Wild Child: End of the World Tour
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYWILD CHILD After more than a decade of non-stop touring, acclaimed Austin songwriting duo, Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins, quietly stopped touring as Wild Child — their accidental indie band conceived in the back seat of someone else’s tour van. Wilson joined the singer-songwriter super group, Glorietta, and debuted her genre-bending, Motown-influenced solo project, Sir Woman — Austin Music Awards’ Best New Act of 2020 that NPR critic Gini Moscorro called an effortless move into “a brave new R&B-infused, gospel-flecked world where her golden pipes ease you back into a fluffy pillow of serenity and bliss.” And Beggins unveiled his musical alter-ego, Coco Zani, with the release of his first solo album, “As Simple As A Dream” featuring the single, “Paradise,” which The Wild Honey Pie called “the perfect soundtrack for waltzing around your room.” Headed in different sonic directions, Wilson and Beggins didn’t know if they would ever make another Wild Child record. Then, well, what felt like the “end of the world” brought them back together. Pandemic lockdowns closed stages and drained bank accounts. In Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, local bands took their shows to the internet. Wild Child was no different. Wilson and Beggins got together to practice for a series of online performances for devout fans. And within in 30 minutes, they wrote the first single for what would accidentally become Wild Child’s fifth album, End of the World. The song, Photographs, is a bittersweet, ukulele-backed duet that Wilson calls “something familiar for Wild Child fans who have stuck with us over the years.” “It felt like our very first record, when the two of us wrote a bunch of songs while on tour for someone else. There wasn’t any aim to do anything with those songs at the beginning. For the first time since then, that’s how we started writing these songs. We didn’t know if we would make another record. It just came together,” Beggins said. Wild Child’s fifth album, “End of the World,” was mixed by Matt Pence (Jason Isbell, Elle King) and includes guitarist Charlie Wiles (Paul Cauthen, John Moreland, Orville Peck). PROXIMA PRADAPróxima Parada is an American band from San Luis Obispo, CA. A group of four with wild fantasies of promoting joy, human connection, and making introspection sexy again. It all started with the discovery of freedom way back when, and the invention of brass allowed them to fashion their unique sound.
Covet
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYCOVETCovet started in 2014 as a bedroom project by guitarist Yvette Young, who at the time, was balancing writing music part time with working as an art teacher. Over the years, the project has certainly grown beyond its “Bay Area garage band” roots and has been fortunate enough to reach people all over the world- enough so that Young eventually left her teaching job to pursue making music with a band full-time.With a background in visual art, art therapy/education, and classical piano/violin, Young aims to write emotive songs that capture colorful imagery, uplift, and tell stories. Their sound can be described as “instrumental progressive rock” but the music draws influence from many genres like Midwest emo and shoegaze and doesn’t try to adhere to one main sound. Young’s fluid and polyphonic fingerstyle approach to guitar is often described as very piano-like, and although her playing at surface level is technical and intricate, the music still aims to make people feel something and make people want to dance.The band has released an EP Currents, an acoustic EP, and 2 full length albums Effloresce and Technicolor. Over time the sound has really transformed from its twinkly mathrock origins to a more evolved, fuller, more melodically complex sound that incorporates a myriad of tones andtextures. There is currently one new album in the works, which the band will be playing songs from.SCARYPOOLPARTYAlejandro Aranda (born August 11, 1994), known by his stage name Scarypoolparty, is an American singer, musician, and reality television personality from Pomona, California, and runner-up on the seventeenth season of American Idol. His debut album Exit Form was released on November 22, 2019. His follow-up album length EP, Doom Hologram was released on September 4, 2020. L.A. was released 2021. The Act of Forgiveness/a double Album was released in 2021 also.ALTO PALO It was touch and go as to whether altopalo would come together to make another album again. Being best friends for over ten years has made them incredibly comfortable with each other, to the extent that their friendship has become more like a brotherhood, a familial kind of relationship with all the strains and hurt that entails. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in the summer of 2020, drummer Dillon Treacy decided that he needed to take a step back from the band as the only black member of a group otherwise made up of white people, at least until they could all take some time to reflect. This lasted a couple of weeks and wasn’t something that they publicly talked about on social media, but Dillon’s leave of absence led altopalo to realize how they needed to be with each other in order to make music and relate to each other.
