ARTIST/GENRE/BIO/LINKS
Albion Moonlight
Gauzy experimental folk dust
“Making sounds for rusty bones”; new album coming out soon on sunroom recordz & salon.
https://albionmoonlight.bandcamp.com/
Alicia Murphy
Indie folk rock singer-songwriter
Alicia Murphy is a folksy singer-songwriter and indie rock hybrid. Her all-original songs feature unexpected harmonies and rhythms, and her passion for the environment shines through her quirky, upbeat lyrics.
http://aliciamurphymusic.com
https://facebook.com/aliciamurphymusicness
Appetite
Freak folk electronic pop
Experience the solo inspiration behind the “songs that write themselves” on Appetite’s new album, “Scattered Smothered Covered”, which draws from down-tempo electronica, hip-hop, tropicalia and beyond. Appetite’s front-man Teddy Briggs plays with layers upon layers of the lyrical, the percussive, and the offbeat to entertain your ears and your soul.
http://crossbillrecords.com/category/artists/appetite
https://appetite.bandcamp.com/
Be Calm Honcho
Easy breezy multi-talented indie pop
A quartet of sugared, salty hams known for tenderly prying open the soft spots of rock ‘n’ roll and inserting a dreamy and toothsome rawness with lyrics that will make you sing and yearn for the lazy days of summer– oh wait, they’re here already! Their first album, Honcho Dreams, was released just days after last year’s Fest; we’ll take all the credit.
http://www.becalmhoncho.comwww.becalmhoncho.com
http://crossbillrecords.com/artists/be-calm-honcho/
bed.
Slow-fi with pop sensibilities
Portland’s “sleeping gem”, this trio is ready to wake the world up with spinning grungy slow-fi featuring hypnotic co-ed vocals with fuzzy guitars. Don’t look away for a second.
http://wearebed.tumblr.com
https://www.facebook.com/thisisbed
Big Sticky Mess
Funk
Original funk for your ear-hole, with a kaleidoscopic mix of extraterrestrial hooks, vibrant grooves and potent beats reminiscent of decades past and a sound much larger than its three piece arrangement should allow, sometimes referred to as “James Brown in Davis”.
http://bigstickymess.com/
Blu-J
Forward thinking bass music
Killer remixes that put a futuristic spin on favorites and not-so-favorites from the past, convincing you that this was always your favorite song.
http://blujmusic.com/
Boca do Rio
Brazilian space funk
A Brazilian-American multi-layered electro-funk party boat with a sound that is fluid and edgy, adaptable and free: musicá organicá, a music shared by the band members that developed through the rhythm of living and working between the Americas. We dare you not to dance.
http://www.bocadorio.com
Bomba Fried Rice
Latin ska cumbia salsa
A whopping ten piece band bursting at the seams with Latin and international flavor, a musical “chimichurri” with plenty of spice and a side of salsa. Disclaimer: BFR is not responsible of Loss of Consciousness caused by extreme dancing.
http://bombafriedrice.org/
Bonanza King
California western country swing
A quirky blend of old country and western swing strongly influenced by the jazz on Kari King’s childhood stereo that packs the heart of American music into one five piece band from Winters, CA. In other words, Kari King sings timeless songs she just wrote about good-hearted drunks and n’er-do-wells, backed by four awe-inspiring musicians in cowboy hats.
http://bonanzakingband.com/
Bonnie and the Bang Bang
Dark alternative acoustic rock
An Oakland band that delivers velvety vocals over American-accented instrumentation delivered with playful, groovy overtones which frequently drift into darker places. This brand of music feels inviting and dangerous, the kind of danger that smiles at you before knocking you on your ass, much like the band’s namesake, Bonnie & Clyde.
https://www.facebook.com/bonniehellabangs
Bottom Dwellers
Twang Americana
A four-piece Americana band from Woodland, this is an Americana band for discerning NorCal folks. Formed in 2003, they have three full-length albums to their credit, with songs ranging from twangy and gritty to sweet and creepy, just like your Great Aunt Sally.
http://bottomdwellersmusic.com
Crow Canyon
Straight-up rock, no chaser
Trust your ears: this Davis rock trio’s youthful appearance belies their depth of experience and commitment. Their schedule is chock full of bookings, including past performances at renowned venues such as the Whisky a Go-Go, and they have graciously shared the stage with Grammy award-winning artists including Stelth Ulvang of the Lumineers.
