The Orange Peel Events

Bela Fleck - The Africa Project

FRIDAY, MARCH 12th -

Bela Fleck is often considered the premier banjo player in the world. A New York City native, he picked up the banjo at age 15 after being awed by the bluegrass music of Flatt & Scruggs. While still in high school he began experimenting with playing bebop jazz on his banjo, mentored by fellow banjo renegade Tony Trischka. In 1980, he released his first solo album, Crossing the Tracks, with material that ranged from straight ahead bluegrass to Chick Corea's Spain. In 1982, Fleck joined the progressive bluegrass band New Grass Revival, making a name for himself on countless solo and ensemble projects ever since as a virtuoso instrumentalist. In 1989 he formed the genre-busting Flecktones, with members equally talented and adventurous as himself. Throw Down Your Heart, the third volume in Belas renowned Tales From the Acoustic Planet series, is his most ambitious project to date. In on-location collaborations with musicians from Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, South Africa and Madagascar, Bela Fleck explores the African origins of the banjo, the prototype of which was brought to American shores by African slaves. Throw Down Your Heart is a companion to the award-winning film of the same name, which Bela and director Sascha Paladino are currently premiering at festivals nationwide. Transcending barriers of language and culture, Fleck finds common ground with musicians ranging from local villagers to international superstars such as the Malian diva Oumou Sangare to create some of the most meaningful music of his career.

Ani DiFranco - TWO NIGHTS! plus Erin McKeown

SATURDAY, MARCH 13th & SUNDAY, MARCH 14th -

Ani DiFranco has written hundreds of songs, played thousands of shows, captured the imaginations of legions of followers, and jammed with folkies, orchestras, rappers, rock and roll hall-of-famers, jazz musicians, poets, pop superstars, storytellers and a martial arts legend. She's fixed up a few old buildings and minimized her carbon footprint before it was trendy � from installing a geothermal heating and cooling system in the renovated church that her label calls home to using organic inks on all the t-shirts she sells. But nothing she's done in her 18-year career has garnered more attention than a business decision.

Rodrigo y Gabriela plus Alex Skolnick Trio

MONDAY, MARCH 15th -

Rodrigo (Sanchez) and Gabriela (Quintero) are two fast-fingered, Dublin-based, Mexicans with a unique sound created on acoustic guitars. Their music is difficult to define, straddling both world and rock, and often imbued with timeless Hispano�classical influences. The fire in it comes from their life-long passion for metal music. This spring, Rodrigo y Gabriela beat both the Arctic Monkeys AND Johnny Cash to number one in the Irish charts. Rodrigo is a deft finger-picker who can move from raging speed to sensual soul in the space of a fret, while Gabriela employs fast, rhythmic techniques. Her percussionists thrashing of strings and drumming of the instruments body inevitably raises comparisons with flamenco � which they acknowledge as an influence but swerve as a pigeonhole. The duos repertoire flies beyond familiar Latin folk guitarists styles because of the metal connection: their re-workings of Led Zeppelins Stairway to Heaven and Metallicas Orion are musts, and the presence, on Ixtapa, of the fiery Hungarian gypsy violinist, Roby Lakatos, is inspirational.

G. Love and Special Sauce plus Giant Panda Guerrila Dub Squad

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17th -

Tart, Tangy, Smooth, and oh so lip-smacking Sweet! Aaah yes, time to praise the almighty summer sippin thirst quencher, being served straight up G. Love and Special Sauce style, ice cool and always refreshing. On their second release for Brushfire Records, the Philly boys offer up Lemonade, a series of soul drenched tracks pouring out their blues infused hip-hop, which people have been trying to label for years. The best advice - dont try to tame it or claim it; its simply their sonic trademark, instantly recognizable and addictively delicious.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers plus Damon Fowler

THURSDAY, MARCH 18th -

A blues-rock guitarist who draws his inspiration from Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, and Chuck Berry, George Thorogood never earned much respect from blues purists, but he became a popular favorite in the early 80s through repeated exposure on FM radio and the arena rock circuit. Thorogoods music was always loud, simple, and direct -- his riffs and licks were taken straight out of 50s Chicago blues and rock & roll -- but his formulaic approach helped him gain a rather large audience in the 80s, when his albums regularly went gold.

