The Goodbye Horses, Wafer Thin, and Matt Smith and the Cowboy Spankers
The Goodbye Horses is an all-original American garage rock band from the NC Triad. Beginning in 2019 as a Guitar/Drums power duo, Christopher Shipman and Mark Malarkey began crafting original songs influenced by rock, punk, goth, country, and metal. They soon started working with RJ Hooker (bass) and Dagger Jackson (synthesizer) to fill out their unique sound with a bit of twang and plenty of thunder. “Who the fuck puts a synth in an americana/garage band and makes it sound so good?” -Matt Smith “It’s like The Cure if Robert Smith was from Sanford” -Dan Bayer “The Goodbye Horses are a throwback to the glory days of alt-country, AKA cowpunk. Check out the slashing guitars and galloping drums on “The Ohio River Flood of 1937” or the wistful yowl of “Try Not to Lie.” They’re a raucous reminder of bands like 6 String Drag, the Waco Brothers, and Jason and the Scorchers.” -Eddie Huffman
Queen Bees album release show w/ Katie Blvd and special guests
About The Queen Bees: Comprised of Molly McGinn (electric guitar / vocals), Kate Musselwhite (electric violin / vocals / drums), and Quilla (keys / beats / vocals), The Queen Bees blend traditional acoustic instruments with modern electronic elements, creating a unique sound that resonates with a diverse audience. Known for their dynamic live performances, vocal harmonies and original compositions, The Queen Bees have taken the stage at some of North Carolina’s most respected venues and music series. They earned an award from the “Not Your Average Folk Competition” in 2023 and opened the North Carolina Folk Festival in 2024, bringing their signature fusion of electronic and folk to a festival known for celebrating tradition and innovation. They’ve opened for the Piedmont Wind Symphony in Winston-Salem, and have been featured in the “Sounds of the Mountains” series in Yadkinville, NC, a showcase of regional artists who push the boundaries of folk and roots music. The trio has also appeared on The Martha Bassett Show, a premier live-music program hosted in Elkin; and have performed at Elon University, bringing their genre-blending sound to new audiences. Musical Style: The Queen Bees weave together the pulse of disco, the soul of Americana, and the hooks of pop, crafting a sound that’s as unexpected as it is unforgettable. Their songs are built on deep grooves and sharp storytelling, tackling everything from climate change to local legends, with a sonic palette that’s both richly textured and fiercely original.
Dogwood Tales w/ Larry. & Wallpaper
Dogwood Tales is an emotional alt-country band from Harrisonburg, VA influenced by thesights and sounds of the Shenandoah Valley. The band emerged from the rich DIY scene oftheir college town with their debut album,“Too Hard to Tell” (2018) finding their place in theVirginia music scene and beyond with frequent touring along the east coast. They spent thewinter of 2024 renovating an old garage to create a home studio space where they recorded a new album set to release in 2025.
NC Unplugged featuring Modern Moxie, Bedrumor, and Madisinn
Shiv, Shrine, Treasure Pains, and Distracted Eye
Joe Beck & The Hopefuls
Pink Beds with Grey Oaks and Fifth Floor
Pink Beds sits at the intersection of spacious grooves and lush song-crafting. If All I Have, the band’s debut LP, was a love letter to the sounds that surrounded them in Appalachia, the March 2024 follow-up, Spare Key To AMemory, is a nuanced and evolved form, showcasing their love of lush, angular, and ethereal sounds designed toresonate with our deepest emotional experiences.Shifting from a lockdown songwriting project to an electrifying live act, the band has taken on a vibrant and captivating quality all to their own. Playing o of the spark of a live environment, the band evolves and expands upon their familiar compositions, taking them to new and exciting places. After securing a foothold in southeastmarkets, becoming a FloydFest On-the-Rise artist, a Relix Magazine Sonic Showdown Finalist, and makingprominent regional festival appearances, the band is eager to bring these new songs and experiences toaudiences throughout 2024.Pink Beds from Asheville, NC comprises Aaron Aiken (Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Synths), Jackson Van Horn(Guitar, Keys, Synths), Logan Hall (Bass, Synths), and Ryan Sargent (Drums, Percussion). The group explorestheir shared influences nurtured by a deep bond with one another.
