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Ready for Festival Season: Catching up with SunSquabi April 28, 2019 18:51

Photo by Chester Pink

Spring time is without a doubt one of the most exciting, critical times of the year for any nationally touring act. Festival season is shifting into full gear, and countless artists are preparing to take the stage in the hopes of blowing the minds of their loyal fans and, hopefully, picking up some new followers along the way. Just over a week ago, many of my favorite acts gathered at Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park for the annual SweetWater 420 Festival. This year's lineup was as impressive and diverse as ever, and honestly, I'm still trying to digest everything that went down.

After several years of listening and watching from afar, I finally had a chance to catch one of my favorite electronic funk acts: SunSquabi. We actually sat down to discuss their latest tour, the new album (Instinct), festival season, and much more prior to their set. See below for the full conversation with Kevin Donohue (guitar/keys/production), Josh Fairman (bass), and Chris Anderson (drums) and make sure to keep an eye out for these guys this summer!

You guys recently completed a big spring tour. Now you're here in Atlanta as you kick off festival season. How have things been going overall? Any highlights?

Kevin: It's really been phenomenal, since all the way back to October. We've been traveling to different parts of the southeast. All up and down the northeast and over to the west coast. It's tough to say what the highlights would be. It's been a very consistent and strong tour all the way through.

Josh: We played our first show in DC. It was a packed, sold out show, which was really cool.

Chris: In Boston, we got to play with my little brother on violin. That was a big highlight for me. It's pretty special to get to play with family.

Kevin: It was great getting back out to Seattle and northern California. We hadn't been up that way in about two years, so it was great seeing all of the fans in that area. We played Los Angeles for the first time: sold out. We played San Diego for the first time: sold out. It's crazy to see the growth and love.

Josh: It was the best tour we've ever had. For sure.

That's amazing. Keep that momentum rolling right into festival season. So you released a new album, Instinct, earlier this year. How was this recording experience different from those in the past?

Kevin: I think the meat of it is really cool. We did a lot more live recording, which gives it a really unique sound. All three of us were able to play in the studio together and feed off of the improvisation we came up with on tour. These ideas would evolve night by night. We were able to come home and live record these ideas instead of writing them from scratch, which we had done more of in the past. A few of the songs still developed that way, but the meat of it had a really fresh feel to it.

Josh: It's also the first full length record that I've played on.

Kevin: That's right. First full length with Josh. A lot more analog synths. Been doing a lot of production techniques that we're just learning this year. Using less mics and taking a more minimalistic approach with the electronic sounds as well. Just using what you need to get the juice out of certain sounds that you want.

Chris: We did a lot of songs that came to us through improvisation. Everything evolved from there. We got a lot out of the entire process. It was a really fun recording experience.

From what I've heard, one of the next things we can expect is a remix on a Lettuce tune. Is that something you can elaborate on?

Kevin: Absolutely. It will be released as soon as we complete the finishing touches. We have some killer artwork that Mike Tallman did for us. I'm expecting that it will be released during mid to late May. We've been working on it for about a year and a half. We got the samples from Adam Dietch (drummer from Lettuce) a while back. He's a really good friend of ours in Denver.

It's been one of those things where you're chipping away at this project for a while. It was essentially finished about a year ago. They asked us to hold off until the entire LP remix was finished. We decided we would play it live and keep making it doper. We've continued to add little things to it. It's a super crazy, psychedelic track. I think putting off the release was actually a blessing. It's given us another six months to refine it.

Check out SunSquabi's "Night Moth" here:

It's funny how things work out sometimes. Which Lettuce track is this again?

Kevin: It's called "The Love You Left Behind." It's got these great female vocals in it and a lot of great guitar playing.

Josh: Lettuce is collectively one of our favorite bands. They're definitely an inspiration to us.

Kevin: Working with them directly was pretty special. Hopefully we'll be able to play some more shows with those guys in the future.

That would make for a hell of a pairing. There wouldn't be a dull moment on a Lettuce / SunSquabi bill.

