Ratboys

Ratboys have been recording and releasing music for over a decade, but their newest album, The Window, marks the first time they’d ever traveled outside their home base of Chicago to make a record, journeying to the Hall of Justice Recording Studio in Seattle to work with producer Chris Walla. The sessions with Walla (Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, Foxing) struck the perfect balance between preparation and experimentation, injecting new life into the band’s style of soft-hearted Midwestern indie rock with an ever so subtle Americana twist. The solidified Ratboys lineup stretched and expanded their vision in the studio, adding unexpected elements and instruments like rototoms, talkboxes, and fiddles. The result is Ratboys’ most sonically diverse record, shifting wildly from track to track. It flexes everything from fuzzy power pop choruses on “Crossed That Line” and “It’s Alive!” to a warm country twang on “Morning Zoo” to mournful folk on the titular track. After more than ten years and four studio albums, The Window finally captures Ratboys as they were always meant to be heard—expansive while still intimate, audacious while still tender—the sound of four friends operating as a single, cohesive unit. Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Michigander

Michigander, who delivers elevated and eloquent songcraft, uplifting instrumentation, and plainspoken heartland storytelling punctuated by alternative flare, has racked up over 60 million career streams globally and garnered the acclaim of NPR, Paste, Consequence, SPIN, Forbes, BrooklynVegan, Guitar World, Ones To Watch, and more. In 2016, the now Nashville-based singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist’s independent debut single “Nineties” achieved viral success, claiming real estate on multiple major Spotify playlists. Michigander’s first two EPs, Midland [2018] and Where Do We Go From Here [2019], have become fan favorites, with the latter’s standout single “Misery” eclipsing 10 million streams and earning Michigander his first Triple A radio hit. 2021’s critically lauded EP Everything Will Be Ok Eventually (C3 Records) elevated his career via the Top 5 Triple A radio hit “Let Down” and Top 10 Triple A radio hit “Better.” On the road, Michigander has shared the stage with Manchester Orchestra, Band of Horses, The Lumineers, Hippo Campus, Mt. Joy, and graced the stages of such marquee festivals as Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Summerfest, Shaky Knees and more as well as SXSW. In 2023, Michigander was back, breaking personal records, charting at radio again, and on the road with a new set of songs and a re-energized passion for his craft. Listen to the latest EP It Will Never Be The Same everywhere, out now via C3 Records and look out for a new project coming from Singer in ’24. Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

River Whyless

In August 2019 the four members of River Whyless, Ryan O’Keefe, Halli Anderson, Daniel Shearin and Alex McWalters, secluded themselves for thirty days deep in the hills outside Asheville, NC. Their intention was to make a record, the band’s fourth full-length effort, and first without a producer since their 2012 debut A Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door. Back then, that constraint was a matter of necessity. This time, it was deliberate. Using mostly gear from Daniel’s recording studio, the band converted Alex’s house into a multi-level homemade recording space. The basement became the control room and drum world. The main level, with its high ceilings and pine floors, was well-equipped for acoustic guitars and violin. They didn’t know yet where the vocals would be tracked. In truth, they didn’t know much except that they had the gear they needed, some time, and a collection of very rough-hewn demos they hoped could be shaped into something honest and cohesive. Accustomed to arriving at the studio well-rehearsed, for Monoflora, Dan, Halli, Ryan and Alex came intentionally unprepared. They wanted to capture ideas at their source, in the very moment of their creation. They would start the tape and let it roll until they could let their conscious minds forget they were recording. Then they could simply create. Arrangements were fleshed out and captured on the spot. The foundation of songs were often recorded with the singers in a room together with a guitar, writing harmonies and lyrics as they went. Many of the vocals were finished within the first few takes, or even with the scratch take. Early experimental drum ideas were slowed down and pitched-shifted to blend with a changing vision of a song. Of course, opting for this freedom of experimentation in lieu of a well-rehearsed outfit did come with a cost. “I think we were all unpleasantly surprised by how short a month suddenly felt as soon as we started grappling with the challenge we’d created for ourselves,” Ryan said. There were many long days and nights, especially for Dan, who, by virtue of his experience in the world of recording, was wearing at least two hats at all times: that of artist and engineer. Ryan, Monoflora’s de facto assistant engineer, could relate. “It’s an intensely immersive and romantic experience to be wearing all the hats at once,” he said. “It’s empowering, exciting. But it’s also exhausting. We knew this, and yet… we were determined to put our years of experience to the test.” On Monoflora the band has, in some ways, returned to its more acoustic origins, this album shed of the hard-driving, electrified and/or synthesized outwardness that propelled 2018’s Kindness, A Rebel. But while Monoflora certainly features more acoustic guitar and violin than both Kindness and 2016’s We All The Light, it would be inaccurate (or oversimple) to say that it harkens back to RW’s earlier, “folksier” efforts, like 2012’s Stone and/or its eponymous 2015 EP. The arrangements on Monoflora are, in many cases, more intricate and dynamic than any of the band’s previous work, the instrumentation more eclectic and expansive, the members’ roles as individual musicians more fluid and diverse. Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Soundcloud

