The Baseball Project Featuring members of R.E.M. and The Dream Syndicate

The Baseball Project are 5 friends who are veterans of the Alternative / Indie Rock scene (and who in fact helped create it), starting in the early 80’s. The band features members of R.E.M., The Dream Syndicate, The Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows and Filthy Friends. These are just a FEW of the countless bands that Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon perform in. They come together in this “supergroup” to focus on the fascinating stories that baseball spawns – character studies of both the heroic and the oddball variety. You don’t need to be a student of the game to dig them though – often times baseball is just a jumping off point for deeper stories of triumph or failure….or hilarity – all while playing their infectious and rockin’ brand of power pop/ jangle folk / Indie Rock that they do so well! The Baseball Project formed in 2007 when all 5 band members were attending a party for R.E.M.’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Steve and Linda were there as guests of Peter Buck but were only passing acquaintances of Scott, who was a touring member of R.E.M. At some point in the very wee hours of the party, McCaughey and Wynn found themselves leaning against the same bar and struck up a raucous conversation that ricocheted from music talk to baseball. They both confessed a longstanding and hitherto unrequited desire to write and record an entire album of songs that would dig deeper into the game and the psyche of the more eccentric characters that have played it. Linda (drummer in Steve’s band, The Miracle 3) wandered past and heard the promises being made to “maybe one day try to do it”. Being a huge baseball fan herself, she threw down a challenge to the pair to finally do it. They immediately set about writing and sharing tracks long distance (Steve and Linda live in NYC and Scott is in Portland, OR). Within a few weeks the trio of baseball fanatics with killer record collections had booked studio time at Jackpot Studios in Portland. After a couple of short writing and acoustic rehearsal sessions in Scott’s living room (Linda played a peach crate), they commenced recording and in 4 short days completed the 13 tracks that would soon become their first release, “Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails”. The songs came together quickly but they were looking for some fairy dust, so Scott decided to call on brilliant R.E.M. buddy Peter Buck to contribute his famed 12-string sound. Despite being sick as a dog, he braved his 103-degree temperature and came down with Rickenbacker in hand (plus sitar, mandolin, etc.) and laid down tracks on all 13 songs in just over an hour. Little did he know that he’d just been indoctrinated into the band for life, even though the only baseball player he knew was Boog Powell! The subject matter covered plenty of the game’s legends (Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, for example) but also players and stories that have been obscured by time, like Big Ed Delahanty. He was a massive star in the late 1800’s but he was apparently kicked off a train at midnight for being drunk and disorderly…and brandishing a straight razor! He mysteriously went over the International Bridge and was found a week later at the bottom of Niagara Falls. THESE are the stories that really fuel the Baseball Project! Website

Insect Ark & Forn

Courting + Slow Fiction

High June

High June | Greenville, NC | IG High June is fervently engrossed in the creative process, tirelessly crafting a multitude of songs, captivating audiences with their dynamic performances at various shows, and rapidly garnering recognition within the vibrant and dynamic landscape of the rock music scene. Jameson Tank | Athens, GA | IG Hailing from the music mecca of Athens, GA, Jameson Tank is on a mission to continue the legacy of break-out rock bands from the southern college town. Only 3 years into their quest, the quartet has completed 4 tours and 180+ shows, bolstered by the overwhelming support of their Built Different EP. Bringing an incredible amount of energy to the stage, Jameson Tank performs original songs such as Smoke Me Out, No Bad Days, and Fight Fair, which have quickly become crowd favorites across the Southeast. After Selling Out world-renowned venues such as the Georgia Theatre and Smiths Olde Bar – The band has shifted its focus to expanding their territories whilst releasing a new EP that just might answer the much-asked question of… ‘WHO THE F*** IS JAMESON TANK”? Rat King | Chapel Hill, NC | IG Rat King is a rock band based in Chapel Hill, NC. Formed in early 2024, the band has made their mark over the past year all around the local scene.