Kevin: We like to think so too. (laughs).

Getting back to the topic of festival season. You guys are playing Bonnaroo this year. That's obviously a big deal. Camp Bisco and Summer Camp are also coming up.

Kevin: We're stoked to play three sets at Summer Camp this year.

Chris: There's also Disc Jam up in New York.

Kevin: I'm really excited about getting back to Summer Camp. I think we were there for six years in a row. Last year, we did Electric Forest instead, which was awesome. Summer Camp brings together a lot of our closest friends.

Chris: It was one of the first festivals we ever played back in...2012?

Kevin: There's a little bit of a different feel with not playing there last year. We're coming back this time around, and we get to play three sets.

Josh: I'm also really excited for ARISE Music Festival. It's basically the highest we've ever been billed on a festival. It's right at home in Colorado, so that's our big summer play for the hometown people.

Chris: We're playing The Werk Out Festival in Ohio. That's gonna be a really fun one. There are a couple more announcements coming as well.

Well you've obviously got two big sets coming up this evening. First, you get to play a prime time set this evening here at SweetWater 420 Festival. Then you're heading over to Aisle 5 for an afterparty that's been sold out for weeks. How do you formulate the setlists on a day like today. What's the strategy with the festival set versus the late night set?

Kevin: Honestly, it's different every single time. We've had a pretty crazy 24 hours getting down here. We'll take this whirlwind of energy and channel it directly into the music. Take that energy and turn it into something constructive for everyone. I think we're gonna play pretty loud, fast, and hardcore today. We're a little pissed off (laughs). You know what I mean? We will probably write the setlist shortly after we finish this interview.

For the late night set, we won't really worry about that until we get there. We're gonna play what we want to play today. No repeats ever, obviously. Even though, it's a much smaller club. There are going to be a lot more people here. We try not to let too many outside factors play into the set. Just play what we're feeling at the moment. That feels like the most genuine approach, when you're put on a platform of a festival. Be yourself.

Josh: With the late nights, we tend to have more sit-ins and experimental jams.

Are there any confirmed guests for the Aisle 5 show tonight?

Kevin: We've talked to a few people. [Michael] Menert is in town, so I think he's gonna stop by and do some free styling. We've been doing that with him for years. It's crazy. The late nights are always fun. We tend to get pretty loose. We've been looking forward to this day for a while now.

Check out a few shots from SunSquabi at 420 Fest via Ryan Lewis:

Joe Russo's Almost Dead Shares Official Recording From 420 Fest May 25, 2018 15:04

Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

It's been just over a month since the magic of SweetWater 420 Festival, and we're still reeling from those two smokin' hot sets from Joe Russo's Almost Dead. The supergroup featuring Joe Russo (drums), Marco Benevento (keys/organ), Tom Hamilton (guitar/vocals), Dave Dreiwitz (bass), and Scott Metzger (guitar/vocals) made their presence known in Atlanta for the second consecutive year (Candler Park Fest 2017), setting the stage for an unforgettable headlining set from Tedeschi Trucks Band.

The first set kicked off with the Jerry Garcia Band classic "Cats Down Under The Stars," with Dead originals "Feel Like A Stranger," "The Wheel," "Estimated Prophet," and "He's Gone" to follow. The second set started with a monster "Shakedown Street," and powerful takes on "I Need A Miracle," "Ramble On Rose," "China Cat Sunflower," "I Know You Rider," "Drums," "Not Fade Away," "Turn On Your Lovelight (jam)," and a fitting "One More Saturday Night" would round things out.

Fortunately, the band has now released the official recording from this set, which can be streamed in its entirety below. You can also find the official setlist, which includes all of the wild teases and sub notes, courtesy of JRAD tour manager Peter Costello below.

