Mad Crush, Bass Battery, Cage Bird Fancier
Proceeds will go to help benefit the victims of Hurricane Helene via the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made will go to disaster relief.
Blue Goose Kaboom, Cuffing Season, Jacks Reese
Jacks Reese (Durham) wants a new cult to join. They moved south in search of a new idea worth putting on record. If interested, pitch to them your belief system immediately for review. They’re uncommitted and ready to swear into a community of common values. Jacks Reese.jpg Cuffing season is a Hillsborough based 4-piece emo/indie rock band created in 2019 featuring James Straub, Caden Splenda, Brian Finch, and Brandon Finch. The band draws inspiration from artists like Weezer, The Strokes, and American Football. Their music consists of a unique sound with evocative guitar solos that blend indie and Midwest emo vibes. Blue Goose Kaboom is a Durham-based 4 piece indie alt rock band that brings a loud, high energy, and interactive performance to the stage. They combine a powerful sound with catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics that are lightly drizzled with a touch of humor — drawing inspiration from artists like Green Day, Weezer, and Ben Folds. BONUS POINTS IF YOU WEAR YOUR BEST SHADES!
Jeremie Albino
When Jeremie Albino was a teenager, he started busking around Toronto, setting up along the boardwalk or on a street corner downtown, wherever he thought he might find some passersby. “Usually nobody was listening,” he says, “but occasionally one or two people would tell me it sounded great. They had places to be and things to do, but they would stop and listen for a little while. That kind of interaction felt very special to me, and that’s when I realized I really do love performing. That’s when I realized I could hold a listener’s interest and give something back to them.” That experience set Albino on his path, and it showed him how much joy can be found in the simple act of connecting with a listener, whether it’s an entire crowd or just one person in that crowd. Since then, he has refined a vital and idiosyncratic mix of styles and sounds that are rooted in tradition but grasping toward the future: His songs are grounded in the gritty storytelling of classic country music, propelled by the rhythms of old-school R&B, played with the wild abandon of early rock ’n’ roll, and sung with the deep feeling of southern soul. Thanks to his sweaty, livewire concerts, he has been steadily growing his audience from a few passersby to packed houses around Canada and the U.S. Our Time In The Sun, his soulful fourth solo album, sounds like the culmination of what he started out on the street corners of Toronto. The title track showcases his remarkable range—emotionally, vocally, and stylistically. Anchored in a Stax rhythm section and punctuated with dramatic horns, it’s a dusty country-soul number about good love curdling into bad, but there’s none of the romantic recrimination that infects so many breakup songs. Rather, in his performance as much as in his lyrics, Albino conveys a warm generosity toward somebody who tried just as hard as he did to make it work. He’s the rare singer who’s always in the moment, taking nothing about the song or the melody or the lyrics for granted. And he brings the listener right into the moment with him. “I try to put my heart into everything,” he says. “There’s really no other way for me to do it. If I’m not putting everything into the song, then why would I even bother to sing it?” As much as he loves performing and winning over listeners, Albino by his own admission has never felt that same connection to songwriting, but he made a breakthrough on Our Time in the Sun. Working with producer Dan Auerbach, he emerges as a sharp, observant songwriter who is quick with a clever turn of phrase and open to the emotional nuance of the stories he’s telling on “I Don’t Mind Waiting” and the raw “Struggling With The Bottle.” “I used to struggle with writing. Okay, I used to hate it. Whenever I needed to write new songs, I would just sit there for months toiling away.” When he signed with Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound label, however, they spent hours and hours bouncing ideas off one another, their sessions becoming a masterclass on how to write a good, solid song. Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Jessica Lea Mayfield is a boundary-pushing artist known for blending raw emotion with captivating soundscapes. Her upcoming EP, produced by Sam Acchione, showcases her evolution as a songwriter and performer. The lead single, “Choose Myself,” is a bold anthem of self-discovery and empowerment, setting the tone for an era defined by personal growth and artistic reinvention. Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Wednesday (solo) + Cryogeyser (solo)
Pom Pom Squad
Pom Pom Squad is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band that has been making waves with their distinctive blend of punk, grunge, and pop influences. Led by vocalist and songwriter Mia Berrin, the band emerged in 2015 and quickly gained attention for their raw, emotive sound and poignant lyricism. Originally conceived as a solo project by Berrin, Pom Pom Squad evolved into a full-fledged band as she assembled a talented lineup to bring her musical vision to life. Their music delves deep into themes of identity, vulnerability, and personal growth, often drawing from Berrin’s own experiences with mental health challenges and societal pressures. In 2019, Pom Pom Squad released their debut EP titled “Hate It Here,” which garnered critical acclaim for its honesty and authenticity. Tracks like “Heavy Heavy” and “Cherry Blossom” showcase their ability to juxtapose gritty guitar riffs with Berrin’s powerful vocals, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. Known for their electrifying live performances, Pom Pom Squad has built a dedicated fan base captivated by their infectious energy and impassioned delivery. They continue to evolve their sound while maintaining a core commitment to crafting songs that resonate deeply with listeners. As they navigate the indie music landscape, Pom Pom Squad remains a dynamic force poised for further growth and impact. With new projects on the horizon and a steadfast dedication to their craft, they are set to solidify their place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary alternative rock. Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube
Fib, Nick Normal, Guitar, Saturnalias
Guitar and Nick Normal are lo-fi rock bands from Portland, OR. Guitar recently released the well acclaimed record “Casting Spells on Turtlehead” this year and Nick Normal is known for their “egg punk” sound. If you want to include bio’s for FIB and Saturnalias: Saturnalias is a genre-bending rock band from the Raleigh-Durham area with a dreamy but frantic sound. FIB is a post-punk favorite in their home city of Philadelphia.
