To create his fifth full-length album Start Livin’, Hawaii-based
singer/guitarist/songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter holed up in a
Southern California studio for seven days with his longtime bassist Matt
Grundy—and no one else. The follow-up to 2010’s Glow, Start Livin’ is a
nine-track selection of folk-infused songs that sweetly reflect the simplicity of their recording. With its smooth showcasing of Frankenreiter’s rich, honey-thick vocals and masterful guitar work, Start Livin’ bears all the intimacy of an impromptu back-porch performance and the tenderness of a treasured love letter.
“Start Livin’ is basically a love album,” says Frankenreiter, who co-produced the record alongside Matt Grundy and Adam Ableman. “Most of the songs are about my wife and our two boys, and the life that we’ve built together in Hawaii.” Thanks to Frankenreiter’s infectious warmth and finely honed pop sensibilities, each of those songs has the singular effect of drawing the listener into that bright and breezy world for a blissed-out moment. Essential to the record’s playful feel is Frankenreiter’s inspired use of instrumentation. “This album’s completely unlike anything I’ve ever done before, in that we skipped the basics and went for a whole lot of different instruments,” he says. “We never brought in a drum set—instead there’s handclapping for percussion, or the two of us banging on pots and pans. We were using everything from bells to singing bowls to Zippo lighters; at one point we put some beans and salts in a can and shook it around.” Grundy played a key role in the wildly varied sounds on Start Livin’, according to Frankenreiter. “Matt was playing ukulele and lap steel guitar and banjo—he’d grab n instrument and we’d do a take live and just build the track up from that. It was a real fun vibe.”

“…if the pair were an 80’s movie they would be teen-vamp classic, The Lost Boys. Simply because of the gloomy, yet sexy atmosphere their sound evokes.” – Altsounds
“Post-apocalyptic pop that tips its hat to dark wave gothic gloom while shimmering with a healthy dose of neon (Ziggy) stardust.” – Insomnia Radio
“..Wazu crafts an almost scary electro-rock with industrial tinges and a pop soul. Their guitar sound alone commands awe, while the overall apop-calyptic mood of their music brings to mind that masterpiece of the 80s that is The The’s “Infected”. – The Deli NYC

AER: David von Mering and Carter Schultz of Wayland, MA create music that finds its roots in reggae, acoustic pop and indie rock, with smooth guitar riffs and a strong rap component.  Their latest release, EP “What You Need,” rose to the #1 album on the iTunes hip-hop charts, and also made it in the top ten on the iTunes overall album charts.  Their iTunes single “Feel I Bring” made the front of the Reggae page when iTunes placed the song in their “New & Noteworthy” section and one of their latest singles, “Slow Down” was featured on prolific hip-hop blog 2dopeboyz.  Aer has shared the stage with the likes of Mac Miller, Shwayze and Cisco Adler, Hoodie Allen, Ballyhoo! and Cris Cab. Look for Aer at Bamboozle this May as one of the festival’s 2012 buzz bands.
MOOSH & TWIST:OCD Philadelphia: Comprised of Oliver “Twist” Feighan and DeQuincy “Moosh” McRae, OCD: Moosh & Twist are exploding onto the scene hailing from Philadelphia. Having released released three free projects to date, the group has also built an impressive touring resume having shared the stage nationally with Wale, Wiz Khalifa, The Roots, Nas, Big Sean, Mike Posner, Down With Webster, Mac Miller, Girl Talk, Meek Mill, Chris Brown, Tyga, and more.

Now in their 20th year of award-winning recording, all while consistently traversing America with their nonstop touring schedule, Carbon Leaf can look back at an impressive portfolio of achievements, as they continue to produce a steady stream of new music and tour throughout North America during 2011. Hailing from Virginia, the same musically fertile purlieu that has nurtured the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Bruce Hornsby and Jason Mraz, Carbon Leaf’s sound reflects a wide range of influences. Their unique blend of Folk-Rock, Americana, Celtic, Bluegrass, Rock and Pop certainly lends itself to a variety of genres. But the title of one of their early albums, Ether-Electrified Porch Music, seems to conjure the right image: An aura of warmth, with music punctuated by diverse instruments including mandolin, upright bass, violin, B3, rhodes and banjo, as well as acoustic and electric guitars.

Traveling from Myrtle Beach, Greensboro, Philadelphia, Charlotte with Wilmington’s finest reggae bands will be playing all day. Raffles and giveaways will be happening featuring local businesses! Come out and listen to the best Sublime covers and original reggae music around!

Lucero is an alt-country/punk rock band from Memphis, TN. Formed in 1998, the six-piece has built its reputation on writing sing-along songs about small town life and love, putting a modern edge on classic Americana subjects. The members may look like tattooed tough guys, but they write resonant songs that tug the heartstrings of even the most hardened rock fan.
Lead singer Ben Nichols’ signature whiskey-soaked voice is arguably one of the most recognizable in rock and roll today. The band is rounded out by original members Roy Berry (drums), John C. Stubblefield (bass) and Brian Venable (guitar). Recent additions Rick Steff (piano, organ, accordion) and Todd Beene (pedal steel) contribute to the fuller sound of Lucero’s recent records.