Here's Why We Can't Wait For Purple Hatter's Ball May 30, 2018 00:05

Purple Hatter's Ball 2018 will showcase a diverse line-up of music on two stages including the picturesque Amphitheater Stage surrounded by massive live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, and the much-loved Beach Stage which offers plenty of shaded area for dancing during daytime sets and sun drenched sand along the black Suwannee River, where festival goers chill on inflatable rafts and play games. PHB 2018 will be headlined by seven-piece super funk futurists Lettuce, who are known for throwing down some of their best live performances on the SOSMP Amphitheater Stage, and Arizona-based four piece Spafford, who are in the midst of a meteoric rise within the jam scene, taking over airwaves on Sirius XM’s JamOn. Also performing is Breaking Biscuits featuring Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein from The Disco Biscuits, and Adam Deitch and Borham Lee of Break Science. The experimental band has only played a handful of shows, and this marks their first performance in the southeast.

Additional artists on the lineup include: Florida-based jam aficionados The Heavy Pets, who are currently touring behind their new full-length album Strawberry Mansion; the one-and-only sacred steel master Roosevelt Collier and his band whose Exit 16 debut album recently dropped on GroundUp Music; Toubab Krewe with their energetic instrumental world music that blends Caribbean, Malian and influences from the “Dirty South”; the conscious world-reggae sounds of DubConscious - Rachel’s favorite band;  and twin producer–duo MZG. Additional performers include Southern Avenue, Hivemind, Catfish Alliance, Trial By Stone, and Vlad The Inhaler.

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Purple Hatter’s Ball is the perfect opportunity to experience the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park festival grounds, during a laid-back, intimate and affordable event. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the park’s endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, biking, and disc golf.  There is no better way to experience Spirit of the Suwannee in style. The park also offers guest comforts including a general store, a full-service restaurant, showers and water stations.

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Here's a taste of what you can expect from the 2018 PHB lineup:

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Lettuce will bring an unmatchable level of explosive funk to the table.

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You've surely heard the Spafford hype. It's very real. Just wait.

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Break Science meets The Disco Biscuits: Need we say more?

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Toubab Krewe is back with a vengeance. Is there a more unique band out there?

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Suwannee is essentially home turf for The Heavy Pets. These guys always deliver. 

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Speaking of home turf...expect to see your fair share of Dr. Roosevelt Collier.

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Photos by Rex-A-Vision

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

CukoRakko Fam Jam Sparks New Musical Tradition In Birmingham May 23, 2018 13:05

Suwannee Hulaween Reveals Heavy Hitting 2018 Lineup May 23, 2018 10:15

Photo by Keith Griner: Phierce Photo

The String Cheese Incident, Jamiroquai, ODESZA, Janelle Monáe, Tipper, The Revivalists, Vulfpeck, STS9, REZZ, Tory Lanez, Gramatik, NGHTMRE, Action Bronson, Lettuce, Trampled By Turtles, Stephen Marley, Bishop Briggs, Dr. Dog, TroyBoi, Medeski Martin & Wood, Lizzo, Mavis Staples, Emancipator Ensemble, Snakehips, The Wood Brothers, Galactic, The Polish Ambassador & The Diplomatic Scandal, Manic Focus & The MF’n Band, OPIUO, Yonder Mountain String Band, Turkuaz, Trevor Hall, SunSquabi, Soulection, Justin Martin, Fisher, Bustle In Your Hedgerow, and MORE

Tickets On Sale Now at www.suwanneehulaween.com

Today Suwannee Hulaween, one of North America’s premiere multi-faceted boutique festival experiences, has revealed the complete musical lineup for its 2018 event. This all-encompassing collection of some of live and electronic music’s most revered talent will offer fans an essential soundtrack for another fully immersive creative journey at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak Florida October 26-28.

Hulaween prides itself on assembling a who’s who billing of scene leading talent with a focus on defying genre boundaries and attracting all tastes. The 2018 festival will feature headlining sets from the likes of longtime host band of the festival The String Cheese Incident, plus a top billing of Grammy award winners and nominees featuring live-electronic front runners ODESZA, a South-East exclusive and one of just five 2018 North American performances by modern funk icons Jamiroquai, and very special showing by singer-songwriter Janelle Monae on the wake of her blowout Dirty Computer record. The star-studded billing continues with the reigning king of west coast bass Tipper, five piece American funk band Vulfpeck, multiple sets by leaders of the post-rock dance movement STS9, the alternative radio chart topping wonder of The Revivalists, dark-electro wunderkind Rezz, plus the unique electronic stylings of Gramatik, NGHTMRE, Troyboi, Snakehips, Emancipator Ensemble, Manic Focus & the MF’n Band, Justin Martin, Kill Frenzy,  and many more.

In Suwannee Hulaween Talent Buyer & Partner Michael Berg’s own words, “Our entire team obsesses over the lineup from top to bottom. Within our means, we strive to make sure it's exactly what the #HulaCrew is looking for musically when they come visit us in FL for the weekend at Suwannee. While there are many acts procured and/or lost throughout the difficult booking process, the 2018 lineup came together magically and feels like in year 6, it's our strongest to date."

"One special artist addition for us all this year was landing 1 of only 5 total US Jamiroquai performances for their first time stateside in 13+ years. This will be the South East exclusive performance for the Grammy award winning pioneers of future funk from the UK. It's a full circle moment for us as fans, and a dream come true as independent promoters to work with a living legend who's music and career has had such a profound effect on our path to where & who we are."

The Hulaween experience is spawned through the unique blend of peak musical experiences with a never-ending assemblage of immersive environments and activities to explore. Hula fans may find themselves getting lost in the awe-inspiring artistic portal of Spirit Lake, starting their day with a rejuvenating yoga class, or seeking inspiration at a speaker session or workshop. Surprises hide beyond every turn at Hulaween with utmost care going into the curation of art-installations and live performers plus, of course, the unbound creativity and embracing ethos of its loyal attendees.

It is through this unique sense of community, creativity, and connection that Suwannee Hulaween has grown from a friends and family campout to one of the alternative festival scene’s most joyous reunions.

About Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Set in the midst of 800-acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress along the black Suwannee River and complete with the largest bat house in the southeast U.S, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is one of the most beautiful live music venues in the country. The park also offers guest comforts including a general store, full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms and water stations.

For More Information, Tickets, and VIP Packages for Suwannee Hulaween 2018, please visit:

WWW.SUWANNEEHULAWEEN.COM

Dickey Betts Returns To The Stage For Family Affair In Macon May 22, 2018 18:48

Words and Photos by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

After retiring from the stage in 2014, many fans were left wondering what the future would hold for legendary guitarist Dickey Betts. Best known as a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, Betts and fellow guitarist Duane Allman were said to have "rewrote the rules for how two rock guitarists can work together, completely scrapping the traditional rhythm/lead roles to stand toe to toe." Following Allman's tragic death in 1971, Betts became the band's sole guitarist and would go on to write many of the band's biggest hits, such as "Ramblin' Man," "Blue Sky," "Jessica," "Southbound," and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and GRAMMY award in the mid 90's, Betts and ABB would ultimately part ways in the summer of 2000. 

