Donoma is a band with propensity for blending alternative rock with tribal and classical sounds, delivered with a dramatic flair which lyrically examines the human condition.

The Doleful Lions came together in Chicago in 1996, Jonathan Scott at that time was playing in the post hardcore band Cinco De Gatos and acquired a 4 track for Christmas 1995. Jonathan was starting to lose interest in the music he was playing in Cinco De Gatos and was becoming more influenced by bands like Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, The Byrds, R.E.M. and Guided By Voices whose album Bee Thousand was a huge influence on Jonathan and his recording on 4 track. He eventually left Cinco De Gatos in 1996 to do Doleful Lions full time and recorded a 6 song demo with his brother Robert at Soto Sound Studios in Chicago, Jonathan sent the demo to any label he could get an address for and Parasol Records signed the band in 1997 and released a 45 of two songs off the Doleful Lions demo. A move to Chapel Hill NC in late 97 and the formation of a functioning, playing live Doleful Lions recorded their debut with R.E.M. producer and Let’s Active’s Mitch Easter with additional recording and production by the dB’s Chris Stamey. Motel Swim was released with great acclaim with a few journalists even saying it was the best debut album of 1998. Various band lineups were commonplace throughout the history of Doleful Lions with already close to 25 members coming in and out since the first album with Jonathan Scott the only constant. Doleful Lions have released 8 albums, 7 of which were on Parasol and the most recent Let’s Break Bobby Beausoleil Out Of Prison! on Wild Kindness Records. Doleful Lions also maintain a Bandcamp page with many other semi-official releases. The band is currently Jonathan and his younger brother Robert who has been a constant in the band since 2006 and whose production work especially on the band’s album “7” remains a major influence on the direction the band has currently taken.

American Pinup emerged from the suburban sprawl and unsung underground music scene of Westchester County, New York and brought along an original brand of fierce, exuberant performance that is just as wild as it is charming. The indie/punk four-piece was pegged by AMP magazine as the “voice of the new decade” and combines elements of rockabilly, surf rock, punk, pop, folk, and ska to create a unique and fresh alternative sound. Blending the DIY ethos of the punk scene with a reverence for the melody and simplicity intrinsic to pop music, American Pinup has carved out their own niche in the world of independent music.

Frontwoman Lauren West combines soulful, melodic crooning with raspy, punk rock vocals, adding dimension to their hooky compositions and high-energy live performances. In 2010, the band took to their drummer’s basement recording studio where they self-produced their debut album, Strange Creatures. It quickly caught the attention of Altercation Records, who signed the band and released the record in February 2011.

American Pinup has appeared at festivals such as SXSW, Red Gorilla, Valley of the Vapors, and Upstart Fest since coming on to the scene. In February 2012 they put out a split with New Jersey’s Lost In Society on Altercation Records and spent the following March on a co-headlining national tour in support of the release. In August 2012, the band followed up with the independent release “The End of the World EP.” They are currently working on completing their sophomore full-length album and are slated to play at The Fest 11 in October 2012.

atomic space punk