2013 Festival Lineup
DAWES
Follow @dawestheband
This American folk rock band from California is comprised of brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith along with Wylie Gelber and Tay Straitharn. Stories Don’t End is the band’s third full length album and will be released April 9th. Produced by Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Norah Jones), Stories Don’t End was recorded in Asheville, North Carolina and is the band’s first release on its own label, HUB. They’re reminiscent of the 1960s/1970s Neil Young and Crosby, Stills & Nash folk-country rock era and their harmonies are flawless. Visit http://dawestheband.com for more.
the everybodyfields
Fans of the indie-folk band the everybodyfields were heartbroken when the band announced they were splitting four years ago. It seems that the NPR and Paste Magazine darlings were just on the verge of becoming the next big thing in music when it all came to an end. A brief reunion for three shows ignited the flames of their fanbase, and caused a stir with the press. Despite fans’ begging for more shows, the band members’ successful solo careers took precedent – Andrews released The Mirror in 2011 and is currently on tour with The Avett Brothers and Joan Osborne; Sam Quinn’s outfit The Japan Ten has been in the studio working on a new album; and Josh Oliver’s solo career has him touring throughout the Southeast (including right here at Rhythm n’ Blooms). The magic of the everybodyfields’ haunting music returns for a special, one night only engagement.
ERICK BAKER
Follow @erickbaker
It wasn’t until after college that this small town Tennessee native taught himself to sing and play guitar in Knoxville’s bars and pubs. In 2008 he released his first EP, It’s Getting Too Late To Say It’s Early and the rest is history. He’s opened for John Legend, and has been invited to play with Grace Potter, Edwin McCain, Heart and more. 2012 brought the release of his second full length album Goodbye June, which was produced by Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo). Visit www.erickbaker.com for more.
THE TIME JUMPERS
featuring Vince Gill, Dawn Sears, Kenny Sears and Doug Green
Follow @TheTimeJumpers
Established as a garage/practice band in 1998, the GRAMMY nominated The Time Jumpers consist of Nashville’s finest studio musicians and fill stages (and your ears) with 13 extraordinary members. The group began performing at the Station Inn on Monday nights and unexpectedly developed a loyal following. As word spread, artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Robert Plant, Jimmy Buffet, Norah Jones and more began sitting in for these weekly sessions. The Time Jumpers’ current lineup includes Dennis Crouch, Larry Franklin, Paul Franklin, Vince Gill, “Ranger Doug” Green, Andy Reiss, Dawn Sears, Kenny Sears, Joe Spivey, Jeff Taylor and Billy Thomas. For more information about each artist visit http://thetimejumpers.com
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT
Follow @JasonIsbell
Formerly the guitarist for the southern rock/alt-country band The Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell has now embarked on a successful career with his band, the 400 Unit comprised of Derry DeBorja (formerly of Son Volt) on keyboard, Jim Harbo on bass, and Chad Gamble (brother of Al Gamble) on drums. In 2012 they released their first full length live album Live from Alabama, recorded at the Workplay Theater in Birmingham, Alabama. Isbell announced in February of this year he has entered the studio to begin working on a new record. Visit www.jasonisbell.com for more.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Follow @JustinTEarle
On the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in October 2011, Earle accepted the Americana Music Award for Song of the Year. Previously that same year, Earle entertained audiences at Carnegie Hall in New York City and on national TV with an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. His latest 2012 release Nothing Is Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now brings out the soulful side of country and incidentally was recorded in a converted church in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit http://www.justintownesearle.com for more.
MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND
Follow @MyBrightestDmnd
Shara Worden, the spellbinding voice of My Brightest Diamond, has performed for audiences across the globe from the Sydney Opera House to the Lincoln Center in New York. Worden studied opera at the University of Texas then moved to New York City where she scored off-broadway musicals and eventually teamed up with Sufjan Stevens and his “Illinoisemakers”. Worden, now residing in Detroit, finds inspiration through gardening and her newborn son. Her latest release All Things Will Unwind is more folk inspired than her previous works. Find more at http://www.mybrightestdiamond.com
THE FEATURES
Follow @thefeatures
It has been ten years since this Nashville-based indie rock group released their first recording, The Beginning EP. Their style has been classified somewhere between the genres of pop rock and indie/psychedelia rock. The band consists of Matthew Pelham, Roger Dabbs, Mark Dobb and Rollum Haas; Pelham and Dabbs formed the band in middle school playing covers of Camper Van Beethoven, Neil Young and Guns ‘ Roses. More recently the band toured as Manchester Orchestra’s opening act and were the first band signed to the Kings of Leon’s new record label Serpents & Snakes, on which they released their Some Kind of Salvation LP. For more visit http://thefeatures.com
YARN
Brooklyn based, GRAMMY nominated Yarn is an Americana/Alt-Country band that has released 4 albums since their inception in 2007 and have been recognized by the Americana Music Association and R&R radio charts. Their sound comes from the influence of artists ranging from Gram Parsons and Earl Scruggs to Jerry Garcia and Exile on Main Street-era Rolling Stones. Listen to Yarn’s music here http://www.yarnmusic.net
MIKE FARRIS & THE ROSELAND RHYTHM REVUE
Follow @MikeFarrisMusic
Though Mike Farris is notably “unclassifiable” with his distinct voice and musical style, his roots lie in gospel and bluesy rock. In 2008, Farris began performing with the Roseland Rhythm Revue at Nashville’s Station Inn for a series of monthly engagements which he dubbed “Sunday Night Shout Outs!” In 2009, a live recording of these performances was released Shout! Live, and received the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album of the Year in 2010. Find more at http://www.mikefarrismusic.com
CHARLES WALKER & THE DYNAMITES
Follow @TheDynamites
Charles Walker and the Dynamites is the real deal when it comes to soul music. In 2008, USA Today included The Dynamites in a short list of “acts that are wowing audiences coast to coast with fresh songs and slamming performances”. Charles Walker and the Dynamites are here to remind us that “it’s a sunny day”. Listen here at http://www.thedynamites.net
THE BLACK CADILLACS
Follow @Black_Cadillacs
A blues based indie rock group from Memphis citing influences ranging from The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd to Jack White and Wilco. Quickly they are becoming one of Knoxville’s favorite bands. Their shows are high energy and never disappoint. Hear their music at http://black-cadillacs.com
ELENOWEN
Josh and Nicole Johnson – the duo Elenowen – share a rare meant-to-be melding of emotion and creativity that happens between songwriters, performers, best friends and life partners. This rare chemistry is as real as it gets and you’ll hear it on their self-titled EP. Their sound is roots-driven, with accents of cello and pedal steel cutting a deeply evocative facet. In 2011, Elenowen made their TV debut on NBC’s ‘The Voice’, but it’s the five songs on their self titled EP that mean the most to the couple and convey what’s most real to their audiences. For more, visit http://elenowen.com
ERIN MCKEOWN
Follow @erinmckeown
Erin McKeown is an American multi-instrumentalist and folk-rock singer/songwriter. McKeown’s music is difficult to categorize in terms of genre; it has touched upon pop, swing, rock, folk, and electronic music, as well as many other genres. She’s spent an average of 200 nights per year on the road over the past decade. McKeown has released 8 full length records, three EPs, and tours the globe non-stop. McKeown’s latest album MANIFESTRA, was released in January of this year. For more info, visit http://www.erinmckeown.com
SUGAR AND THE HI-LOWS
Follow @sugar_thehilows
“Sugar and the The Hi-Lows are bringing back the era of feel good music, the days when one take was enough and auto-tune was something you did to your ’55 Chevy”. Experienced songwriters and performers Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup make up Sugar and The Hi-Lows. Their inspiration comes from Memphis Blues, Motown and the idea that something isn’t good if you can’t dance to it. Find out more at http://sugarandthehilows.com
BOMBADIL
Follow @wearebombadil
Bombadil’s new album Metrics of Affection, is set for a July 23 release (Ramseur Records). Bombadil is James Philips (drums), Stuart Robinson (piano, ukulele) and Daniel Michalak (bass, piano, harmonica). Michalak has been sidelined for much of the past three years due to a debilitating nerve injury that affected the use of his hands, however his condition has improved enough to allow him to tour with the band. In 2009, Bombadil was gaining quite a bit of traction with the scheduled release of Tarpits and Canyonlands (“the album that should have made them famous” said one journalist), a quirky and dynamic live show, and slots on Bonnaroo, FloydFest, and other festivals. For more visit http://bombadil.squarespace.com
THE RAGBIRDS
Hook-laden pop with a kaleidoscopic array of worldly influences, The Ragbirds exhibit gleeful disregard for contemporary folk-rock convention. The five-piece project is clearly built around the multi-talented Zindle, who is not only the singer and songwriter, but is proficient in a variety of stringed instruments. Surrounding Zindle’s earthy-sweet voice is a whirlwind of a guitarist T.J. Zindle, dynamic bassist Brian Crist, drummer Loren Kranz, and percussionist Randall Moore. On Valentine’s Day of this year, The Ragbirds released the much requested We Belong to Love. Listen here at http://www.theragbirds.com
LiL iFFy
Follow @LiL_iFFy
Lil iFFy is a Knoxville based rap group unlike any other in its genre – Harry Potter themed gangster rap. On the heels of the release of their second album Wand Ambition, Lil iFFy has gained a national following. They have been featured on Day Trotter and have toured the country. Visit http://wandcore.bandcamp.com for a free download and more information.
