Big Something's Nick MacDaniels Discusses New Album & COVID-19 October 8, 2020 12:29

This has obviously been a crazy year. From what I recall, Big Something had just wrapped up the Royal Rumble tour with Andy Frasco when everything started to cancel. Tell me about how that time period played out for the band.

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Nick: We had just gotten home, and that's when everything first started happening. So luckily for us, we were able to finish that tour. And that was one of the most fun and most successful tours we've ever had, so it was really crazy to go from that right into quarantine a couple weeks later. We had so many friends that were still on the road, and then had to cancel everything. It sounded like a nightmare. We were pretty lucky actually, but it was still super disappointing. This was shaping up to be a huge year for us. We were so excited for our first time at Bonnaroo, our annual festival, The Big What?, and so many other awesome shows we had lined up.  

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The new album was actually ready to go too and we planned on releasing it much earlier, but once everything shut down we decided to wait to release it until we could tour again. Then we slowly realized we might not be able to tour again anytime soon so it gave us something to focus on and look forward to while touring isn't an option. 

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I can only imagine how disappointing that was. I know it's been years since you had this much time off of the road. What has life been like for you and the band? How have you been occupying all of this new found time?

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Nick: It kind of happened in phases. I think it's been that way for a lot of people. Initially, it was a lot of down time at home, which was nice. We spent so much time on the road before all this that home life kind of fell by the wayside. It was great to spend more time with my girlfriend and our cat Teddy who gradually became famous during our live streams (lol). It was also fun having one band member at a time come over for our "live from the living room" sessions. It's been different, for sure. We've had to adjust to this new frontier, but it's also allowed us to learn new things and focus on some stuff we don't normally have time for. 

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I'm glad to hear there have been some silver linings. Tell me about the recent live stream series, Escape from the Living Room, which wraps up in correlation with the album release on Friday. 

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Nick: Well once we realized we wouldn't be able to tour we decided to make the recording studio our homebase for writing music and hosting live streams. Our good friend Bill Stevens at Ovation Sound was super awesome about letting us come in and pretty much take over his studio for months. And it was really nice to have a creative space to call home during all this craziness. Our last show in front of people was in February and our first practice together after that was at the end of July so that was the longest we'd ever gone without playing together by far.

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Our first practice in July was pretty funny too. We would all start playing the songs and then forget which parts were coming up next. We train wrecked so many times (laughs). It was kinda like learning how to walk again, and even though it took us a little while to get our musical chops back, I feel like everyone has really stepped up and taken things to the next level while we've been at home. Jesse has been on fire during these streams. It's really been inspiring to see all of the guys putting in the extra work. It's been very therapeutic for us to have this extra time to just focus on the music. 

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As far as our live stream series goes, we saw a lot of bands doing pay-per-view streams, where people have to pay to watch. That was honestly the last thing we wanted to do during a pandemic. We wanted anyone who wanted to watch to be able to watch, but we also had to figure out a way to pay our crew and cover all the production expenses. So, it was kind of a risk making ours free to watch, but I love how it turned out.  Everyone has been super supportive with their donations, and for us, the main thing we wanted was to be able to keep playing music in a safe way, and to make it accessible for anyone who needs live music in their life right now. 

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Check out Big Something's official video for "Dangerous" here:

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That's a great mentality to have, especially considering how hard you guys have been hit. Let's talk a little bit about Escape, which is scheduled for release on Friday, October 9th.

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Nick: This was a really fun album to make and also really helped us grow as a band. We started recording last summer, long before the pandemic started happening. We had the album title, Escape, already picked out. All of the songs are kind of related to that theme in one way or another. It's a concept that can be interpreted in a lot of different ways. Sometimes positive; you're escaping from things that are holding you down or holding you back. Sometimes negative; escaping from reality in a way that's not healthy. That was the inspiration behind the album concept, then the pandemic hits and 2020 turns into what feels like the apocalypse at times, and the album title kind of takes on a whole new meaning. 

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It was also our first album since our lyricist, Paul Interdonato, passed away. So that was very difficult, but also kind of therapeutic for me. A lot of these songs are the first ones I tried to write or finish without him, and it took me a really long time to get to a point where I could do that. The last song we ever wrote together, "Machines," is on there so the whole project definitely has a special place in my heart.
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I would imagine so. Over the last month or so, you've released four singles from the album. We've had a chance to hear "Heavy," "Dangerous," "Time Bomb," and "The Breakers." Will there be any material that has not been played during the recent streams?”

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Nick: I think there are a couple that our fans haven't heard yet. One of them is a reprise of "Heavy," which is basically a funky demo version of that song. Josh (Kagel) also wrote a meditational interlude that we haven't played live yet. We'll be performing all of this at our virtual album release show on Friday for the first time ever. 

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So, this Friday wraps up the Escape from The Living Room series. Everyone will have a chance to keep the new album in heavy rotation. How do you see the rest of this year and 2021 panning out? There is obviously a lot of uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of touring. 

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Nick: I would say that the whole experience of this year has been really inspiring. Through all the ups and downs, there is a lot of inspiration that can be drawn from what's going on in the world right now. Personally, I'd like to focus on taking some of that and incorporating it into more new music. We still have no idea when we're going to be able to tour again. We have some fun plans for a virtual Halloween show. We're looking into doing our first drive in shows. 

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We've been really skeptical about playing in front of audiences. The information out there is always changing. We really want to focus on keeping everyone safe and out of unnecessary harm. That's the general idea. As things change, we'll certainly roll with the punches. We're in a good place right now, and we'll continue to stay flexible with what's going on. 

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Before we wrap this up, I did want to ask you about the passing of Eddie Van Halen yesterday. Tell me about the impact and influence that he made on you as guitarist. 

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Nick: I honestly didn't get into Van Halen until I was a little bit older. I was actually just listening to Van Halen 'One' on vinyl the other day. He's had such a huge impact on guitarists and rock n roll music in general that it's hard to put into words. Trey Anastasio's post earlier today really summed it up perfectly. He's just one of those guitar gods. It seemed so effortless for him. Guitar was an extension of his person. That kind of larger than life musicianship is always super inspiring. We've lost so many great musicians throughout this year. Toots (Hibbert), John Prine, and Bill Withers...those all hit me pretty hard too. It's been such a crazy year, but it's been great to see so many people celebrate and honor their musical legacy. 

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That's the truth. Well, it's been great chatting with you today. As a big fan of the band, I couldn't be happier to see you guys continuing to adapt throughout such a difficult year. There are so many of us pulling for you guys, and we will certainly be ready when the band is able to hit the stage again. 

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Nick: Thanks so much, Jordan. I look forward to the day when we can put on a show together again! Hopefully soon. We appreciate you and everything you do. Cheers man. 

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Waterloo Music Festival Just Confirmed A Massive Inaugural Lineup June 12, 2018 12:37

Expect Big Things From Birmingham's SliceFest This Weekend June 12, 2018 01:48

Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

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Our favorite annual Birmingham street festival returns to the Lakeview District on Saturday, and this year's lineup has us excited in a "BIG" way. Live electronic duo Big Gigantic will handle SliceFest's headlining spot, just after The Original Wailers take you on a spiritually uplifting reggae ride. While these two acts may provide the most prominent name recognition, BIG Something is guaranteed to deliver one of the most dynamic sets that this festival has seen. The North Carolina-based band is easily one of the hottest acts on the festival circuit, and their momentum continues to build. 

