Time Sawyer w/ Sam Foster And The Obsolete
Time Sawyer’s name reflects the pull between the past and the future. The character Tom Sawyer evokes the rural background and love of home that the band shares. Time is a muse for songwriting; it’s the thread that runs through life, bringing new experiences and giving us a sense of urgency, while still connecting us with our past.The folk-rock band has performed on the stages of some of the Southeast’s most iconic festivals, including Merlefest, Floydfest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Albino Skunk Music Festival, and Carolina in the Fall. They’ve shared bills with American Aquarium, John Craigie, Hiss Golden Messenger, Langhorne Slim, John Moreland, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Wood Brothers, Susto, and many more. Time Sawyer’s songs call out the attitudes and behaviors that lead to our divisions – the way that we show understanding to our friends and family, without thinking about how folks outside our social circle are experiencing their own problems, and are, at heart, just like us. The music does what might seem impossible. It holds listeners accountable, but at the same time, draws them in and makes them feel good about what we all have in common. One of Time Sawyer’s goals has always been for listeners to feel a sense of community and connection during the show, and then to keep it with them, long after the music ends. Sam Foster is a road dog. He lives and breathes the idea that repetition and regularity are the chisels to refine his craft. Hailing from Winston-Salem, Foster emerged on the North Carolina music scene in 2014. He’s brought his brand of tenacity to eager crowds all over the Southeastern United States ever since. Foster is a little bit country, a whole lotta rock and roll. While drawing much inspiration from legends of country music past and present, Foster’s sound can be more broadly described as rock. His roots run deep into the vein of American music, and he’s continually inspired by folk, soul, rock, and rhythm and blues. With three albums under his belt (two solo, and one with alt-country outfit Whiskey Foxtrot) and backed by his new band “The Obsolete,” Foster released his fourth solo offering “Heatwaves” in 2022. “Heatwaves” retains Foster’s roots in country and Americana, but forges ahead into new territory for the leadman. Sam Foster has shared the stage with national touring acts such as American Aquarium, Joshua Ray Walker, Margo Cilker, Seth Walker, Adam Hood, and Trapper Schoepp.
Florencia & The Feeling w/ Elora Dash + Honest Debts
FLORENCIA AND THE FEELING:Since their conception in April 2021, Florencia & the Feeling has been impressing crowds and getting folks on their feet. With their up-beat funky grooves, heartfelt songwriting, and all-around good vibes, this jazz-laden, pop-funk fusion band with Latin roots has hit the scene running with no plans of slowing down. The Feeling’s music is influenced an eclectic mix of genres–jazz, jam, Latin pop, rock, funk, nuSoul to name a few– and has been compared to bands such as Lake Street Dive, Steely Dan, Lawrence & Vulfpeck. Florencia & the Feeling have plans to release their debut album in early 2023, so be on the lookout! Their members include Florencia Rusiñol (vocals & guitar), Austin Herron (drums), Isaac Ratliff (keys), Nick Castro (bass) and Noah Wise (guitar).*****HONEST DEBTS: An electrifying five-piece, Honest Debts has established a unique sound characterized by riff-driven rock & roll steeped in funk, soul, Americana, and the blues. ****ELORA DASH: Blending elements of contemporary R&B, classic soul, and jazz fusion, Elora Dash is an exciting up-and-coming artist from Chapel Hill, NC. Elora is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who is breaking into the regional neo-soul scene. Her music is characterized by eclectic instrumentals and soulful vocals.
Rebekah Todd w/ Sugar Foot
Rebekah Todd approaches the stage as an open book. The audience is taken on a dynamic journey from minimal whispers to soaring and roaring vocals that tell tales of times passed and hopes for the future. This powerhouse vocalist brings a blend of old school soul and new school americana. Originally from the tiny crossroads of Benson, NC, these days when Todd is asked where she is based, she often answers “my van”. Whether solo or full band, one is sure to leave the musical space feeling whiplashed from the raw emotion and human experience that Todd brings to each and every performance.
Unheard Project
Unheard Project GSO, a 20+ member collective of some of the Piedmont Triad’s best musicians, was born out of hundreds of hours of practice and gigging together in the bourgeoning Greensboro scene. While many of the members are graduates of UNCG’s acclaimed Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program, the collective incorporates in-demand players from diverse genres to form a powerhouse of both original and familiar musical stylings.
The Keith Allen Circus & The Wright Ave
The Keith Allen circus joins forces with The Wright Ave. to throw down an epic St. Paddy’s day special infused with psychedelic sound and oozing with funky flavor.
Electric Kif w/ Sam Fribush
Electric Kif are a Miami-based power quartet that explore the boundaries between rock, jazz fusion and electronic drum & bass. Made up of bassist Rodrigo Zambrano, keyboardist Jason Matthews, drummer Armando Lopez and guitarist Eric Escanes, the “Kif” describe their music as “post-nuclear,” a dynamic mash of hard hitting groove, high octane riffs and cosmic melody. Notable past performances include Ground Up Music Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Miami Downtown Jazz Festival, and more. Performance highlights have also included opening for artists like Snarky Puppy, Ghost-Note, The Motet, Stanley Jordan and many others many others. In addition, the band has had some fantastic guest appearances at their monthly Miami residencies with Cory Henry, Michael League, Roosevelt Collier, Mark Lettieri and other top notch musicians.Sam FribushKeyboardist Sam Fribush is on the frontlines of the Hammond organ revival. His debut release, the SF Organ Trio, was produced by Charlie Hunter and recorded over quarantine in North Carolina. Recently, Fribush became a member of Hiss Golden Messenger. Currently based in Greensboro, NC, Fribush has brought his fonky, soulful vibe home to the town where he was born and raised.
