A skip from the 60s to now, taking note of baroque pop and 80s/90s alternative along the way, The Alright Maybes find grand moments in the 3-minute song. Crafty indie rock with a classic pop sensibility. The tug of war between their dreamlike melodies and hypnotic instrumentals underscores the personal longing in their lyrics, delivered by the heavenly voice of Angela Reinhart.
The Alright Maybes’ story begins at a 2020 Halloween party in Chicago. Founding and current members Angie Reinhart, Julian Daniell and Luke Ray decided to share the songs that had been living in their heads. A string of singles and EPs helped the band find their people, and secure opening slots for the likes of Heartless Bastards and Haley Reinhart. Hear them raw (Always Almost EP), frustrated (“Gone”), contemplative (Blue Sky Thinking EP), or on a personal mission (upcoming single “Mind’s Made Up”). The Alright Maybes are a product of their eclectic record collections, and the variety of live music in Chicago, where the band remains today.
In between live shows, the band is constantly widening their musical palette in the studio. The next chapter begins December 6, 2024 with the release of their energetic and dreamy single “Mind’s Made Up.”
“NDPNDNT”, pronounced “independent”, but spelled without the vowels, is a 25 year old biracial, African American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois that recently graduated Columbia College Chicago in May 2018 with a bachelor’s in Business & Entreprenuership. He is an alumni for Donda’s House, now known as “Art of Culture”, started by Dr. Donda West, the mother of Kanye West. He has performed in various venues such as the Taste of Chicago, North Coast Festival and WGN, all in 2018. In 2019 he appeared in Netflix’s “Rhythm & Flow” and BET’s “Next Rap Star”. NDPNDNT is also a songwriter, and was given a songwriting deal for Fox’s “Empire” in 2018. Then, in 2020 was given a role as a singer right before the show’s demise which led to his eligibility for SAG-AFTRA. NDPNDNT has been mentored by artists such as Rhymefest, Phenom, King Los, Mark Hubbard and more.
Leland Philpot, a Chicago-based Producer and Rapper, has garnered widespread recognition for his viral remix of “Agatha All Along,” amassing over 1.7 million views on social media.
His musical journey began at The Computer Clubhouse in Rogers Park, where he discovered his passion for music production at the age of 14. With a steadfast dedication to his craft, Leland’s faith serves as the cornerstone of his musical expression, aiming to inspire and uplift through his thoughtful lyrics and compositions.
Alongside his notable achievements in the music industry, he remains a vocal advocate for mental health, advocating for the Gospel’s transformative power in everyday life.
With his record label, BabelScatter Productions, Leland Philpot continues to spread joy and enlightenment through the universal language of music.
Hailing from New York City, teenatown is the electrifying indie pop-rock project pioneered by musicians Tina Miller and Diego Agoytia. Meeting in the Lower East Side at a house show, the two formed a friendship over their love of live music as artists healed in the post-pandemic scene. Once becoming collaborators, the project debuted as a five-piece rock group in 2023. However; due to life changes and members moving cities, the two friends decided to size down to a two piece in 2024 – investing in gear that would transcend their recorded sound into an eccentric live experience. With influences such as Paramore, Twenty One Pilots, Evanescence, Tennis, and Magdalena Bay, teenatown continues to move towards high speeds of success – being featured on Apple Music’s “All New Rock” playlist, playing shows all around New York City and gearing up for the release of their debut EP in 2025.
Sons of Arrakis (SOA) is a band based in Montreal formed in June 2018. The formation is fairly influenced by the universe ofthe Dune novels written by Frank Herbert. The members describe their own music as Melange Rock and Cinematographic Sci-Fi Rock which differentiate them from “the vast sea of stoner rock bands with their lightning armor-piercing torpedo” (Grotesqualizer, 2019).
Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal band led by the Rat Queen on a mission to expand and defend ‘The Realm’ fromthose who seek to destroy it. She is joined by The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The Druid. Together they face the relentless wrath of their arch nemesis: Death Herself — ‘The Rat Reaperess.”