www.CrowCanyonBand.com
Dank Ocean
World(ly) funk(y) jazz
“Ride the Tide” is the aptly named debut album of this band which has been gathering momentum since originating in UC Davis’ own music department. Like swells building in high winds, the group has gained members as it has garnered more public acclaim, starting as a trio and now performing as an energetic instrumental sextet. Surf some aural waves without the distraction of lyrics. With a reedy, horny (no) blend of Latin-inflected jazz and funk rhythms and melodic hooks, you’ll come up for air grinning and yearning for more.
http://dankoceanband.bandcamp.com/
Desario
Indie rock/pop
The coolest Sacramento band you may have never heard comes into maturity with intimate, melodic, shoegaze-influenced layers upon layers. With two albums under their belt, the second of which garnered a Sammie nomination, look for a third coming soon. Dare we hope it’s inspired by their experience at this year’s Fest?
https://localwiki.org/davis/Desario
DJ Trop’A
Silky soulful DJ’ing
DJ Trop’A, who hails from France (ooh la la) and appears regularly with local celebs Boca do Rio brings analog soul to the tables with his silky scratching. His mix of hip-hop uses both vinyl and computers and is influenced by the diverse culture of his native land, known not only for its exceptional croissants but also for a unique EDM sound, heavily spiced with North African influences. His own aesthetic blends classic and modern rap, reggae, jazz and soul with virtuosic turntable performance such as scratch and beat juggling. And then, maybe he’ll make crepes for dessert…
Drive-Thru Mystics
Garage psychedelic punk rock
Combining elements of rock & roll through the ages with black comedy, Drive-Thru Mystics aren’t “just” a band, but the live experience of a living, breathing creative process. Although the songs and music are all written by one member, the music is allowed to evolve organically, shaped by the personality and inspiration of every exceptional member of this trio.
https://www.facebook.com/DriveThruMystics
Element Brass Band
New Orleans second line jazz
One of the only authentic second line bands on the West Coast, Sacramento’s EBB takes the responsibility of introducing audiences to this New-Orleans-born art form seriously. But not too seriously, since second line by its nature is celebratory brass band music at its best, representing freedom, rich history, and the joy of being alive. Follow this parade to the Hallmark Inn to hear them at this year’s Fest.
Field Medic
Solo dark emo folk
The secret solo tracks of Kevin Sullivan (of Rin Tin Tiger) and his dark folk, in which he explores themes of solitude, companionship, and the yearning for connection in the modern world. But with several varied EP’s to his credit, honestly, you never know which twists and turns his songs are going to make. These tracks can’t stay a secret for long.
https://www.facebook.com/fieldmedicmusic?fref=ts
https://sunroomrecordzandsalon.bandcamp.com/album/iloveuimcrazyimsorry
Fighting Words
Pop punk
A new surfy-skate-punk-pop project featuring members of Calling Morocco, SecondShot, and Symphony of Distraction.
http://fightingwordssac.bandcamp.com/releases
French Cassettes
Indie pop rock(s)
Sometimes, a band seems like it’s on the verge of taking the world by storm. Meet San Francisco’s French Cassettes; if their boyish good looks don’t impress you, try on their self-described “infectious melodies with booty-shaking rhythm, in the style of big slappin’ beats”. I mean, what more incentive do you need?
https://www.facebook.com/frenchcassettes/
https://frenchcassettes.bandcamp.com/
Future Us Organic
Acoustic/electronic sex-pop
What do you get when you take a singer/songwriter/guitarist and introduce her to a rock frontman-turned-beatmaker? If you hear this San Francisco based band, you’ll find out, but it might not be the result you expected. The fusion of these two fascinating musicians into one has created something even greater than the sum of its parts: a super-charged, hypnotic, yet supremely dance-able hybrid with a dirty, sexy edge.
http://www.wearefutureus.com
Golden Gate String Quartet
Not-so-Classical tunes you’ll recognize
A string quartet in instrumentation only, these ladies are known for making their strings sing with heart and soul, as well as their signature arrangements of rock, R&B, and chart-topping favorites that frequently make audience members exclaim to each other, “Are they really playing THAT?” You never know what you’ll hear, but even though they’re top professionals in the world of classical music, it probably won’t be Mozart. This time.