Infinity Song World Tour II

Infinity Song is a Soft Rock band based in New York City, comprised of 4 siblings: Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd. With a blend of tight vocal harmonies, dreamy lyricism, and sublime guitar riffs, the band creates a transcendent experience for the audience on every stage and in their recorded music. Homeschooled academically and musically, along with their 5 other brothers and sisters, by parents who founded the Boys & Girls Choirs of Detroit, the siblings have been performing in front of audiences since Pre-K. Raised on classical, gospel, and jazz, they draw inspiration from artists like Pat Methany, Marvin Gaye, and The Winans Family. Infinity Song’s journey began in 2006 when the Boyd patriarch, John Boyd, moved the family from Detroit to New York. The group performed all over the city, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Times Square, with Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain becoming their primary stage for the next 12 years. Over time, they turned casual park visitors into loyal fans, eventually being introduced to JAY-Z. In 2016, the band was signed to Roc Nation by JAY-Z, who encouraged them to stay true to their unique sound. In 2020, they made a giant splash with their debut album Mad Love, which, combined with several viral videos, amassed millions of views and earned the attention of Hollywood’s biggest names. Infinity Song’s recent success marks a bold chapter in their musical evolution, which they’ve described as their Metamorphosis. Their expanded sound, blending elements of soft rock, pop, and soulful melodies, has captured the attention of a global audience. The band’s breakout moment came with the viral success of Hater’s Anthem, a track that has been endorsed by Pop star Doja Cat and shared by millions of people worldwide. Leading many listeners to compare the band to legendary 70s groups such as Fifth Dimension, The Mamas and The Papas, and ABBA. But their journey didn’t stop there. Slow Burn and Sinking Boat, two additional singles from their Metamorphosis era, also became viral sensations, fueling their rise to new heights and captivating even more fans. In 2024, the band embarked on a successful world tour, playing sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Manchester, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and more. They also graced the stages of major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Pitchfork Paris – further solidifying their place in the global music scene. The band’s latest achievement, a LIVE album, captures the magic of their dynamic performances and continues to fuel excitement for their upcoming tour & singles. With the momentum building, Infinity Song is poised to make an even bigger mark in the year to come. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

The Church THE SINGLES: 1980-2025

Few bands enter their fifth decade of making music with all the fierce creative energy of their early years. Even fewer bands are like The Church. Experiencing a renaissance of sorts with their worldwide critically-hailed 26th album The Hypnogogue and its companion 27th album (that also serves as a worthy standalone) Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars, The Church has witnessed their continued impact to astonishingly grow exponentially in audience size and media attention through not only their new albums but a world tour that took them through North America, the UK, Europe and back home to Australia. Coupled with the 2024 vinyl re-issues of their first four albums – Of Skins & Heart, The Blurred Crusade, Séance, and Heyday – their most recent Australian tour was one of their most successful tours to date. The band also launched an exclusive fan community via a partnership with The Chorus, aptly named nightfriends. It is a first for this storied band – an online experience where fans can receive first dibs on concert and new release presales, have access to unreleased songs/demos/live cuts, never before-seen live show video content and concert films, behind-the-music essays about the creation of pivotal albums, exclusive band Q&As and Forum interactions, and much more. 2025 is turning into a banner year for the band, getting ready to turn the page and both explore new music and celebrate their impressive catalog with a slew of live dates. Kicking off with their first-ever ‘Singles-centric’ tour this Summer in North America, they will be digging into their catalogue and playing the songs that launched them into mainstream consciousness, including “Metropolis,” “Ripple,” “C’est La Vie”, and of course, “Reptile” and “Under the Milky Way.” They also have a new album – their 28th! – planned for release later this year. The renowned five-piece line-up is made up of bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey, along with long-time collaborator, drummer, and producer Tim Powles (a member since 1994), guitarist Ian Haug, multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Cain, and guitarist Ashley Naylor. The Church continue to remain a treasured creative force. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

Logan Halstead x Willy Tea Taylor

Age is just a number, and Logan Halstead constantly reminds us of that. At just 15 years old, he wrote his first song, “Dark Black Coal,” a powerful, haunting song that depicts the struggles of a life of working in the coal mines, a lifestyle Logan witnessed many of his friends, family, and community members endure. Logan Halstead, 19 years old, is a country/folk/Americana singer-songwriter who grew up in Comfort, West Virginia. Logan pulls most of the inspiration for his music from the struggle and hardship of his own life and of the lives of those around him. Small-town living isn’t intensely stimulating, socially or economically, but spiritually, there is always a yearning for something more. Born in Kentucky and raised in West Virginia, it’s no surprise that Logan draws influence from Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson, but he has also found a lot of inspiration from the work of Nicholas Jamerson and Cole Chaney. “All these folks mentioned have laid a path and shown that it’s okay to be from these parts; we’re not so looked down on anymore…” says Logan. It’s given him the ability to be proud of who he is, and it has led him to be a driving force in the scene of young artists from the Appalachian region. Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Soundcloud | Spotify There is no question that Willy Tea Taylor’s life as a singer/songwriter was predetermined – his role realized the moment he wrote his first song. His inspirations drawn from two separate wells; Living the life of a cattleman’s kid and experiencing true visionaries music like Greg Brown, John Hartford, and Guy Clark. The image of Guy Clark and friends sitting around the kitchen table loaded with ashtrays full of butts, half-smoked cigarettes, food, and booze on one Christmas Eve in 1975 burned into Taylor’s soul. Those guys, swapping songs without pretense, lit Willy Tea’s fire. And ever since, its led purpose with passion – finding a hang by curating relationships through musical friendships that get him closer to his own Clark style kitchen table.From his early days co-fronting The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, to singing solo in countless cowboy bars, to pitching countless wiffle ball games, Willy Tea has never lost the vision. Now Willy Tea Taylor has taken his vision of the “hero hang” on the road. and his talented traveling band The Fellership is made up of his fantastically talented buds who play Willy’s songs with a brand of reckless abandon and utter humility that spits in the face of pretense. The way The Fellership plays Will’s songs is the way they demand to be played and, in their short time together, they have been awe-ing every audience lucky enough to see them. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube | Spotify