Make sure you arrive early for this one, because Too Many Zooz, The Vegabonds, and LUTHI will be kicking things off with a diverse and powerful variety of performances on the main stage. The local stage looks to provide a strong showing as well this year, as Tragic City, WIll Stewart, Riverbend, Brook & The Bluff, Mutton Chops, and Rug Monkey will assure that the music never stops on Saturday. See below for a nice taste of what you can expect from this year's lineup

SliceFest 2018 celebrates its 7th anniversary as Birmingham's largest food & music block party hosted by Slice Pizza & Brewhouse. If you love music, great food and brews, giving back and Birmingham then you don’t want to miss this festival.  Slice Pizza & Brewhouse hosts the event to celebrate the restaurant’s anniversary and thank the Birmingham community for their continuous support. Over the past six years, the event has grown to a full-blown festival bringing in local and regional music talent paired with local craft beer and specialty pizzas. 

As with previous years, SliceFest is presented by Birmingham Budweiser and is expected to welcome a sold out crowd on this 7th anniversary with patrons from across the Southeast. Community is what SliceFest is all about, not just a celebration of those that support Slice Pizza & Brewhouse, but a way to give back to the community.  SliceFest has donated over $50,000 to Birmingham-based non-profits.

“SliceFest represents the wonderful communities of Birmingham. We strive to emphasize the substance of our city while bringing in various layers of the local culture,” stated Jason Bajalieh, Bro-Founder of Slice Pizza & Brewhouse. “The musical lineup reaches across generations and genres to give entertainment for all preferences.” Previous artists that have appeared at SliceFest include: GRiZ, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, The Revivalists, Galactic, Keller Williams, Foundation of Funk, Dumpstaphunk, JJ Grey and Mofro, North Mississippi Allstars with Anders Osborne, and Earphunk. 

Click here to purchase your tickets in advance!



SliceFest Looks To Go "Big" With 2018 Lineup Annoucement March 20, 2018 10:00

BIG Something Confirms 25-Date Winter Tour December 13, 2017 21:58

Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

Few bands have been have the type of impact on us that BIG Something has this year. The North Carolina-based six-piece finds a way to blend the best elements of 90's rock with the perfect amount of psychedelic improvisation. Earlier today, the band announced an major winter tour, which see's the band down the east coast and across the southeast. This run kicks off in serious fashion with a two-night stand with The Werks, with the remaining dates leaving plenty of speculation for some serious supporting acts. This is a band / tour you don't want to sleep on in 2018: plain and simple.

If you're still looking for New Year's plans, BIG Something has a big three-night run scheduled at Raleigh's Lincoln Theatre on Friday, December 29th - Sunday, December 31st. Supporting acts include Maradeen, Travers Brothership, Urban Soil, and Dr. Bacon. See below for complete list of winter tour dates, and make sure the follow the band on Facebook and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

2/9 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Showcase Lounge*
2/10 - Boston MA @ Brighton Music Hall*
2/11 - Buffalo NY @ Mohawk Place
2/14 - Syracuse NY @ Westcott Theater
2/15 - Philadelphia PA @ The Foundry @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
2/17 - Morgantown WV @ 123 Pleasant Street
2/18 - Columbus OH @ The Basement
2/21 - Ann Arbor MI @ Blind Pig
2/22 - Indianapolis IN @ HiFi Indianapolis
2/23 - Chicago IL @ Lincoln Hall
2/24 - Kalamazoo MI @ Bell’s Eccentric Cafe - Back Room
2/28 - Louisville KY @ Zanzabar
3/1 - Lexington KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s 
3/2 - Nashville TN @ Exit In
3/3 - Chattanooga TN @ Revelry Room
3/17 - Roanoke VA @ Martin’s Downtown
3/23 - Telluride CO @ Sheridan Opera House
3/24 - Telluride CO @ Sheridan Opera House
3/29 - Denver CO @ Bluebird Theater
3/30 - Fort Collins CO @ Hodi’s Half Note
4/3 - Bozeman MT @ The Eagles Ballroom
4/4 - Missoula MT @ Top Hat Lounge 
4/5 - Sandpoint ID @ The Hive
4/6 - Sandpoint ID @ The Hive
4/7 - Seattle WA @ Tractor Tavern
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* w/ The Werks

Listen to BIG Something's "Song For Us" here:

Wanee Festival Releases Stacked 2018 Lineup November 13, 2017 10:43

BIG Something Returns To Atlanta With Sold Out Throwdown November 12, 2017 22:27

Win Tickets To See BIG Something In Atlanta On Friday November 7, 2017 15:08

Funk You Adds Dates With Perpetual Groove, BIG Something, CBDB, + More September 27, 2017 19:57

Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Augusta, Georgia's Funk You is hot on the trail yet again. The super soulful six-piece is in the midst of a busy 'end of summer' run, and they don't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Earlier today, the band announced a 22-date fall tour, which kicks off with a hometown throwdown at Augusta's Westobou Festival. From there, Funk You hits many of the southeast's premier venues, including the Charleston Pour House with BIG Something (10/27) and Revelry Room in Chattanooga with Perpetual Groove (11/2).

Mid-November will see the band New Orleans, Texas, and Colorado. Funk You will then return to the southeast for a show in Dublin, GA (11/22) and Funksgiving Music & Food Festival with CBDB, Soul Mechanic, and The Talismen in Montgomery, AL (11/24). See below for a complete list of fall tour dates, and make sure to follow the band on Facebook and Instagram for all of the latest updates from the road!

Watch Funk You perform at GPB Music Studio here:

Oct. 5 / Augusta, GA @ Westobou Festival 2017

Oct. 6 / Charlotte, NC @ Heist Brewery

Oct. 14 / Greenville, SC @ GOTTROCKS

Oct. 26 / Savannah, GA @ Barrelhouse South

Oct. 27 / Charleston, SC @ Charleston Pour House w/ BIG Something

Oct. 28 / Manteo, NC @ Black Opal Masquerade Ball

Oct. 31 / Augusta, GA @ Sky City

Nov. 2 / Chattanooga, TN @ Revelry Room w/ Perpetual Groove

CukoRakko Confirms Stellar Lineup For 2017 Fall Fest September 13, 2017 10:52

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BIG Something

CukoRakko Music & Arts Festival Reveals Initial 2017 FallFest Lineup August 8, 2017 15:13

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Get To Know The Lineup:

BIG Something

A 6 piece powerhouse with a sound that is both unique and timeless, BIG Something fuses elements of rock, pop, funk, and improvisation to take listeners on a journey through a myriad of musical styles. It's no secret why this group has quickly become one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from the Southeast. Soaring guitars, synths, horns and alluring vocal hooks rise to the top of their infectious collection of songs and represent a sound that has caught the ears of such revered Summer circuit stalwarts as Galactic, moe., Robert Randolph, and even The B52s who have all tapped Big Something as direct support.