Gravy Nation
Rock with a side of gravy
Northern California’s underground rock scene hasn’t been the same since this trio’s vocalist/bass player, also known as a core member of the Tha’ Dirt Feelin, teamed up with two other amazing dudes to create a signature recipe for groove. Original compositions brimming with hooks and backbeats, inspired by pop punk and classic rock, will leave you with a deliciously Davis flavor on your tongue.
https://www.facebook.com/gravynation/
Haunted Summer
Mystic dream pop
From their origins as an Animal Collective cover band, this dynamic LA-based husband-and-wife duo not only captured each others’ hearts, but also those of the West Coast press. Their signature brand of hazy chamber-psych unfolds one strand at a time, making this dream pop for the wide awake.
http://hauntedsummermusic.tumblr.com/
Hollow Point Stumblers
Latin & Slavic-tinged musical mashup
The Hollow Point Stumblers conjure up a melting-pot melange of Slavic, Balkan and Latin music wrapped inside a juke-joint hoe-down of Country, Gospel and Soul. Every song is a wounded heart from a broken record, bringing young and old together to dance the night away.
http://thestumblers.com
Hrmonik
DJ/Electronica with class
Hrmonik is an apt moniker for this experienced DJ and producer at the forefront of SF’s thriving electronic music scene. From his roots as a student of classical piano to his training at Pyramind to his current posts as one of the main DJ’s at Ozumo SF and a signed artist and producer under Miami’s Main Event Music Group, he melds all of his diverse experience and training into beats, remixes and original tracks in a way that is positively… harmonic.
http://www.hrmonik.com/
Ideateam
Smokin’ hot funk
Not just any funk band, Ideateam is a self-described “freak-out team who make it a point to explore groove, flipping through musical styles like a deck of cards”, defying any concept of genre you ever had. They bring a wall of sound punctuated by sharp brass, interweaving guitars, a filthy foundation of nasty bass, deep-pocket polyrhythms from the percussion section, with powerful vocals and a cherry on top. Hear a band like this, and you’ll wish it was your idea.
http://ideateamband.com/
Jon Hatamiya Quintet
Progressive jazz
Jon Hatamiya, a trombonist and composer recognized by Wynton Marsalis as a rising star in the next generation of jazz artists, makes an encore performance with his high-energy quintet at this year’s Fest. Having performed at all the major jazz venues including the Monterey and Montreal Jazz Festivals, with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, at Yoshi’s and NYC’s the Jazz Standard, Jon is always happy to perform in his native Davis, where he knows that not only do people live and breathe music, they also know how to let loose. Don’t prove him wrong.
http://www.jonhatamiya.com/
Joy & Madness
Soul & Funk
Joy in your soul. Madness in your body. An ear-to-ear smile on your face. These are the promises Joy & Madness delivers upon, exploding your soul with their eight piece funk party reminiscent of Tower of Power yet entirely a brand of their own. As they head back into the studio to record their newest release, this band, whose members have performed with Collective Soul, Tower of Power, and Earth Wind and Fire, graces our stage. Hopefully they won’t fall through the floorboards, something their lead vocalist has actually experienced as a result of his blistering enthusiasm.
http://www.joyandmadness.com/
M3RC
House electro
DJ Shawn Mercado, a.k.a. M3RC, not only has one of the coolest aliases in the business, he’s also ripping up the burgeoning SF electronic music scene, where he’s constantly in high demand for his skills as a DJ and a producer. He has opened/closed for such artists as Zedd, Dada Life, MSTRKRFT and Sub Focus. In short: B3 TH3R3.
MAU
Jam Rock to make you smile
MAU began as a songwriting collaboration, and while that tradition still lives on, MAU is a jam band in the true sense of the word: five guys who simply can’t get enough of playing music. Blending rootsy arrangements with rock and roll sensibilities, MAU’s music surprises, engages, and moves you to move. Plus, they may be this year’s winner of the “Most Excited About the Davis Music Fest” award with their enthusiastic promotion efforts and incomparable number of exclamation points on posts about the Fest.