JOY KILLS SORROW
Follow @joykillssorrow
This Boston based string band just released their second album This Unknown Science. Joy Kills Sorrow favors a more unpredictable approach that relies on musical chemistry and improvisation. This style was the inspiration for the title of This Unknown Science. Joy Kills Sorrow brings together a mix of various classical and jazz training to create a new acoustic sound. Singer Emma Beaton was nominated for “Traditional Vocalist of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2010 and won “Performer of the Year” in 2008 at the same awards. Read about other members’ musical accomplishments at http://www.joykillssorrow.com
THE VESPERS
Made up of two sibling duos, the Cryar sisters and the Jones brothers, the Vespers have developed quite a loyal following through the good ol’ fashioned way: word of mouth and LOTS of touring. They have released two full length records and have gained a presence in both the Americana and Christian music worlds. Read more about the band and their music at http://thevespersband.com
CAROLINA STORY
In between booking their own shows, touring every chance married singing duo Ben & Emily Roberts could (over 350 show independently booked since they began in January 2010), and looking for a home of their own, they recorded and released their first LP called When The River Met the Sea. They have since released their second LP Home, and Carolina Story is now well on their way to making a long-lasting, beautiful, sound neighborhood for others to live in and experience. Read their whole story at http://carolinastory.com
SHANNON WHITWORTH
Whitworth is a songwriter, a blues singer, and a Southern girl. Her sound has been described as a “smoky-jazz feeling with hot flourishes and honeyed flashes of Patsy Cline”. With her full band, she recently went on tour as the opening act for Chris Issak and Raul Malo. Read more here http://shannonwhitworth.net
RIVER WHYLESS
River Whyless is named in the spirit of its ongoing love affair with the natural world. Since its formation in 2009, the band has toured extensively, playing hundreds of shows from coast to coast and into Canada. Its debut album, A Stone A Leaf, An Unfound Door was recorded in the band’s home studio in Asheville, NC and released in March of 2012. Its sound has been described as folk-rock, nature-pop, and baroque-folk, but in the end, the members of River Whyless hope only to lend craft to their passions.
AMANDA SHIRES
A West Texas girl currently residing in Nashville (and recently engaged to another Rhythm n’ Blooms act, Jason Isbell), Amanda Shires is quickly gaining ground as an established independent artist. She is a master on the fiddle and her voice is mystic. She sites Leonard Cohen and Richard Buckner as her main musical influences. In her spare time, she plays fiddle in Jason Isbell’s band, the 400 Unit and the Lubbock, TX based band, The Thrift Store Cowboys. She’s even had her shot in Hollywood playing fiddle in Gwyneth Paltrow’s fictitious band in the movie “Country Strong”.
http://amandashires.squarespace.com
LEAGUES
Follow @LEAGUESMUSIC
LEAGUES is comprised of singer Thad Cockrell, guitarist Tyler Burkum and drummer Jeremy Lutito. These Nashville guys have a complicated story as to how they came to be a group, but as explained in the bio on their website (http://www.leaguesmusic.com), the songs they make are simply “rooted in joy”. In only their tenth show performing together, they were opening for The Fray on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium. Their debut record Belong Here was released in January of this year. Hear three tracks on their website.