Slow Teeth

Slow Teeth makes original cinematic music inspired by Radiohead/The Smile, Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros, and many more. The band formed and started writing songs in Saxapahaw, North Carolina in June 2021, initially as an opportunity for Robert Chamberlain (drums, synthesizers), Justin Ellis (bass, vocals, keyboards), and Jeremy Haire (guitar, vocals) to start playing music with others following the pandemic lockdown while previous respective projects were on indefinite hiatus. As the band’s chemistry and highly collaborative identity coalesced, they began playing live in March 2022, tweaking and adapting their improvised post-rock compositions into finished songs and performing them all over the East Coast. Slow Teeth has supported such acts as Xiu Xiu, A Place To Bury Strangers, Holy Fawn, Easter Island, Camp St. Helene, and more. Notable US venues and festivals played include the Cat’s Cradle (Carrboro NC), Kings (Raleigh NC), Berlin Under A (New York City), Pie Shop (Washington DC), The Drunken Unicorn (Atlanta GA), The Basement (Nashville TN), The Pinhook (Durham NC), Motorco Music Hall (Durham NC), Fleetwood’s (Asheville NC), the North Carolina State Fair, the Festival For The Eno, Bull City Summit, and the Carrboro Music Festival. Outside of their original compositions and visceral live shows, Slow Teeth has presented various music community events, including a Father’s Day- themed music festival (Paternity Fest at The Kraken, June 2022), a month-long Durham performance residency culminating in an improvised film score to a classic silent film (“Metropolis” at Arcana March 2023), and a headlining show at the Cat’s Cradle in August 2023 to perform Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon” front to back for the album’s 50th anniversary, complete with backing musicians and interactive visuals. The band independently released their debut single “Still You Speak” in May 2023 and are actively writing and recording new music. For this special Halloween headlining set, Slow Teeth will be performing a live film score to the 13-minute film “Fall Of The House Of Usher” (1928). An event not to be missed! Instagram | Facebook Winfield is a Chapel Hill, NC based band formed in 2017. Their music blends the energy of vintage indie rock and the textures of dream pop and goth/ post-punk. In 2018, Victoria Roy (vocals), Brad Prenda (guitar, vocals), Kent Corley (bass) and David Bunch (drums) entered the studio with producer Scott Solter (Spoon, St. Vincent, Mountain Goats, Superchunk) to record their 7-song debut, GIANT. After spending much of 2018 and early 2019 performing, Winfield returned to the studio with Solter again in 2019 to record their follow-up four-song self-titled EP. “With You” & “Simple Things” showcase a darker, more intimate and experimental sound that emphasizes unconventional arrangements and the delicate interplay of warm harmonies. “Seconds” and “Contusion” are dark and raucous reminders that WINFIELD is at heart a rock band building on the strong foundation of alternative pioneers from the 70s-90s. Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Twitter

Florry, Qwilt, C. Albert Blomquist

Florry is a Philly-based country rock outfit led by Francie Medosch and featuring a cast of the most daring and tasteful players of the underground. Francie’s songwriting is pointed, personal and current, yet arranged with a keen ear toward the canon of late 20th century outlaw country and rock n’roll. Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TIDAL

