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While Epstein and Zott have no ties to popular NASCAR circuit driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. nor his late father, the band’s peculiar name was initially suggested to the duo on a lark. The pair assert that the strange moniker has been kept in tact due to the freedom they came to realize such a title gave them to explore whatever musical endeavors they could think up. “The idea being”, Epstein says, “that if one can accept a band being named Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., then you’ve already opened yourself up to listening to anything that band can come up with. You’ve already decided to leave expectations behind”. From that mantra, the foundation of their partnership was built. Each having spent a good deal of time in various recording and performance environments prior to working with one another, Epstein & Zott set out to explore the many intricacies of cross-genre songwriting and production together with a willingness to borrow as much from the Beach Boys as the Geto Boys if it meant a more dynamic form of pop music. An organic vs. synthesized perspective which by necessity lacked a specified audience or desired outcome, outside ofchallenging oneself.”

Listen to: “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dance Floor)”, “Run”, “Nothing But Our Love”

Stokeswood

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Stokeswood is an incredibly unique, Atlanta based, Low-Endie Rock band with infectious energy, unpredictable live performances, and a fierce electronic edge. They coined the phrase “Low-Endie” rock to describe their layered mixture of pumping synths, powerful vocals, and irresistible dance vibe that has earned them such titles as Creative Loafing Atlanta’s ‘Best Rock Act’ in both 2013 and 2014.

Stokeswood has graced prestigious festival stages such as CounterPoint, Party In The Park Atlanta, Wakarusa, The Rock Boat and more. They have performed with MGMT, Girl Talk, Edward Sharpe, The Joy Formidable, Cage The Elephant, Moon Taxi, and Reptar.

Their brand new EP, “2075,” just released in June 2015.

Listen to: “Our Streets”, “Samurai”, “2075”

Bronze Radio Return

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Bronze Radio Return know what it takes to get to the heart of American roots music. Small town values of neighborliness and kindness shine through in their music that is drenched with harmony, warmth, and soul. Their songs were made to make people come together. Sing-alongs, foot stomps, hand claps, and all.

Their music has been featured in commercials for Home Depot and Starbucks, as well as in TV shows on HBO, ESPN, NBC, MTV, ABC Family, USA and more. Most recently, their song “Further On” was featured in the Golden Globe Winning film, St. Vincent.

Bronze Radio Return has played numerous large festivals, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Firefly, Hangout Festival, Bunbury and more. Deep Roots Festival will mark the band’s debut in Middle Georgia.

Look for a new album later this year!

Ethan Tucker

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Ethan Tucker’s trademark sound of acoustic roots and layered electric guitars combined with an unmistakable soulful and bluesy vocal, is a recipe which has garnered attention from some of his most popular contemporaries, as well as bonafide legends. Born in Olympia, Washington, Ethan has traveled the country with Jimmy Cliff, Buddy Guy, and The Wailers as well as national support slots with musical peers Slightly Stoopid, G-Love, and Michael Franti.

With Ethan’s newest album, Misunderstood,  (May 5, 2015) produced by Michael Franti and Mario Caldato Jr., (Beastie Boys, Jack Johnson, G Love), includes special guests Money Mark, Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Thomas Pridgeon (Mars Volta).

“I think Ethan is going to be a perennial artist for a lifetime of music. He is not somebody who you think is going to be like three years on the map and then you never hear from them again. “He is going to be an artist to me like Ben Harper or Jack Johnson or even John Lee Hooker.” An who plays music until they can’t play anymore.” – Michael Franti

“Ethan is amazing at whatever he does. Singing, strumming, shredding the guitar on leads, or just making people smile. He’s good at it all.”- Kyle McDonald, Slightly Stoopid

Moonshine Still

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Beginning in Milledgeville, Georgia, Moonshine Still’s veritable melting pot of musical styles led them to tour nationally for nearly a decade and play the most respected music circuits and festivals, including Bonnaroo, High Sierra Music Festival and Wakarusa.

Reuniting to celebrate the twenty year mark of their original union, this one time only performance will remind old and new fans alike why Moonshine Still was and is an important band to not only Middle Georgia, but the nation.

“Moonshine Still has found a way to combine Southern soul, rock, funk and elements of electronica into its musical elixir that has dug deep into the musical heritage of its home state of Georgia.” – Charleston Post and Courier

“The group combines an eclectic blend of influences, from warm, exotic Middle Eastern and Indian overtones in guitar solos and percussion to vocals that hint at the slow and soulful Georgia gospel style. ”- The Maneater, Columbia, MO

“Have you ever been in a situation where you stumble upon a band that possesses such grit and power that you are left utterly speechless?”- Jambase.com

Hippo Campus

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Hippo Campus is four Minnesotan boys making music that is simple, joyful, and thematically soaked with the sense of cynicism accompanying the youthful search of self-meaning.

The band’s debut EP, Bashful Creatures, was released November 18, 2014. Recorded over two days at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, MN, the EP was produced by Low’s Alan Sparhawk.

Hippo Campus has toured internationally and played with My Morning Jacket, Walk The Moon, and Modest Mouse. Summer 2015 will include performances at Lollapalooza, Leads and Readings Music Festivals.

 

Charlie Belle

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Charlie Belle (named after their great-grandmother) are two siblings, who made a splash with their breezy debut EP, Get To Know, which recalled the English “alternapop” sound of the 90’s.

The Get To Know EP had major press outlets claiming that Charlie Belle was “armed with the most infectious kind of power-pop” (Wired), dubbing the group “some of the raddest kids around” (Nylon), and reminding that Charlie Belle would be one of the “musicians you’ll tell your friends about in 2015” (NPR). The band also earned attention in the UK, where its influences were clearly felt as a “New Band of The Week” in The Guardian.

Charlie Belle will release I Don’t Want To Be Alone(Fanatic Records, Sept. 18th), another EP of songs that brings an R&B influence to the mix. It’s simply one of those records that demands to be played on repeat.