Jamey Johnson plus Jerrod Niemann - SOLD OUT

FRIDAY, MARCH 19th -

He could be basking in his songwriting accolades, but Jamey Johnson remains a restlessly creative maverick. Jamey is the co�writer of the CMA and ACM 2007 Song of the Year Give It Away, recorded by George Strait. Trace Adkins, George Jones and Joe Nichols have also recorded his songs. But instead of sitting at home counting his royalty checks, Jamey Johnson recorded more than 40 songs during the past year. Not content with providing hits for others, the singer�songwriter has a powerful drive to sing, record and perform. Writing is not enough for me, says this intense artist. I did not come here to just be a writer. I live to play�. Im not here to take a stab at it. I am going to DO it. Following a deep period of isolation and introspection, Jamey Johnson entered the recording studio in April 2007. He and his band blazed through dozens of songs. Within months, Jamey emerged with That Lonesome Song, a Gold�selling, critically acclaimed collection of extraordinary compositions that is equally noteworthy for its lyrical craftsmanship and its strikingly original sound.

David ALLAN Coe plus Mic Harrison & The High Score

SATURDAY, MARCH 20th -

If theres ever been a way to describe David Allan Coe, it has got to be his ability to defy categorization. He has been his own man since he was a child. He was basically in several of Ohio's correctional institutions from the age of 9. By the time he emerged a fully formed adult who had taught himself guitar and left for the free world, DAC had a clear eye on what his future was to be. He decided to take the country music world by storm. And though he had to claw, hype and charm his way up the ladder, his talent pulled him through. And his ability to feed the press juicy stories and tales of his misdeeds didn't hurt either. DAC has regaled writers with tales of his misadventures. With nearly three decades of following his musical muse wherever its led, this outlaw has crossed the panorama of American roots music. As well as being a singer, songwriter, guitarist, David is also a magician, deep sea treasure hunter and movie star. His movies include Stagecoach, The Last Days of Frank and Jessie James, Lady Grey, Buckstone County Prison and Take This Job and Shove It to mention a few.

Hands of Hope presents Billy Jonas

SUNDAY, MARCH 21st -

A Billy Jonas performance is an explosion of energy. In singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs, as well as improvised songs, his primary instrument is the audience. Everyone becomes part of a performance that reaches out and . . . touches even the most hardened of hearts. (Fayetteville Morning News). Billy Jonas will perform at the second annual Hands of Hope family benefit concert. This benefit represents the culmination of 4 months of service learning that occurred at three area independent schools in Asheville. The schools worked with the following non-profits: Children First, Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project (ASAP), and River Link. These non-profits will benefit directly from proceeds from ticket sales from the concert.

Megadeth - Rust In Peace Tour with special guests Testament and Exodus - SOLD OUT

MONDAY, MARCH 22nd -

Formed by guitarist Dave Mustaine after he was forced out of Metallica, Megadeth long represented the dark and nasty side of American thrash. Between the manic precision of Mustaines riffage, which unlike most thrash bands locked perfectly with the machine-gun pulse of the kick drum, and the inspired cynicism of his songwriting, Megadeth perfectly captured the mood of those metal fans who thought the world was going to hell, and frankly didnt give a shit. From Killing Is My Business to So Far, So Good, the albums are largely interchangeable, right down to the ellipses in the titles. Rust in Peace upped the ante with Hangar 18, an impressively expansive conspiracy number, and Countdown to Extinction showed unexpected pop savvy with Symphony of Destruction and Sweating Bullets. By Youthanasia, the band even managed to deliver credible ballads -- well, slow and mostly sensitive songs, anyway -- but its Cryptic Writings that marks the bands zenith. Not only has the band broadened its palette to include synths and electronic treatments, but the powerful, confessional Use the Man gives the band a single as strong as any in the Metallica songbook. (In between Youthanasia and Cryptic Writings, Mustaine also released an album under the name MD.45, with punk legend Lee Ving of Fear.) Risk, unfortunately, doesnt quite maintain that momentum (although it has its moments), while the sluggish, retrograde The World Needs a Hero actually seems a step back for the band.