Deaf Andrews with Yesterdays Clothes
Conceived in the daydreams of adolescence, Deaf Andrews has blossomed from their roots, into a unique sonic flower of indie pop rock. It is the product of five best friends from Charlotte, NC making music that means something to them. Consisting of Nick Hayes (Vocals), Mike Sherrard (guitar), Ross Schumann (bass), Andrew Kingsley (guitar) and Braedon Nelson (drums). Deaf Andrews has continued to push their personal limits of creativity and emotional tuneness. Making it a priority to capture some of the magic energy that fuels their live shows, the sound is organic, direct, and channels the essence of true rock and roll while also exploring the experimental freedom of modern indie pop. Their latest release in 2023: “Phone Line” harkens back to the youthful bliss experienced during the formative years of life. Catchy guitar layers and smooth tones are complemented with rousing lyrics that underscore feelings of love, recklessness, and comfort. Introducing “Yesterday’s Clothes” – a fresh and vibrant alternative rock band hailing from Asheville, NC. Comprised of Hampton Schlock (vox/rhythm guitar), Connor Burchett (lead guitar), Jack Ritchie (drums), and Jackson Chisholm (bass), they bring an electrifying energy to the stage. With a deep love for music and a passion for the great outdoors, Yesterday’s Clothes finds inspiration in both realms. When they’re not creating infectious melodies, you’ll often find them camping and exploring the natural wonders around Asheville. This sense of adventure infuses their music, resulting in a unique blend of alternative rock that captures the essence of their surroundings.
Airshow, Frute, and Folkknot
Airshow is a high-flying, Nashville-based jam band featuring a unique contrast of familiar acoustic and mind-bending electric sounds that transports listeners from a campfire picking-party to the outer reaches of the multiverse. Formed by longtime friends Cody Chelius (Mandolin / Vocals) and Steve Gallagher (Guitar / Vocals), the group’s lineup was completed with the addition of Bill Baker (Bass/ Vocals) and John Rodrigue (Drums/ Vocals) in 2016. While each member has different musical influences, it is their shared passion for exploring uncharted sonic territories that has propelled their ascension to the top of Nashville’s jamband scene— and they won’t be landing anytime soon. Frute is a psych rock collective out of Atlanta, GA. The group features Alo Ver’s distinct and ethereal vocals, which complement the band’s deep pocket grooves and iridescent soundscapes. With an emphasis on improvisation in a live setting, their sound consists of crisp, catchy synthesizers, unconventional guitar tones, and a dynamic rhythm section. Their live shows and studio recordings strike a magnetic balance between atmosphere and dance. Folkknot is a seafaring six-piece band based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Never afraid to sail against the wind, Folkknot crafts enchanting indie-folk-pop-rock escapism that beats back against the mainstream current of our modern era, harking at the essence of folk storytelling elements from yesteryear. Captained by frontman Grey Hyatt’s vivid songwriting & lucid vision for his songs, Folkknot’s eclectic instrumentation provides a lu
Friendship Commanders, …Of Sinking Ships, and Bluething
Friendship Commanders are a heavy duo from Nashville TN. The band is songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Buick Audra and drummer/bassist Jerry Roe. Their new album, MASS, is a concept record about memory, language, and the state of Massachusetts. The ten-track body of work was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Kurt Ballou at his Salem, MA studio, GodCity. The album is accompanied by a memoir in essays by Buick Audra. Both were released on September 29, 2023. BILL – The Steve Albini Mixes was released on July 22, 2024; these are the original, previously unreleased analog mixes of FC’s second album, BILL. The record was released on what would have been Steve’s 62nd birthday. The single Outlive You (Steve Albini Mix) was released on July 1, 2024; it was Steve’s favorite track from the album.