This past February the group released their 4th full-length studio album, Tumbleweed, which was recorded once again with the help of grammy nominated producer John Custer (Corrosion of Conformity). He has produced all of their albums including Truth Serum, which was named 2014 Album of the Year by The Homegrown Music Network, making Big Something the only band ever to win this award 3 times with 3 different releases (2010, 2013, and 2014).

Watch BIG Something perform "The Flood" with Jake Cinninger of Umphrey's McGee here:

The Heavy Pets

The Heavy Pets are a funky-ass rock and roll band from South Florida. Called "a living, breathing force of nature" by Relix magazine, they are known for their songcraft and powerhouse live performances. The band has been a mainstay on the national touring circuit for over a decade, and will release its fourth full-length studio album in September 2017.

The Pets are a seasoned live act, playing over 1200 shows across the country since their inception in 2005. The band's energetic, extended sets have been described as "full blown musical salvation" that embodies the sound of their Florida home, weaving together elements of indie rock, funk and reggae into a style that is uniquely their own.

The group became an instant Sirius radio sensation upon the release of their debut album Whale in 2007. The crossover sound on their self-titled release, named a "Top 10 Album of 2010" by The Huffington Post, propelled them into the periphery of mainstream music. 2011 saw the release of Swim Out Past The Sun, an acoustic affair featuring longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator David Grisman. Beginning in 2013, The Heavy Pets put out a series of EPs recorded at the legendary Power Station studios, and will release its fourth full-length album in September 2017.

Watch The Heavy Pets perform "Dewpoint" > "Jackie Bones" here:

Backup Planet

Rock ‘n’ roll epitomizes escapism in its purest form. It’s not just artistic anesthetization either, but rather a galvanizing force that inspires us to keep pushing through life’s trials and tribulations. That’s why we still listen to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Rush, and countless others all these years later. It’s the same reason audiences will be talking about Backup Planet’s second full-length album, Reactions, for a long time to come. The Nashville, TN quartet—Ben Cooper [keys, vocals], Chris Potocik [drums, vocals], Gavin Donati [guitar, vocals], and Blake Gallant [bass, vocals]—write arena-size anthems echoing with progressive intricacy, funk swagger, and even a little metallic edge. Giving listeners an inspiring and invigorating aural haven, their moniker couldn’t be more apropos…

Watch Backup Planet perform David Bowie's "Fame" here:

Freekbass

Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Freekbass was an only child who initially wanted to be a magician. He later developed his own obsession for cartoon superheroes and comic books, relating to the underlying themes.

Living in Cincinnati exposed Freekbass to genres of music he may have missed otherwise. While most kids were listening to Nirvana and Green Day, he connected with the bottom-heavy sounds coming out of the boom boxes like Zapp and Midnight Star. While working in a music shop to pay off his first electric bass he had in lay-away, he began to study the classics of Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Parliament and Bootsy with a bass in one hand, and an MPC2000 in the other.

Freekbass has released six full-length CDs, including “Concentrate” with guests Bootsy Collins, DJ Spooky, Adam Deitch, and Steve Molitz, and “Junkyard Waltz” which includes guest appearances by Phish bassist Mike Gordon, guitarist Buckethead, keyboard wizard from P-Funk/Talking Heads Bernie Worrell, and is produced by funk legend Bootsy Collins. Also, national music DVD instruction company, The Rock House Method, recently released two Freekbass instructional DVDs “Learn Funk Bass with Freekbass (Level 1 & Level 2) “, and TrueFire.com just released the instructional DVD/download “50 Freekbass Licks You Must Know” . In 2010 Freekbass connected with DJ Logic, and Particle keyboardist Steve Molitz to form the funktronica trio, Headtronics. 

Going into 2015 Freek has a lot of things on the table. He just released his next album , “Everybody’s Feelin’ Real”, which is produced by Duane Lundy (My Morning Jacket’s Jim James/Ben Sollee) and includes P-Funk/Rubberband keyboardist Razor Sharp Johnson, horn man Skerik, and Trey Anastasio Band vocalist/trumpet Jennifer Hartswick . Also, he was a part of this year’s London Bass Guitar Show in the UK giving a master class and performing. Plus he will be doing extensive touring with his mainstay funk group, “Freekbass & The Bump Assembly” which also includes funk legend Razor Sharp Johnson on keys/synths and George Clinton & P-Funk alumni Rico Lewis on drums. And recently, he signed with the esteemed label Ropeadope Records.

Watch Freekbass' music video for "Mama's Like A Cowboy" here:

lespecial

Hailed as a breakthrough act to watch in 2017, lespecial, based in Boston and upstate New York, have established themselves as innovators and tastemakers on their own unique trajectory. “Disguised as an average power trio from Boston, lespecial creeps around corners and reaches into the darkest depths of the absurd. lespecial is meticulous, creative and defiant; eclectic, multi-talented and driven. The band prides itself in extending the boundaries of musical ability, rebelliously laying waste to the limits of popular music.” (Ragin Randy Entertainment)

Labeled with such unique descriptions as “dark future groove” or “death funk” to “trance metal” or “haunted house party music”, it is tough to put one’s finger on this dangerous and determined trifecta’s distinct sound. A lespecial set brings their signature blend of psychedelic metal infused funk along with deep, thumping synths and 808s that will have your hips swaying as quick as your head banging. From the band’s origins as three friends in high school in the woods of Connecticut who shared a passion for building unique instruments and hitting them with drum sticks, through studying music at a collegiate level to now running their own music school and studio, The Music Cellar, in Millerton NY, Jonny Grusauskas (guitar/synth/sampler/percussion/vocals), Luke Bemand (bass/synth/percussion) and Rory Dolan’s (drums/samples) unique chemistry is what gives them their incomparable personality.

As Steve Morse, Boston Globe writer and Berklee College of Music professor, claims, “They are virtuoso players- and they really listen to each other closely, which is what raises them apart from today’s progressive wannabees”. After several, eclectic EP releases, their debut album, “Omnisquid”, released in 2015, finds the band “jumping through periods of hypnotic rhythms, catchy riffs, and synth grooves fit for a club… throw in a healthy dose of heavy metal and punk influenced guitar, and you have one of the most interesting new albums out there.” (Monkeygoose Magazine). ITDJENTS claims “For fans of King Crimson, Tool, Nine Inch Nails and Battles this is definitely the album for you”. The band’s expansive catalogue of singles and videos, including arrangements of everyone from Kanye West to Skrillex to Fela Kuti, is keeping all eyes and ears on lespecial as they prove in clubs and festivals nationwide why Relix Magazine claims “Amidst the rest of the noise, lespecial is the squeaky wheel that demands attention.” 

Check out lespecial's recent set from Disc Jam Music Festival here:

Mr. B & The Tribal Hoose

Mr B began freestyling and recording mixtapes as a highschooler in Phoenix, AZ. He first came in to the public eye after viral youtube video "Wendys Drive Thru Rap". Soon after, he hit the road in support of acts like DMX and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. It did not take long for Mr B to realize he wanted to perform with more than just himself, and that's when the Tribal Hoose came along. With every member hailing from a different state, the group began as friends improvising live jams with Mr B as he freestyled at local house shows. They quickly realized they were on to something unique and captivating. The band has since grown and had the opportunity to perform at festivals with likes of Soulja Boy and Ying Yang Twins to name a few. They will B releasing their debut album in the Spring of 2017, followed by a tour to promote their album and movement.