It's no secret that 2017 was an absolutely devastating year for the Allman Brothers' family. Founding drummer Butch Trucks took his own life in late January, while Gregg Allman lost a hard fought battle with liver cancer over Memorial Day weekend. Rumors of a Dickey Betts comeback tour began to surface in December, and these rumors became a reality on December 12th (his 74th birthday). While Dickey's latest band would play a 'live rehearsal show' at an intimate venue in Sarasota on May 15th, the first official gig would come on Thursday, May 17th in the Allman Brothers' home city: Macon, GA. 

Friends With Benefits Productions teamed up with Ear For Music for this special occasion at the beautiful Macon City Auditorium. The new and improved Dickey Betts Band lineup includes Damon Fowler and Dickey's son Duane Betts on guitar, Mike Kach on keyboards, bassist Pedro Arevalo and drummers Frankie Lombardi and Steve Camilleri. The bill would also include the Devon Allman Project, which features the late Gregg Allman's son, Devon, as well as Duane Betts. 

Devon Allman and company kicked off the show, which was sold out weeks in advance, in powerful fashion. We arrived just in time to hear a lively cover of The Spinners' "I'll Be There," which made room for one of Allman's many blistering guitar solos. Duane Betts would join Allman for the majority of this set, as the two have spent a significant amount of time touring together this year. The set would also include tunes such as "Mahalo," "Ten Million Slaves," "Left My Heart In Memphis," "Taking Time," "Multicolored Lady," and "Midnight Lake Michigan." The younger Allman has a tremendous stage presence and even made his way out into the crowd, as he traded licks with the younger Betts, who had the chance to play Duane Allman’s 1957 goldtop Les Paul, on loan from Macon’s Big House Museum. Allman's capability to captivate the crowd and work a stage was very much indicative of his late father's legacy. 

During intermission, I took a few minutes to walk around the venue and do a little people watching. Being in the heart of Allman Brothers country, nearly 3000 of the band's fervent fan base was out in full force. Many were decked out in vintage ABB tie dyes, beaming with excitement from ear to ear. There must have been 60-70 grown men and women standing over the area where Dickey's bus was parked, simply waiting for a chance to cheer on the legendary guitarist as he headed toward the stage. I saw multiple fans shedding tears of joy, as well as couples embracing one another as if it was their wedding night. Concerts have a way of sparking moments that are difficult to describe, and this was certainly the case on this night. The spirit of the Allman Brothers was in the air as Dickey Betts took the stage for the first time in nearly four years. 

The set began with the classic instrumental, "Hot 'Lanta," before Mike Koch led the band through the always explosive "Statesboro Blues." Slide guitarist Damon Fowler and Duane Betts wasted no time trading licks, and it wasn't long before Allman returned to lead the band through one of his father's signature songs, "Midnight Rider." A beautiful take on "Blue Sky" would follow, as well as one of Dickey Betts & Great Southern's signature tunes, "My Getaway." Two of the ABB's later releases, "Change My Way of Living" and "Seven Turns" continued pouring energy into the packed house.

With Jaimoe's Jasssz Band set to play the official afterparty, many were expecting an appearance from one of the ABB's founding drummers. Sure enough, Dickey welcomed Jaimoe to the stage for what was easily the highlight of the night. For the first time in 18 years, Betts and Jaimoe would share the stage, and "Whipping Post" seemed like the perfect choice. Saxophonist Kris Jensen would add a nice jazzy flavor to the power tune, and he would also stick around for the set-closing "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" that followed. Dickey then assured the enraptured crowd that they would be right back to finish the show with a few more classics. 

Dickey and the band returned to the stage to finish off this special occasion with two of the Allmans' biggest hits. "Ramblin' Man" gave the lively Macon crowd one more classic sing-a-long, while "Jessica" allowed Dickey, Duane, and Damon Fowler the opportunity to showcase their cohesive guitar playing. One would be hard pressed to find a more appropriate encore for the occasion. 

There is no question that I was looking forward to this show, but I have to admit that I wasn't sure what to expect. As soon as I got to the hotel and saw at least 10 people in ABB or Dickey Betts t-shirts, I started to realize how unique and special this experience would be. Macon was the perfect location for a celebration of this magnitude. Not only did we witness the return of a legend, but the show also raised $3000 for The Big House Foundation. Watching Dickey and Jaimoe reunite for "Whipping Post" made for a memory we will never forget. The mutual respect and admiration between multiple generations of the ABB family was felt in every corner of this beautiful venue. While many of the founding members have passed on, their legacy lives on through this timeless catalog of music. 

Setlist: The Dickey Betts Band - Macon, GA - 05.17.18

Set: Hot ‘Lanta, Statesboro Blues, Nothing You Can Do, Midnight Rider, Blue Sky, My Getaway, Change My Way Of Living, Seven Turns, Whipping Post, In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed

Encore: Ramblin’ Man, Jessica

As mentioned earlier, this show would not have happened without the efforts of Friends With Benefits Productions and Ear For Music. We recently spoke with George Claussen (FWB) and Rob Lamble (EFM) who shared a few personal thoughts on this special experience:

George: This opportunity was once in a lifetime. As a promoter, you dream about a concert like this. Bringing the remaining original Allman Brothers, children of the band members, and past members together one last time...back where it all began in Macon, GA. It's hard to describe the feeling we all felt that night...like writing a page in the history books. Not everyone gets that chance, and we are truly grateful. Thanks for all the love and support before and after the show. I know the road goes on forever! 

Rob: From the minute we arrived in Macon last Wednesday, there was a feeling in the air that something really special was about to take place. Not only the vibe that was happening in town, but it was like Duane, Berry, Butch, & Gregg were alongside us the whole time. We knew in our minds what was going to happen, but didn't realize how special this show really was going to be until it was upon us.

I know what this music has meant to me over the years and the countless other fans as well. With the recent and unfortunate passing of both Butch and Gregg, I think we all had an empty musical space in our hearts...knowing we would never hear this music played again (in a live setting) until last Thursday night. When Dickey walked out on the stage and hit the first note of "Hot Lanta," it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It was pretty surreal, and I think the audience felt the same way.

We were then standing stage left with Jaimoe, and he seemed to be extremely excited about what was taking place as well. George and I asked him if he was ready, and he said "Never been more ready." He then proceeded to tell us we had really pulled off something special that night, and we should feel really good about it. That was the best compliment I have ever received in my 25 years of being in the music business.

