Lineup
The Infamous Stringdusters are doing something right: earning critical acclaim, awards, and nominations aplenty; hosting their own successful music festival; forging their own record label, High Country Recordings; and quickly growing and enthusiastic fan base across the country. They sound like no one else, combining virtuosic chops on five traditional bluegrass instruments, with an ethos of pushing the genre forward. The Stringdusters’ live show takes improvised string band music to new places, combining musicianship and songwriting with experimental performance and contagious
energy flowing between the band and crowd. Check out these Fishman artists at thestringdusters.com
https://www.facebook.com/thestringdusters/info
Here is a quote from the Stringdusters about Earth Day -
“Earth Day as a concept is a crucial opportunity to remind us of our connection to the earth. Many of us don’t need a reminder; we consider our relationship with the earth in the actions we take day to day. But a little holiday for Earth is good for everyone and creates a space to have the discussion about how our choices effect the planet.Day to day, touring is not the greenest activity. We’ve been able to eliminate the majority of our waste thanks to reusable steel water bottles and coffee mugs from our partners at Klean Kanteen. We also drink local beer and whisky (when possible) which cuts down on emissions from shipping and strengthens local economies.At home I compost obsessively and eat and drink local. One of the reasons I moved to rural VA was the access to good food, water, air and beer so I take advantage of it. I also work to improve runoff management on our property to preserve the Cheseapeke Bay watershed and use manpower instead of fossil fuels whenever I can. I also keep my animal consumption to a minimum for my health as the health of the earth.”
Since their start in 2007, Yarn’s original Americana sound has developed into music that seekers of the unique see as the soundtrack to their lives. Yarn’s first four albums were recognized by the AMA’s and R&R radio charts, spending time in the top 5 at their highest point. Yarn has become one of the hardest-working and harder-touring bands for this generation’s digital natives and new music folllowers.
“It’s About Time,” the full-length debut album from Atlanta’s Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, has quickly made waves around the globe since its recent September 2012 release. Billboard has recently ranked the album in the top 30 on the Heatseeker charts, a chart devoted to emerging artists. In the US, the lead off single “My Dear” was featured as iTunes’ “single of the week”, sparking a digital soul-grab of 200,000 single downloads, and 1200 full album download sales, landing the album at #4 on the iTunes R&B charts. The same week, Jim Farber of The New York Daily News named the album in his much sought-after top ten. In addition, Google Play has offered“My Dear” as a free track for the month of October for all smartphone users.
In Christmas week December 2012, the single “Heartlite” was featured as the Starbucks “Pick of the Week” which garnered over 250,000 downloads and presence in all Starbucks location wi-fi pages nationwide.
Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics roots are embedded in the rich sound and history of Georgia soul, beginning with the early 50’s and 60’s R&B that became so well known around the world. Having performed countless gigs since 2005, and with a slew of 45rpm singles already under their belts, the band has already contributed heavily to the steadily increasing awareness of genuine rhythm and blues music that exists today. They pack clubs and festivals with their original brand of soul, all of which is written and recorded in Atlanta. Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics are taking it world wide in 2012, with the release of “It’s About Time.”
http://www.twitter.com/thesoulphonics
http://www.facebook.com/soulphonics
NIGEL HALL BAND
Nigel Hall is an honest, humble guardian of soul music. When asked about himself, Nigel reflects, “I’m just someone who lives, eats, drinks music.” This ethic becomes clear as soon as Nigel takes the stage. Whether he is leading his own band, performing solo, or, fronting bands like Soulive and Lettuce, he instantly commands the attention of the audience.
A Washington D.C. native, Nigel soaked in the sounds of Go-Go, funk and soul. His musical influences reach far beyond his years; from James Brown to Donny Hathaway. It only takes one song to see that Nigel is a talent who is here to stay. In 2011, Nigel became a full-time member of the Warren Haynes Band and toured Europe as a part of John Scofield’s band. Nigel is currently recording his debut album with producers Eric Krasno and Adam Deitch for Royal Family Records.
Music should not simply be heard. Music is meant to be experienced. This is the ideal that inspires the eclectic, high-energy sound of the Lafayette, LA based band Vagabond Swing. The band creates the driving force behind their music with their uninhibited blending of styles and creativity. With their musical roots ranging from bluegrass to ska, the band produces a surprisingly smooth mixture of progressive Gypsy/Experimental/Circus-vibe/Swing tunes. Along with their melodic energy, the band members themselves bring on a show of vibrant, youthful spunk, which gives their performance a thrashing air of excitement.
imagine the illegitimate child of Bonnie Raitt & Jeff Tweedy (well maybe the whole the whole band Wilco- we’re not actually positive which one the father is) that was conceived one drunken sex filled night (an extremely dark and stormy night) in the great city of New Orleans. there was an abundance of cheap beer and shots of bourbon. there was dancing (yes. dirty, nasty, sweaty dancing). there were fistfights. and late night taxi cab rides (and not in one of those new nice Prius taxis but one of the old beat up yellow ones with bald tires and a broken meter) to corners of town most wouldn’t dream of going. there was music everywhere. on the stage. in jukeboxes. in radios of cab cars. oh there was sweet music even in the streets. and there was plenty of talk of music that night too. The Beatles. Dylan. The Stones in Muscle Shoals. the perfection of The Band in their Last Waltz display. the yearning for more. the power of performance. and that warm feeling you get while feasting on the drunken, sweaty, wild & invigorating song. and so the child was born. Black Robin Hero.