Pnuma Trio plus Break Science featuring Adam Deitch

THURSDAY, MARCH 25th -

Dynamic, scene-setting electronica youngsters The Pnuma Trio have been known for their forward-thinking compositions and moving, powerful improvisations since their explosion onto the scene in 2004. Not so young anymore, Ben Hazelgrove, Alex Botwin, and Lane Shaw are proud to call STS9s very hot 1320 Records their new home as they release their debut studio album, Character. With a defined, glitch-informed electro/hip-hop feel and all the dynamic energy of their DJ-killing live show, this new album represents a significantly evolved version of Pnumas futuristic sound; tighter, more focused, and higher resolution. The long synth solos have been replaced by careful layering; instead of building each song to its climax the band percolates on hot remixed urban ideas, letting the production create the spacious atmosphere. Self-produced by the band and sporting a special bonus track that features Crown City Rockers MC Rashaan Ahmad, Character is ready to take the scene by storm with its vast, open feel and deep 808-driven grooves. The rest of the world can only watch and listen as these talented artists come of age and discover the depth of their Character.

Tea Leaf Green plus Elmwood

FRIDAY, MARCH 26th -

Well raise up our tent in any town that will have us�. declares the new studio album by San Franciscos Tea Leaf Green. Produced by David Lowery (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Counting Crows), the album presents eleven, well-crafted songs that tempt the listener to set off on the archetypal American adventure. In times past, you could run away and join the circus or ride the freight trains, and Tea Leaf Green offers the same seductive pull to todays kids. Sharing some of the style and substance of musical contemporaries My Morning Jacket, Wolfmother, and the Raconteurs, Tea Leaf Green conjures the spirit of bands like 70s Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and The Grateful Dead, taking classic sounds and giving them a present-day polish. Tea Leaf Green reminds us at every turn just how alluring rock n roll can be. Tea Leaf Green consistently delivers mind bending live performances to their loyal and ever-growing fan base. Nightly, the band explores the depths of their prodigious songbook, taking everyone along for an exhilarating ride.

Rebirth Brass Band & Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk

SATURDAY, MARCH 27th -

Simply put, The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the now infamous Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. Rebirth is committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands while at the same time incorporating modern music into their show. Their signature brand of heavy funk has not only won over several generations of music lovers, it has become the soundtrack to an entire city. In the wake of the sometimes-stringent competition amongst brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack, and they show no signs of slowing down. Formed in 2003, Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk was initially put together by keyboardist Ivan Neville on a whim in order to perform a solo gig at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Ivan called in cousin Ian Neville (guitar), the double-bass bottom of both Nick Daniels and Tony Hall, and drummer Raymond Weber to round out the show. Named after a song Ivan had recently written, Dumpstaphunks informal performance became that of immediate legend. The project has since grown from chance side-project into what is now widely considered to be New Orleans most popular musical export. The band was recently voted 2007s New Orleans Best Funk Band by both Offbeat Magazine and Gambit Weekly, and performs at some of the nation's largest music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Voodoo Fest, 10,000 Lakes, and High Sierra.