FLOW TRIBE
“A soul shaking mixture of styles and sounds guaranteed to drive you wild”. Nothing less than absolutely authentic New Orleans, Flow Tribe is a group of 6 veteran musicians who bring the heat and the passion. More at http://www.flowtribe.com
J.P. HARRIS & THE TOUGH CHOICES
J.P. Harris and The Tough Choices’ release I’ll Keep Calling was named in Nashville Scene’s Art, Music & Culture Writers’ Choice as the 2012 Best Country Album. As described by Nashville Scene, J.P. Harris & The Tough Choices are “beer stained honky tonk and Western-swing.” Listen here at http://ilovehonkytonk.com
ANGEL SNOW
Angel Snow met Alison Krauss and her life changed forever. She began writing with Alison’s brother, instrumentalist Viktor Krauss and three of their collaborations appear on Alison Krauss and Union Station’s latest album. Some of Snow’s greatest influences are Thom Yorke, Elliott Smith and Peter Gabriel. Her songs are stories mixed with real-life experiences. Learn more at http://angelsnow.net
ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES
Paul began singing in church when he was growing up in Alabama and thought he’d become a man of the cloth. It turns out dirty jokes, Tom Waits and Prince were not seen as the holiest of interests, so Paul decided to form a band. Enter St. Paul and the Broken Bones. Just a toddler on the scene having formed in 2011, this group of six “roams the countryside looking to get cabooses shakin’, faces meltin’, and brothers and sisters everywhere testifyin’.”
Be their friend: http://www.facebook.com/St.PaulandTheBrokenBones
HUMMING HOUSE
Nashville based Humming House’s self-titled debut was released January 2012 and was produced by GRAMMY award winning Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay) and Vance Powell (Raconteurs and Buddy Guy). On this record you’ll hear instruments such as a parlor guitar, a viola and even a singing saw. Listen for yourself here http://www.humminghouse.com
this mountain
this mountain is collaborative folk rock from Johnson City, TN. They have been making music together since 2010 and released their first full length record, future ghost in August 2012. Be their friend here http://www.facebook.com/thismountain
JOSH OLIVER
East Tennessee native, Josh Oliver was touring with the everybodyfields (until their disbandment in 2009), and more recently with Sam Quinn + Japan 10, and Jill Andrews singing harmony, playing lead guitar and piano. He’s now embarked on a solo career and released his debut album, Troubles. Josh Oliver is true Americana. Listen here http://www.myspace.com/josholivermusic
AFTAH PARTY
Funk, soul, R&B, jazz, rock and poetry combine when Aftah Party takes the stage. Their audiences are diverse and the energy they provide is infectious. With 10 members in Aftah Party, their presence in the room is undeniable. This ensemble is a Knoxville favorite.
http://www.aftahparty.net/home.cfm
BETSE ELLIS OF THE WILDERS
Betse Ellis is a renowned fiddle player and the founder member of the Kansas City band The Wilders. While her band takes a break, Ellis is embarking on a solo tour where she plays traditional American fiddle tunes and what she calls “personal old-time music. Read more about Betse at http://fiddlebetse.com
THE LONETONES
The LoneTones are a local Knoxville group that have been playing together for over 10 years. Wayne Bledsoe of the Knoxville News Sentinel named their Modern Victims album in his Top 10 Albums of 2012. They have opened for Sam Bush, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Amazing Rhythm Aces. More here http://www.thelonetones.com
KELSEY’S WOODS
These guys have strong roots in Chattanooga, but most recently reside in Knoxville, Kelsey’s Woods is three/four/sometimes more piece Americana/Country Rock group . Kelsey’s Woods summons up the ancient art of storytelling through song. And sometimes they bring instruments for quality audience participation. Check out more here at http://kelseyswoods.bandcamp.com
HIROYA TSUKAMOTO
From Kyoto, Japan, Hiroya Tsukamoto is a guitarist, composer and singer/songwriter that began playing the 5 string banjo when he was thirteen years old. In 2000, Tsukamoto received a scholarship and came to America to study music at Berklee College. His most recent album, Heartland was released in August 2012. More at www.hiroyatsukamoto.com
GREG HORNE
Greg Horne is a local Knoxville favorite and known for his Americana, Folk, Old-Time and Roots Music. Not only is he an accomplished musician, he is a teacher and published author. Listen to his music and check out his extensive resume here http://www.greghornemusic.com
ADAM HILL
Adam Hill is a singer/songwriter from Kingston and currently residing in East Nashville. In the late 1990s, he fronted Knoxville’s The Satellite Pumps and then later the Raggeddettes. While part of the generation of songwriters that include Ryan Adams, Rhett Miller, and Scott Miller, he has never met with the wide audience of these writers, he is often compared to hem. Banjo Moon is Hill’s most recent album and was recorded at his home in Nashville. Download it at http://adamhill.bandcamp.com
BRENT THOMPSON & THE WANDERING
Brent Thompson is a Knoxville singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Thompson and his raucous 15-piece outfit known as the Wandering Circus, a hand-picked collective of Knoxville musicians, toured from 2008 to 2010. That tour was supported by the bombastic and radio-friendly EP, Kaleidoscope, which featured friend & saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones). Post-circus, Thompson continued playing his music in various ensembles and venues, opening for acts like Donavon Frankenreiter, Erick Baker, Webb Wilder, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Joy Kills Sorrow, while also making time to stretch his vocal chops in the Knoxville jazz scene. The Wandering is Thompson’s ensemble of the moment; a tight group steeped in groove, character, and chemistry stretching genres and rooted in Americana.