Marketing the NonBinary Fantasy. With a decade of drag under her girdle, Auntie Heroine is known for her quick wit and insult comedy on the mic as an emcee. She will get the sleepiest of crowds out of their walkers and doing prune juice keg-stands! There are four pillars to Auntie Heroine: Comedy, Drama, Horror, and Sexy! When you come to one of Auntie’s shows you will see crowds laughing, crying, screaming in horror, or getting all hot and heavy. If you are looking for an Emcee to get the party rockin’, an entertainer that will leave your audience’s jaws six feet under, or just a stand-in lunch lady at your local public school, Auntie Heroine is your queen!
A seasoned American blackened death metal group with ties to , , Void Omnia, , and , Ulthar pair uncompromising sonic brutality with Lovecraftian terror. Emerging in 2014, the California trio released their punishing debut album, Cosmovore, in 2018 on . The group found new ways to invoke horror in 2023 with the malevolent Anthronomicon and Helionomicon.
Founded in 2014 by Bay Area veterans Shelby Lermo (, ), Justin Ennis (Void Omnia, ex-, ex-), and Steve Peacock (), Ulthar, who take their name from the short story “The Cats of Ulthar,” unleashed their crushing debut album, Cosmovore, on the world in 2018. Evoking the blazing, technical death metal attack of bands like and , the group quickly found favor with the extreme metal community and wasted little time getting back into the studio to begin work on their sophomore effort. The resulting Providence, which like its predecessor, sought out the darkest corners of technical death metal, was issued by and released in 2020.
A period of profound creativity spurred by the social and societal limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the release of two new studio LPs from Ulthar in 2023. Anthronomicon and Helionomicon saw the band dig deep into their black metal war chest and deliver a pair of albums that added sinister new textures and unrelenting sonic malevolence to their ever-expanding blackened death metal sound. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi
Mateo Suarez & The Public Ear’s brand of jazz-rock fusion is a call back to the artists of the ’60s and ’70s. His backing band The Public Ear’s sound is a fresh take and mix of Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Kamasi Washington, and War, creating kaleidoscopes of sound for your ears to enjoy. The band hails from Columbia College Chicago out of the South Loop, and they offer some of the best music coming out of the Chicago area.
Shavon Reznikov is a Chicago based band led by artist Zarathrustra Joan of Arc (also known as Shavon Reznikov). They have recorded two albums and are in the midst of recording a third. Through their catchy hooks and intense lyrics, they introduce you to their world: one filled with different kinds of characters, and many continous themes that keep their projects consistent and recognizable. Their albums are an opera, and live, it manifests itself in front of your eyes. There’s no shortage of stunts, colorful costumes, nail-biting swordfights, emotional speeches, and a decent soundtrack too. When Shavon Reznikov hits the stage, keep an eye out. You don’t want to miss this. Shavon Reznikov is the musical equivalent of a red Ripstik. -Mind Loser
Sarah Coco is a guitar player and singer from Chicago, Illinois. She performs originals as well as covers spanning genres and decades. Her music is described as beach folk meets midwest country. She gathers inspiration from the likes of Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, and John Prine. Along with writing, her other passion is to help promote and empower women in the music industry. Sarah strives to connect with all people through meaningful lyrics about love and life.
Dear Jamie (they/she) is a force made up of colorful passions and talents. They are currently taking a break as a mental health therapist to explore human connection and healing through an alternative medium; music. Their songwriting is heavily influenced by their unique and/or completely relatable experiences that derive from living life through the lens of a queer, neurodivergent, AFAB, Korean first-generation immigrant. They believe that their intersectionality brings a fresh perspective into their music, and with their powerhouse voice and open vulnerability, Dear Jamie aims to make their audience be unafraid to feel their emotions.