Misner & Smith
Folk rock that tells a story
Davis’ songwriting sweethearts, Misner & Smith, perform music that is living, breathing philosophy, exploring topics of connection, beauty, and all of life’s esoteric mysteries. Perhaps in part because the duo regularly performs as stage actors, a storytelling thread runs through their veins. As you listen to their songs, you can’t help but feel that you’re being let in on some deep, intimate secret. With their recent release “Seven Hour Storm” garnering rave reviews, we’re fortunate that they’re returning to the Fest to share more juicy moments with us.
http://misnerandsmith.com/
Miss Lonely Hearts
Hard-driving California honky-tonk
It will make you laugh. It will make you sweat. It will make you blush. No, it’s not first love, it’s a night with Miss Lonely Hearts. With infectious rhythms, lyrics like Johnny Cash on nitrous oxide, and the intoxicating energy of a band that likes to party, these accomplished gents travel constantly, trying to satiate their fans’ thirst. With their recent studio album “O’Spring”, you can take them home with you. Again. And again and again.
http://misslonelyheartsband.com/
Moonlit Wheat
Indie/Acoustic
Raw honesty and enticing immediacy. With a stripped down sound full of warmth and candor, Moonlit Wheat has a knack for quieting the room into collective reflection.
http://www.moonlitwheat.com/
Mountain of Youth
Electronic music for your soul
Hailed by many as the “top remix artist find of 2015”, Mountain of Youth is on the way to the summit of the industry. Or, as some in the field prefer to phrase it, “they’re going to be f***-ing massive”. Ask them, and they’ll simply say that have the most humble of aspirations: seeking to inspire and create magic with their audience.
Mr. Glass
DJ’in hip-hop, dub, soul, afro-beat and much,much more
Curator of the Soul Diaspora, Nix Glass brings you funky serenity with his mixes and “Nixtapes”. These won’t resemble the mixes you recorded of top 40 hits in the seventh grade– rather, they’ll prove to you how far you’ve come.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Glass/191942137507101?pnref=lhc
Nukesickle
Precocious EDM
All we’ll say is: luckily, Third Space is an all ages venue, or we’d have trouble with Nukesickle. But age doesn’t equal experience, and this talented new addition to the EDM scene is churning out signature remixes faster than his ardent followers can catch up. Show up and you’ll be able to say, “I heard him when…” well before you’re an old geezer.
https://soundcloud.com/nukesickle
Owl Paws
Acoustic folk rock
Close your eyes and imagine the sounds of a San Francisco folk rock trio… did you hear dreamy acoustic song-scapes, haunting harmonies, lyrical honesty, perhaps with a hint of foggy moodiness? Welcome to the captivating world of Owl Paws, who have taken this crowded idiom and made it their own. Consequently, they’ve had a busy year, performing all over the Northwest and returning home frequently to grace SF stages including Bottom of the Hill, Rickshaw Stop, and Brick and Mortar. See them at the Fest before we all follow them like eager groupies to their show at the Independent this July.
Owlpaws.com
Planes on Paper
Alternative folk
Planes on Paper takes you on a journey into an enchanting world of sonority: rich vocals layered on top of meticulous guitar playing, made into a cohesive whole by strands of yearning harmonies. This is folk music in the true sense of folk; it addresses universal themes that occupy us all, such as love, loss and the magic of incarnation. Their summer tour schedule takes them from Washington to the Bay Area to Vermont and NYC. Catch them here and you won’t have to pay airfare.
http://www.planesonpaper.com/
Quest and Destined
Dynamic songwriting duo
Multi-talented Rose Cangelosi brings her original songs to life with lively vocals, guitar and drums, backed by keyboardist Taj Costa. Together, they paint the picture of life, the one quest we’re all destined to experience. Visit with your destiny and see what it has in store for you on June 21st at Vini Wine Bar.
https://www.facebook.com/questanddestined
Rich Girls
Garage rock torch songs from the darker side
The solo project of Luisa Black (the Blacks) ventures into uncharted territory with Luisa’s self-admitted “enduring obsession with tone” in which her signature reverb-laden vocals dance on a razor’s edge between the gothic and the melodic. Rich Girls now performs live as a trio, adding even more complexity to the blend. On the surface, these may be carefree summer pop songs but if you delve into the fuzzy layers of distortion, past the early Cure-inspired guitar licks, you’ll hear undertones of self destruction and darkness, echoed by the short horror film Luisa released to accompany her EP single, “Sink like Stones”, released by Tricycle Records in 2013.
