DIVA BLEACH, 5EVER, LOLITSLEA
Diva Bleach is a “sparkly pop-rock” duo consisting of bassist/vocalist Sydney Roten and Brie Ritter from Phoenix, Arizona. Wearing their hearts on their sleeves, Diva Bleach shares stories of heartbreak, loss, friendship and more through their music. Music has always been an important part of their lives, taking music lessons at the same school and then ultimately teaming up to create Diva Bleach in 2021. The band has appeared at Zona Fest on the main stage with Portugal, The Man and has played alongside bands such as The Front Bottoms, Poolkids, Twin XL, Sundressed and more. The duo has now joined the InVogue Records family and are set to tour this spring with Young Rising Sons and 44 Blonde, and will be on the Sad Summer Festival tour this summer. 5ever is a POP-punk band from Boston, blending high-energy rock tunes with catchy pop melodies to create an infectious sound. Drawing inspiration from bands like Fall Out Boy, Mayday Parade, Waterparks, Forever The Sickest Kids, and the 2000’s Neon Pop-Punk scene, they craft anthemic tracks that are both fun and emotionally charged. The band has shared the stage with the likes of New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, The Movielife, Just Friends, Action//Adventure, Diva Bleach and it doesn’t seem like they are slowing down anytime soon. With a growing fanbase and a knack for delivering unforgettable performances, 5ever is quickly becoming a standout in the modern pop-punk scene. Growing up in the small, yet touristy beach town of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, lolitslea was homegrown from every and all kinds of music that came out of the Asbury Park alternative scene and Warped Tour era. The independent artist has intertwined the boldness of punk and the colors of pop to bring back the bright sounds of the Neon Pop Punk scene we all grew to love in the mid 2000s. Think Artist Vs Poet or early Fall Out Boy. ALL AGES SHOW –THERE WILL BE A $5 SURCHARGE ADDED AT THE DOOR FOR ANYONE UNDER 21 (EVEN IF TICKETS ARE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE.) THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING!
Jason Scott & The High Heat
Caught halfway between amplified Americana and heartland roots-rock, Jason Scott & the High Heat create a sweeping, dynamic sound that reaches far beyond the traditions of their Oklahoma City home. Too loud for folk music and too textured for Red Dirt, this is the sound of a genuine band rooted in groove, grit, and its own singular spirit, led by a songwriter whose unique past — a Pentecostal upbringing, years logged as a preacher-in-training, and an eventual crisis of faith — has instilled both a storyteller’s delivery and an unique perspective about life, love, and listlessness in the modern world. Case in point, in 2018 Scott earned critical acclaim as a songwriter when the second track “She Good To Me” off his DIY EP Living Rooms (2017 landed on NPR World Cafe’s Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing alongside songs by MGMT, Moby, and Jade Bird. It was only the beginning of a new life on a new kind of stage. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and session musician, Scott spent a year balancing life on the road and life in the studio, where he produced albums for Americana artists like Carter Sampson, Ken Pomeroy, and Nellie Clay. Things began to expand as he assembled the High Heat, a band of multi-faceted musicians and roots-rock Renaissance men who, like their frontman, juggled multiple artistic pursuits. Together, Jason Scott & the High Heat have since become a self-contained creative collective whose talents include songwriting, music production, photography, video direction, and more. In 2022 the band made a pronounced impact with their debut album Castle Rock, a melting pot of sounds from the heartland sweep of Tom Petty to the story-driven Americana of Jason Isbell, the nostalgic hooks of ’90s country music to the sharp songwriting of James Taylor mixed with John Prine’s lyrical blend of cutting insight and laugh-out-loud humor. The album also spent two months in the Top 50 of the Americana chart reaching all the way to #36 and outlets across the globe started taking notice of this groove oriented, rock-infused band with crazy brilliant songs. NPR, The Boot, Holler, BBC Radio Scotland, Wide Open Country, Bluegrass Situation, Farce The Music, Ditty TV, Americana Music Show and Gimme Country all applauded the band’s first full length effort with emphasis on the bright future to come. During this time their live show was catching equal recognition branding them as “the band to see” pretty much anywhere they played. In short order they were on the road performing at some of the most renowned music festivals includong the Stagecoach festival, Born and Raised Fest, Mile 0 Fest, Norman Music Festival and the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, and supported a variety of bands including Band of Heathens, Eli Young Band, Gin Blossoms, Josh Abbott, Vandoliers, The Damn Quails, MIPSO, Parker Millsap, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Kaitlin Butts.