Camila Isabel is a vocalist, writer, and musician from the West Side of Chicago. Her musical background explores the sounds, textures and feelings of Jazz and Soul Music, and introduces rhythms influenced by her lineage from the Caribbean Islands. Camila has been performing in and around the city since she was 15 years old, playing in venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, and private events at The Ritz Hotel. Emerging now as the foundation of her trio Cëra, she hopes to cultivate an air of intimacy whenever she performs, bringing sensual, warm sounds and poetry to those with a listening ear.
Chanelle Tru is an aspiring artist hailing from the “City of Wind” who is destined for greatness. Whether in conversation or on stage, the Chicago-born R&B singer and songwriter gives the straight truth about her life, pain, passion, love, triumph, and everything in between with energy and confidence. Inspired by artists such as Beyonce, Aaliyah, Brandy and musical legend Michael Jackson, Chanelle Tru is consistently evolving and developing into a prominent and exhilarating Musical star. With talents ranging from singing, rapping, dancing, songwriting, acting and modeling, calling her a triple threat would be an understatement. Coming into 2021 with her newest single “New Beginnings”, Having over eight thousand subscribers on her Youtube Channel, Chanelle Tru is making a name for herself and is destined for unstoppable greatness. She is definitely an artist to watch out for. Be sure to follow Chanelle Tru on social media and listen to her music SoundCloud, Itunes, spotify and more.
Canadian music producer who has worked with a number of popular rappers, including Tech N9ne, Soulja Boy, and Tyla Yaweh. He sells original instrumentals that can be recorded over and released on his website. Popular songs of his include “My Heart Hurts”, “Fill Up My Cup”, and “Did Me Wrong”.
Listen Like Thieves is the fifth studio album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 14 October 1985. It spent two weeks at number one on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Considered an international breakthrough album for the band, it peaked at No. 11 on the United States Billboard 200, No. 24 on the Canadian RPM 100 Albums and in the top 50 in the United Kingdom.
STING “THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES”
The Dream of the Blue Turtles is the debut solo album by English musician Sting, released on June 17, 1985.
THE POWER STATION “THE POWER STATION”
The Power Station was a supergroup formed by Robert Palmer, Tony Thompson(of Chic) and Andy and John Taylor from Duran Duran. They came together in 1984 to record a one-off album, as a respite from the relentless global touring and promotion of Duran Duran.
The original plan for this one-album project was for the three musicians (Taylor, Taylor and Thompson) to provide musical continuity to an album full of material, with a different singer performing on each track. Those who were approached included Mick Jagger, Billy Idol, Mars Williams (who eventually contributed brass to the album) and Richard Butler (of the Psychedelic Furs), and Mick Ronson.
The group then invited eclectic soul singer Robert Palmer to record vocals for the track “Communication”. When he heard that they had recorded demos for “Get It On (Bang a Gong)”, he asked to try out vocals on that one as well, and by the end of the day, the group knew that they had found that elusive chemistry which distinguishes successful bands. Before long, they had decided to record the entire album with Palmer.
ALFONZO JONES AND THE UNIVERSAL SONIC DIASPORA
Alfonzo Jones’ love of music started in church, watching and imitating every move and sound of the drummer at the age of 3. Once Alfonzo’s mother and grandmother grew tired of finding damaged pots and pans, they placed a drum set in front of him and he has been banging away at his future ever since. Everyday, Alfonzo played along with tapes and videos and watched every drummer he encountered intently in order to learn. From there, Alfonzo was not only playing drums at school, but also the church he grew up in, Liberty Temple.
While in high school, under the tutelage of Phillip Crews, he gathered a wide range of influences including Dennis Chambers, Tony Williams, Carter Beauford, Elvin Jones, and Jimmy Cobb. In 2002, with Alfonzo as the drummer, his high school was chosen as one of the top 15 best high school bands by the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition, garnering opportunities to study with Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley and other members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. In 2012, Alfonzo was selected as one of the top 10 drummers in the country for the Roland V-Drums drumoff contest, and has participated and progressed far in other national drum competitions.