Setlist: Joe Russo's Almost Dead - Atlanta, GA - 04.21.2018

Set One (5:12PM – 6:13PM): Jam -> Cats Under The Stars -> Feel Like A Stranger @, The Wheel # -> Estimated Prophet $ -> He’s Gone %

Set Two (6:42PM – 7:58PM): Shakedown Street ^ -> ’73 Changes (Eyes) Jam & -> Shakedown Street Reprise * -> I Need A Miracle -> Jam + -> Ramble On Rose, China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider @@ -> Drums -> Not Fade Away ## -> (Turn On Your) Lovelight Jam $$ -> Not Fade Away Reprise, One More Saturday Night

@ – With a “Standing on the Verge of Getting It On” (George Clinton, Eddie Hazel) Tease (MB) & an Unknown Tease (MB)
# – With a a Playin Jam (Band) and a Dark Star Tease (DD)
$ – With a “Soulful Strut” (Young Holt Limited) Jam (SM then Band)
% – With a The Wheel Tease (TH)
^ – With a Feel Like a Stranger Tease (TH) and then a Feel Like a Stranger Jam (Band)
& – First Time Played by Almost Dead as a stand alone segment (AKA NOT as the ending to Eyes of the World)
* – Not Played by Almost Dead since 2015-02-15 Ogden Theater, Denver, CO a gap of 129 shows, with an I Need A Miracle Tease (TH)
+ – With a Tennessee Jed Tease (SM)
@@ – With a Playin Tease (SM) & Morning Dew Teases (TH)
## – With a “Revelry” (Traditional) Tease (SM)
$$ – Not Played by Almost Dead since 2016-12-30 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY, a gap of 55 shows

SweetWater 420 Festival Reveals Stacked Afterparty Lineup March 1, 2018 17:11

Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

As if we needed any additional reasons to be excited about SweetWater 420 Festival, we now have a killer variety of afterparties to choose from each night. The majority of these shows involve bands and/or members of bands already playing the weekend's festival. We'll break it down by the various venues involved, which include Terminal West, Variety Playhouse, and Aisle 5.

First off, you have arguably the jam scene's hottest act in Spafford playing a late night set at Terminal West on Friday night. Saturday night will see a rare late night acoustic performance from Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger of Umphrey's McGee. Tickets on sale Friday, March 2nd at 4:20 PM EST.

Secondly, Aisle 5 will feature a slew of amazing up-and-coming acts between Wednesday and Sunday night. Wednesday's show will involve a variety of Atlanta's top local talent performing as the "Atlanta Super Jam." Friday's afterparty features Voodoo Visionary with support from The Groove Orient and PK.Kid. Superstar drummer Nikki Glaspie will lead The Nth Power on Saturday night with support from The 4 Korners. Sunday's late night set will feature local jamband Bird Dog Jubilee with support from another local collective in the form of 'Super Jam Allstars'. Tickets on sale Friday, March 2nd at 4:20 PM EST.

Last, and certainly not least, Variety Playhouse will provide the weekend's final entertainment. Members of Umphrey's McGee and TAUK will join forces as TAUKing McGee. This is sure to be a mind blowing set of high energy jams and beautiful improvisation. With The String Cheese Incident playing the official pre-party at Variety Playhouse on Thursday night, those in attendance can expect to see some magical moments in Little 5 Points. Tickets on sale Friday, March 2nd at 4:20 PM EST.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets to SweetWater 420 Festival

Watch TAUKing McGee perform Bonobo's "Circus" at B.B. Kings here:

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.

SweetWater 420 Fest Adds Ween, Lettuce, + More To 2017 Lineup November 11, 2016 15:07

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

Just last month, SweetWater 420 Festival made its initial lineup announcement featuring many of the jam scenes heaviest hitters. Earlier this morning, the festival announced the addition of Ween, Lettuce, Dirty Heads, Savoy its 2017 lineup. These bands join an already stacked bill which includes Trey Anastasio Band, Widespread Panic, Slightly Stoopid, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Dark Star Orchestra, Anders Osborne, and many more at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on April 21st - 23rd. The festival plans to add more artists to the lineup in the near future, so stay tuned for more updates!

Click Here: Sweetater 420 Fest Official Website / Ticket Info