Kill The Buddha, Them Pants, Cameron Stenger, And Ins Kino
Kill the Buddha is an indie rock group led by vocalist/guitarist Lenwood Edwards Jr. The music is progressive, weaving odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and obscured glimpses of personal reflections into a sound that breathes. Lenwood desperately clings to melodies while inviting listeners to get lost in drones and delay. He is joined by Nick Van Buskirk (bass, horns), Greer Gehrken (shruti box, keys, vocals), Daniel Sheffield (drums), and Gabi Walden (guitar). Based out of Greensboro, NC, the band looks to release its first full-length album this summer.
An Evening With Crawford & Power
Crawford & Power, a dynamic duo hailing from Southwest Virginia, are redefining the country music scene with their distinctive sound. Rooted in southern authenticity, Jake Crawford’s commanding vocals seamlessly blend with Ethan Power’s modern Dobro approach, crafting their own brand of Appalachian Red Dirt Country. Already leaving their mark, Crawford & Power have shared the stage with notable artists like The Marshall Tucker Band, Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt, and more. Their career gained momentum with the release of their debut EP, “Play a Hank Jr. Song,” propelling them to over 6 million on-demand streams. Following up, with singles like “She Liked to Get High” & “Letting You Go,” the duo spent 2022/2023 in the studio with Producer Grady Saxman, unveiling their latest EP, “Bring It on Home,” as well as multiple singles in 2023. As they set their sights on 2025 and beyond, Crawford & Power are preparing new music and continued musical exploration. This duo is just getting started, poised to captivate audiences with their evolving sound.
An Evening With Shadowgrass
When their instrumental prowess earned them a vast following on social media, childhood friends turned all-star act Shadowgrass found sudden success. But as a young band, the expectations that went along with a large audience proved daunting. “We felt a lot of pressure to make something uniquely us, because we had such a big following, and we felt that they deserved more than what we had given them as of yet.” explains the band. The group dug deep into their own musicality, and tried to block out the noise for their sophomore release All That Will (release date: Oct 4, 2024). “It turned out that dropping those self-imposed expectations and just writing/making music for our own enjoyment was the key to finding our collective voice and making a record we are all proud of.” Shadowgrass began in 2014 when Clay Russell (Banjo), Luke Morris (Mandolin), Kyser George (Guitar) were jamming at the Grayson County Fiddler’s Convention in Elk Creek, VA. Sometime before their first real show, the name Shadowgrass was suggested simply because they thought it sounded “cool”. Kyser, Clay, and Luke were 9, 13, and 14 years old at the time. Now in their early twenties, their influences and listening habits have changed drastically, but the group has always grown in the same direction musically. They have welcomed fiddle player Madison Morris, who also lends vocals and songwriting prowess, and bass player Evan Campfield. Luke and Madison trade off lead vocals, and harmonies seamlessly with one another. Their commitment to and keen interest in songwriting brings additional dimensions to the band, allowing the group to appeal to listeners outside of the expected jam-band community. As a very young band that has already been playing together for a decade, Shadowgrass has a unique bond. “We’ve grown up together and have watched each other evolve into the people we are today”, they say. “It sounds cliche but we definitely act more like siblings than bandmates”. On All That Will, the group explores themes of anxiety and uncertainty, and questioning the people they want to become. Luckily, they’ve had each other to share these experiences with, and it seems that their companionship has only pushed their artistic and musical abilities to new heights.
SAM FRIBUSH ORGAN TRIO (ALBUM RELEASE SHOW)
Keyboardist Sam Fribush is on the frontlines of the Hammond organ revival. His debut release was produced by Charlie Hunter and recorded in North Carolina. The trio’s new record ‘People Please’ was released March 15th, 2024. Over the past few years, Fribush has established himself as one of the country’s hottest young bandleaders and People Please pushes the keyboardist’s music into new and uncharted territory, revealing a deep affinity for crispy, wah-wah driven funk, Hip-hop beats and sultry HAMMOND ballads. Says Fribush, “My intention is to take this music into the future. I’m trying to expand the rules about what organ trio music is.” Indeed, the album places Fribush’s music not only among the giants of soul jazz–Ronnie Foster, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Larry Young–but also in the pantheon of funkateers like Sly Stone and the Meters.