Throughout his career, Alfonzo has worked in several genres, and has shared the stage with established artists and musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Brian Courtney Wilson, James Fortune, Vicki Winans, Wycleff Gordon, Orbert Davis, Martha Munizzi, Tye Tribbett, Kierra Sheard, Pinqy Ring and more. Aside from playing at Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, Alfonzo can be seen playing with the band Left.Jones, Mike Zabrin’s Funktastic, National recording artist Nikki Lynette and the O’my’s.
Alfonzo hopes to create his legacy through music, but also by being a good human being. As a shining example to aspiring drummers, he’s well on his way to that goal
Cecil Nuanez is a self-appointed cult leader, interviewer, double dipper and professional slow walker. Nick, Nabeel, Dan and Cecil play soft rock for tough talks and slow ballads for the wee hours, come see what Cecil has to say.
The Front Desk is a five-piece band that has been bringing a fusion of funk, soul, rock, and jazz to Chicago since 2022. The New York Times has described our sound as “like if Led Zeppelin and James Brown had a baby that was raised by Amy Winehouse and Anderson .Paak” in a well-received article that has unfortunately been lost forever due to an incident with the Dave Matthews Band. Check out upcoming shows, demos, photos, and more at www.thefrontdesk.band. Our members include Ben Alston, Brandon Jaimes, Teddy Knox, Jivan Nallamothu, Grace Tepper, and occasionally Zorba.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band’s previous album Mother’s Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album’s subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200, and produced hit singles “Under the Bridge”, “Give It Away”, “Suck My Kiss”, “Breaking the Girl” and “If You Have to Ask”. The album received widespread critical acclaim and propelled the band into worldwide popularity. Heavily uncomfortable with fame, Frusciante quit the band during its 1992 tour; he rejoined in 1998.
“95 Goldie,” is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, creative director and swiss army knife from the southside of Chicago. Born and raised in what is known as the ‘wild 100’s” in the Roseland, Beverly, and West Pullman community, Goldie has carved his way into the Chicago hip-hop scene. With his soulful music and authentic lyrics, 95 Goldie has created a new lane of hip-hop. Heavily influenced by music from different decades and genres. Goldie has blended these styles to create something unique and entertaining.
Vastum is an American death metal band, formed in 2009 in San Francisco, California. The current line-up of the band consists of guitarist and vocalist Leila Abdul-Rauf, vocalist Daniel Butler, drummer Adam Perry, guitarist Shelby Lermo, and bassist Colin Tarvin.
Liam Durkin, A 25 year old singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois, has gigged his way around the Chicagoland area since the age of 14, playing at local bars, restaurants, clubs, festivals, and everything in between.
The Bends is the second studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 13 March 1995 by Parlophone. It was produced by John Leckie, with extra production by Radiohead, Nigel Godrich and Jim Warren. The Bendscombines guitar songs and ballads, with more restrained arrangements and cryptic lyrics than Radiohead’s debut album, Pablo Honey (1993).
Work began at RAK Studios, London, in February 1994. Tensions were high, with pressure from Parlophone to match sales of Radiohead’s debut single, “Creep”, and progress was slow. After an international tour in May and June, Radiohead resumed work at Abbey Road in London and the Manor in Oxfordshire. The Bends was the first Radiohead album recorded with Godrich and the artist Stanley Donwood, who have worked on every Radiohead album since.
Several singles were released, backed by music videos: “My Iron Lung”, the double A-side “High and Dry / Planet Telex”, “Fake Plastic Trees”, “Just”, and Radiohead’s first top-five entry on the UK singles chart, “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”. “The Bends” was also released as a single in Ireland. A live video, Live at the Astoria, was released on VHS. Radiohead toured extensively for The Bends, including US tours supporting R.E.M. and Alanis Morissette.
Revolver is the seventh studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released on 5 August 1966, accompanied by the double A-side single “Eleanor Rigby” / “Yellow Submarine”. The album was the Beatles’ final recording project before their retirement as live performers and marked the group’s most overt use of studio technology to date, building on the advances of their late 1965 release Rubber Soul. It has since become regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative albums in the history of popular music, with recognition centred on its range of musical styles, diverse sounds and lyrical content.