Cat’s Cradle Study Hall

Mazzy and the 62s was born in an upstairs bedroom in Carrboro when 3 guys with less than sober thoughts realized they could all play an instrument. After finding their singer, Mazzy, with a shot-in-the-dark Instagram DM, they quickly grew close and drew influences from Cage the Elephant, The Band, and The Black Keys. While they are on par with most in terms of musical talent, what drives their sound is the life they bring to the stage and the fun they have while doing it; sometimes breaking things in the process. Comet Face is a group of high school friends who spent their entire summer in their drummer’s barn arguing over who had the worst music taste. Their music is the result of their buffoonery. Orange County Collective is a high-energy fusion of bluegrass grit, folk soul, punk rock fire, and Appalachian tradition. Hailing from North Carolina, we’re a crew of pickers, strummers, and storytellers who blur genre lines and bring raw, foot-stomping energy to every stage. Whether it’s a front porch jam or a packed-out venue, we play like we mean it—because we do. Mush, Puppy! Incorporating complex chord progressions and methodically crafted melodies with Midwest emo and indie, “Mush, Puppy” brings a new atmosphere to a nostalgic sound. With Love is the songwriting project of Reilly Milburn accompanied by Max Levinson, Emmaus Holder, John DiSabito, Bradley Robasky, and Steve. Based in Carrboro, NC, With Love melds elements of indie, rock, and emotional hardcore. Davie Circle is an alt-country/folk-rock band based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Formed in their tight-knit college town, the group quickly became a mainstay in the local music scene. Their name comes from a historic street where the band spent countless hours rehearsing, and it perfectly captures the spirit of their roots. Blending the free-spirited improvisation of jam bands, the lush harmonies of bluegrass, and the rhythmic groove of jazz with the storytelling traditions of Southern rock and Delta blues, Davie Circle creates a sound that’s undeniably American.

White Denim

White Denim is a freewheeling American rock and roll band formed in Austin, Texas in 2006. Over nearly 20 years and 13 albums the band has continued to energetically explore new territory, consistently delivering a musically sophisticated and inventive product both on record and on stage. James Petralli and his exceptional group put the music first. You will not see a better live band if you live to be a million. Website | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes

When a stage four lymphoma diagnosis forced him off the road and into the hospital, Chuck Prophet did not know if he would live long enough to see the end of the year, let alone get back on tour. I was going through a tunnel, he recalls. It was dark. But I had music: music to play, music to listen to, music to get me out of my head. Music was my savior. That much is plain to hear on Wake The Dead, Prophets extraordinary new album. Recorded with band of brothers ?Qiensave?, the collection explores the world of Cumbia music, which consumed and comforted Prophet during his illness and subsequent recovery. The songs are intoxicatingly rhythmic, all but demanding you move your body, with arrangements that blur the lines between tradition and innovation. There are flashes of rock and roll, punk, surf, and soul, all filtered through the streets of San Francisco and wrapped up in the rich legacy of a genre that traces its roots back to the jungles of South America. Captured live in the studio, Wake The Dead resumes Prophets streak of more than a dozen critically acclaimed solo albums stretching all the way back to 1990, when the California native first shifted focus from pioneering neo psych band Green on Red to working under his own name. Since then, Prophet, who is now in full remission, has earned raves everywhere from Rolling Stone to NPR, landed songs in a slew of films and television shows, and seen his work covered by Bruce Springsteen, Solomon Burke, and Heart, among others. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Bandcamp

Genre: Miscellaneous