PATIO: John Kirby & The New Seniors
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDJOHN KIRBY & THE NEW SENIORSJohn Kirby Jr. and the New Seniors were born from fire under a full moon in the winter of 2019. Bonding over a mutual love of Van Halen and The Replacements, the three instantly connected and vowed their allegiance to rock and roll in both form and spirit. “We get to the chorus quick.. while also sticking it to the man…”.Fueled by the guitar playing, singing and songwriting of John Kirby and anchored by the rhythm section of old school rockers John Hawkins (drums/vocals) and Chad Nance (bass/vocals), John Kirby Jr. and The New Seniors play guitar driven original rock with a little bit of power pop sprinkled on top.Their music has also been described as “Punk/metal with a bouquet of guitar based pop”, “A cross between Westerberg and Petty” and “Nicely crafted power punk”.The band released their first EP “Don’t Kill the Magic” in September of 2019, followed by their first full length “Sleepers” in May of 2022 and are currently working on a 2023 release. JKandTNS also continues to be involved in the Black Mountain based Holy Crap Records music community as well as playing regular live shows in their hometown of Asheville NC and across the state.
[CANCELED] PATIO: Liz Hopkins (of Delta Rae) + Azul Zapata
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDLIZ HOPKINS (of DELTA RAE) Liz Hopkins has been singing since she could talk, and probably sings more than she talks–.in choirs of all kinds, musical theater productions, open jams, sitting in with all kinds of bands, and as a proud member of North Carolina born DELTA RAE. She started harmonizing with Ian Eric and Brittany Holljes during her highschool years — and they are still harmonizing today. DR has played the Eagle many times! But now, Liz is coming at you with her own distinct flavor. As a vocalist with Delta Rae has toured all over the US, and internationally, released 4 full length albums, played music festivals including Bonnaroo, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and more- performed on National TV (Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Seth Meyers), and had the honor of meeting Michelle Obama, and shared the stage and had a sign off with Melissa Etheridge. She was real nervous. After 2 rounds with labels. In 2019, Delta Rae left the label they were on (again) and set out on their own and became the most funded independent band until the history of Kickstarter. It has been a wild ride and 13 years into full time musician life, she hasn’t slowed down. She remains proud to be part of Delta Rae, who just released 2 albums in 2020 and 2021 – and is back on tour this year!When Liz is not on the road or in the studio with Delta Rae, she is singing in professional musical theater productions, leading shows of her own around North Carolina, and practicing piano, teaching kids and adults to sing and now finally starting to write her own songs and put together plans for an album of her own. We’ve only just begun… AZUL ZAPATA Azul is a queer Latinx musician that oscillates from tender moments of grief and love to disco dance, music numbers on betrayal and the stress of living in our modern world. Oh and sometimes it is in Spanish. She sings and plays trumpet with her best friends and her goal is connect with her listeners. After releasing her debut original EP in 2021 “The View From Here,” Azul played all over NC and opened for several nationally touring acts. You can hear released music here. You can watch some of the performances here. And the website with everything and socials is here.
PATIO: Lavender Blue
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDLAVENDER BLUE Lavender Blue is the vessel for the songwriting and guitar playing of Kayla Zuskin. Lavender Blue the band consists of Mike Henry Johnson on Pedal Steel and Synthesizers, Mary Steinbrecher on Electric Bass and Jack Victor on Drum Kit. They are in the process of recording and producing their second full length record. Their music can be best described as slow core and alternative indie with a dash of americana. Located in Asheville, NC, Lavender Blue musicians are also music teachers, engineers/producers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists.
PATIO: Okapi
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDOKAPIOkapi is an avant-rock songwriting duo that utilizes upright bass, cello, and voice. Their raw and intricate compositions are cathartic but inviting, carrying honest and satirical messages that aim to stimulate a universal confrontation with reality, while encouraging consciousness, healthy growth, and individual empowerment in the curious and attentive observer.
PATIO: Quattlebaum
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDQUATTLEBAUM Quattlebaum, Southern Gent and Banjo Slinger, brings more to the table than just music. With his infectious smile and weird antics, he brings people together; encouraging camaraderie and building community. The singer-songwriter, currently based in Portland, Oregon, tours the country picking and strumming indie-folk songs that are spacious and emotive, and have an implicit groove. When he plays, you can hear the reverberations of the rustic mountains clashing with the breezy ocean. Like a willowy heron, Quattlebaum struts around on stage as the music moves through him, evoking a range of emotions from laughter to longing. He shares tender moments, where one can almost hear his banjo breathing, then erupts into raucous peaks of unbridled energy—his captivating solo performances take his audiences on a ride.
PATIO: The Loudes
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE LOUDESThe Loudes formed in 2018 as a 3 piece acoustic-electric punk-folk band, digging in with an aggressive all original format. Over the next few years Sam Barker and Tony Preston expanded the band to a five piece. From the deep archival talents of lead guitarist Glen Case they added many cover tunes to their song list with Kaiya Pelletier’s soulful, sassy vocal skills completing the circle.Gritty original and cover material are their hallmark, ever transmitting the great fun and joy of performing for live audiences. They have been playing professionally around the greater Asheville area for the past few years, pausing only briefly for Covid Cloud to pass by.