King Khan & The Shrines plus The Fresh & Onlys

TUESDAY, MARCH 30th -

Who is this manic Master of Ceremonies who openly confesses to the two grand black bohemians said to be lunatic Sun Ra and George Clinton, and whose stagings certainly remind us of a young Herman Sonny Blount and his Solar Arkestra? In 1995 Khan leaves the frosty soil of the city of Montreal playing the bass for the International-Underground-Legends The Spaceshits. The band is produced by Mike Mariconda with a special guest appearance from the Fabulous Andy G (Devil Dogs). Khan founds the secret lodge of the Kukamongas. During the oncoming years Khan tours across the States. Detroit, New Orleans, New York City, LA, San Francisco, Dallas, Tijuana etc. Khan doesn't return from the first Spaceshits-Europe-Tour in summer of 1999. In Germany the young 22-year old Canadian founds a Psychedlic-Soul-Big-Band The Sensational Shrines. The first line-up includes Ron Streeter (live-percussionist of Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau and other Soul-Legends), as well as a horn section of rowdy teenagers, and a rhythm section which can only be called a german/french version of the Freak Brothers. Khan meets Fredovitch (Bordeauxs wildest organ player) wearing a silverstudded gogo dress, matching cowboy hat and sporting a full beard. He dubs him into shrinehood only one week before recording their first album in Toe Rag Studio in London. Three Hairs & Youre Mine is produced by Liam Watson. The Shrines grow into an all-star international movement. Their first concert in London is suspended by the police. The band escapes through the back-door. Numerous gigs will follow all across Europe, among others with the Demolition Dollrods, Mr.Quintron and Ms. Pussycat, an after-party for 50 cent, even a legendary stint at the Roskilde festival. In 2003 Khan encounters the Hazelwood-producers-team Gordon "Two Horses" Friedrich and Wolfgang "Amadeus" Gottlieb, who stage the second longplayer Mr. Supernatural in the beginning of 2004.

Godspell

FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd, SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd & SUNDAY, APRIL 4th -

The longest running off-Broadway show inside one of the top five performance halls in the country will once again provide great entertainment. In 2009, the Highland Acting Company debuted Godspell at the Orange Peel to sold out crowds and now returns to the Orange Peel with great momentum after touring the show to Charlotte, NC and Wichita, KS! Godspell, the musical by Stephen Schwartz and John Michael-Telebak, opened on Broadway in 1971 and has been a wild hit for millions ever since. The Highland Acting Company brings a fresh and relevant portrayal of the 70's musical � utilizing modern art forms while embracing the original nuance of the Musicals comedy and memorable songs, Day by Day and Prepare Ye. Godspell, based on the Biblical book of Matthew, brings a playful and compelling look at the teachings of Jesus. The Highland Acting Company will once again perform Resurrectio, an original act telling the story of the resurrection of Christ through stirring songs, Three Days, Mary's Song and Go. This new local acting company will deliver powerful vocals, innovative theatre, and a strong production - all with a humorous edge. A great new version of a Broadway classic � and a great way to spend Easter weekend.

Yeasayer

MONDAY, APRIL 5th -

Yeasayer are a quartet that accomplishes no small task: transcending genre. Though peers of pastiche acts MGMT and Chairlift, Yeasayer can be seen as successors to the genre-defying Brooklyn scene defined by trailblazing, boundary-razing acts like Animal Collective, Black Dice, and Gang Gang Dance. Yeasayer make a baroque folk-rock that sounds both futurist and tribalist at once; fashioning a casually-indefinable collage of four-part harmonies, junkyard percussion, horror-movie synth squelches, and spidery guitar-lines.

Vampire Weekend plus Abe Vigoda - SOLD OUT

TUESDAY, APRIL 6th -

Some bands stay in a holding pattern their whole careers. Others jerk the steering wheel hard and fly off the road. On their second album, Vampire Weekend do neither. Or maybe they do both. I think we sound more like Vampire Weekend than we did on the first record, says drummer Christopher Tomson. Contra pulls off a series of impressive feats: Its bustling with fresh ideas, and yet it sounds immediately familiar; its heavily layered but taut and kinetic; it chews ravenously through sound palettes and rhythms, and yet its nimble and assured; its still breezy, and yet it smolders with a newfound emotional heft. Its sadder than the first one, a bit more sentimental, says singer Ezra Koenig. The songs are catchy, fast, twinkling, clattering the darker themes of loss, doubt and regret accumulate almost imperceptibly, but they land a powerful blow.