Subhumans are one of the most influential bands from the UK Anarcho-Punk scene of the 80’s, filed right alongside Crass and Conflict, and just as relevant today as they were during the darkest days of Thatcher’s Britain. Take your choice in how to label them – Punk, UK82, Crusty, etc, – there lies the attraction and consequent reason for their popularity, the band epitomizes non-conformity and connects with people in many different scenes.
Forming in 1980, recording and releasing a series of live and demo cassette tapes on their own Bluurg label, they continued to release music throughout the 80’s – building a powerhouse of a back catalog that completely stands the test of time. Their debut LP ‘The Day the Country Died’ (1983), with its Orwellian influence, is considered by many to be a classic and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies. The second album, ‘From the Cradle to the Grave’, came swiftly the following year (1984), and although the same frenetic pace is in evidence, this marks a significant musical development for the band. In 1985 Subhumans broke up, citing the usual musical differences, although had managed to release a third, maybe ironically entitled, LP ‘Worlds Apart.’ A final EP was released posthumously in 1986, ‘29:29 Split Vision,’ a further demonstration of how far the band had come musically from their initial leanings.
Dick Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock and then formed political ska-punk band Citizen Fish in 1990, both bands releasing many albums, and still playing today. Subhumans had a couple of reunion shows in the nineties, before a more permanent return for the 21st century, including 2 major tours of the US, the first resulting in the ‘Live in a Dive’ LP. The Subhumans then released a further studio album in 2007, ‘Internal Riot,’ again on Bluurg Records. The band is still passionate and angry, illustrated by Dick saying “Being in a band is the source of most of my passion and drive! The live experience of sharing it with people keeps it ongoing, the release of anger, frustration and initially negative/destructive states of mind is a release from the downward spiral of keeping it all bottled up and it feels positive/constructive as a result.”
The band have recently written ten new songs, which Pirates Press Records are thrilled to be releasing, and are embarking on a year of touring in both Europe and North America! First a split with The Restarts before a 12” of their own comes out in October of 2019! The social and political commentary of bands like Subhumans forged a path, along with their contemporaries, for punk to change lives and opinions around the world. Sadly the things they sang about forty years ago are largely just as important now, sometimes more so in an age of Trump and Brexit. We can’t wait to hear more of what they have to say about the current political climate, the immense imbalance of wealth and power, and the causes they hold near and dear to their hearts.
Out of the shadows comes Mystigaard, the new musical project from the creative mind of Ted Jedlicki (Thor, Chamber Mage). Joined by vocalist Terry Westerman, the two have set out to bring their passion for heavy metal to headbangers everywhere! Taking traditional metal and sprinkling in elements of power metal, the songs have strong melodies, catchy vocals, and a high level of musicianship.
SEVEN SPIRES will release their fourth studio album, titled “A Fortress Called Home”, on June 21st, 2024, via Frontiers Music srl. The highly-anticipated follow-up to “Gods of Debauchery” (2021) takes their signature blend of symphonic, power and extreme metal to new heights, and drags the listener to the deepest abysses in the process. “A Fortress Called Home” was produced, mixed, and mastered by guitarist Jack Kosto. Frontwoman Adrienne Cowan comments: “I visited the void twice while writing this album. I don’t know which begat the other. It’s ugly. I love it and I hate it, and I think it’s our best work yet.”
Seven Spires’ 2024 touring schedule includes a European tour with Skálmöld and Atavistia in March, four North American shows as direct support for Kamelot with Ad Infinitum in April, a headline set at Mile High Power Fest in Denver, CO, in August, and their first-ever headlining Japanese tour with Lords of the Trident in December. Visit www.sevenspiresband.com for more information.
