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.
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
The Kelli Baker Band featuring Noé Socha
Recently named the winner of the 2024 615 Blues Revival Competition at Papa Turney’s in Nashville, Kelli Baker is known in some circles as “The Phoenix,”. Kelli was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona before moving to New York in 2012, where she quickly became a vibrant presence in the city’s music scene. Her journey began in the church choir, later evolving into fronting a hard rock band, forming a folk duo, and finally, honing her craft in New York’s renowned blues jams. She closed 2024 with an awesome run in Florida, where she supported and shared the stage with the multi-awarded blues icon, Mike Zito. She’ll return to the stage with Mike in early 2025. Kelli achieved the #1 Blues Song on the Roots Music Report with her rendition of “Dr. Feelgood (Love is a Serious Business)” and won the Long Island/Brooklyn/Queens division of the International Blues Challenge. Recently, she was honored by the National Women in Blues in Memphis. Kelli has headlined the Women of the Blues Fest in McIntosh, MN, and the Paxico Blues Fest in Paxico, KS, which attracts 5,000+ attendees annually. She will return to Paxico in 2025. Kelli is a regular performer at prestigious blues clubs, including The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ, and The Sand Dollar in Las Vegas, NV. In New York City, she regularly graces stages like The Bitter End and The Cutting Room. As a brand ambassador, Kelli represents Monster Products, Fishman, ADV, Dark Matter Audio Labs, and Modern Vintage Guitars. Noé Socha is a Brooklyn-based guitarist and harmonica player from Carpi, Italy. His music blends influences from folk legends like Bob Dylan and Delta blues icons such as Muddy Waters, with a touch of Hendrix-inspired flair. Noé has toured, performed, and recorded with notable artists like Nona Hendrix, Vernon Reid, and GRAMMY winners Javier Limón and Paula Cole. He has been part of The Kelli Baker Band since early 2024. He continues to perform across New York City and teaches with The Blues and Beyond project.
Meredith Moon, Murphy Campbell, and Colin Cutler
MEREDITH MOON Besides playing traditional tunes often ‘non-traditionally’, Meredith presents a powerful voice and highly contemporary clawhammer banjo style which has gained acclaim within the international old-time and Americana music community. She is a multi-instrumentalist, incorporating finger-style/travis picking guitar, piano and lap dulcimer into her performances. Her second release, “Constellations” on True North Records garnered international acclaim; was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year, and was on the Folk Alliance International top 10 Album Chart two months running in April and May 2023. “Moon writes heartfelt folk songs, sings beautifully, and plays several instruments masterfully.” – Americana Highways “She conjures up songs awash in rich, moody melodies that catch the ear in a way, at least in my experience, that many don’t get close to.” – Rambles MURPHY CAMPBELL Murphy Campbell is an old time musician based out of Stokesdale, North Carolina. Drawing inspiration from her Appalachian heritage and Western NC roots, she uses traditional storytelling as a catalyst for contemporary folk pieces. She has played the likes of Merlefest, NC Folkfest and the Charlotte Folk Festival.