That was it for me...you could close the book, and then Jaimoe took the stage to join Dickey after an 18-year hiatus years and played "Whipping Post." The energy in the auditorium could have rivaled any live concert experience in times past. Needless to say, I won't be closing the book anytime soon. It was the most magical evening I have ever been a part of! 

Watch a clip of "Jessica" here:

Watch a clip of "Whipping Post" with Jaimoe here:

Watch a clip of "Midnight Rider" w/ Devon Allman here:

Atlanta Teen Jazz Fusion Set to Perform for The World This Saturday May 18, 2018 15:43

Words by Taylor Pack: Live & Listen

In the truly collaborative spirit that embodies jazz culture, Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs is partnering with Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International Affairs to broadcast a live performance by local teen jazz fusion group Audio Wolf. The broadcast will go out to Atlanta’s 17 sister cities around the world. The event is part of Atlanta Jazz Festival’s 31 Days of Jazz which provides the city with a full month of entertainment by showcasing our most talented musicians and artists in Atlanta’s best galleries, museums, and neighborhoods. Each night of 31 Days of Jazz features a different jazz related event, and this Saturday on May 19^th at Soul Village in Little Five Points, Audio Wolf will showcase their talents as they perform for not only a local, live audience, but also for audiences around the world.

Audio Wolf is a jazz fusion band featuring 5 of greater Atlanta’s most talented high school jazz musicians. The band is the flagship program for Sound Education Experience (SEE), a local non-profit organization that focuses on personalized outreach for youth through music, art, and creative expression. The students in Audio Wolf have a unique experience and learn from professionals that want to help rising musicians achieve their goals. The members not only develop their own sound but also learn how to create their own music through leadership and collaboration.

Two members of Audio Wolfe will be moving on and attending college this fall. Mwanzi Hariott’s hard work and dedication to playing guitar helped him earn a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. Kevin Oliver’s talent and commitment on saxophone earned him a scholarship to The Julliard School in New York City. Bassist and rising senior Devon Gates enormous musical voice is equally as powerful as her ambitions outside of music. She plans to study neuropsychology in order to help people by one day serving to shape global health policy. Shania Curry (drums) and Curtis Olawumi (trumpet) round out the band’s line-up that is set to perform this weekend in Little Five Points.

In the past Audio Wolf has shared the stage with Howard Hewitt, Vivian Green, Chante Moore, Robert Glasper, Rhonda Thomas, and many more. In 2017 they traveled abroad and performed at The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival and in 2019 they have the opportunity to travel to Cuba and play at The Havana Jazz Festival. The collective talents and hard work of these young musicians will be on full display Saturday at Soul Village and also streaming live as Audio Wolf performs for the world.

Click Here: Tune in to the live stream!

Watch Audio Wolf perform "Breathe New Life" here:

Nathaniel Rateliff Leaves It All Out There in Charlotte May 16, 2018 14:28

Words by DJ Tanner

Photos by Jim Dimitroff: ShowLove Media

Nathaniel Rateliff is worth cheering for. His music and his story are worthy of your applause. And he got a lot it at his show Tuesday night at the Fillmore in Charlotte.

I was fortunate to be introduced to Rateliff’s music early in his career through his 2010 debut solo album, In Memory of Loss. That album holds a special place for me – as it was essentially the soundtrack to falling in love with my wife. I followed his career closely since then and introduced as many people as I could to his music. He was one of those artists you knew should / could be bigger. His voice and songwriting talent was undeniable. He just needed a launching point, which he found with the incarnation of the Night Sweats. When I heard he was putting together a soul/funk band, I was admittedly a bit reserved. There were legions of bands taking advantage of the neo-soul revival, with varying levels of legitimacy and quality. Then I heard his first single, “S.O.B.” It was clever and catchy and authentic and turned into a massive hit. Thankfully, the rest of the album held up and catapulted Rateliff and his band into legitimate success. His second album, Tearing at the Seams, is an even more impressive showing. It’s gotten more airplay in our house than any other this year and almost every song on the album has claimed a spot as my favorite at one time or another. A long-winded way of saying it is truly a complete album – chock full of amazing songs from start to finish. I could easily turn this show review into an album review – just so many amazing tracks.

With two great albums of high energy, high quality music in his catalog, and a lifetime of earning his stripes on the road, expectations were lofty for this show. The show was sold out and the crowd was as lively as any I’ve ever seen at the Fillmore.

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real opened the night. I got turned on to them when they were Neil Young’s backing band for his full-band recent tours. Any band tasked with that duty has to have some serious live chops. I’d also put their song, “Find Yourself’, as one of my favorite tracks of 2017. (There’s a great Rolling Stone article on the genesis of Lady Gaga’s collaboration on this song, which also involves Bradly Cooper because of course it does.) Lukas’ music is not breaking any new musical path – you get shades of Little Feat, Allmans, and Skynyrd – but I don’t mean that to sound negative. It’s comfortable and familiar but taken to a really unique place by Lukas’ amazing voice, guitar skills, and high energy stage presence – complete (on this night) with a Hendrix-patented teeth-guitar solo. It was a great way to start the night, with highlights including a crowd-pleasing “Carolina”, a stretched out and gorgeous “Forget About Georgia” (clever tune w/ an ever cleverer backstory), and a great version of the aforementioned “Find Yourself” to close out the set. While no Neil Young covers made the set, you could feel the Crazy Horse vibe throughout their set.

As it does on Rateliff’s latest album, “Shoe Boot” opened up the show. With an absurdly catchy and danceable drum beat and horn/bass riff, it was the perfect way to start the show. Probably the most danceable track on the album it would be at home on any DapTone release. As mentioned previously, I had some concern about Rateliff’s move to much more upbeat music, given how natural he seemed as an acoustic singer/songwriter. But his albums with the Night Sweats were/are just as amazing. And it makes even more sense once you see them in person. These guys love making/playing this music. I’m not sure anyone danced harder that night than Rateliff and his bandmates (but I sure as hell tried). And the songs just fit so well in a live setting. The choruses are built for sing a longs. And the tempo and riffs are impossible not to move along to. These guys are genuinely moved by the music they create and it’s impossible not to get caught up in it also. Not only are they enjoying it but they are appreciative for it. Numerous times throughout the show he thanked the crowd for the support that has afforded them the ability to do what they love and “truly changed their lives”. These words were particularly poignant for me – knowing the path he’d endured to get to this point. If you haven’t seen it before, I highly recommend watching the documentary, Austin to Boston, which gives a powerful glimpse into Rateliff’s early career and backstory.