We are Crimson Glory, an American heavy metal band that formed in 1983 in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Our journey began in 1979 under the name Pierced Arrow, then evolved into Beowulf, before we finally settled on Crimson Glory. Our classic line-up featured vocalist Midnight, guitarists Jon Drenning and Ben Jackson, bass guitarist Jeff Lords, and drummer Dana Burnell. With this line-up, we rose to international fame in the mid-1980s and were considered one of the pioneers of the American progressive metal movement, alongside bands like Queensrÿche, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Watchtower. Throughout our career, we released four studio albums and one EP.
Ram is a studio album by Paul and Linda McCartney, released in May 1971 on Apple Records. The album was recorded amid Paul McCartney’s legal action in the United Kingdom’s High Court to dissolve the Beatles’ partnership, following their break-up the year before. This is the only album credited to the couple. He and Linda recorded it in New York with guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, and future Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. Its release coincided with a period of bitter acrimony between McCartney and his former bandmate John Lennon, who perceived verbal slights in the lyrics to songs such as “Too Many People”.
On release, the album was received negatively by the majority of music critics, although opinion has become more favourable in subsequent decades. A commercial success nonetheless, Ram topped the national albums charts in the UK, the Netherlands and Canada. Three singles were issued from Ram: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”, which became McCartney’s first number 1 hit in America, “The Back Seat of My Car” and “Eat at Home”. The album was reissued in May 2012.
Jules Conroy, professionally known as FamilyJules, is an American guitarist and YouTube content creator celebrated for his metal renditions of video game music. Born on June 11, 1991, in Massachusetts, he developed a passion for both gaming and music early in life. Self-taught on the guitar since 2006, Jules began sharing his dynamic covers on YouTube in 2010, quickly gaining recognition for his technical skill and creative arrangements.
Over the years, Jules has collaborated with notable composers such as Grant Kirkhope and Danny Baranowsky, contributing to soundtracks for games like Crypt of the NecroDancer and Cadence of Hyrule.
His YouTube channel boasts over 550,000 subscribers and 175 million views, featuring popular videos like “Replay: A Metal Tribute to the History of Video Games,” which has garnered more than 2.5 million views.
In addition to his online presence, Jules performs live at various conventions and events, engaging audiences with his energetic performances. He is also active on platforms like Twitch, where he streams live music performances and gaming content.
Brant Bjork has spent over a quarter-century at the epicenter of Californian desert rock. From cutting his teeth drumming and
composing on the legendary Kyuss’ landmark early albums, to propelling the seminal fuzz of Fu Manchu from 1994-2001 while producing other bands, putting together offshoot projects , and over the last 20 years embarking on his solo career as a singer, guitarist and bandleader, founding his own record label and more, his history is a winding narrative of relentless, unflinching creativity.
Brant Bjork is a founding pioneer of the Stoner Rock / Desert Rock music scenes. In 2024 the band is the lean and mean Brant Bjork Trio featuring Ryan Güt on drums and old friend and desert rock pioneer Mario Lalli (Yawning Man, Fatso Jetson) on bass guitar.
Chad Tepper, the musician with a vibrant persona earning him over 4 million followers on social media, has definitely spent some time in the limelight. Since moving from Orlando, Florida to Los Angeles in 2015 he’s jumped at every opportunity to grow his fanbase, showcasing his larger-than-life personality through stuntman-like antics and gnarly skateboard tricks. But in more recent years he has shifted focus to his true passion – making music – and building a lasting legacy in the alternative world.
Since hitting the studio for the first time 4 years ago, the singer & guitarist is proving to be our generation’s next authentic rockstar. The effortlessly grunge quality of his voice combined with an all or nothing mindset and flair for storytelling find him equipped with the tools he needs for a fruitful career. Already seeing streams in the millions – over 15 million this past year alone – his talents have been recognized by industry majors such as Apple 1, Spotify, Lyrical Lemonade, KROQ among others. 2021 saw huge milestones for Tepper, boasting dream collaborations with Simple Plan, Travie McCoy and Cheat Codes; all acts that he grew up listening to and influenced the artist he is now.