Watch Mr. B & The Tribal Hoose perform "It Ain't All Good (But It's All Good) here:

Panic En La Playa Returns To Riviera Maya On January 26th-30th (2018) June 20, 2017 15:33

Watch BIG Something Jam With Jake Cinninger At Mountain Music Festival June 15, 2017 14:37

Summer festival season is clearly upon us; a time which brings together many of the most dynamic groups from across the musical spectrum. With the countless festivals across the country always comes many of the most memorable on-stage collaborations for both the fans and bands alike. Earlier this month, Mountain Music Festival was held in New River Gorge, West Virginia, with a lineup which included the likes of Umphrey's McGee, The Revivalists, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Twiddle, and one of our absolute favorite young bands, BIG Something.

The North Carolina-based six-piece had the opportunity to invite Umphrey's McGee lead guitarist Jake Cinninger to the stage for an extra fiery take on "The Flood," a tune from the band's latest album Tumbleweed. Check out the full performance below, and make sure to check out BIG Something via Facebook, Instagram, and their official website.

Watch BIG Something perform "The Flood" with Jake Cinninger here:

Big Something & Funk You Storm Through Birmingham's WorkPlay Theatre February 5, 2017 13:46

Photos and Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

On a cold Friday night in Birmingham, refuge was easily found in the Workplay Theatre as two of the southeast's most promising bands, BIG Something and Funk You, delivered a raging party.  Funk You, originally from Augusta (GA), was up first and certainly made the most of its opening spot.  We've had a chance to catch these guys on a number of occasions over the years, but this was a seriously powerful performance.  

Frontman Gavin Hamilton brings such a cool, smooth vibe, while laying down some seriously powerful vocals.  Guitarist Evan Miller is quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented young guitarists in the jam scene.  Will Foster (keys) had many moments to shine as well, and the rhythm section of Will Clark (drums), Palmer Owens (percussion), and Rob Thompson (bass) were on point all night.  The set was highlighted by Funk You originals such as "Important To You," "Ghost For Me," "Space Monkey," "Black Dynamite," "Resolution" and a perfect cover of Pink Floyd's "Young Lust."  The future is very bright for Funk You, and you would be selling yourself short not to get out to see these guys in 2017.

Fresh off of a highly praised pair of performances on Jam Cruise, which included a sit-in from Widespread Panic's JoJo Hermann, BIG Something took the Birmingham stage.  With this being the band's first headlining spot in the Magic City, it was clear that they came to make a statement.  The set began with "Amanda Lynn," "Song For Us," and "Blue Dream," before busting into a powerful take on "UFOs Are Real."  There's a common theme of "outer space" found with this band, both lyrically and within its overall sound.  The heavy use of synthesizers from Josh Kagel (keyboards) and EWI (electronic wind instrument) from Casey Cranford certainly play to that notion.  

The set got particularly hot when the opening notes of "Megalodon" hit.  This was the song that turned me onto this band, and I still struggle to find a song that hits me harder than this one.  There is an energy to it and some seriously intriguing lyrics that keep this song in constant rotation for me.  The latest release, "Tumbleweed," came next and has a similar effect to that of "Megalodon."  As the band prepares to release its new album this month, "Tumbleweed" is a great sign as to what fans can expect from the release.  Another personal favorite came in the form of "Love Generator," which seemed to resonate amongst the rowdy crowd.  It's amazing when a band manages to communicate its message both lyrically and musically, but I've always felt that this is accomplished with this particular tune.  Finally hearing it live only confirmed that notion.  

Next up was a nod to the late Prince, as the boys busted into a super funky take on the hit song "1999."  You can't go wrong digging into the Prince catalog late into the night, and justice was undoubtedly served on Friday night.  Before this smokin' set came to conclusion, the band worked its way into "The Curse of Julia Brown," giving frontman Nick MacDaniels one more chance to showcase some seriously power vocals.  Guitarist Jesse Hensley and Cranford wasted no time trading licks across stage, and while it was chilly outside, the WorkPlay Theatre couldn't have been hotter.  After a quick exit, they returned with for a encore featuring The Who's "Baba O'Riley," which sent the room into an all out frenzy.  

While BIG Something might be new to the Birmingham market, Friday night was most likely just the beginning of many memorable nights with these guys.  The seasoned veterans from Burlington (NC) have been turning heads and building a massive following across the country since 2009, and if you haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon now is the time.  Keep an eye out for the announcement on BIG Something's annual festival "The Big What?" which is held each summer and always features a serious collection of the jam scenes most promising acts.

Watch a clip of BIG Something performing "Megalodon" here:

Watch a clip of BIG Something performing Baba O'Riley here:

Setlist: Funk You - WorkPlay Theatre - 02.03.17

1:  What's On Your Mind, Important To You, Ghost For Me, Space Monkey, Black Dynamite, Young Lust, Central Ave, Resolution

Setlist: BIG Something - WorkPlay Theatre - 02.03.17

1:  Amanda Lynn, Song For Us, Blue Dream, UFOs Are Real, Megalodon, Tumbleweed, 1999, Love Generator, The Curse of Julia Brown

Encore: Baba O'Riley

Evan Miller of Funk You

Gavin Hamilton of Funk You

BIG Something

BIG Something

Nick MacDaniels & Jesse Henley of BIG Something

BIG Something

Funk You Announces Massive 2017 Spring Tour January 23, 2017 12:05

One of Georgia's hottest up-and-coming bands, Funk You, has announced details on a major Spring tour for 2017.  This run of shows will see the band through the month of April and includes supporting dates with bands such as Perpetual Groove, The Werks, and BIG Something.  The funk will kick in to full force starting on Friday, February 3rd at Birmingham's WorkPlay Theatre with BIG Something, before an opening spot for Perpetual Groove at the Georgia Theatre on Friday, February 10th.  

A five-night run with The Werks will follow, which includes stops in Asheville (2/15), Atlanta (2/16), Jacksonville (2/17), Savannah (2/18), and Charleston (2/19).  Funk You will then head out west for a week in Colorado in early March before making its back through Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.  The tour winds down with a hometown show for The Major Rager Afterparty (Augusta - 4/06), and shows in Virigina Beach (4/13), Wilmington (4/14), and Greenville (NC - 4/15).  You can also find Funk You performing at SweetWater 420 Festival at Centennial Park in Atlanta, GA on April 23rd.  See below for a full list of tour dates.

For all of the latest Funk You news, head to the band's Facebook page and official website.

Watch Funk You and friends perform Prince's "1999" at the 2016 SweetWater 420 Fest afterparty here:

Official Bio: Funk You (Augusta, GA)

Hailing from the east side GA town of Augusta, FUNK YOU is an outgoing burst of energy that is continually climbing their way to the top of the music scene. This "funk" oriented outfit projects multiple musical styles focusing mainly on dance driven grooves with powerful clean vocals. Incorporating intriguing musical composition, tasteful lyrics, and crowd captivating live performances, FUNK YOU is surely to make an imprint on your musical taste.