One thing I particularly loved about the evening, is Rateliff finding opportunities to work his softer, singer/songwriter side to the Night Sweats format, speaking specifically to “I’d Be Waiting” (performed solo acoustic), “Hey Mama” and “Tearing at the Seams”. All are slow burners that were great counterpunches to the overall extremely high energy show. These gave Rateliff a chance to show off the deep, captivating soulfulness of his voice.

Highlights were plentiful and hard to keep track of but the breakdown/build-up moments in “I Need Never Get Old” and “S.O.B”, were legitimately goosebump-inducing. The raucous sing-a-long of “S.O.B.” was the perfect way to end the set. You know the night has been a success and made its impact when the sing-a-long carries over into the parking lot and bar next door. Turns out “gimme a drink” is a pretty great lyric to sing at a bar. (Related, if the bartender from the Back Bar is reading this… sorry.)

I’d seen Rateliff’s cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” from the clip of them backstage at the Tonight Show. Unfortunately, the video got pulled off their website and I’d been dying to hear it again. It is truly a perfect cover for his voice and that band. I will remember that version of that song for years to come, as will most everyone else there I imagine. It was poignant and perfect.

There’s an article that quoted Rateliff saying/joking that his vision for this band was to be a straight and blatant rip-off of The Band. And while that is probably as close of a proxy there is in rock history, Rateliff and the Night Sweats are creating something truly unique and amazing. We’re all lucky we get to bear witness to the story. And it’s a story worth cheering for.

The Road to CukoRakko: Luke Quaranta of Toubab Krewe May 15, 2018 16:32

Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

If you're a music lover in Alabama, you've more than likely heard about an amazing grassroots festival known as CukoRakko Music & Arts Festival. Founded in 2014, the festival has been held twice a year at Horse Pens 40 in Steele, AL. As this concept has continued to evolve each year, festival producers have decided to bring the spring festival to Birmingham's Avondale Brewing Company on Saturday, May 19th, while still having plans for a full-weekend festival in October.

The spring festival will now be known as CukoRakko Fam Jam, a one-day event held in the heart of Birmingham which features a wide variety of world class talent from across the country. As we prepare for another unforgettable CukoRakko experience, we're sitting down and getting to know a few of this year's performers. For our next installment, we caught up with Luke Quaranta, percussionist of Toubab Krewe. See below for the full interview and stay tuned for further coverage throughout the weekend.

Share this post directly from the Live & Listen Facebook page and tag a friend in the comments section for a chance to win a pair of tickets to CukoRakko Fam Jam. We will announce the winner on Friday, May 18th.



Some music cannot be found on a map or within iTunes categories. Some music is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance – free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life. This is the music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more.  While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.   

Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own.  This is a band that actively draws inspiration from whatever source floats into their purview, something they've exhibited in their decade of heavy gigging, including regular appearances at major U.S. festivals like Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Wakarusa and New York City's Summer Stage, and abroad at such legendary gatherings as Festival In The Desert in Mali, The Shanghai World Music Festival, and The Festival of World Music in Sines, Portugal.  

Their globe-hopping propensity has made them an emerging headliner at their hometown's famous Orange Peel and a familiar face at similar venues throughout the country. Whether on their own or collaborating with luminaries like the Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan or Uncle Earl's Rayna Gellert, Toubab Krewe has already earned the attention and respect of a broad musical community.   

Toubab carries echoes of African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab and Salif Keita, no doubt picked up during the group's travels to study and live in Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali.  But what truly differentiates Toubab Krewe from other Statesiders inspired by African music is how they innovate on what they've learned instead of simply recreating tradition. Toubab Krewe carves out a new trail honoring the African originators they admire by making something alive and contemporary. 

Click Here: Purchase CukoRakko Fam Jam Tickets

Let’s start off with some general history on the band. You guys got started in Asheville back in 2005. How did this project come together?

Luke: We started in 2005, and we had actually been friends for a lot longer than that. The project really came together around our friendships formed at Warren Wilson College. A few of the guys had been friends well before that. Our kora/ngoni player Justin Perkins and our guitarist Drew Heller grew up together in Asheville; playing music for a number of years. Our original drummer, Teal Brown, also grew up with those guys since the middle school days. They had some bands throughout high school and college.

I met the guys during the college years, and we had all developed this mutual interest in West African music. I was a part of a drumming group on campus, and then I went to Guinea, West Africa to study music in 1999. Four of us in the group (at that time) went to Guinea and Ivory Coast to study in 2001. So, those were the roots of it all. The interest in West African music and traveling to West Africa. Drew and Justin actually took a trip to Bamako, Mali in 2004 for about four months, and it was when they returned from that trip that we started in the band in 2005. 

I think on that trip...their eyes were opened to not only all of the traditional music that we had been studying, but also more of the contemporary scene in Bamako. Bands playing clubs, mixing Western instrumentation and more modern instrumentation with the traditional music. They got a real sense that we could play a lot of the music that we had come to really love, but also in a style that was true to our American roots. 

It was a cool moment, man. We started the band in '05 and cut the first record in April of that year. I think we released it in June of that year and started hitting the road, playing festivals, and never really looking back. We ended up being on the road for like 10 years, up until 2014. We played through that year, and that's when we decided to take a bit of a break from the road. 

Luke: I would say that they can expect a dance party, for sure. A lot of the music is heavy dance music. Also, I think they can expect a merging a worlds and cultures. They may hear a style of music that they've never heard before. If they have heard West African music, they might be experiencing it through a different lens. I think whether folks want to be on their feet dancing, or just listening and deciphering the different influences, I think it works for both experiences. 

Every show is different. The band prides itself on really allowing the music to move us and the crowd together. We want to take the whole experience to a new place that we might not have thought we'd get to. We're always open to seeing where the music takes us artistically, musically, and spiritually. I think it's going to be a great time. We haven't played in Birmingham too much, so I'm really looking forward to playing there in a nice, outdoor setting. 

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The Road to CukoRakko: Tanner Brown of Steady Flow May 14, 2018 14:38

Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

If you're a music lover in Alabama, you've more than likely heard about an amazing grassroots festival known as CukoRakko Music & Arts Festival. Founded in 2014, the festival has been held twice a year at Horse Pens 40 in Steele, AL. As this concept has continued to evolve each year, festival producers have decided to bring the spring festival to Birmingham's Avondale Brewing Company on Saturday, May 19th, while still having plans for a full-weekend festival in October.

The spring festival will now be known as CukoRakko Fam Jam, a one-day event held in the heart of Birmingham which features a wide variety of world class talent from across the country. As we prepare for another unforgettable CukoRakko experience, we're sitting down and getting to know a few of this year's performers. For our first installment, we caught up with Tanner Brown, lead guitarist of Steady Flow. See below for the full interview, and stay tuned for additional preview coverage in the near future.

