Joe Beck & The Hopefuls
An Evening w/ Eliot Bronson (Early Show)
Over the course of six albums, indie folksinger Eliot Bronson has created his own brand of atmospheric American roots music. He’s an award winner. A road warrior with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. An internationally-renowned songwriter with a voice that swoons and sweeps, making fans out of everyone from his hometown newspaper, The Baltimore Sun —who championed Bronson from the very start, hailing him as “a folk singing wunderkind” back when he was still playing local coffeeshops — to Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, whose work on 2014’s Eliot Bronson and 2017’s James placed Bronson on the same client roster as heartfelt songwriters like Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton. Talking To Myself marks the most meditative, melodic album of his career, with sparse soundscapes that are laced with acoustic guitar, light touches of keyboard, and clouds of reverb. When Eliot’s voice enters each song, it’s like sunlight piercing its way through the fog. “There’s a little bit of pedal steel, a little bit of bass, and a little bit of electric guitar,” he explains. “Other than that, it’s just me and Damon.” He’s talking about Damon Moon, the Atlanta-area producer best known for his work with regional indie rock bands. “Damon usually makes records with louder bands,” Eliot says, “and that was interesting to me. I wanted to work with someone who had a different sensibility than I did. He brought a new atmosphere to the album. Instead of playing bass on a song, we’d use a Moog. Instead of playing a shaker, we’d use a brush on the side of a tambourine. We wanted to get outside the box of what an Americana folk singer is supposed to sound like.” The result is a 10-song showcase of spacey dream-folk, with Eliot Bronson pulling triple-duty as a singer, songwriter, and co-producer. On his previous record, Empty Spaces, he wrote about the messy end of a decade-long romance and the start of something new. Portions of Talking To Myself serve as an epilogue to that story, with songs like “From Rabun Gap” and “Are You Still Mean” measuring the distance between past heartbreak and present resilience. Elsewhere, Talking To Myself finds Eliot taking stock of the world around him, turning his personal experience into universal songs about the feelings we all share. Talking To Myself is an album that balances mood and melody, intimacy and atmosphere, grounded songwriting and astral, ambient arrangements. For a songwriter who’s always dealt with the grey area between genres — or, he puts it, “the in-between colors that we don’t really have words for” — it’s the next chapter in a story that continues to unfold.
Wim Tapley & The Cannons w/ Five Door Sedan and Andrew Montana
Based in Athens, Georgia, Wim Tapley came of age playing shows in Washington D.C. where he honed his voice with the passion of a born troubadour. Since 2021, Wim and his live band The Cannons have called Athens home. His first week in Georgia, he made his way onto a local bill, etching a name for himself as a fresh and favorite hometown voice. He is ardently received by his ever-growing following at legendary venues like the Georgia Theatre and the 9:30 Club, along with tours across the East Coast. Firmly rooted in Americana and dashed with catchy pop sensibilities, the swinging depths of neo-soul, and a sprinkling of riotous horns, Wim’s arresting sound is as fresh as it is ageless, as fevered as it is raucous fun. A sonic westward expansion of fuzzed-out guitars, defiant horns, and dusty vocals, his discography blazes a new take on folk and soul while honoring the songwriting giants that paved the way before him like Jason Isbell, Bill Withers, and Chris Stapleton. Five Door Sedan is a progressive indie rock group from Charleston, SC. Tight rhythms, deep lyrics, and passionate playing make this band a powerhouse of musicality. In their debut year they’ve relentlessly toured the southeast and Midwest playing for hundreds of music lovers in college towns like Athens, Gainesville, Boone, Savannah, Indianapolis, Nashville, Jacksonville, Columbia, and Charleston. Bio (if you need it to be shorter, just use the middle paragraph) Andrew Montana is an indie folk artist with roots that span from Mexico to Appalachia. As the only son of two teen parents, he was born in San Bernardino, CA in 1999. Montana attended college at UC Berkeley, majoring in Art. Montana has been making music since the age of 12, and found mainstream success in 2021 when his murder ballad, “Strawberry” went viral and precipitated the production of his debut album, Azalea, Holly, to much acclaim. Montana found further viral success with his songs “Waylon” and “Blood Orange Morning Light.” In 2024, he put out a 15-song record of stripped down folk ballads (American Pastoral) and toured the country. He is currently releasing singles in advance of his third album, Here by the Willows. Montana currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his girlfriend and their two critters, where he records albums in their bedroom and rides horses in his free time.
Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves
Paul McDonald’s voice is immediately recognizable and impossible to ignore. Often compared to legends like Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan, the poetic story-driven narratives and deeply catchy hooks in his music are delivered by a raspy yet refined voice reminiscent of another era that demands to be heard right now. He pulls off the rare feat of being a poet, visual artist, songwriter, adamant performer, and a powerful vocalist. Paul’s hope is to spread peace, love, and unity through his music. Connection & community through song. He’s currently writing for his next album and planning to tour extensively in 2024.
The Dirty Secrets
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.
Brass Queens + Too Phat Brass Band
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Brass Queens is a female-led brass band featuring all-female horns with a sound that sits right at the intersection of the Big Apple and the Big Easy. Their music is deeply inspired by and pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while injecting the upbeat, multifaceted energy of their New York home into each performance.
Charlotte Bluegrass Allstars
Charlotte Bluegrass Allstars are a genre-bending powerhouse hailing from the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. This unique collaboration brings together a diverse ensemble of musicians, each drawing from distinct musical backgrounds, including rock, blues, classical, jazz, and jam band influences. United by a shared passion for Bluegrass, they’ve woven a tapestry of sound that defies traditional boundaries and expectations. Steven Davidson (Mandolin): Steven’s mandolin skills bring a mesmerizing energy to Charlotte Bluegrass Allstars. He seamlessly weaves intricate melodies that not only pay homage to the roots of Bluegrass but also push the boundaries of the genre. Chad Andrew Harris (Guitar): Chad’s mastery of the guitar creates a captivating sound that is both soulful and powerful. His inventive and melodic playing elevates the band’s music to new heights, adding a touch of magic to every performance. Jake Joines (Dobro): Jake’s nimble fingerpicking and soul-stirring solos on then dobro provide the backbone for Charlotte Bluegrass Allstars’ sound. His instinctual understanding of the genre shines through in his playing, and he brings an undeniable passion to every note. Dennis Contreras (Bass): Dennis holds down the low end with his skillful bass playing, providing the steady foundation that drives the band’s rhythm. His rich and resonant tones perfectly complement the band’s overall sound, lending depth and texture to their music.
Pageant
Pageant is a 4-piece rock band, based in High Point, NC. With Roxxi Dirt on bass and vocals, Dylan Dynasty on drums, Cam Duke on rhythm guitar, and Dezzy Foxx on lead guitar, Pageant strives to shine a new light on the classic sound of rock n’ roll. Their music is inspired by rock legends such as Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, and Cinderella, while also having a deep love for every genre of music. Pageant’s unique sound aspires to contribute to the new generation of rock and create a sound that is unique, yet familiar. They pride themselves on providing a listening experience that’s exciting, raw, and exhilarating.
Fat Toosday with Too Phat Brass Band