https://www.facebook.com/richgirlsarehere
Richie Lawrence & The Yolos Roots
Americana
Hailed by the press and lauded for his diversity, Richie Lawrence is a pianist, accordionist and singer who truly represents America for what it is: a melting pot of cultures and influences, unified by our personal and global struggles for independence. Drawing from a wealth of early musical influences which ranged from opera to James Brown to Oklahoma cowboy songs, his songs paint a picture of the nation we all love, backed by his band which includes an ever-changing rotation of stringed instruments, bass, drums, and backup vocals. It’s not Fourth of July quite yet, but what’s a Festival without instilling a little bit of national (and local) pride?
http://richielawrence.com/
Ross Hammond
Jazz(y) music with a message
Ross Hammond muses that music gives him a powerful voice, one that he’s been sharing with the world for, oh, twelve albums now. And with so much to say, we hope he keeps on telling it like it is, through his instrumental improvisations that are equal parts spirituals, jazz, and world music. The nature of improvisatory art is that it is ever-changing, which allows him to venture into areas that personally resonate with him at each moment. It is this total immersion that you’ll hear when listening to this clear-toned free jazz, whether it’s accented with a bluesy twang or a whimsical whisper. He’ll appear with sax player Vinny Golia at this year’s Fest for double your pleasure (Doublemint gum not recommended, due to Vini Wine Bar’s superior offerings).
http://www.rosshammond.com/
Ryan Geller
Black (Velvet) fabric
“No one loves a DJ. They just love the song you’re playing.” While that may be true, it takes talent, and a lot of it, to be the ‘CD player player’ that knows how to lift everyone’s spirits. Come request your favorite song, or just let him read your mind. Clairvoyants, DJ’s– they’re one and the same. Or are they?
https://www.facebook.com/ryangeller123
Scary Little Friends
Mellow indie rock with a folk twist
Described as “the best kept secret in the San Francisco music scene”, this folk rock trio is prepared to take the world by storm, but as you know, here in Davis, we’re always a little ahead of the game. With lilting vocals and surf’s-up psychedelic guitar, songs written with strong Southern soul roots are the bread and butter of this band, apt to scare no one and befriend everyone. As with their lyrics, even the band’s name has a compelling story, born of a mantra chanted inside a beat-up Volvo staion wagon, but you’ll have to ask them to elaborate. After all, each member of this band possesses virtuosic chops, but they’re so unassuming, you’ll forget to give them the adulation they deserve.
http://scarylittlefriends.com/
Sea Lioness
Rock n’ Roll that lets you breathe
Have you ever had a favorite pair of jeans that were perfectly worn in, but surprised you every time you put them on with their perfect fit and extreme comfort? Sea Lioness is that pair of jeans: familiar yet refreshing, smartly crafted yet unchallenging. This San Francisco band combines vocally charged rock and roll with catchy pop hooks that you’ll be humming hours later. This engaging quintet proves that rock bands don’t need to be gimmicky or contrived to achieve true success, which is only measured by the smiles on their fans’ faces.
http://www.sealioness.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sea-Lioness/313841972078794
Sir Henry
Psychedelic garage folk rock
On the surface, Sir Henry is a Los Angeles-based indie rock band, but in actuality, it’s a member of the family. The heartfelt nature of this project may be disguised by primal drumming and loud guitars, but it’s really a cry from the soul. With a full length album due this summer, we can’t wait to see the fruit of their labors. But in the meantime, we’re more than satisfied with the depth of listening to two people sing their hearts out, their ten year history of music-making between them, submerged in layers of echoing noise and the cadence of silence.
https://sirhenrymusic.bandcamp.com/track/true-love-true-love
Sometimes Warren
Rock, funk & soul…sometimes.
Sometimes, this band is seven pieces. Sometimes not. Sometimes, they’ll surprise you with something you didn’t expect to hear. Sometimes not. Always, this band will get you onto the dance floor, and always, they’ll provide you with a rich blend of favorite songs you love to hear. Find out why Sometimes Warren is a perennial Davis favorite. Not sometimes, always. Every single time.
https://www.facebook.com/sometimeswarren/
Sunmonks
Music
A four piece band with a zest for life, Sunmonks are anything but monastic. Hailing from the outskirts of Auburn (that’s like saying ‘the outskirts of Davis’), where descendants of gold miners meet first-generation pot farmers, this band looked outwards for influences, and the results are a rich musical tapestry, uninhibited by constraints of genre, a quirky blend of melodic pop and brass-flourished R&B from a bygone era when musicians trumped computers. The band’s modus operandi: “Why not?” And you know what? We can’t think of a single reason.