BALA ROOTS
Celebrate Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras with the music of BALA ROOTS. Bala Roots is Brian Guy Tyndall bass, Gavin Douglas guitar, Joe Blocker drums and percussion, Sandy Blocker balafon. $12.
Libby Rodenbough, Lou Hazel, and Rodes Baby
LibbyMost widely known by music fans as one-fourth of the indie Americana band Mipso, LibbyRodenbough’s distinctive fiddle tones and ethereal, lilting vocals are well-accustomed to sonic settingsthat push the boundaries of traditional genres into new territory. On her first solo record, Spectacle OfLove (May 29, 2020 / Sleepy Cat Records) this spirit of artistic exploration and expansion remains aconstant for Rodenbough. Plucked from the Mipso collective, Rodenbough adds acoustic and electricguitar, piano and synth, and more to her personal repertoire of instruments, and invites in a widenedfamily of stellar North Carolina musicians to help bring Spectacle Of Love to fruition.The depth of Rodenbough’s songwriting––and her knack for seamlessly juxtaposing intense emotionwith observational asides––is fully revealed on Spectacle Of Love. With lyrics delivered head-on andcreative choices in service of that same unwavering honesty, Spectacle of Love is simultaneously anintimate confession and an expansive declaration.Lou HazelLou Hazel was born in the town of Olean, New York to a family of northeastern wiseacres.Not one to commit, he skirted the compulsive hunting and fishing tradition held close to his father’s heart – instead cultivating a sensitivity more suited to artists and vagabonds. As a result, his travels brought him across the country and eventually through debilitating depression before coming to rest with a sense of personal peace and positivity in Durham, NC.Yet, Lou’s brain is still a bat cave. Mostly, he wakes up with no idea what he’s going to do next, then finds himself there. In songwriting, he pulls from this cave rambling, heartfelt tales flowing through unselfconscious truth. In illustrations, he swirls and meanders towards an eventual finish only understood upon completion – as in his music. And in his photography and design work, he renders the essence of fellow musicians into expressive, personalized works of art.Today, Louie continues crafting genuine folk tales of honest longing, disquieting loss, and nostalgia through a brilliant sheen of fresh insight with humble humor. Grabbing us by the ears in a new-age, Prine-like grip. Transforming the minutiae of everyday life into ever more evocative music. And surprising us all, including himself, with where we emerge.In other words, Lou Hazel is coming out of this unbearable, unbelievably tragic, disconcerting year like a damn newborn moth with jet engine wings aimed toward a totally full super-moon. And it is good. Rodes BabyRodes Baby (MK Rodenbough) has been anxiously awaiting this day for a long time. They grew up writing songs on a cheap Yamaha keyboard in their family’s basement in North Carolina, and testing them out at local coffee shops before they were old enough to drive. After several years of playing shows around the vibrant and collaborative music scene of the NC Triangle, they ran a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2019 that allowed them to record their first album. Then the pandemic hit. Suddenly needing to settle into a job that kept them on the frontline, music took a back seat. Now, nearly a year and a half later, they’re looking forward instead of sitting still. Restless and ready, they will release their debut record, All Of My Friends, on November 19th, 2021.
Vandoliers w/ Crenshaw Pentecostal
Vandoliers are the next wave of Texas music. The six-piece Dallas-Fort Worth groupchannels all that makes this vast state unique: tradition, modernity, audacity, grit, and—of course—size. Forever puts it all together for an enthralling ride down a fresh Lone Starhighway.Produced and recorded by Adam Hill (Low Cut Connie, The Bo-Keys, Deer Tick, DonBryant, Zeshan B) at American Recording Studios in Memphis, TN, the band’s third album(and first with Bloodshot) Forever is a mix of youthful and defiant punk, rugged Red Dirtcountry, and vibrant Tejano. The full-length’s 10 songs blend emblematic rock ‘n’ roll withbold horns, violin, and a slather of twang reflecting where the band is from, where they’vebeen and, eventually, where they’ll be headed. It’s regional and universal all the same.
The Dirty Grass Players
The Dirty Grass Players are a high octane bluegrass/americana quartet hailing from Baltimore, MD. Named the breakthrough performance at Delfest in 2022, the band has established themselves with one toe-tappin’ foot in traditional bluegrass and blazing musicianship that pushes boundaries. This four- piece is successfully bringing their growing fan base a down, dirty and heated performance to every stage they play. Their ability to seamlessly transition from down home bluegrass to spirited improvisation makes each performance unique. Past festival appearances at Delfest, Charm City Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots and many more have helped cement their growing footprint up and down the eastern seaboard, midwest and beyond. With 7 years and 2 studio albums under their belt and a new record on the horizon in early 2023 (produced by Cody Kilby), the band is poised for a breakout year.