From the Heart of the Midwest, Steady Flow brings a unique style of powerful funk music like you've never heard it before. Formed in 2012 by 18 year old, soul guitarist extraordinaire, Tanner Brown, and his older brother, Ky "Goonie-Mom" Brown on bass guitar, the group has now transformed into a six-piece funk-powerhouse, quickly claiming their spot as one of the best live acts around.

In Steady Flow's short existence, the group has taken on music festivals such as North Coast, Summer Camp, Phases of the Moon, and the list goes on. The band is constantly turning heads at every performance as their hard hitting Funk Rock compositions shake the room and force all audiences to dance, rage, & simply feel good.

Steady Flow released their first EP, "The Oneoff Sessions" in 2013, and their debut album, "Loud." in June 2015. The band released their newest full length album, "Do You Like That?" in April 2017! Do not miss a live show near you. Steady Flow is "The Future Of Funk."

Click Here: Purchase CukoRakko Fam Jam Tickets

Steady Flow came to life in 2012 and has since evolved into a six-piece power funk force. How did things begin, and when did you realize that this band had serious potential?

Tanner: When I was a junior in high school, I started to obsess over any type of music that made people’s asses shake.  Once I discovered The Meters and Funkadelic, I knew it was something I needed to be involved in. My brother and I have been playing music together since we were toddlers. When I was 12 and he was 15, we played in a cover band with our dad on vocals. So, we were always surrounded by music, and knew we we’re going to be in a band together. It was just a matter of time. Our shared interest of rock ’n roll and hip-hop converted to funk, and we started writing grooves.

I remember posting flyers up at our community college that said “Looking for horn players and keyboardist to join funk band.” That’s how I met Cody “The Sensei” Ward on sax. The rest is history. We just had fun playing together and when we performed live, it seemed to rub off on people. I think we realized our potential when we first headlined the coolest venue in our hometown, the Peoria Riverfront Landing and over 800 people showed up. We freaked out, big time.

You released the debut EP, The Oneoff Sessions, in 2013 and followed with the debut album, Loud, in 2015. It's been just over a year since your second album, Do You Like That? How do you feel the band has progressed over these three releases?

Tanner:  Oh, wow. We’ve learned a lot. The first two releases, we had no idea what we were doing. Our last album Do You Like That? shows the band maturing quite a bit and getting a lot tighter. We went through some turnover with our lineup during the first two releases, so I feel like Do You Like That? is our first real album, you know?

Have any plans been made for your next studio release?

Tanner:  Absolutely. We’re putting out a new record this Summer. That’s all I can say right now.

Watch Steady Flow's music video for "Do You Like That?" here:

The touring schedule has clearly picked up as the band has grown in popularity. How valuable has this experience been for your growth, both individually and as a band?

Tanner:  Insanely valuable. For one, it’s a miracle if you can find a group of guys that are willing to drop everything and travel around the country playing music. It’s a tough living, no doubt; so many ups and downs.. But when you’re surrounded by great band mates, as well as fans that enjoy the music and atmosphere, nothing beats it. You learn a lot about each other when you’re confined to a van and hotel rooms every day. The funny part is, when we started the band, none of us would ever just “hang out.” Our personalities were way too different.. But now that we’ve been on the road so much, we’ve grown into this crazy family with hundreds of inside jokes, which by the way is the only way to get through a tour. Inside jokes. Stupid ones.

I'm always particularly intrigued by the song-writing mechanics within a predominantly instrumental band. How does Steady Flow go about creating new music?

Tanner:  It’s always changing. When I write, it’s very riff based. So, I’ll have a guitar riff that I’ll send to Cody (Ward) and say, “do whatever you want with this..” Everybody throws their ideas into the mix. Sometimes Cody will write a tune, 100% by himself, and bring it to us.  For me, I’m always thinking about drum patterns/grooves before I even think of melody, which might be uncommon. But I like finding beats/feels that we haven’t touched yet, and build from there, all while picturing a live show atmosphere. I went to so many shows growing up that when I write tunes, I’m thinking about being in the audience, and what I’d like to see and feel.

I feel like the jam/funk scene is as strong as it's ever been in 2018. You've had the chance to share the stage with some killer bands, both at festivals and clubs. What are a few of the highlights?

Tanner:  Last year, George Porter Jr. of The Meters sat in during our set at Peoria Blues & Heritage Festival. And like I said before, if it wasn’t for The Meters, there would be no Steady Flow. So that was a “Holy shit” moment for me. We played “Just Kissed My Baby” and I almost pissed myself. Other than that, we had Sammi Garret from Turkuaz sit in with us recently at one of our sold out shows in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They are one of the hottest funk bands on the scene right now so that was a fun moment. We’ve also been rocking with our homie, Boogie T, a sick emerging DJ from New Orleans and one of the coolest dudes i’ve ever met.. Flava Flav sat in on drums with us in Wisconsin. That was a trip.  I’m trying to get Action Bronson to sit in with us at Summer Camp in a few weeks, so hopefully I can report back and update this list of awesome-sauce.

You'll be playing as the sun sets at CukoRakko Fam Jam in Birmingham on Saturday. What can attendees expect from you guys?

Tanner:  All of us sweating our asses off. Giving it 110%. A lot of head banging and booty shakin’. Kicking off the festival season proper. See you there.

Click Here: Purchase CukoRakko Fam Jam Tickets

Little Raine Band, Winston Ramble, & Taylor Hunnicut Joining Forces May 9, 2018 09:52



The Road to CukoRakko: The Russ Liquid Test May 8, 2018 22:17

Pigeons Put the F.U. in Fun & Funk Over Sold Out Brooklyn Bowl Run May 8, 2018 13:14

Words by Kenny Cunningham: Live & Listen

Photos by John R. Wisdom Photography

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is one of the hottest up-and-coming acts in the jam scene, and this weekend at Brooklyn Bowl proved why. Not many bands are capable of filling up the Bowl for one night, nonetheless three, especially when considering that they were up against Jazz Fest, which annually brings many New Yorkers down to NoLa. But the Pigeons had their flock out in full force, packing out the Brooklyn venue and keeping the full house grooving all weekend.Their astronomical rise through the scene has been a joy to watch, and it makes total sense; musically, they bring the heat and provide what their crowd is there for—funky, danceable bass lines, power drumming, soaring peaks. Performance-wise, they are top-notch, with a lighting design that matches the enthusiasm of the band onstage, and they just look like they’re having so much damn fun!

This weekend showcased all of those reasons that Pigeons are experiencing this meteoric ascent, from their choreographed playing and superb lighting design to their high energy stage presence to the dancey funky fun they bring. Beginning Thursday night, it was apparent that the crowd was ready to get down. And the Pigeons didn’t disappoint! They opened the first night with “Whoopie,” with rhythm guitarist “Scrambled” Greg Ormont, lead guitarist Jeremy Schon, and bassist Ben Carrey engaged in a choreographed head-nod dance move. And the fun continued straight from there until the encore on Saturday night.