Red Wanting Blue – CANCELLED

Hailed as “Midwestern rock heroes” by American Songwriter, Red Wanting Blue has spent the better part of last three decades on the road, blazing their own unique trail through the American heartland as they built up a legion of lifelong fans through a relentless work ethic and raucous, life-affirming live show. Along the way, the band notched appearances everywhere from Letterman to NPR, garnered praise from the likes of Rolling Stone and Esquire, and climbed to #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, all while operating largely outside of the confines of the traditional music industry. Recorded in the band’s native Ohio and produced for the first time by the quintet itself, Red Wanting Blue’s latest album, Light It Up, marks the start of a distinctly new chapter for the indie rock stalwarts, one built on complete and total creative liberation. Equally gritty and uplifting, the collection is a larger-than-life ode to hope and perseverance, a celebration of the fire we carry within and the commitment that keeps us going even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The songs are all interconnected here, woven together through intros and outros and interludes that propel them through the dark of night, and the performances are as muscular as they are meticulous, fueled by addictive hooks and exhilarating instrumental work that shines on an even footing with frontman Scott Terry’s rich and magnetic vocals. More than any other record in the Red Wanting Blue catalog, Light It Up captures the spirit and the camaraderie of a band that’s built its entire career on the road, discovering (and rediscovering) itself one exultant, joyous, communal night at a time. Red Wanting Blue is:Scott Terry (Vocals, Tenor Guitar, Ukulele)Mark McCullough (Bass, Chapman Stick, Vocals)Greg Rahm (Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals)Eric Hall (Guitar, Lap Steel, Vocals)Dean Anshutz (Drums & Percussion) Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Hotel Fiction

Jesse Fox

Jesse Fox – a name that echoes within the realm of soulful artistry and immersive storytelling. Each performance is a gateway to an emotional landscape where heartfelt melodies and eloquent narratives seamlessly entwine, resonating deep within the core of one’s being. Rooted in the musically diverse landscape of North Carolina, Fox emerges as a master craftsman of lyrics, weaving songs that stir even the most stoic of spirits. From his early musical explorations with the acclaimed folk band Love & Valor, Jesse embarked on a journey to define his voice as a singular singer-songwriter. Guided by the echoes of the past, he channels the timeless resonance of songsmiths like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Concurrently, he embraces the sonic tapestry of modern troubadours like The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, and The Civil Wars. The result is an enchanting fusion of Americana, folk, and deeply emotive ballads. With a gift for delving deep into the human psyche, Jesse Fox’s lyrics resonate with profound honesty. They navigate the intricate pathways of love, the hollow echoes of loss, the reflective inner gaze, and the relentless quest for personal evolution. His narratives are a rich tapestry of life’s shared experiences, stirring a sense of collective authenticity among listeners. Complemented by a skilled ensemble of musicians, Jesse’s live performances radiate with a distinctive energy that electrifies, while simultaneously nurturing intimacy. Each note and harmony fill the room, wrapping audiences in a tapestry of shared emotion and musical unity. Be it on the grand stage of a festival or the close quarters of a small venue, Jesse’s empathic connection with the audience pervades every corner, creating a truly shared experience. Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Soundcloud

Atmosphere – The Traveling Forever Tour

For over two decades, Atmosphere has maintained a course of rigorous output, releasing over two dozen studio albums, EP’s and collaborative side projects in as many years. In that time, the venerated duo have built a legacy out of bringing honesty, humility and vulnerability to the forefront of their music, continually challenging themselves to evolve without straying too far from their roots. Slug has proven masterful at storytelling and writing compelling narratives, leaving a trail of his own influence while paying homage to the rappers and songwriters that helped shape him. Ant has skillfully molded the soundtracks with inspiration from soul, funk, rock, reggae, and the wizardry of hip-hop’s pioneering DJ’s and producers, creating his own trademark sounds while providing the pulse for songs about life, love, stress and setbacks. At its essence, Atmosphere has been a musical shepherd, and with each new album comes a new journey as they guide generations of listeners through this thing called life. Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok

Surfer Girl

Introducing Surfer Girl, led by the charismatic Carter Reeves, the former front man of the hip-hop/pop sensation Aer. Embodying the laid-back spirit of coastal living, Carter has seamlessly transitioned from his Aer days to craft a sound that’s all about good vibes and groovy rhythms. Their music seamlessly combines indie-pop, reggae, surf-rock, and hip-hop elements. Hailing from Wayland, MA, Carter’s music captures the essence of sun-soaked days and breezy evenings. In the past year, Surfer Girl has left an indelible mark on the festival circuit, gracing major stages at Sea.Hear.Now, SunFest, Cali Vibes, Reggae Rise Up and many more. Carter’s magnetic stage presence and Surfer Girl’s infectious tunes create an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Audiences can’t help but get swept up in the sonic journey, making every performance a memorable experience. As a seasoned performer with a knack for connecting with diverse crowds, Carter Reeves and Surfer Girl bring a unique blend of musical prowess and beachy coolness to every show. Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube

Genre: Concerts