But there’s more to Chad than meets the eye; the tattooed ex-pro skater wouldn’t be the success story he is today without his fair share of hardship. The unfortunate fate of his early life saw Chad facing seven years of childhood homelessness, an experience that forever shaped the person and artist that he is today. “It was a moment in time and history of my life that I’ll never forget and honestly shaped me so much,” Tepper explained. “I wouldn’t be who I am without it and beyond that it is the reason why I write music the way I do.”
After getting his first cassette player from a homeless shelter when he was 6, Tepper was destined to make music. Growing up watching icons from the 70’s such as Rick James, Freddie Mercury and Elton John, he also was impressed by early pop-punk, alt-rock and grunge that inform the high-powered music he makes now. Finding himself coming back to emotionally charged lyrics full of self-depracating coping mechanisms, Chad reflects, “For some reason, my lyrics are all about love, heartbreak and being a fucking loser my whole life.”
An entertainer at heart, if you’re lucky enough to see a live Chad Tepper show you’ll be able to witness his outgoing energy and charisma as he commands the stage, loving and embracing every second of life. His flair for theatrics and passion for captivating audiences are a recipe for a truly dynamic performance. He gives 100% of himself and sometimes admittedly gets a little too in the moment, noting “All the crazy stuff I’m known for sometimes comes out too hahaha – it’s like a punk show from the 70s.”
He isn’t afraid to bare it all (literally) to the world and with his recent signing to the legendary Epitaph Records, he’s ready to dive head-first into a new era. When it comes down to it, Chad just wants to share his story. “My music is real. I’m a storyteller. It’s all my past or things I believe for my future. I’m never scared to be vulnerable and I think that’s relatable.”
Ashlyn Sisco is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. Known for her introspective lyrics and warm vocal style, she blends traditional folk influences with modern storytelling. Her recent single, “Falling Asleep at the Wheel,” came out in November 2024 to lead her upcoming EP “Spiral” to be released in January 2025! Playing around Chicago in other bands throughout the past couple of years, Ashlyn is excited to begin performing more frequently as a solo act and can’t wait to share new music with people in a live setting!
Ian Fisher left his home state of Missouri when he was twenty one to roam the streets of Europe for fifteen years. His music, which Rolling Stone calls “Half Americana & Half Abbey Road-Worthy Pop”, mixes his rural Midwestern upbringing with a delicacy shaped by his time abroad. Simple, yet emotionally complex, he has the acoustic grit of an early Jeff Tweedy with a sentimental pen ready to strike a’la Townes Van Zandt. Fisher has written two thousand songs and performed them at a thousand shows around Europe, Africa, and North America. He lives between Toronto, Vienna, and his family farm.
With a voice described as ‘truly astonishing’ by Rolling Stone, Anna Smyrk is a powerful singer and songmaker from Naarm (Melbourne, Australia). Her songs are anthemic indie bombshells, pairing vulnerable lyrics with explosive arrangements and undeniable hooks.
The last year has been massive for Anna, with highlights including touring North America and Europe and official showcases at SXSW (Austin TX) and Folk Alliance International (Kansas City, MO).
Anna’s most recent EP, Cortisol and Blue Light, was recorded in Nashville with award-winning producers Jake Finch and Collin Pastore (boygenius, Lucy Dacus). The record sizzles with smart songwriting and wry observations as it explores themes of fight or flight and the push/pull effect in relationships. The record charted on US college radio and singles were added to MTV in Germany.
She’s toured non-stop, supporting some of Australia’s biggest artists (Birds of Tokyo, Tim Rogers, Bachelor Girl) and performing at some of Australia’s finest festivals (Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival). She’s showcased at international events all over the world, including NXNE (Canada), Folk Alliance International (USA) and Live at Heart (Sweden).
Described by Backseat Mafia UK as “a significant songwriter with an exceptional voice,” Anna Smyrk is a formidable artist on the rise. Her debut album will be released in 2025.