PATIO: Jody Carroll
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDJODY CARROLL “Jody Carroll does not play the blues so much as he inhabits them, with a definite Americana tinge. His dark and haunting tales embody roots music to its fullest..” Amos Perrine – No Depression 2021 “You have to wonder if he didn’t strike the same deal as delta shaman Robert Johnson..” The Oregonian, Portland Oregon Jody Carroll is an Acoustic Delta Blues / Slide Guitar and Banjo Master whose influences range from players like Robert Pete Williams, Fred McDowell, King Soloman Hill & Doc Boggs and to the likes of Bert Jansch, Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, John Fahey and Pete Seegar. His sound is a pure original statement with high relevance to the folk traditions. He is a regular performer at Merlefest and has toured with acts such as Buddy Guy, Johnnie Winter, Honey Boy Edwards and many more. He is a blues & Roots performer and songwriter who effortlessly creates bold interpretations of old Blues and American Folk music, his own songs, stories and improvisational musical journeys. He is a Finger style/slide guitar master and amazingly soulful singer blending flavors of old Blues, Folk, Mountain music, Jazz and Rock all together into a true power packed gumbo. He has toured with or shared the stage with legends such as Buddy Guy, Honey Boy Edwards, Jack Owens, Louisiana Red, R.L Burnside, Johnny Winter, John Mayhall, Roy Rodgers, George Thorogood, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeski, Leo Bud Welch, Robert Cray, Robyn Trower, John McEuen, Charlie Musslewhite, Canned Heat, Robert Earl Keen, Sonny Landreth, Shameka Copeland, Paul Geramia, Sonny Landreth, Roy Bookbinder and even members of Metallica once back in 1987 (strange story). He is also a regular performer at Merlefest.
PATIO: Afton Wolfe
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDAFTON WOLFE Afton Wolfe is Mississippi. Born in McComb, and growing up in Meridian, Hattiesburg, and Greenville, Mississippi, the roots of American music are in his DNA. Mississippi is the birthplace of at least three American art forms: country music, blues music, and rock and roll. Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, while the Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues, and the first rock n’ roll notes ever played according to intelligent music historians, came from Hattiesburg. Additionally, he spent his musically formative years in and around New Orleans, where the humidity of the Mississippi combined with the Cajun seasonings, the jazz, zydeco, creole, and gospel music and his Mississippi roots coalesce to add resonance and depth to his blues/country/rock influences. Afton’s first band experience was back in the late 90s with Hattiesburg post-alternative pop outfit Red Velvet Couch (1998 to 1999) where he developed his stage presence and also was able to release his first album and learn a bit about sound, recording, mixing, and engineering. After a short break, Afton came back strong with the avant-garde, instrumentally diverse Dollar Book Floyd (2001 to 2002), which featured Amy Lott, Tim Keith, and Mike Stokes, and released a very pivotal album, Red and White. During this period Afton began to naturally incorporate country music and delta blues into his musical playbook. After the Dollar Book Floyd project ended, Afton moved to Nashville and formed The Relief Effort, a rock power trio, with whom he recorded two more records: Don’t Panic (2004) and At Your Mercy (2005). After a hiatus from performing and recording, Afton wrote, composed, and sang all of the songs contained in Petronius’ Last Meal. This was recorded in 2008 with the likes of Charlie Rauh, Craig Schenker, and Dan Seymour. Alcohol, academia, the quest for a better mix and a perfect album cover, and a voyage across the country to live in Washington for a few years kept this project on hold for over a decade. Finally, after a dozen or so years, the project was released in the Summer of 2020. Dark, tense, and moody was the flavor of the 2020 summer season, and the EP along with its two singles “Slingshots” and “Interrogations” fit the season too perfectly. Afton used the momentum of Petronius’ Last Meal and the tension of the pandemic and surrounding climate to fuel his creativity again. And his upcoming release Kings for Sale is the product of that. The new record defies genres while still being distinctly Afton. The new record, slated to be released in June of 2021, was produced by Oz Fritz (Bill Laswell, Tom Waits, The Ramones, Bob Marley, Ginger Baker and many others) and featuring an enviable assortment of great musicians, including but not limited to Cary Hudson (Blue Mountain, Taylor Street Grocery Band), Daniel Seymour (David Olney, Tommy Womack), Adam “Ditch” Kurtz (Great Peacock, Carrus and Kurtz), Ben Babylon (SpoBro, Sir Please), Laura Rabell, Kristen Englenz, Blaise Hearn, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and several more.
