Contino, an eclectic roots music band from Las Vegas , Nevada ,fresh off touring Bulgaria with legend Robben Ford, has signed a recording agreement with Blind Pig Records. Consisting of Pete Contino on accordion, Billy Truitt on keyboards, Al Ek on guitar and harmonica, Jim Lovgren on drum and Rob Edwards on upright bass, the group has crafted a lively and distinctive mixture of blues, Americana, rockabilly, and zydeco. Billy Truitt, spokesman for the band, said, "Contino's blues based sound has always seemed to be a great fit and a partnership with Blind Pig Records was always a goal and positive direction to take our music. The roots approach of Blind Pig Records, along with Contino's organic chemistry, should prove to be a winning combination!!" Label head Edward Chmelewski said, "When I saw these guys in performance I knew we had to sign them. Individually they are all very gifted musicians but collectively they're very tight, seamlessly putting out a unique, highly enjoyable (and danceable) sound. And they look like they're having great fun doing it." Pete Contino is the son of Dick Contino, a hugely successfull accordionist and singer in the late 40's and early 50's who appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" a record 48 times. The first album under the agreement, tentatively entitled Back Porch Dogma, is scheduled to be released in early 2012. Produced by Joel Jaffe at Sudio D in Sausalito , California , the CD also features a guest appearance by singer Maria Muldaur. To see a video of a medley of Contino's live performances on the band's YouTube channel, click HERE. Contino's mixture of Blues, Americana, Cajun, and Roots music has earned them an ever growing fan base both in North America and Europe. To see Contino is often like watching a train rolling at high speed down a mountain. It's frenetic, exhilarating, and you might often wonder if it's about to run off the tracks - but it never does. The band’s interaction with each other is almost instinctive; trading solos between each of the members, the band looks and sounds fluid, as if every song has taken on its own meaning. The only giveaway is when you catch them laughing and grinning. These guys have almost as much fun playing as the audience does watching and listening. This thing really does move and shake along the tracks, - like a smooth locomotive. Their music was also used in the movie “The Fall”. Contino also had the honor of opening for Buckwheat Zydeco and Dr. John at The Fremont Street Experience downtown Las Vegas. In 2009 “Contino” did an extensive tour through Germany opening for Grammy nominated Cajun/Creole artist, Cedric Watson. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.