Growing up in Madrid, Spain, US based artist Brie Stoner pulls from her multilingual and multicultural background in her indie dream rock music. Featuring vocals reminiscent of Mazzy Star blended with a fresh production sensibility, Stoner has worked with producers such as Jay Bennett (Wilco) and David Vandervelde (Father John Misty). “Like A Man” the new EP is a melodic ode to Stoner’s formative years in Los Angeles, the record shimmers like sunshine on ocean waves. In addition to being a beloved co-host to a hit podcast with over 4 million listeners, Stoner’s voice and music have been featured in national campaigns such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria Secret, Orange is The New Black, and The Affair. Stoner’s new book Turned On: A Creative’s Guide to Awakening, Presence, Pleasure, and Possibility is out on January 7, 2025 on Broadleaf Books.
Hailing from Birmingham, AL, childhood friends Tanner Gray and Colby Wilson have been writing music together for over ten years. The pair have drawn inspiration from different genres and eras – The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Grateful Dead, Vampire Weekend, and John Mayer to name a few. The music that comes from Gray and Wilson has always boasted blood harmonies as well as thoughtful, invoking lyrics.
Post high school, Gray and Wilson took different paths. Gray attended Mississippi State University; Wilson stayed in Birmingham. While at MSU, Gray became acquainted with Chase Porter (bass) and Zach Corder (drums). Porter, Corder, and Gray would form and play in multiple groups during their time in Starkville, MS. Wilson, all the while, was writing music of his own with his group Smoking With the Bandit. After graduating in 2015, Porter made his way to Nashville to begin a career in Marketing. A year later, Gray and Corder made their post-graduate home in the panhandle of Florida, where they eventually formed The Graytones.
In the Spring of 2019, Gray and Wilson were reunited when Gray moved back to Birmingham in pursuit of a new job. Corder headed to Music City, catching up with Porter. Gray and Wilson picked up right where they left off in Alabama, and they soon felt a new project starting to take form.
As the duo recorded acoustic demos, they reached out to their Mississippi-born rhythm section.
The demos were shared north to Nashville, and once Porter and Corder heard what Gray and Wilson were doing, they were all in. In September of 2019, Certainly So was formed. Several months later, in January 2020, the group was introduced to producer/engineer Toby Hulbert. Hulbert had spent the last 8 years at Abbey Road in his hometown of London, England, and was currently in Nashville working alongside hitmaker Dave Cobb. Upon hearing the ‘Certainly So’ demos, he felt a similar sentiment as Porter and Corder did- he must be involved. Hulbert joined the team as producer. Certainly So and Hulbert gained access to East Avalon Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals through RCA’s Colin Lott during April 2020. Over the next two months, Hulbert and Lott teamed up to produce and engineer four weekend sessions, recording what would be the band’s debut album Future Self Only Dreams.
Following the Future Self Only Dreams release, Certainly So released Dreams of Green. The record is a combination of the songs that did not sonically make the cut for Future Self Only Dreams, but still deserved to be produced and recorded in their own style, and the new writes that fit the same vibe. Dreams of Green was recorded in the bands basement in the Inglewood area of Nashville and is intended it to be an extension of Future Self Only Dreams. Similarly to Future Self Only Dreams, Dreams of Green was engineered by Colin Lott and mixed by Toby Hulbert in 2021, but was self produced by the members of Certainly So. Dreams of Green was released in July 2022.
Certainly So released their first single in over a year “Alabama Blues” on April 21st 2023. Their follow up single “Tired For a Living” will be released on June 23rd 2023. Both were recorded in Muscle Shoals at East Avalon with Engineer Colin Lott and mixed by Toby Hulbert.
During late 2023 and 2024 the band released 5 singles for their upcoming album titled “Probably Not”. The songs released include “Miss America”, “1422”, “Patience” Lucid”, and “Panic Attack” with 5 new songs to be released with the album.
“Probably Not”, the 10 song album will be released on November 8th 2024!
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