http://www.brentthompsonmusic.com
VALLEY YOUNG
Rich 3 and 4 part harmonies lend Valley Young to be compared to artists such as My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes and even Crosby, Stills & Nash. They are working on a EP that is slated to be released this Spring/Summer 2013. Check for updates here http://www.valleyyoung.com
THE ROUGH & TUMBLE
The Rough & Tumble are two scarecrows in a cornfield, two pairs of hands stealing the same piece of candy, a dust devil that traveled seven states to get to you to only make you cry. The Rough & Tumble are here to lock eyes with you in a crowded room, smile and wink at you. More at http://theroughandtumble.com
CALEB
CALEB is a three piece rock band from Franklin, TN. Founded in 2010 by brothers Caleb and Will Chapman, friend and guitarist Scott Mills was brought into the fold shortly thereafter. From the beginning, the chemistry between the three young men has defined their approach to music and the road. The members of CALEB are joined together by many things, and it has developed into a unique brotherhood where three journeys have melded into one. With three EPs already under their belt, CALEB is currently writing the next chapter in the form of their debut full-length album, When I Was Younger, scheduled to release later this year. For more visit http://calebmusic.com.
STEPHEN SEBASTIAN
Stephen Sebastian has had musical comparisons to Elliott Smith, Ryan Adams and Tom Petty. His music might best fit into a cozy but lonesome middle ground between the mundane and unorthodox, between the old and the new, tradition and rebellion. It’s like the blues as seen in a funhouse mirror, or all of rock and roll history thrown into a blender and played in reverse, a twisting kaleidoscope of five decades worth of guitar-based pop music. He growls like Tom Waits, croons like Ryan Adams, whispers like Thom Yorke, and bellows like The Boss. Listen for yourself at http://stephensebastianband.com
KELLEY MCRAE
On her first two albums, with songs like ‘Johnny Cash’ and ‘Sparrow’, Kelley McRae made a name for herself as a songwriter who was not afraid to wear her broken heart on her sleeve. “I’m a sucker for a sad song, cause I think if you can take pain and turn it into something beautiful, there’s redemption there. “ On her third album, Brighter Than The Blues, McRae documents the lengths she was willing to go to find this new inspiration. Listen at http://kelleymcrae.com
KINGSUPER & THE EXCELLENTS
http://www.facebook.com/king-super-and-the-excellents
THE BUSDRIVER TOUR FEATURING PAUL LEE KUPFER, IAN THOMAS, & DANNY FREUND
https://www.facebook.com/TheBusdriverTour
TEXAS TONY & THE TORNADO RAMBLERS
http://www.facebook.com/thetexastony
Follow @TexasTonyBand
FAR FAR AWAY
http://www.reverbnation.com/thefarfaraway
Follow @Farfarawayband
O YOUTH
http://www.facebook.com/oyouthmusic
Follow @oyouthmusic
JOHANNA DIVINE
http://www.johannadivine.com
Follow @johannadivine
http://www.facebook.com/johannadivine
JERRY LEGER
http://www.facebook.com/jerrylegermusic
Follow @JerryLeger
STEFF MAHAN
http://www.steffmahan.com
Follow @SteffMahan
RED SHOES & ROSIN
http://www.facebook.com/RedShoesRosin
WEIRD MIRACLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0OzB3e288
lipliplip hands
http://www.facebook.com/liplipliphands
…and more to be announced!