The band played 6 sets without repeats and many fun covers, including “Hava Nagila” (a fun Pigeons staple), “Hyrule Castle” (the theme song from classic Nintendo video game “Zelda”), “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” (from The Lion King), the Star Wars “Cantina Song” and “Imperial March,” the Beatles’ “Get Back,” The Velvet Underground’s “Rock & Roll,” “Tequila,” Michael Jackson’s “Pretty Young Thing,” and The Who’s “Pinball Wizard.” And they of course broke out some of their most popular hits, like “F U,” “Fun In Funk,” “Julia,” “Poseideon,” “Horizon,” and “Melting Lights.” Each set was fun, funky, spacey, raging, and different. The energy inside Brooklyn Bowl was off the charts, and the crowd was dancing and having as much fun as the band!

Brooklyn Bowl plays host to many great bands, nights, and shows, and these three soldout PPPP shows should stand near the top of performances there. When Pigeons wrapped up on Saturday night with “Zydeko,” the crowd was not ready for the fun to end! And the way Pigeons are going, it doesn’t have to! They can be seen next at Domefest, their curated festival in Bedford, PA, from 5/17-5/19, as well as at Summer Camp Music Festival (Chillicothe, IL 5/25-5/27), Great South Bay Music Festival (Patchogue, NY 6/14), Peach Music Festival (Scranton, PA 7/19), LOCKN’ (Arrington, VA 8/25), and many other great events throughout the summer. 

Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong - Brooklyn Bowl - 05.03.18

Set One: Whoopie, Somethin’ For Ya > Havana > Spacejam > The Hop > F.U., Fortress, Porcupine, Hava Nagila > Schwanthem

Set Two: Too Long > Upfunk > Hyrule > Upfunk > Drums > Upfunk, Dawn A New Day, Kiwi > I Just Can’t Wait To Be King, Burning Up My Time > Condenser > Su Casa > Condenser, Doc

Encore: Sail On

Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong - Brooklyn Bowl - 05.04.18

Set 1: Fun In Funk, Live It Up, Penguins > Funkijam > Time To Ride > Cantina Song > Time To Ride, Bad For You, Fox And Toad, Get Back*

Set 2: Totally, Sunny Day, Horizon > Offshoot, Walk Outside, White Night > Imperial March > White Night, Ocean Flows

Encore: King Kong

Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong - Brooklyn Bowl - 05.05.18

Set 1: Pop Off, Poseidon, Drunk People, Landing > Jam > Rock and Roll > Funk E Zekiel, Julia

Set 2: J-Town > Melting Lights > Jam* > Fade Fast, High As Five > P.Y.T. > Pinball Wizard > High As Five, The Liquid, Henrietta, Skipjack

Encore: Zydeko

Notes: * w/ Tequila tease

Watch Pigeons Playing Ping Pong close out the three-night run with "Zydeko" here:

Jam Cruise Reveals Stacked Lineup For 2019 May 3, 2018 13:43

SweetWater 420 Festival: A Weekend We Will Never Forget April 26, 2018 18:01

Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Photos by Craig Baird: [Home Team Photography] & Ryan Lewis [Rylewphoto]

Growing up in the southeast, I became accustomed to traveling to Atlanta to see my favorite bands at an early age. Weekend excursions to The Tabernacle became a regular occurrence by the time I was in high school, with plenty of trips to The Fox Theatre and Variety Playhouse mixed in as well. Just last year, I finally made plans to attend SweetWater 420 Festival, which was clearly becoming one of the premier festivals in the country. Following that weekend, it was clear that this would become my latest annual tradition. No excuses.

After a lineup which featured two nights of Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio Band, moe., Ween, and Dark Star Orchestra (just to name a few), festival organizers had their work cut out for them. When the initial lineup dropped in mid-October, it almost felt like they were reading my mind. Umphrey’s McGee, Sturgill Simpson, and Tedeschi Trucks Band sat atop this lineup, along with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Vulfpeck, Papadosio, Anders Osborne, Spafford, and many more. The second wave would ultimately include The String Cheese Incident, Greensky Bluegrass, Ghostland Observatory, The Infamous Stringdusters, and the young phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer.

Once the schedule was released, plans were made to arrive early on Friday afternoon. Southern Avenue was rocking the Planet 420 Stage in full force, and The Record Company was getting started on the main stage shortly after. We made a point to catch a nice segment of both sets and couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the weekend. This was my first opportunity to see either of these bands live, and I’ll definitely be making a point to see both again.

If you follow the festival scene at all, you’ve surely seen the hype surrounding Spafford. This band has taken the jam world by storm, selling out just about every venue on the schedule. This would be my first live experience with them as well, and I was totally floored. The band came out swinging the “Backdoor Funk” and “The Remedy” and continued with killer takes on “Windmill,” “Lovesick Melody,” and “Minds Unchained.” They closed out the set with Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” and I think everyone was wishing we had a second set. I was fortunate enough to attend to Spafford’s late night show at Variety Playhouse, which seemed to be the hottest ticket in town. This set included some amazing takes on “Electric Taco Stand,” “All My Friends,” “Salamander Song,” “All In,” and a cover of Men at Work’s “Down Under.”

Watch Spafford perform "You Don't Know How It Feels" here:

Sturgill Simpson was up next on the main stage. This would be he and his band’s first performance since October 14^th, and it was clear that these guys were ready to rock. Highlights from this set included originals such as “Turtles All The Way Down” and “Keep It Between The Lines,” while the cover of Freddie King’s “Going Down” really got the crowd moving. While Sturgill has one of the most unique, powerful voices I’ve ever heard, his guitar playing is equally impressive. He’s one of the most talented performers I’ve ever watched, and it’s exciting to think about what the future holds.

The String Cheese Incident has been very kind to Atlanta in recent years. The past two summers have featured some amazing two-night runs at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, and expectations were high for Friday night’s headlining spot. The band got off to a hot start with “Sirens,” “Let’s Go Outside, and “Song In My Head.” The Motet’s Lyle Divinsky and Dave Watts, along with local Atlanta vocalist Rhonda Thomas, joined in on “Get To You,” before a cover of Jamiroquai’s “Space Cowboy” and “Believe” closed out the set.

Cheese returned to the stage with young star Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, who traded licks with Michael Kang and Bill Nershi throughout “Close Your Eyes.” Second set highlights also included “Beautiful,” “Joyful Sound,” “Rollover,” and “Restless Wind.” The crowd had a chance to sing “Happy Birthday” to drummer Michael Travis during the encore, and Taz + Rhonda Thomas would return for the closer, “I Saw The Light.”