The Easy Star All-Stars performing songs from Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, Lonely Hearts Dub Band and more

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7th -

Combining musical versatility, instrumental prowess, beautiful vocal harmonies and a superb rhythm section, the Easy Star All-Stars have established themselves as one of the top international reggae acts since their live debut in 2003. Thanks to their best-selling tribute album releases, Dub Side of the Moon (2003) and Radiodread (2006), as well as Until That Day (2008), an original EP, the Easy Star All-Stars have built a growing, dedicated fan base throughout the world, bringing together fans of reggae, classic rock, dub and indie rock into one big family. Their latest release, Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band, released in April 2009, tackles the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in complete reggae fashion. It cracked the Billboard Top 200 twice, becoming the first reggae album to do that in over two years.

Delbert McClinton plus Dick50

FRIDAY, APRIL 9th -

Three-time Grammy Award winning artist Delbert McClinton has released his latest album Acquired Taste. Its his first new studio recording in over four years. The album is a juke joint blend of country soul, infused with blues, rock and jazz. McClinton, one of the greatest American vocalists, showcases his versatile voice on ballads like Starting A Rumor and Never Saw It Comin, while he jazzes things up on tracks including Mamas Little Baby and Until Then. McClinton, who can be heard on vocals, guitar and harmonica, calls on his seasoned band, Dick50, to back him on the new record; Lynn Williams (drums), Steve Mackey (bass), Kevin McKendree (keyboards, lead guitar on Cherry Street) and Rob McNelley (guitar, background vocals on When She Cries At Night). McClinton is also joined by several guest musicians including his longtime friend Stephen Bruton, who plays guitar and sings background vocals on Cant Nobody Say I Didnt Try.

The Temper Trap plus The Kissaway Trail

SATURDAY, APRIL 10th -

A lot of waters passed under the bridge since The Temper Traps delay soaked opening to Sweet Disposition first began causing a stir on Australian radio late last year. The track was the first taster of their recording sessions with UK producer Jim Abbiss (UNKLE, Adele, Arctic Monkeys) and it clearly made the world sit up and take notice. The track instantly won the band a steady stream of influential fans around the globe. Following a handful of much lauded dates in the UK & US in November, the bands star rose quickly winning coveted spots on 09 tip lists by the BBC, NME & X-FM, scoring rotation from influential BBC hosts Zane Lowe and Steve Lamacq, as well recording a stunning four track live session for the BBCs Introducing series. The new year only saw the momentum gather pace with the band signing a worldwide record deal (ex ANZ & Nth America) with Korda Marshalls newly re-launched Infectious Records (previously home to Muse, Garbage & Ash), scoring a trailer and key film placement for Sundance buzz US film 500 Days of Summer and continued glowing reviews on blog sites stretching from Melbourne to London and New York and Madrid.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

TUESDAY, APRIL 13th -

Think of George Clinton and youll likely conjure an image of a crazy black man with rainbow dreads and garb befitting a galactic shaman literally barking at phat bottomed girls with a sub-atomic WOOF! This lovable nutcase is the legendary and internationally renowned grandfather of funk and the founder of the Parliament-Funkadelic MOB, taking the sonic innovations of James Brown and Sly Stone to both outer space AND Neptune while selling millions of records and concert tickets in the process. Quiet as its kept, however, George Clintons initial approach to the ladies was crooning (when he wasnt cutting hair) as the leader of a standup vocal group he formed in 55 called The Parliaments, emulating the doo wop and love songs that were popular when he was in diapers (well, he STILL wears those on occasion).

Galactic

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14th -

It's shaping up to be a stellar year for celebrated New Orleans outfit Galactic. On February 9th the band will release their groundbreaking new album Ya-Ka-May a visionary mix, intertwining New Orleans sounds from jazz to brass band to funk and far beyond. With this release, the five-man group comprised of drummer Stanton Moore, bassist Robert Mercurio, saxophonist/harmonica player Ben Ellman, keyboardist Richard Vogel, and guitarist Jeff Raines � reaffirms their status as the quintessential modern day New Orleans band and one of the funkiest outfits in the known universe. Ya-Ka-May features all-new material generated by the band in collaboration with a stellar series of New Orleans guests, who range from iconic figures of the 1960s to the younger veterans to the underground. These invitees appear here outside their normal contexts and away from the sound you might typically associate with them, like putting a picture in a different frame. Guaranteed you know some of their names, but its unlikely that you know them all, even if you live in New Orleans. At first listen youre bound to discover scorching talents from the worlds of music you know � jazz, brass bands, r&b, gospel, rock � and one you may not have encountered before: bounce.