FUNK YOU provides the audience with a furious fusion of influences ranging from Umphrey's Mcgee, Lettuce, James brown, and Stevie Wonder. By colliding funk, jam, rock, fusion, and prog into one uniform sound, these guys will keep your jaw dropped and your feet moving without stopping. Their songs combine lush ambiance, catchy vocals, and intense shredding simultaneously into a unique well defined sound.

For three years the band has been building their fan base in the southern local markets of Atlanta, Augusta, Athens, Statesboro, Milledgeville, Savannah and Macon. They have numerous sold out shows in Augusta and also at the Georgia Theater in Athens. With performances alongside Maceo Parker & Fred Wesley (James Brown horn section), Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tea Leaf Green, Robert Randolph, Snarky Puppy, and Moon Taxi, the band is paving their way to the festival circuit. FUNK YOU was voted best R&B band by August Magazine and was named Relix Magazine's "Artist On the Rise" in their July/August 2013 issue. Perseverance and hard work best describe the band's attitude, so if you haven't yet, you will be seeing them soon.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Announce 17-Date Spring Tour January 13, 2017 09:22

Jam/funk rock sensation Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has announced a 17-date spring tour which will span across the East Coast and into the Southeast.  Following a winter tour which is heavily focused on the Midwest and West coast, much of the bands loyal following, "The Flock," can rejoice that their beloved band will be returning to many of its most familiar venues in the spring.  The spring dates kick off on March 29th in Rochester, NY and continue with stops all down the coast.  Supporting bands include Aqueous (Ithaca, Northampton, Burlington, Portland (ME), and Providence), Hayley Jane & The Primates (Brooklyn), Organ Freeman (Brooklyn), ELM (Washington, DC), and BIG Something (Norfolk).  The Pigeons will be supporting Papadosio for a two-night run at the Madison Theater in Covington, KY on April 28th-29th.

Earlier this week, the band launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their latest studio effort, Pizazz, due for release in September 2017. They are also releasing their first ever live album, in coordination with the Kickstarter campaign. The live album, The Great Outdoors Jam, features highlights from the band’s performance at The Great Outdoors Jam Festival in Mount Dora, FL from July 2016. Each and every contributor to the Pizazz Kickstarter campaign will receive a digital download of The Great Outdoors Jam on February 10th if the campaign reaches its goal of $18,000.

Check out the video below for their Kickstarter campaign and help Pigeons Playing Ping Pong reach their goal!

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Full Winter/Spring 2017 Tour Dates:

1/27 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre *
1/28 Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater *
1/29 Steamboat Springs, CO @ Schmiggity’s
1/31 Durango, CO @ Animas City Theatre
2/2 Jackson, WY @ Pink Garter Theatre
2/3 Bozeman, MT @ Eagle’s Ballroom
2/4 Missoula, MT @ The Top Hat
2/8 Spokane, WA @ Big Dipper
2/9 Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
2/10 Eugene, OR @ HiFi Music Hall
2/11 Portland, OR @ Goodfoot
2/12 Bend, OR @ Volcanic Pub Theatre
2/15 Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Casino ^
2/16 Chico, CA @ Lost On Main ^
2/17 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent ^
2/18 Los Angeles, CA @ The Mint ^
2/19 San Diego, CA @ Casbah ^
2/22 Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit Live ^
2/24 Austin, TX @ The Parish
2/25 Houston, TX @ Raven Tower
2/26 Dallas, TX @ Sundown at Grenada
2/28 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
3/1 Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note ”
3/2 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection ”
3/3 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection ”
3/4 Columbus, OH @ Express Live ”
3/29 Rochester, NY @ Flour City Station
3/30 Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt$
3/31 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl~
4/1 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl ^
4/7 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club #
4/8 Norfolk, VA @ The NorVA @
4/12 Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse
4/13 Birmingham, AL @ Workplay
4/14 Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre
4/15 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
4/19 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street $
4/20 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground $
4/21 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall $
4/22 Providence, RI @ Fete Ballroom $
4/27 Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s
4/28 Covington, KY @ Madison Theater &
4/29 Covington, KY @ Madison Theater &

* – w/ Dopapod
^ – w/ Organ Freeman
“ – supporting Lotus
$ – w/ Aqueous
~ – w/ Hayley Jane & The Primates
# – w/ ELM
@ – w/ BIG Something
& – w/ Papadosio

A Weekend In Review: The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival August 12, 2016 13:08

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Year in and year out, music fans can count on summertime presenting an overwhelming variety of options to satisfy their musical appetite.  The vast majority of national acts pack their schedules with gigs from coast to coast, and it seems as if there is a major music festival every weekend.  Last weekend was the quintessential example, as Ohio-based jam/rock band The Werks hosted it's annual "homecoming" weekend: The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival.   

The Werk Out began in 2010 at Zane Shawnee Caverns, an indian reservation with underground crystal caves in Bellefontaine, Ohio.  The festival quickly outgrew that area and relocated to Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio, where it has now been held for the past five years.  After hearing the rave reviews over the past few years and diving deep into The Werks' catalog, I knew that this was the year for a summer journey from Alabama and Ohio.  This ended up being easily one of my best decisions in recent memory.

From the moment we arrived on Thursday afternoon, the positive vibes were flowing from every angle.  An enthusiastic, welcoming staff directed our group to a prime camping spot, and we made at least 10 new friends before the campsite was even completed.  While there are numerous elements of The Werks that I have come to love, it's the positive culture that surrounds the band really seals the deal.  

Upon entering the festival grounds for the first time, Chris Houser (lead guitar - The Werks) was playing on the main stage with his very first band, Cheezcake, who set a perfect tone for the weekend.  Shortly after, we had the pleasure of catching several tunes from Sassafraz, a super talented group from Columbus which produced The Werks' newest band member, Jake Goldberg (bass).  Our first journey to the "Big Tent" led us to Mister F, who provided some serious funk prior to Dopapod taking the main stage.

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Dopapod has quickly become one of the jam/festival scenes hottest acts, and their success is justified with every performance.  Watching those guys perform, with a beautiful sunset in the distance, made for a very special moment early on.  We even got to sing "Happy Birthday" to the bands audio engineer/light designer Luke Stratton, as the band called him to the stage for a cake presentation.  Shortly after sunset, the crowd shifted just a matter of feet to the "Side Stage," where America's favorite power funk army Turkuaz ignited one of the biggest dance parties of the weekend.  It's truly amazing to witness the production and chemistry of this band in person.  They advertise "power funk," and they absolutely deliver "power funk."

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

The main stage was now set for the weekend's first set from The Werks, who took the stage fully participating in the evening's "track suit" theme.  The band came out firing with classics such as "For Today," "For You," and "Fire Eater," and even debuted a cover of Elton John's "The Circle of Life" from The Lion King.  A classic duel on the keys between Dan Shaw and special guest Todd Stoops occured during "G-Funk," before a massive "Hard to Find" > "Cloud Hopper" > "Hard to Find" would close out the set.  This was particularly satisfying, as my last Werks festival set was cut short when a nasty thunderstorm hit during "Cloud Hopper" at AURA earlier this year.  Another cover was debuted for the encore when the band busted out "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas.  Somehow or another, Lettuce was up next for a late night set in the big tent, and night one at The Werk Out couldn't have been much hotter.

