Cincinnati-based Plazmatic released a new EP titled “Midnight Somewhere,” and it is available on streaming platforms today. They will be hosting an album release show on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at the Woodward Theater in Cincinnati to celebrate the new EP. The show will feature support from local Cincinnati acts The Electric Indigo and Cousins.
Plazmatic entered the music scene in 2019 and has continued to move the bar forward with their sound, musicianship, and live performances. The six-piece band delivers a blend of heavy funk, jazz, and hard rock with an improv-friendly sensibility that ties them to the Cincinnati jam-scene.
The band teased the release of “Midnight Somewhere” a few weeks ago with their most recent single, ‘Ghost Town,’ which was released on April 2. The project was recorded and mixed at guitarist John Raptis’ home studio in Cincinnati, allowing the band to create in an environment that is familiar and comfortable. The finished product, more than a year in the making, is the most ambitious and well-produced music that the group has created to date, and is a testament to the band’s evolution and perseverance.
With concepts heavily rooted in the early days of the group, “Midnight Somewhere” draws from some of Plazmatic’s earliest tracks like ‘Secret Steve’ and ‘Midnight’. The opening track, 'Secret Steve', stands as one of their first songs written as Plazmatic, and is a foundational piece that set the course for their genre-blending sound.
The second track, ‘Johnny G’, was written by guitarist John Raptis, and humorously found its name as a nod to its writer and the song’s key. This finished track is the final evolution of an unnamed riff that transformed into a full-fledged instrumental funk anthem over time. With Raptis’ guitar riff at the center of the track, keyboardist James Wiley-Benes and Saxophonist Matt Schroeder decorate the whole thing with their own tasteful additions.
‘Ghost Town’ is the only track on the EP to feature vocals. Drummer Jamie Ritchie lends his unique voice to this song, which carries an especially deep history. Originating from a side project between Ritchie and keyboardist Wiley-Benes, with lyrics penned by Todd Clayton, ‘Ghost Town’ found new life within Plazmatic’s lineup, further highlighting the band's knack for reinvention.
'How Can He Slap' draws heavily from the influence of bassist Matt Burton, and adds a punch of attitude to the record. Complimented by Ritchie’s percussive grooves and Corbin Oleska and John Raptis’ added layer of funky guitar work, Burton shows off his bass skills throughout the entire song.
The final track on the EP, 'Midnight,' is a multi-section composition sprawling more than nine minutes long, and is the pinnacle of the band’s ambitious approach to songwriting. By stepping away from the heavy funk sound that the rest of the project delivers, ‘Midnight’ manages to offer a unique range of genres and allows each musician the chance to showcase some exploratory musical ideas.
Plazmatic has played at several prominent Cincinnati venues, including Madison Live, Radio Artifact, and the Woodward Theater, and has also performed at regional events like Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, FC Cincinnati games, and music festivals such as Skrimp Scampi and Rislofest.
The members of Plazmatic are:
Matt Burton: Bass
Corbin Oleska: Guitar
John Raptis: Guitar
Jamie Ritchie: Drums & Percussion
Matt Schroeder: Saxophone & EWI
James Wiley-Benes: Keys
You can find more information about the band, including tour dates and booking information, on their website, plazmaticmusic.com.