Allen Toussaint

THURSDAY, APRIL 15th -

Allen Toussaint has crossed many paths in his illustrious 40 years plus career in music. He has produced, written for, arranged, had his songs covered by, and performed with music giants The Judds, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Patti LaBelle, Mac Dr. John Rebannac, Aaron and Art Neville, Joe Cocker, The (original) Meters, Glen Campbell, The Band, Little Feat, The Rolling Stones, Devo, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, Etta James, Ramsey Lewis, Eric Gale and the countless others. His songs/productions have been featured in numerous films, including but not limited to, Casino, Moulin Rouge, and Maid in Manhattan. He served as musical director for the off Broadway play, Staggerlee, which won the prestigious Outer Circle Critics Award. Toussaint career began in his early twenties when hired by the local Minit Records to supervise its recording activities, awaiting their arrival of Harold Batiste. Toussaint quickly accumulated an amazing string of hits for the label, producing, writing, arranging and often performing on tracks by Ernie K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Art and Aaron Neville, Chris Kenner, and Benny Spellman, putting his signature New Orleans sound on the map, an obvious continuation of the Domino/Bartholomew era.

Drive-By Truckers plus Langhorne Slim

FRIDAY, APRIL 16th & SATURDAY, APRIL 17th -

Flaunting a mix of Southern pride, erudite lyrics, and a muscled three-guitar attack, Drive-By Truckers became one of the most well-respected alternative country-rock acts of the 2000s. Led by frontman, Patterson Hood, and comprising a rotating cast of Georgia and Alabama natives, the band celebrates the South while refusing to paint over its spotty past. History, Southern folklore, politics, and character studies all share equal space in the Truckers catalog. The bands newest CD is The Fine Print - a collection of oddities and rarities, which features songs written by band members past and present.

Motion City Soundtrack plus fun., A Rocket To The Moon & Sing It Loud

MONDAY, APRIL 19th -

On January 19, 2010, Motion City Soundtrack will release their long-awaited fourth album, My Dinosaur Life, for Columbia Records. When it came time for Motion City Soundtrack to record their major-label debut, the band called upon Blink-182 bassist/producer/friend Mark Hoppus, who first worked with the group on their breakthrough album Commit This To Memory. We weren't looking for someone to change us into something we arent, explains Cain. We just wanted to be free to make a darker, rock record. With Mark, hes such a champion of what we do. With Hoppus in their corner and a stockpile of songs that had been demoed in Minneapolis during the fall of 2008, the band was all set to relocate to Los Angeles in the New Year to start work on production for My Dinosaur Life�that is, until 1 a.m. on January 1, 2009, when Thaxton took a spill and broke his right arm. Unfortunately, I wasnt doing anything cool, admits Thaxton, slightly embarrassed. I was leaving a New Years Eve party and I slipped off the curb when we were walking to the car. I didnt think anything about the fall until I tried to get up and then knew something was very wrong. Its this predilection for organized upheaval that further explains why Motion City Soundtrack�and their new album My Dinosaur Life, which was mixed by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Kaiser Chiefs)�is a study of musical contradictions because without the chaos, there wouldnt be the calm and without the pain, there wouldnt be the pop. Weve battled for every one of our fans, says Cain. With Commit This To Memory, the snowball started rolling hard and fast. We went from playing in front of 150-200 kids to 1,500-2,000 kids without an issue. I think with Even If It Kills Me, that snowball definitely started melting and it was harder to push that ball down the hill. I understand because it was a different record�but we've always made different records. For better or worse, its Motion City Soundtracks constant quest to evolve and challenge themselves as musicians�and people�that keeps fans coming back for more. After all, as the saying goes, to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