Watch The Werks perform "G-Funk" with special guest Todd Stoops here:

Video by izeoftheworldphotos

Photos by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Day two at Legend Valley picked up right where Thursday left off, and the party was alive and well in The Big Tent by early afternoon.  The Big Damn Jam served as a touching tribute to Norman Dimitrouleas, the former keyboardist of The Werks who tragically passed away in January of this year.  Norman had always wanted the band to play The Beatles' Abbey Road in it's entirety, and his brother Dino, Todd Stoops, and many others performed the album in epic fashion.  Next up was an early afternoon dose of heavy funk courtesy of Kung Fu, a band that always brings the party and never disappoints.  

Anyone that has been to a music festival understands that you have to be strategic; often leaving one set earlier than you would like to in order to catch one of those "must see" bands.  This was the story of Friday afternoon, but that's definitely not a bad problem to have.  It was now time for CBDB to kick off a 60-minute set it in The Big Tent.  These guys never cease to amaze me.  This would be the band's first performance with bassist Mike Sinopole, and you would've thought he'd been with the band for years.  The highlight of the set came in the form of two debuts: a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Loose Lucy" followed by a brand new original, "She's Mobile."  I can't help but predict very big things to come for CBDB in the near future.

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

We quickly made it back to the main stage as Twiddle kicked off their set with the classic "Jamflowman."  It had been way too long since I had seen these guys, and I was quickly reminded why they have really blown up recently.  Fortunately, they were scheduled for an additional set on Saturday, which allowed me to scoot back over to The Big Tent just in time for Backup Planet, one of the most promising young bands I have seen in years.  I was introduced to this band earlier this year at AURA Music & Arts Festival, when they delivered one of my favorite sets of the weekend.  These guys managed to exceed some very high expectations.  Backup Planet is the real deal, and they might have the best cover of "Whipping Post" that I've ever heard.

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Dopapod was now back on the main stage for another amazing sunset performance, only to be followed by a wildly energetic set on the side stage from live electronic act Zoogma.  I've had the pleasure of watching Zoogma work their way up from the college bar scene to the national festival scene, and I couldn't be happier for their success.  You get everything from electronic blues/rock to hip-hop with Zoogma, and how could you not get down to that?

The stage was now set for one of the weekend's biggest moments: two full sets of STS9.  There was a significant number of the Tribe faithful who came to The Werk Out specifically for this moment, and they were rewarded with a stellar festival performance.  The first set had two extremely unfortunate moments; the first of which involved a fan hopping on stage, climbing on drummer Zach Velmer's kit, and taking a trust fall onto the drummer mid-song.  Velmer handled the situation like the true professional that he is, and the band picked up right where they left off.  The set was then cut short due to technical/power issues, but the band returned for it's second set and gave Legend Valley an absolute gem.  The "Hubble" > "Orbital" > "Hubble" segue was as tight as anything I've heard from this band.  "World Go Round" made for an epic dance party to close out the set, and the "Breathe In" encore was simply perfect.  I couldn't have more respect for this band's response to a few unfortunate issues that were out of their control.

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

It was now time for The Werks to continue the party in the big tent, which some might have seen as a difficult task after two powerful sets of STS9.  The boys kicked things off with a bang as they worked through the powerful instrumental "Lights Out," followed by the first "Transformational" since November of 2015.  They even finished the "Cloudhopper" from Thursday night.  Dino Dimitrouleas returned to the stage for an extended jam on "Rollin," and two of my personal favorites, "Find Your Way" and "You're Not Alone," closed out the set in heavy fashion.  

You would think this had to be the end of the evening, but the most unique moment of the night was yet to come.  The stage was now set for Twerkapod, a one-time 90's tribute set featuring a rotating cast of members from The Werks, Dopapod, and Twiddle.  What proceeded after 2:30 AM was nothing short of beautiful, epic, and hilarious.  For a more detailed recap and video footage of the Twerkapod set, click here.

Watch Twerkapod perform Blues Traveler's "Run Around" here:

Video by Charles Izenstark: izeoftheworldphotos

As we entered the final day at Legend Valley, the positive energy was contagious, and we were faced with yet another killer lineup.  Broccoli Samurai kicked things off early on the main stage, and these guys blew my mind.  The Cleveland-based four-piece held down a ridiculously melodic groove from start to finish, and they have some of the best song titles I've ever heard of.  I'm really looking forward to following this band moving forward.  

Members of The Werks, Twiddle, and Greensky Bluegrass joined forces for the Matt Butler's Everyone Orchestra, which opened things up for some truly amazing improv jamming.  I had heard a lot about this project over the years, but this was my first time witnessing it in person.  The constantly rotating cast always brings something new to each stage, and watching this collection of musicians in this capacity was a definite highlight.  BIG Something proceeded to absolutely crush the side stage, while The Werks headed over to the VIP tent for a three-song acoustic set which included Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer," "Fall," and "Better Than Before."  This was my first time seeing these guys in an acoustic setting, and it only further affirmed how diverse this band can be.

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Greensky Bluegrass was next up on the main stage for one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend.  We took advantage of the grass hill back toward the vendors to enjoy the set full of all of the Greensky classics.  It had been quite some time since I'd had the pleasure of seeing these guys live, and damn...they were amazing.  They even brought out Mihali Savoulidis from Twiddle for "Last Winter in Copper County."  As soon as Greensky finished, Twiddle would take the side stage by storm for their second set of the weekend, which featured many of my favorites, such as "Be There," "Lost in the Cold," Syncopated Healing," and "Frankenfoote."  

Watch video footage of Greensky Bluegrass w/ Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle here:

Video by Charles Izenstark: izeoftheworldphotos

The main stage was now set for what you could easily call the weekend's main event.  The Werks were slated for two sets, and they took the stage in full tuxedos.  "Alive" kicked off the set and bust outs of "Give or Take" and "Cruel Stone Blues" would follow.  The always powerful "OG" ultimately led into a cover of Edgar Winter Group's "Frankenstein" which closed out the first set in epic fashion.  "Drop" kicked off the second set, which has to be one of the most clever songs in recent history.  An extended "Werk Out Jam" moved into an "Immigrant Song Jam," and things truly took off from there.  

The sequence of "Finding Destiny" > "Galactic Passport" > "Finding Destiny" > "Galactic Passport" > "Finding Destiny" was on another level.  A raging rendition of "Onslaught" provided a classic Werks rager to close the second set.  The decision to encore with "Carry Me Back Home" came as no surprise, as the emotional tune had not been played since prior to the passing of Norman Dimitrouleas.  Dino returned to the stage for this one, which was an emotional, touching tribute to say the least.  Midway through the song, Rob Chafin addressed the audience and invited the entire Werk Out crew to the stage for the song's closing chorus. 

Watch The Werks' perform "Carry Me Back Home" here:

Videos by Charles Izenstark: izeoftheworldphotos

As many readers will understand, you're just never going to make it to every set that you plan for over the course of a weekend festival.  After three full days and two very late nights, I didn't have it in me to make it back over to The Big Tent for the two remaining sets from The Motet and Earphunk (Daft Phunk).  This was defintely my biggest regret of the weekend, but as the old saying goes, "You can't make 'em all."  There was a noticeable buzz amongst the campground surrounding both late night sets, and it sounds like Earphunk went above and beyond, with a set that went far beyond the time they were obligated to play until.  This came as no surprise, as that's the type of performance that those guys are known to give.  

