High Street is a hard rock, heavily blues-influenced group that originated in Chicago. Now based in Los Angeles, the band is igniting their generation to partake in the most authentic, stripped-down, and honest type of rock and roll there is. Led by lead guitarist and songwriter Erik Findling and lead vocalist Sashank Venkatesh, the band is delivering a fresh spin on classic rock with modern day influences.
It all started back in the late 2000s in the attic of Erik Findling’s Chicago household. The young middle-schooler – who first picked up a guitar at the age of 4 – and his older brother, Kurt, on drums, assembled a group with some of their musically-inclined classmates. Their attic rehearsal space looked out onto the corner of High Street, inspiring the band’s name.
As young teens, they started out as a classic rock cover band with hopes of playing a few parties around the neighborhood – never imagining this would be the beginning of a long and exciting journey. At the age of 11 Erik started creating original music opening the door to many new opportunities. With Erik’s exceptional creativity, three EPs of original music were soon recorded by prominent producers in Chicago, such as Sean O’Keefe – known for his work with Fall Out Boy and Plain White T’s. The Chicago club circuit quickly took notice and booked them all around the city at venues such as the renowned Double Door, Subterranean, and Hard Rock Chicago. This was the beginning of a new chapter for the band that would take them to the next level.
Nevertheless, just as they were really gaining momentum, Erik – the youngest member of the group – watched the band dissolve as the other members went off to college. Alas, the band was no more. However, on his own, Erik went on a personal path to develop as an artist, exploring new genres of music such as jazz and classical. He’s performed at hotspots across L.A. and Chicago, even performing at the GRAMMYs official after party in 2017. Shortly after moving out to Los Angeles, Erik found the inspiration to revive High Street permanently. This time, a fresh set of talent has been assembled to pick up right where they left off to continue the High Street legacy on a larger scale.
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In The Press
“Whenever I pick up a guitar, I can convey whatever I need to say at that moment.”
– Erik Findling, quoted in American Pride
“Rolling Stone will name [High Street] one of the future bands of 2020 or 2021.”
– Arroe Collins, Unplugged & Totally Uncut
“That female voice against how you play is just great and unique.”
– A.V.A Live Radio
“What struck me was how High Street, who recently shared some previously-unreleased tracks with the world, are spending this stay-at-home time working on new music, and staying in touch with fans through social media.”
– Andrew Rossow, True Hollywood Talk
“If you’re a fan of Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, or Guns N Roses, you may want to turn your attention to this hot new rock band from Los Angeles.”
– Indie Music
“[Erik] is a guitar-player prodigy and every once in a while, I like to have people on that are playing hard rock and roll – the music that we love – and they’re younger. That’s where this music is going to continue to live, with the younger musicians.”
– Jack McKissock, The Riff with Jack Trash
Where We’ve Played
Whisky a Go Go
West Hollywood, CA
“Would definitely have the band back any time. Feel free to add the Whisky to the band’s resume/reference.”
– Jake Perry
Double Door
Chicago, IL
Subterranean
Chicago, IL
Hard Rock
Chicago, IL
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FOLLOW HIGH STREET:
Booking Manager
David Findling
david.findling1@gmail.com
(312) 865-0054