Free Hat
Free Hat is an Atlanta-based progressive-jam band founded by Jonathan Zalzman and Niko Maharas as students at Georgia Tech. The band currently consists of:
Jonathan Zalzman (Guitar, Vocals)
is from Atlanta and has focused on honing his technical and precise playing while maintaining a melody. With influences such as Steve Vai, Jake Cinninger, and Hunter Brown, Jonathan's talents traverse multiple styles from jamtronica to shred metal. Jonathan first picked up a guitar at age 13 when he started taking lessons with a formal instructor. By 11th grade, he had found success at his school's talent show and discovered his knack for rocking hard. He brings a feel-good vibe to any room he plays for and is guaranteed to blow away the audience with his impeccable guitar solos.
Niko Maharas (Bass)
discovered his passions playing in a garage band with friends throughout high school and performing at his friends' parties. Learning from his father's experience playing venues and bars across the country, Niko was inspired to do the same and aim further. Niko is also an Atlanta native and is lauded for his uniquely engaging stage persona and groovy riffs. He attributes his inspiration to classic 70s and 80s rock bands such as Def Leppard and Periphery. Niko combines his professional performance with fun, audience-involved routines always making sure his crowd receives an electrifying show. His captivating stage presence, paired with his upbeat musical talent, is sure to engage any audience.
Joe Szwelnis (Drums)
has been a drummer since starting private instruction in middle school in Pittsburgh, Pa. He developed his style by combining the driving forces behind drum corps with the textures of standard and improvisational jazz. Joe uses both the simplistic and complex to create a style influenced by the likes of Danny Carey (Tool), Terry Bozzio, and Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta) but if you open up his music library you will find a wide-variety of genres which he regularly draws upon. It doesn’t take much more than a tasty groove to catch his attention, and when you watch him play, he’ll catch your attention too.
240 N Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601
195 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
1402 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
7716 N Main St, Jonesboro, GA 30236
4788 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Free Hat with Eager Lungs, Maria Hill, and Midwest Skies at 529 in East Atlanta Village:
8:00 PM @ 529 in East Atlanta Village
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316