As I wrap up what is easily one of the longest articles in the history of this website, I can't help but wonder if there is anyone who has actually continued reading to this point.  For anyone who has, thank you for reading through my memories of this amazing weekend.  There is no brief or concise way to justifiably recount this experience.  When thousands of fans come from every corner of the country to gather in the spirit of music and art, it is truly a beautiful thing.  The Werk Out was circled on my calendar for several months, and the anticipation which surrounded it was very real.  My expectations couldn't have been much higher, and they were exceeded each and every night.  I can't say enough about the job that Rob Chafin and the entire Werks crew has done in building and growing this festival into what it has become.  The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival was an experience that I will never forget, and I can't wait to return in 2017.

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions

Live & Listen's 'Bands You Should Know': BIG Something July 15, 2016 01:38

Photo by Jordan August Photography

Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

BIG Something formed in North Carolina in 2009, and it didn't take long for things to really start clicking.  Tell me a little bit about how everything came together, and how things have progressed since.

Nick: Well, I grew up in Maryland but ended up going to a small school in North Carolina called Elon University.  That’s where I met a few of the guys in the band.  We played in another band called Anonymous, or The Anonymous Band, for a little while.  We got started as a college band and played every week at a local bar.  Slowly but surely, we met a few of the other guys, and that’s how BIG Something was formed.  Everybody came into the picture, and things kind of fell into place from there.  

Right on.  So it didn’t take too long for you guys to get into the studio and cut your first album.  You worked with Grammy-nominated producer John Custer on Stories From the Middle of Nowhere in 2010, right?

Nick:  Yea John kind of helped us create a new identity for the band.  That first album that we released was how we introduced the name of the band.  It kind of took off from there.  

It seems like the initial response from that album was strong, to say the least.  You guys won an Homegrown Music Network’s “Album of the Year” award.  The album spent several weeks at #1 on Jambands.com’s charts.

Nick: It was received a lot better than I was expecting.  Ever since then, every album that we have recorded has been with John (Custer).  We try and grow a little bit on each one and give them their own unique touch.  We actually have a new album that we’re releasing sometime this fall.  We haven’t really released too much information on it yet, but it was recorded with John, and we’re all really excited about it. It will be our fourth full length album.

Very cool.  It seems like whatever he is doing in the studio certainly works.  Makes perfect sense to continue working with him.

Nick:  Yeah man.  John is awesome.  He’s kind of like our seventh man, in a way.  He helps keep the band moving forward and really brings the best performance out of each of us.  It’s really great having him there in the studio.

So I was first introduced to you guys thanks to Sirius JamOn.  I distinctly remember the first time I heard "Megalodon" in the car in early 2015, and it's been one of my go-to songs ever since.  It grabs people’s attention from the first note.  It took me a while to realize that the song is about a shark, right?

Nick:  Right.  It usually takes people a couple of listens to figure out that it’s about floating in the ocean with a shark kind of circling around and waiting to attack.  It can be interpreted in a bunch of different ways.  We kind of left it open to interpretation on purpose.

I can see that.  That song is really powerful.  I guess maybe a better word would be explosive.  It’s one that you just can’t turn off once it starts, and I’ve yet to get tired of hearing it.  DJ Logic really adds a nice touch to it as well.  It had to be fun to bring him in for that one.  Had you guys worked with him before the recording?

Nick:  We had done some shows with him and he ended up sitting in on that song live with us one night at a Widespread Panic afterparty in Wilmington NC. And it was just so dope and such a perfect fit for the song. We knew we were about to record later that year and everyone was like 'lets get Logic to sit in on the track.' So we invited him to do it, but he wasn't available to come record in person so we actually had him send in his parts digitally. Really happy we got him on there and made it work cause I love the way it turned out. 

Watch BIG Something's official music video for "Megalodon" here:

I've noticed what seems to be a recurring outer space theme with you guys.  You have the live album Live From Uranus, the song "UFOs are real"…And it really seems to fall in line with the Big Something funk sound.  Would I be correct in assuming this is a special interest for you guys?

Nick: Absolutely.  I think we’re all kind of space geeks, and space in general is a big theme that happens with the band in a lot of different ways.  Even with the name of the band, BIG Something, it’s kind of a metaphor for outer space in and of itself.  The sound of the band definitely has a spacey influence that kind of plays into that imagery. There are a lot of lyrics that deal with outer space as well; UFOs and things like that.  

That’s a really cool concept.  Outer space is obviously an endless topic.  I’m sure that delving into that world through the songwriting process can take you to some really interesting places.  

Nick:  Yeah…it really all comes from the name BIG Something.  Looking at that bigger picture of the universe at large is a big part of it.  

So we already talked a little bit about the band’s debut album.  You’ve since released the live album (Live from Uranus), as well as BIG Something and Truth Syrum.   Now that you’ve finished recording the next release, how would you say that each experience has been different from the other?  Have you taken a different approach each go-round?

Nick: (laughs) Yes. The first two albums (Stories From the Middle of Nowhere and BIG Something) were recorded in a private home. The second one (Truth Syrum) was recorded in a storage unit. And the new album was actually recorded in a really legit, nice studio.  We spent a week at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina.  A bunch of great artists have recorded there.  Making this album in a real studio was a really special experience.   I think you can definitely hear it in the final result.

So how did you guys end up recording in the storage unit?

Nick:  So, it’s kind of a makeshift recording studio.  It was actually a nice space and pretty decent studio, but it just happened to be inside of a storage unit (laughs).  Each album has definitely had their own feel and unique qualities.

Watch BIG Something perform "UFOs Are Real" at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington, NC here:

I know you said you guys aren’t revealing much about the new album, so I won’t ask much.  Is this going to be a lot of totally new material, or do you guys like to test them out in a live setting and let them develop before taking them into the studio?

Nick:  Absolutely.  A lot of the songs have been played out on the road, so it’s really road tested and still has a great live feel to it.  What usually ends up happening with us is we will write some new material, and then we’ll tour on it and let it develop and tighten.  Then we will record it.  None of these songs had ever been recorded, but they have all been played on the road many times. They have taken on a new life in the studio so it will be cool to see how people respond to that. 

That seems to be a pretty common practice.  Getting that initial crowd reaction, feeling the energy in the room, and seeing how that translates over must make a big impact on the decision as to what makes the final cut for the album. 

Nick:  Absolutely.  We try to be a good studio band and a good live band.  That’s not necessarily the same thing.  There is a balance to how you do stuff in the studio.  We’ve learned that over the course of doing each of these four albums.  It’s definitely going to have a slightly different feel to it.  It’s going to be a little heavier, a little darker.  I think it will be the most progressive sounding album we have released yet.  I’m excited about it.  We’re still figuring out when it will be released, but we’re looking at the fall. 

You've had a very busy year; touring with The Werks in the spring and landing several great festival spots. Just finished up a run out west, and it looked like this weekend's set at The Ride Festival was a big one.  What are a few of the highlights from 2016 thus far?

