article1=A love of different styles has led two local musicians to perform a little bit of everything, everywhere from Wisconsin to the south side of Chicago.
    Derrick Stout, a.k.a Suede, with partner Arch Alcantara (Blue Roy) are self-taught musicians and compact disc producers who enjoy a variety of music genres. "Basically, we've got our fingers in quite a few pies," Stout said.  "We definitely have an appreciation of different styles."
    As a duo, Suede and Blue Roy perform folksy, acoustic music, a la Simon and Garfunkel.  Stout and Alcantara are the only constant members in their popular rock band "the turnstyles."  Other musicians join them to fill in where needed.  "We joke that it's not so much a band, but a club," Stout said.
    The Derrick Stout Orchestra is a six-piece jazz ensemble that, according to Stout, usually plays for parties and corporate functions.  Stout also performs solo on the piano, playing new-age style music.  Stout said they adopted different stage names for their four diverse music groups because people tend to pigeonhole one name for one style.
    Besides performing, they also produce albums in Stout's Lake Bluff tri-level.  Stout said he had decided to spend his money on recording equipment rather than paying other studios. About four or five years ago he purchased the equipment, and when he bought his house, he recorded his own music, as well as other musicians'.  While two rooms in the basement are the main part of the recording studio, Stout has cables in his house so that musicians can record in all parts of the house.  A seven-foot grand piano resides in the space off his kitchen.
     "We get a lot of singers/songwriters at our studio," Stout said. The two fill in where needed.  Stout plays guitar, piano and drums, while Alcantara plays guitar, keyboard and bass.  Their latest turnstyles album, "Live in the Studio" was produced this spring with members of the band in different parts of the house, Stout said.
    They have two record labels under their studio.  Baby Doin' The Jig Productions has put out about a dozen pop and rock albums.  Deerpath Music has six artists on its label performing instrumental, jazz and new age.
    Stout credits Alcantara's versatility with making their partnership so fun.  At any one show, they may perform songs from Cole Porter, Willie Nelson, Kiss, etc.  Stout said that Alcantara will always give an appropriate background for any of these styles.
    Both are self-taught musicians. "It's ears and playing with others" to improve, Alcantara said.  "You've got to be open to everything you hear." Alcantara, 32, said he wanted to be a "rock god" when he was a teen.  However, he has had a chance to play with so many people in different situations. He played the banjo to learn bluegrass, even though he said he doesn't really love the genre.  Still, the bluegrass and country influence sometimes comes out when he plays the guitar, he said.  
    Stout, also 32, said he had been in theater since he was a child.  While performing in children's and musical theater, he discovered he would rather be a musician.
    To listen to their music, Web surfers can check out the site they designed at www.suedemusic.com.  While the two use their computer skills to market their music, they also have a thriving company called In-sites, designing Web sites for doctors, manufacturers and other businesses.
    For more information, call (847) 615-1922, or check out their Web site at www.suedemusic.com.  Their albums can be purchased at their Web site, through orchard.com or at CD City in Highland Park.