Sugar Bomb ft: Rebekah Todd
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression w/ Katie Blvd
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression are bona fide, and they want the world to know it. A rising force out of Lexington, Kentucky, the band led by Joslyn Hampton come out swinging on their sophomore album, ready to uplift and inspire through their singular and stirring soul-funk sound. 2019’s critically acclaimed debut album made them a favorite headliner at regional clubs and music festivals. After a grueling and relentless tour schedule – one that saw them supporting Tower of Power at New York’s Sony Hall and Tyler Childers at Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre – the band are back with Bona Fide, a sonically and emotionally charged record that captures their breathtaking live energy as well as their humanity. Released August 25, 2023, Bona Fide is a resounding testament to Joslyn & The Sweet Compression’s unparalleled talents, as well as an homage to the band’s co-founder (and Joslyn Hampton’s step-father), Marty Charters, who passed away in 2022. Musically, Bona Fide blends soulful and smoldering neo-funk with elements of ‘70s and ‘80s R&B. Hampton pulls from her inspirations – Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey – as well as from the opera singers she studied in college. “I find myself applying all of the things I’ve learned to my passion now, and placing it in my music,” she shares. The result is a unique, hooky style that helps Joslyn & The Sweet Compression stand apart from their contemporaries. To Hampton, Bona Fide is a record about a ride she calls “the human rollercoaster.” “You have falling in love, getting cheated on, celebrating this life – you only get one,” she says. “We go through so many human emotions on this album, and that’s what I want to bring to life: The ride of being a human! I want to take you to the moment you found the love of your life when you looked across the room. This album is literally meant to take you to every human emotion you have.” “I want them to see themselves in my songs and inspire them to be the best version of themselves.” Joslyn & The Sweet Compression are Bona Fide, ready to bring their love and joy to audiences everywhere.
The Gramps, Sensor Ghost, Anarkuss, and Instant Regrets
Dance From Above ft: THEYDYLIKE w/ Alvin Shavers, Niervash, and Rahl
Sunny Sweeney
The mastery of holes in the wall, major label stint, andserious songwriting chops make Sunny Sweeney somethingof a rarity: an artist with barroom cred, mainstreamvalidation, and songs meaty enough for listening rooms. Or,as Rolling Stone put it: “Sweeney is one of the rareentertainers who can hold her own at CMA Fest as well asAmericanaFest.”Just as comfortable commanding a stadium stage on tourwith Bob Seger as she is pouring her heart out from alistening-room stool, she is an outlier: A humble East Texaskid with super-star chops, singing her own songs made up ofequal parts wit, soul, and hard truth. Seven albums into acareer that has earned praise from Rolling Stone, NPR,American Songwriter, and more, Sunny has drawn a loyalfollowing, experienced the business from every angle, andultimately, embraced her independence––it’s smart countrymusic that likes to have its rock and honky tonk, too, and isthat much better for it.Sweeney will release a new studio album in 2025 producedby Sweeney and Harley Husbands.
ABE PARTRIDE + JACK BARKSDALE
Abe Partridge is a heralded musician, singer/songwriter, visual artist, and podcaster based in Mobile, Alabama. His 2018 debut, Cotton Fields and Blood For Days earnhim rave reviews, with Tony Paris saying in The Bitter Southerner: “He plays guitar the same way he writes lyrics, bashing the strings with abandon until they are just about to come loose, then beautifully picking the notes until every last word falls into place. More to the point, Partridge writes to make you sit up and think. He wants to jar your reality. Sometimes, his lyrics are sly and subtle. Sometimes they come at you with a roar and thunder, as if the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were approaching, and the heavens were opening up to herald a warning.”Since the release of his debut, Partridge has toured relentlessly, including several tours of the Netherlands and the U.K. developing a reputation for moving, passionate, and sometimes comedic, performances at prestigious songwriter festivals such as 30A Songwriters Festival, Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, and Americanafest. He is a regular at the Bluebird Café in Nashville and Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. He has performed on the syndicated radio programs, Mountain Stage and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. He has shared the stage with Morgan Wade, Paul Thorn, Steve Poltz, Dan Bern, Jerry Joseph, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), Tommy Stinson, Shawn Mullins, John Fullbright, and more. American Songwriter wrote “Jack Barksdale has insights and awareness far beyond people twice his age, and he’s able to put them into songs that touch listeners.” NPR.org said “Jack Barksdale is special.” and Premier Guitar said “Barksdale’s talent is rare. He shines with earnest, unjaded passion on a foundation of will and an ability to connect.”Jack Barksdale is a folk/blues/americana singer/songwriter from Texas. Inspired by folk, rock, and blues legends, Jack started performing original music at the age of nine and has already shared the stage with Wynonna Judd, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Junior Brown, John Fullbright, and Hayes Carll.
Jazzicana Blue ft: Carrie Marshall & Carter Minor
With a style rooted in jazz phrasing and soulful, organic instrumentation, Carrie Marshall performs a genre-bending blend of pop, soul, folk and jazz with strong singer- songwriter sensibilities. Known for expressive, warm vocals, piano-driven melodies and emotionally rich storytelling, Carrie is known for her authentic connection with broad audiences. Jazzicana Blue features song stylist and blues harpist, Carter Minor and actor/director/singer Estes Tarver. The trio serve up a potluck of blues, Americana and soul with a side of jazz!
Joe G’s Cover Band Explosion
An Evening With Eli Fribush Experiment
The Coyotes, Housewife, and Transeúnte Errante
The Coyotes are a 4 piece rock band from Boone, NC. They began playing in the wake of the Pandemic in the growing Boone house show scene. Since then, they have expanded their following and developed their sound by playing all around the Eastern US.Their music, influenced by post-punk, dance punk, and garage rock, is aggressive and upbeat, expressing contempt for the systems of exploitation and oppression, as well as a longing for other possibilities.