Nick: You know you pretty much just covered all of them.  That run with The Werks was really great.  We got to play a lot of awesome venues and new cities with them.  We had a great show out in Denver on that run.  We played Detroit for the first time.  It was a packed house, and that was awesome.  This past weekend in Telluride was really special.  I’d say that was probably in everyone’s top 5 experiences as a band.  The setting was so beautiful, and playing that little stage tucked into the mountains in front of one of the biggest crowds that we have ever played for was such a rush. 

We’ve got our own festival, The Big What?, coming up, and that’s always a big highlight for us. The experience of recording the album in Asheville was amazing too.  We got to all stay together in an artist house in Asheville. We cooked dinner every night and had a lot of fun with it. It’s the first time we’ve ever recorded like that, where we’ve had a little band retreat; shacking up and cutting off communication with the outside world and knocking it out over the span of 2 weeks instead of a little at a time over several months. Its a more clear snap shot of the band. We just focused on recording, and it was really, really cool.  

There’s a lot of great things happening.  Wanee was absolutely incredible. We played at 11AM, and I was on stage brushing my teeth literally 10 minutes before we started.  All of the sudden, out of nowhere, a couple thousand people came down to the stage.  It was packed.  I wasn’t really expecting it to be like that, but it was great. Jam Cruise is coming up, which is really exciting.  Peach Festival is another really big one we're honored to be a part of.  

That venue (Wanee) is absolutely amazing.  That amphitheater stage, surrounded by all of the Spanish moss trees, might be my favorite place to see a band.  I haven’t had the chance to get out to Red Rocks or The Gorge yet, but I absolutely love Suwannee.  I can’t imagine how great the energy is as a performer.

Nick:  There is a palpable energy there.  That’s for sure.  You kind of have to soak it up.  There isn’t much you can say to describe it, but it is a very special place.  It’s one of my favorite places to play music as well. 

If I’ve ever been anywhere that has felt like there is a little bit of magic in the air, it’s definitely Suwannee. You know?

Nick:  Oh yeah.  I would suggest trying to see a show out in Telluride.  It has that same type of vibe to it.  There’s just a spirit in the air. 

I definitely need to spend some time out there.  Let’s talk about The Big What?, which is coming up next weekend in North Carolina.  You've put together an amazing lineup this year with The Werks, Turkuaz, Zach Deputy, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, etc.  The festival is now in it's 5th year.  How did this event originally come together, and how critical has it been for the development of the band to have this big annual party?

Nick: It’s interesting. It’s been through a progression on it’s own in a lot of different ways.  When we first started doing it, we had already been doing our own little festival-like parties out on farms in North Carolina.  Through doing that, we started meeting more and more people within this community in North Carolina.  Everyone started coming together, and we decided we wanted to do a BIG Something-themed festival and bring all of these different communities together.  We wanted to do our own thing and make it unique.  

So we called it The Big What?, which is kind of a joke and a play on the band’s name itself.  People always ask us if we forgot our own band name.  “The Big Something?  The Big What?”  That’s where the name of the festival came from.  It’s been a really awesome way to help spread the word about the band. People come from far and wide. It has become such a positive weekend for us, and there is just a great community of people involved.  It’s all about southern hospitality, and everyone seems to take care of each other.  

Here lately, we’ve been trying to not let The Big What? take over our entire focus as a band.  We have our sights set on playing other parts of the country and not letting the festival define us. Obviously we still put our heart and soul into it. It’s a great piece of the puzzle, but we have a lot of other stuff that we want to try and get to as we continue our musical adventure.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets to The Big What?

Watch the official recap video from The Big What? (2015) here:

I’m sure it never hurts to have an event like this, where so many of your biggest fans get to come together for the weekend.  It’s cool that you get to include so many other bands who are in similar places as a band.  Like you said, it brings a really great group of people together, and it seems like it’s mutually beneficial for the fans and performers alike. I’d love to make it up there next weekend.

Nick: You should definitely come if you can, man.  If not, no worries, but it’s definitely a good time.  I think you would like it.  It’s kind of got a vibe like Suwannee, where there is just an energy in the air.  It’s a special thing for all of us. 

Where is it located in North Carolina?

Nick: It’s kind of near Chapel Hill and Durham.  It’s right between Greensboro and Raleigh on a 300-acre farm right off of Interstate 40.  It will be three nights, Thursday to Saturday, July 21st-23rd.

I’m a big fan of the Thursday to Saturday schedule.  There’s nothing worse than having to leave a festival on Sunday afternoon and miss an act you really wanted to see.  It happens though, as sometimes you have a long trek home and obligations on Monday.

Nick: It makes it a lot easier on our staff too.  People are pretty worn out by that point in time.  

I think everybody wins with that formula   So I know you’ve had the opportunity to share the stage with some amazing bands: Robert Randolph & The Family band, The B52s, Galactic just to name a few.  What do you consider some of the biggest moments this band has had on stage? 

Nick: All of those that you just mentioned were really special.  Playing in front of The B52’s in front of 8,000 people at an outdoor amphitheater was probably our first “big moment”.  That was crazy.  We ended up meeting a lot of people after that show.  That was actually on a day where we played three shows in one day.  We played a beer festival in Charlotte at like noon.  Then we drove to Raleigh and played at the amphitheater with the B52’s in front of 8,000 people. Then we went and played small, crazy hippie festival in the woods that night in front of like 500 people.  It was such a wide range of shows.  That was a fun day.

Opening for Galactic at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater was really awesome.  Same thing with Robert Randolph.  We’ve done a bunch of shows with other bands that we really love and look up to.  Dopapod…it’s always fun playing with those guys.  Pigeons Playing Ping Pong…we’ve done a bunch of great shows with them.  Our buddies - Spiritual Rez up in Boston.  We’ve had some great shows with Zach Deputy.  Our first time out to Colorado was such a special experience; just because of the way people embrace music out there. All of our first shows out there were just crazy.  We weren’t expecting it at all.  It was just like, “Wow!  Let’s keep coming back here. Its like the promised land."

Well before we wrap things up, I know you mentioned several big festivals coming up.  It looks like you guys have dates announced up to early October at this point.  Then you have the album release this fall.  What else can people expect from BIG Something here in the second half of 2016?  Will you guys be spending most of your time on the road?

Nick: Yes…we’re going to pick up touring in September, and from that point on, it’s going to be pretty heavy. We’re going to hit as many spots all over the country as we possibly can.  We’re trying to team up with a bunch of different bands over the course of the year, so there should be some really good shows in there that we haven’t announced yet.  We also do our own Halloween show at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh called The Big Something Costume Ball. That’s always really fun.  We always plan our set around some crazy theme, and it’s always a surprise.  Last year, it was two sets, and we did an angels set and a devils set.  The first set was all kind of heaven-inspired songs, and the second set was all related to hell and fire and all of that. 

We’re doing New Year’s Eve again at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, which is always fun.  We’re playing Catskill Chill for the first time. That’s going to be great.  We’re really looking forward to playing  Marvin’s Mountain Top, where All Good used to be.  That’s for a new festival in September called Deep Roots River Revival.  Then of course there is JamCruise, which is a dream come true. We’re really excited about that.

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