands in an all day concert on Jun. 18.
What do you get when you combine over a decade of experience with a signature three-part harmony? You get the aTOMix.
The aTOMix will take the 6:00 p.m. slot in Saturday’s all day concert at Robinson Park. They are known for belting out a variety of beloved dance music from the 60’s and 70’s. The five piece band is made up of vocalist and Rapids native, Tom DeWitt, Frank Stanislawski on lead guitar, bassist, Scot Reaves, Jack Faville on drum and vocals, and last but not least, Connie Tomski-Faville on keyboard, vocals, and mandolin.
The aTOMix pull influences from many genres, as former members have experience in blues, gospel, jazz, and much more. The five piece band has even begun to incorporate R&B in their unique sound.
“My parents never knew it, but my dream was to be a backup singer in an R&B band.” said Tomski-Faville, who grew up in a strict Baptist background where only gospel music was allowed through childhood. “I joke with my friends now that since the aTOMix do play some R&B that dreams really do come true.”
Tomski, is the creator of the popular Facebook group “Friends of Rapids Music”, which holds over 1,300 members, and has brought many local Wisconsin Rapids musicians together.
“I can say that we have a thriving live music scene here in Rapids,” said Tomski. “On any given weekend, you can hear 10-15 different bands playing all kinds of music at many different venues.”
The aTOMix is a well known in the area, and Saturday night will continue the growing tradition that local bands are bringing to the music scene every week which makes Wisconsin Rapids a great place to play.
“I think it’s the camaraderie and support among the musicians and also the great music venues here,” said Tomski. “As musicians we encourage each other, go out to hear each other play, have friendly rivalries, and in all, try to do what we all can to make the music scene get even better.”
Music Fest at Robinson Park will kick off at 11:00 a.m. at Robinson Park and will go late into the night. The venue is located at 1150 17th St. in Wisconsin Rapids.