Ace Monroe
American rock n’ roll band Ace Monroe is getting people up and dancing all across the country with their swingin’ gritty guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and an electrifying larger-than-life show. The quintet consists of Robbie Dylan (lead vocals), Josh Alfano (lead guitar), Jack Kaiser (rhythm guitar, vocals), Jonathan Tatooles (drums), and Erik McIntyre (bass). Expect no facades, no mysticism, no pretenses. Expect only one thing with Ace Monroe, sleek, unapologetic, hard-driving music that not only rocks, but rolls. Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube
Sankofa Reunion
Sankofa Instagram Lem Butler Matt Brandau Nick Baglio Brevan Hampden Hugh Swaso James Anthony Wallace Tay Noveljasme KellyMr RozziCelinskiTrinidad Rel O Period from Squeezetoy Courtney Scott Wright singing The Butterfly Collector Hosted by Josephus Thompson
Braless, Madisinn, Bella Peadon, Taylor Sharp
Madisinn is the solo project of Texas-born, NC native singer-songwriter Madison Grifaldo. Madisinn always dreamed of a world full of rich harmonies & whimsical instrumentation, so she created it. Her music has been described as “nurtured in a world closely occupied by beautiful voices” & “lavender and velvet lullaby voice.” She however describes it as a mixture of everything she loves and feels. Madisinn draws her vocal influences from her classical upbringing in music to her love for great American songwriting ( Judee Sill, Janis Ian, Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez, etc). Madisinn’s first studio EP “The Sun on My Skin” was recorded by artist Samuel Beasley at RFG Studio in Boone, NC. In the past year Madisinn released two singles “Bad Again” and “Go Away” which were both produced by Max Agee in Wilmington, NC at Suck Rock Records. Currently, Madisinn is working on all new material and plans to begin recording her second EP this summer. Based in the beach town of Wilmington, North Carolina, Bella Peadon began her music journey at the beginning of 2024 after releasing her debut single, ‘Red Wine’, produced by Jack Marcello of The Flotillas band. As a singer songwriter, Bella’s music is melodic and lyrically driven. Pulling inspiration from artists including Maggie Rogers, Gracie Abrams, and Kacey Musgraves, her acoustically centered songwriting includes hints of indie, pop, and americana styles. Bella has now taken the live music scene by storm, playing shows and festivals across North Carolina and filling up the roster with upcoming shows in Raleigh and Wilmington. With her first EP currently in production, Bella will continue to release new projects and play live across the east coast and beyond. Taylor Sharp is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer based in Raleigh, NC. He describes his music as retro jangle pop inspired by bands like The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, and The Beach Boys. He has been releasing music since 2022, starting with the upbeat “Runaways”. His songwriting grew more sophisticated along with his production as he followed up with the synth-driven “I Will Wait” and melancholic “You’re Still Standing Near Me”, with its rich cornucopia of clean, jangly Telecasters. The next year, he continued to push his musical abilities with “When There’s No Music to Write”, the double-edged “Long Ride / Goodbye”, and, most recently, “No Help to Anyone”, which both proved he could work outside of the typical pop song structure. Outside of his bedroom studio, he has played local shows both solo and with his band, the Sharpies. Braless started as a student run band in Chapel Hill in late 2021. Comprised of 6 uniquely skilled musicians, Braless has been playing shows in and around the Triangle area for the past 3 years. From their start in basements and backyards, they made their mark on the local music scene by inspiring community at UNC through their passion for live music. Though Braless began as a cover band that rocked bars and frat houses, they now have an original single on Spotify as their second released recording. Braless is most notable for its high energy, improvised sets that fuse indie rock and jazz. They hope to inspire others to chase their love for truthful and soul-satisfying music in all aspects of life.