Saturday may have been my favorite day of the weekend, and there are a number of reasons why. One of my favorite regional bands, Funk You, kicked things off with an amazing set on the main stage. The band welcomed The Brotherhorns for the entirety of the set, and the Augusta natives brought out an impressive crowd for the early set. Funk You delivered a number of killer originals before closing things out with The Village People's "Kung Fu Fighting" with a little help from three dancers dressed as Gumby. Why not?

Watch Funk You perform "Kung Fu Fighting" here:

Anders Osborne was up next on the main stage, and I could listen to this guy for days. Anders has one of the most soothing voices you will find, and his songwriting is tough to beat. As is the case at most festivals, you're forced to cut several sets earlier than you'd like, and I knew I couldn't miss a minute of Marco Benevento. As a longtime fan of the Benevento Russo Duo, it's been remarkable to watch Marco's career flourish. This was my first chance to see his solo band, and it was easily one of the weekend highlights. This set was jam packed with energy from start to finish, and I was floored by bassist Karina Rykman. They gave us an amazing cover of Butthole Surfers' "Pepper" and had the entire crowd going wild as they closed out with "At The Show."

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer was arguably the star of the weekend. While he made guest appearances with all three headliners, he and his band provided an incredible set on Saturday afternoon. The last time I'd seen Taz in Atlanta, he was tearing through a guitar solo as his mentor Col. Bruce Hampton tragically passed away on stage. Watching him perform "I'm So Glad" in Bruce's honor was a truly special moment. While his guitar playing is essentially indescribable, this "kid" can really sing too. 

While this weekend had many peak moments, Joe Russo's Almost Dead was my personal main event. Thankfully, the second wave of artist announcements included a second set for JRAD, which set us up for an unforgettable evening. A lengthy jam led into "Cats Down Under The Stars," while "Feel Like A Stranger" would follow. A beautiful take on "The Wheel" led into a rockin' "Estimated Prophet," which segued perfectly into "He's Gone" to close the set. The second set was as strong as anything I've seen from these guys. "Shakedown Street" set the tone right off the bat and moved straight into "I Need A Miracle." The set continued with "Ramble On Rose," and "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," before "Not Fade Away" and "One More Saturday Night" closed out the set on the highest of notes. I could go on for days about this band. Here's to hoping that they become regular performers at this festival.

While I hated to miss The Infamous Stringdusters and Ghostland Observatory, we solidified our spot front and center for Tedeschi Trucks Band. This was the most intriguing storyline of the weekend for me, as I knew this JRAD > TTB sequence would be outrageous. To no one's surprise, TTB came out firing with a downright spiritual set which included classics such as "Made Up Mind," "Part of Me," and "Midnight in Harlem." Susan Tedeschi led a beautiful combo of "Angel From Montgomery" > "Sugaree," and young Taz made his way onto the stage for a monster cover of "Statesboro Blues." Watching he and Derek Trucks trade licks on the Allman Brothers' classic was a moment I'll never forget. Taz would also join the band for the encore which featured Sly & The Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" > "I Want To Take You Higher."

Sunday's weather looked questionable all week, and the rainy forecast became a reality early on. This was a familiar situation for those who attended the festival last year, and a little dancing in the rain is good for the soul. Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds kicked things off with a super soulful performance. Greensky Bluegrass would follow with their wildly entertaining serving of jamgrass. This would give us yet another cameo from Taz, who took the lead on the Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider." We then made our way to the Planet 420 Stage to catch the tail end of TAUK. This band is one of the most talented, dynamic bands on the scene, and we caught them just in time for an incredible cover of Rush's "Tom Sawyer." 

Watch Greensky Bluegrass perform "Midnight Rider" with Taz here:

The bouncing between stages continued as we prepared for Vulfpeck on the main stage. Frequent collaborators Antwuan Stanley, Joey Dosik, and Corey Wong were each on hand for the funky occasion. The set was highlighted by classics such as "Animal Spirits," "1612," "Funky Duck," "Back Pocket," "Christmas in LA," and even a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Boogie On Reggae Woman." Bassist Joe Dart would lead the way through "Dean Town" to close out a high-energy occasion with Vulfpeck. Meanwhile, Papadosio was closing out the Planet 420 stage in powerful fashion. We walked up just in time to catch a sequence which included "Cue," "Garden," and "We Are Water." The energy was palpable as the rain picked up, and the Papadosio dance party was a sight to see. 

The final performance of the weekend belonged to Umphrey's McGee, and they closed out a magical weekend in fine form. They kicked off the set with "Half Delayed" and "Remind Me," before "Booth Love" really got the party moving. "Preamble" would follow before what would become a massive "Mantis" sandwich. The sequence of "Mantis" > "Wife Soup", "Lenny" w/ Taz, "Draconian" > "Mantis" would definitely need to be on any list of weekend highlights. "Wappy Sprayberry" and "Ringo" would put an exclamation point on a wild, rainy set from Umphrey's. The encore began with a very fitting cover of Led Zeppelin's "Fool In The Rain," which was followed by "Ocean Billy" and "The Silent Type." While there were quite a few heavy hitters on this lineup, Umphrey's most certainly justified their spot in closing out the festivities.

As you would expect, there was wide variety of afterparties around Atlanta each night. While many made their way to Variety Playhouse for TAUKing McGee on Sunday night, our crew headed over to one of my favorite venues, Aisle 5. Local favorites Bird Dog Jubilee were set to perform 'A Picture of Hoist' which consisted of songs from the two Phish albums ('A Picture of Nectar' and 'Hoist'). From start to finish, these guys absolutely killed it and provided a perfect ending to our 420 Fest experience. It's always a pleasure catching a show at Aisle 5, and Sunday night was no different.

I've said more than enough at this point, but I'll conclude by saying that I truly believe this was my favorite festival experience to date. You couldn't ask for a better lineup, and Centennial Olympic Park is perfectly structured for a festival of this magnitude. There were a handful of sets that I really wish I could've seen, but it's impossible to catch them all. Festival organizers and the entire staff did an absolutely phenomenal job, and things couldn't have run any smoother. I'm not sure how they will top this year's experience, but I have no doubt that they will. 

Win Tickets to See Fruition in Birmingham on May 3rd April 13, 2018 11:25

JoJo Hermann Discusses Slim Wednesday, Widespread Panic, & More April 11, 2018 16:45

Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

The weather may have been less than ideal in Birmingham last Friday, but a little rain wasn't going to spoil the party at Zydeco. JoJo Hermann was in town with Slim Wednesday for the second consecutive year, and the Widespread Panic faithful turned up in masses. This would also be the release date for Slim Wednesday's debut album, The Reptile Show. Just before heading downstairs for a special VIP piano performance and an amazing crawfish boil, I had the chance to sit down with JoJo and discuss a number of topics. See below for our full conversation and make sure to give The Reptile Show a spin as soon as possible. 