http://crossbillrecords.com/artists/sunmonks/
https://www.facebook.com/SunMonks
Sweet 100s
Davis’ Americana roots sweethearts
Fueled by locally grown organic veggies, this folk trio boasts six hands, three beating hearts with resonant voices to match, and a plethora of American-accented instruments, including mandolin, banjo, guitar, flute, fiddle and bass. We’re at a loss as to why they limited their numbers to mere “100s”, and are campaigning to get their band name changed to “Sweet Infinities”. Don’t take our word for it. Skip dessert and head to this set instead.
https://www.facebook.com/Sweet100s
Tarzandragon
Psychedelic alternative rock
The five-piece band with the compound name, Tarzandragon is about putting parts together to make a whole. This Vacaville band prides themselves on bringing people people together, soliciting feedback openly, and making music within the warm embrace of a welcoming community. In short, they’re the perfect band for our Festival! Expect to hear syncopated, intricate drum patterns superimposed on groovin’ bass lines, passionate lyrics and classic rock guitar shredding. But that’s all technicalities, when it’s all about the feel-good vibe.
http://tarzandragon.com/
TAXES
Rock ballads for the optimistically heartbroken
Appropriately affiliated with label Breakup Records, TAXES is SF native front-man Robby Cronholm’s salve for the broken-hearted, the walking wounded, or simply those who prefer their entertainment fortified with a bracing dose of reality. Robby uses humor as a lens to illuminate and access the painful, bringing suffering out of the shadows and into the spotlight, where sadness slithers away and in its place is celebratory breakthrough, backed by standard rock instrumentation. Music can be used to heal or to express gratitude, and so TAXES’ songs about “love and the lack thereof… okay, mostly the latter” strike a chord with most of us. Hearing this band is way better than mooning over your long-lost love in your high school yearbook, so get out of the house already…
http://taxesband.com/
Tha Dirt Feelin’
Local kings of funk & soul
Do you feel good? We said, DO YOU FEEL GOOD?? If your answer is lukewarm, get thee to Tha Dirt Feelin’s set and anything that ails you will fall away. These Davis darlin’s always keep the dance beats going, the lyrics positive and upbeat, all with a sexy, funky edge reminiscent of early Red Hot Chili Peppers, Parliament Funkadelic, Outkast, Bill Withers… aw heck, just go see for yourself, will ya?
http://thadf.com
The Bumptet
Genre-bending groove masters
With their motto, “the truth is found in gettin’ down and tomorrow is just a state of mind”, this Northern California quintet takes listeners on a spirited journey that must be seen live in order to fully appreciate the level of musicianship and soul they bring to every show they play. But don’t expect to hear carbon copy renditions of their tunes on stage. Instead, they regularly deliver high energy, improvised sets of funk music with jazz caliber execution, including the occasional foray into the jam band outer stratosphere. When this type of experience is described as “epic”, it’s never an exaggeration.
www.thebumptet.com
The Evan Daly Blues Band
Probably self-evident from the band name
This new collaboration, supported by members of Davis favorite Big Sticky Mess, brings Evan Daly’s guitar mastery and impassioned vocals into the well-deserved limelight. And with B.B. gone, how else are you going to get your blues fix?
https://www.facebook.com/evandalybluesband/
The Lurk
Alone, never lonely
From out of the shadows comes Davis’ premier rocker stalker who claims he doesn’t play well with others, but why would he need to? This DIY operation isn’t today’s typical solo venture, with high-tech looping equipment, iPads and gizmos galore, but instead a gypsy-like travelling circus of a show created only with an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, a foot-driven kick drum and vocals, all powered by one dynamic (and fantastically coordinated) performer. With an old-timey vaudeville energy, his music is a sincere, albeit quirky, spin-off of alt-folk rock that stands on its own, one man or otherwise. ”
https://www.facebook.com/thelurk1manband
The Notorious Shank Brothers
Bluegrass
Traditional bluegrass songs and instrumentals served straight up. These four musical outlaws are (in)famous throughout the county for their sizzlin’ pickin’ and wanted for the crime of having way too much fun.
