Wake the Bear's latest album, Player Piano, is based on and inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's 1952 novel of the same name. The songs bring story lines and characters into relatable accounts of new machines, broken dreams, bourbon schemes and revolt.

A humble, dreamy lushness is crafted with acoustic guitars, keys, synths, layered voices and heart-swelling string sounds, all tied together by Cunningham’s emotive, vivacious lead vocals, which have the kind of effortless elasticity that only truly great singers can pull off. (CityBeat, October 2005)

Bear Reawakening! CityBeat on the latest record, Player Piano.

Read the CityBeat article promoting If We Survive This Rapture

...chilled-out Arcade Fire, Promenade, Bright Eyes on helium... Elliott Smith-ish... Indie Pop Barry White... less angsty, male version of Fiona Apple... the album, while distinct, falls somewhere between Bright Eyes' Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and Arcade Fire's Funeral. (Mike Breen, CityBeat)

• Songwriter of the Year Nomination, 2008 & 2009 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards

• Best New Artist Nomination, 2006 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards

• Showcase Slots, MidPoint Music Festival 2005 & 2006

• Supporting slots for VHS or Beta, Bob Mould, Andrew Bird and more