Pink Talking Fish Throws Down to Open Two-Night Run at Brooklyn Bowl April 10, 2018 13:49

Words by Kenny Cunningham: Live & Listen

Photos by John R Wisdom Photography

Pink Talking Fish is one of the best “cover” bands out in the scene right now, and have been gaining popularity over the course of the last number of years. And why wouldn’t they be? They combine three of the greatest bands from the ’60s, ’70’s, and ‘80s, but of course they put their own spin on the music. And that was quite apparent on Friday night in Brooklyn.

The boys came out on fire, opening up with a Talking Heads/Phish/Pink Floyd medley of “Uh Oh Love Comes To Town,” “Bathtub Gin,” and “Money.” The transition jam from “Bathtub” into “Money” was incredible, and they brought out Andrew Gatauskas (from Brass Against The Machine) to sit in on baritone sax for Money, which added that amazing extra element that you expect to hear during “Money.” The first set continued with the band bringing it for some classics, like “Mike’s Song,” “Dogs,” and “Psycho Killer.” “Mike’s Song” featured Victor Cornette added another layer on the lights, and an exceptional “Dogs,” with Dave Brunyak shredding some heavy guitar solos.

The second set opened up with a killer version of the Phish classic, “You Enjoy Myself,” and the energy continued to pick up from there! They then launched into “Once In A Lifetime,” and had the crowd rocking and rolling, before returning back to “YEM.” The vocal jam part of the song rivaled any version that I’ve seen Phish do. Next up was Pink Floyd classic “Have A Cigar,” which is always dark and groovy. When PTF began the opening lilt for “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody),” I thought the roof might come off of the Bowl. That song is always a crowd favorite, and the band did not disappoint. They then launched into an ecstatic and raging “Down With Disease,” and “YEM” teases could be heard throughout. The band wrapped up the second set the same way that Dark Side Of The Moon comes to its conclusion: with “Brain Damage” and “Eclipse.”

Pink Talking Fish returned to the stage to close out the opening night of their 2-night weekend run in Brooklyn with a rollicking “Character Zero,” a tune that Phish often uses as an encore vehicle. The consensus among the crowd from Friday night was that PTF is an everimproving band, and each member brings their own style and sensibility to a band that does a superb job of covering the classics from those three great bands.

Between the soaring, ripping guitar playing from Dave Brunyak, the amazing keys work from Richard James, the deep, driving bass playing of Eric Gould, and the sensational drum-playing of Zack Burwick, this band just keeps getting better and better. And because it is a near-impossibility to get another true concert experience from Pink Floyd or Talking Heads, it is wonderful to get any opportunity to hear those songs played live, especially by a band as talented as PTF.

Setlist - Pink Talking Fish - Brooklyn Bowl - April 6th 2018

Set 1: Uh Oh Love Comes To Town, Bathtub Gin > Money* > Nothing But Flowers, Mikes Song > Dogs > Psycho Killer > Dogs > Weekapaug Groove

Set 2: You Enjoy Myself > Once In A Lifetime > You Enjoy Myself, Have A Cigar > Moon Rocks > The Sloth, One Of These Days > This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody), Down With Disease > Brain Damage > Eclipse

E: Character Zero

*w/ Andrew Gatauskas on Baritone Sax

Lotus Brings Trance-Fusion to Historic Capitol Theatre April 10, 2018 13:06

Words by Kenny Cunningham: Live & Listen

Photos by Angelys Ocana: Good People Bad Habits

On Saturday night, April 7th, Philly-based Lotus brought their unique sound of dance grooves, EDM, and funky guitar rhythms to Port Chester’s historic Capitol Theatre. The Cap is such a great space for a band like Lotus, as the inside of the theater provides an excellent backdrop for the light show that accompanies the band’s music. Lotus is well-known for their unique sound, one that has few “rivals” in today’s jamtronica scene. They have become recognized for their late-night festival sets, but also for their fun, dancey, groovy style.

The show opened up with L’Immeuble, and then dropped right into “Wax,” one of their most popular jam vehicles. Luke and Jesse Miller had a lot of fun on the keys and sampler during this song, as Mike Rempel provided his typically-stellar guitar playing. The first set continued with some other Lotus classics, like “Suitcases and Sandwiches,” which the band started, went into another song, and then came back and closed the first set out with the outro. The energy inside the Cap was high, as the crowd was dancing and grooving throughout the first set. The lighting rig added an interesting element, as it helped accentuate some of the darker and funkier jams.

The second set opened with “Inspector Norse,” and the crowd got right back into the action, as Luke Miller went into a super tight keyboard jam. And then on a full-on dance party broke out during “Shimmer and Out” and “Contagion.” Repel provided some soaring guitar solos during the latter, and Mike Greenfield got involved with some dark and driving drum playing.

The band must’ve been having as much fun as the crowd, as they announced after their closing song of the second set that they would be staying on-stage for the encore, as they were running out of their allotted time. They closed the night out with “Midwest Store Fronts,” and the Northeast crowd was able to go home with tired feet and smiles on their faces.

CBDB's Cy Simonton Discusses "Opelika Yella" & Recording a New Album April 6, 2018 08:50

It's no secret that we are big believers in the Alabama music scene. The history within this state is as rich as any, and there's no doubt that the future is bright as well. With bands such as Drive-By Truckers, Alabama Shakes, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones paving the path, there is every reason to think the Alabama pipeline will continue to produce major contributors. Tuscaloosa's CBDB is undoubtedly on our short list of contenders, and the band is currently preparing for one of its most pivotal chapters thus far. 

The band's third full-length studio album is scheduled for release on May 5th, and as of 12:00 AM today, the second single "Opelika Yella" is available on all major online music outlets. We recently sat down with frontman Cy Simonton to get the tune's entertaining back story and learn more about what went into this record. Check out our conversation below and make sure to mark your calendars for the album release party on May 5th at Avondale Brewing Company.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets to CBDB's Album Release Party

Check out the official promo video for "Opelika Yella" here:

Candler Park Music & Food Festival Reveals 2018 Lineup April 3, 2018 19:02

Candler Park Music & Food Festival is all set for June 1st - 2nd at Atlanta's Candler Park, and festival organizers revealed yet another amazing lineup earlier today. This year will feature the likes of Gov't Mule, Lettuce, Keller Williams' PettyGrass ft. The HillBenders,  Twiddle, SUSTO, Larkin Poe, Busty and the Bass & more. Tier 1 ticket prices are on sale now until April 15. General Admission tickets for both days are available for just $25, while VIP (21+ only) are available for both days for just $60. Click here to secure your tickets today, and stay tuned for further preview coverage of one of our favorite annual festivals. 

Win Tickets to See JoJo Hermann's 'Slim Wednesday' in Birmingham April 3, 2018 11:26