Goth Night: Idol Talk (Album Release Show), Dead Cool, and Candy Coffins
Idol Talk – is a darkwave/post-punk trio from Carrboro, North Carolina, creating danceable anthems with gothic themes. Former members of Toothsome now create a sound that echoes 80s synths, basslines, and guitars. Influenced by The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, and modern acts like Drab Majesty and Twin Tribes. Their upcoming debut album Allure, releasing on Boared to Death Records on April 11th 2025, explores loss, love, and existential longing, offering a soundtrack for the dark. Idol Talk is here to make you move. Dead Cool – From the coastal charm of Wilmington, North Carolina emerges intriguing electronic duo, Dead Cool. Their namesake, drawn from a Chrome Cranks number, resonates with the unique chemistry of Johnny’s multifaceted vocal, synthesizer, and guitar prowess, coupled with Angela Yeagher’s bass rhythms and harmonizing vocals. Infused with the evocative notes of darkwave, post-punk, and synthpop, Dead Cool’s musical offerings, established since 2020, have been garnering an enthusiastic following both domestically and internationally. Drawing inspiration from the dramatic depths of The Sisters of Mercy, and the electric energy of Depeche Mode, Suicide, and The Human League, Dead Cool’s compositions come with a wink and a nod to the grand traditions of darkwave, all while fashioning a niche of their own. Candy Coffins – from Columbia, SC offer a wellspring of superbly crafted melodic post-punk, proving to be relentless in their pursuit of material that embodies the emotive nature of human experience. While one foot is firmly planted in the foundation of brooding, emotional restlessness, the other steps into an arena of hope and elation. With tasteful nods to Joy Division, The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs, The Afghan Whigs and The Cult, as well as contemporaries like The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spiritualized, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Interpol, Candy Coffins’ sound is dark and emotionally restless, but with elements of hope and elation.
The Nth Power
The Nth Power believes in the healing power of music. Featuring guitarist Nick Cassarino, bassist Nate Edgar and drummer Nikki Glaspie, the seasoned trio delivers a transcendent blend of soul, funk, rock and rhythm and blues. Multi-part vocal harmonies and elevated musicianship inspires audiences to dance, groove, make love or just stand there with goose bumps. The Nth Power’s electric live performances have been flooring audiences ever since the group first aligned in New Orleans during Jazz Fest. After the band’s breakout 2013 EP, Basic Minimum Skills Test, The Nth Power went on to release two acclaimed studio albums and two live albums – garnering national coverage in Relix, Modern Drummer, Huffington Post, Glide, Consequence, Okayplayer, Paste and Sirius XM Radio. The trio’s individual music credentials include collaborating with artists like Beyonce, Snarky Puppy, Maceo Parker, Dumpstaphunk, Big Daddy Kane and John Brown’s Body. “It’s my dream team,” said bandleader and drummer Glaspie. “Each one of us is a songwriter, so when we get together, everything becomes that much stronger. We’re going as far as you can go on the planet Earth and playing music.” The Nth Power’s inspirational sets have floored audiences at music festivals like Electric Forest, High Sierra, Peachfest, North Coast Music Festival and Hulaween. They maintain New Orleans as their spiritual home, and the celebratory essence of that city’s music culture is palpable in each performance. Simply put, there is something pretty magical happening in this band, and they’re only just getting started.
Strange Fruit Presents: Nina J.
Songwriter Series hosted by Abigail Dowd ft: A Different Thread, and Chris Moyse
Chris Moyse – Winner of the Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition, Chris Moyse is a Nashville-based folk songwriter. He has shared the stage with troubadours like Joe Ely, Mary Gauthier, and members of Old Crow Medicine Show. In 2020, Chris released his debut album Bitter Ballads & Cynical Prayers, garnering critical acclaim with American Songwriter calling it “roots-thick and shadowy.. guided by velvety vocals. A delicate ebb and flow.” He continues to tour in support of this album. A Different Thread – British-Americana troubadours A Different Thread create a richly emotive tapestry of transatlantic folk. Lead singers Robert Jackson (Midlands, UK) and Alicia Best (North Carolina) first met busking in Ireland. Backed by Mike Seal on double bass, their original songs weave Celtic balladry and Appalachian blues, featuring fiddle, harmonica, and an abundance of honeyed harmonies. Following in the footsteps of Johnny Cash and June Carter, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, A Different Threadʼs unique sound has earned them acclaim for their powerful storytelling and moving live performances. They have garnered support slots with the likes of The Milk Carton Kids, Native Harrow, and Jody Stephens (Big Star), as well as features with NPR and the BBC. Catch them part of this year’s Merlefest lineup. Abigail Dowd – Our fearless host enjoys music most when it’s embedded in real life, sitting around a fire, singing harmonies around an old family piano, or every third Tuesday night at the Flat Iron. Each month Abigail invites musician friends to fall into space with her and the audience for what she describes as an evening in her adopted living room. They collaborate, share new songs, play old favorites, make things up, make you cry, make you laugh and most of all make you glad you came.