http://www.notoriousshankbrothers.com/
The Trims
Dance-able post-punk
Fresh from their appearance at this year’s Bottlerock Festival and following the release of their third EP, “Vida”, this engaging San Jose foursome seems to be on an interstellar voyage. With racy lyrics and danceable Brit-pop effervescence, the Trims create a unique and oh so tempting sound out of classic sonorities. They’ve been featured on MTV’s “The Real World”, but the real reason their songs sound so familiar is that they already have the timeless appeal of true classics.
http://thetrims.net/
They Went Ghost
Rock n’ Reggae
With an inspired sound blending the best of California into one easy-to-swallow stage performance, this Vacaville band is gaining in popularity, not shrinking into ghostly shadows as their name might suggest. Their energetic antics, mean chops, and carefully crafted songs captivated fans’ attention at the inaugural Bottlerock Festival, but we’re competitive, so come prepared to show off how inspiring a festival audience can REALLY be.
http://www.theywentghost.net/
Tom Brosseau
Serious folksinger/songwriter
Tom Brosseau, North Dakota-born, LA-based songwriter and singer, learned acoustic guitar at his grandmother’s knee. John Parish (PJ Harvey) produced Tom’s new album, “Perfect Abandon”, released this March by our friends at Crossbill Records. Since 2010, Brosseau has performed with Becky Stark and John C. Reilly in John Reilly & Friends, championing the close harmonies and soul of earlier American music. He has traveled the world sharing his visionary songs which explore man’s struggles to understand divinity, betrayal of a kinsman, discovery, and love, performing onstage at the grandest concert halls, delivering his unique brand of balm for the soul in modest nursing homes, and pretty much just being awesome everywhere all the time.
http://www.tombrosseau.com/
http://crossbillrecords.com/artists/tom-brosseau/
Tre Burt
Afterfolk
Tre Burt, with his swirling smoke rings of sound, has created his own genre, rather like the post-punk of folk. Allow his songs to fill your imagination with soft words whispered by the wind as it whistles between the treetops and breezes through downtown streets, reminding us to keep asking questions, taking new risks and moving forward towards new challenges and adventures. And speaking of adventures, expect his new LP, “Tre Burt’s Cosmic Dread” later this year.
https://treburtmusic.bandcamp.com/
Two Sheds
Indie Rock
Conceived as a result of a husband-wife dare (don’t ask!), and resurrected by another dare, following a hiatus to pursue solo projects, Two Sheds is everything but “just another band in time…”, which is how they humbly refer to themselves in their publicity materials. The second dare resulted in front-woman Caitlin Gutenberger writing twenty songs three days in a row, resulting in more than enough material to record an album with her husband and fellow daredevil, Johnny, and drummer Josh Barhart. Behold the Two Shed’s May release on Crossbill Records, “Assembling’. Try not to fall in love. We dare you.
http://riotactmedia.com/roster/twosheds
www.ilovetwosheds.com
West Nile Ramblers
Western garage & country noir
Bite into a crunchy combination of Western swing, gypsy folk, rock, and jazz that inspires people to cut loose and have a good time. Alex Roth and Andy Lentz bring their decade-long collaboration to fruition in the band’s musical leadership, captivating audiences with their infectious energy. It’s this incomparable enthusiasm combined with stellar chops that has brought them to the stage opening for Paul Brady as winners of the 2012 Ballyshannon Folk Festival band contest in Ireland and has kept them a perennial Fest favorite for the past three years. Like Lays potato chips, we couldn’t eat just one. Neither can you.
http://www.thewestnileramblers.com
Windmills
Softspoken
Singer/Songwriter with a Backbone What would you expect from a singer-songwriter with an abundance of heart and a touch of a grit, when asked to describe his art? But of course, he would pen a haiku: “Singer Song Writer; Harmony Driven Music; From San Francisco”. We’d say that about sums it up, although you’ll have to attend his set to discover that and so much more.
https://wemoveair.bandcamp.com
Zapato Viejo
Music from Latin America for the whole world
Blending an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary rhythms and songs from Latin America, Zapato Viejo brings world music home.These may or may not be the songs your mama sang to you as she rocked you in the cradle, but no matter your background, your feet will begin to twitch and your limbs will start to sway, until you find yourself in the middle of the dance floor. Like comfort food, this is comfort music, designed to fit you like an old shoe (thank you, Google Translate).
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zapato-Viejo/118896374805623?sk=timeline