Brother Ali featuring Fashawn, BK-One & Dow Jones

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21st -

For the first time in his life, Brother Ali has been enjoying some day-to-day stability. Gone is the turbulent marriage to his first wife, homelessness, and the associated drama�all of which Ali openly documented on his last LP, The Undisputed Truth. His new album, Us, is a progression that will establish Brother Ali as one of Hip Hops most enduring figures. While maintaining his intimate approach to songwriting, Ali has broadened his focus to examine life through his relationships with those closest to him. The new direction allows Ali to venture through the strengths and flaws of the human condition, exploring the evils of slavery, drug abuse, rape and poverty as well as the beauty of love, family and redemption. Continuing the tradition of Alis previous albums, Us is produced entirely by long time partner Ant (Atmosphere, Felt) who provides enchanting mixtures of lush strings, and haunting choirs with the grinding pulse of funk-inspired synth bass and talk box. Giving Ali the perfect musical bed to deliver his commanding and ever thought provoking musings.

Railroad Earth

FRIDAY, APRIL 23rd -

The members of Railroad Earth arent losing sleep about what kind of music they play � they just play it. When they started out in 2001, they were a bunch of guys interested in playing acoustic instruments together. As Railroad Earth violin/vocalist Tim Carbone recalls, All of us had been playing in various projects for years, and many of us had played together in different projects. But this time, we found ourselves all available at the same time. Acoustic guitar/lead vocalist Todd Sheaffer continues, When we started, we only loosely had the idea of getting together and playing some music. It started that informally; just getting together and doing some picking and playing. Over a couple of month period, we started working on some original songs, as well as playing some covers that we thought would be fun to play. Shortly thereafter, they took five songs from their budding repertoire into a studio and knocked out a demo in just two days. Their soon-to-be manager sent that demo to a few festivals, and � to the bands surprise � they were booked at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival before theyd even played their first gig. This prompted them to quickly go in and record five more songs; the ten combined tracks of which made up their debut album, The Black Bear Sessions.

Todd Snider

SATURDAY, APRIL 24th -

The Excitement Plans laid- back groove and top- shelf lyrics are being called Todd Sniders best work yet. This music is sorta JJ Cale meets Jerry Jeff Walker sounding with words that would hopefully impress Shel Silverstein, Bobby Bare, Chuck Berry, Kris Kristofferson or Randy Newman, Snider said. With his contributions of stellar guitar, piano and harmonica, his musicianship shares the spotlight as easily as his treasured lyrics. Snider is a vociferous musician whose fans know him to be quite the workhorse. His acclaimed 2006 release, The Devil You Know found the barefoot troubadour performing live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman and the CD appeared on numerous year-end Top 10 lists including Spin, Blender and Rolling Stone. More recently, last years Peace Queer EP--a concept record featuring all the peace, love and anarchy Snider is known for-inspired Blender to say he morphed from a wisecracking country-ish journeyman to the sharpest and funniest protest singer working today. The EP spent five weeks at number one on the Americana chart and Spin Magazine dubbed him, One of roots musics slyest, smartest songwriters.

Jorma Kaukonen & David Bromberg

TUESDAY, MAY 11th -

In a career that has already spanned a half-century, Jorma Kaukonen has been the leading practitioner and teacher of fingerstyle guitar, one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll. He was a founding member of two legendary bands, The Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna, a Grammy nominee, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the most in-demand instructor in the galaxy of stars who teach at the Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp that he and his wife operate in picturesque Southeastern Ohio. A singular performer/writer/arranger, David Brombergs remarkable musical versatility and innovative resourcefulness have earned vast critical and popular acclaim. He is also impossible to classify: As one critic perceptively wrote, David Bromberg fits no pigeonholes. He is part of everything contemporarily musical. He is a product of blues, country, jazz, folk, and classical music. From his early success as a guitar virtuoso, Mr. Bromberg has developed into a brilliant entertainer.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings plus Binky Griptite & The Mellomatics

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12th -

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have come a long way since their humble beginnings nearly a decade ago. Steeped within the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul and funk, this nine-piece Brooklyn collective has continued to electrify fans, disc jockeys, critics, record collectors, and bloggers the world-over with their authentic, heart-felt sound. The authenticity clearly demonstrated on the bands three critically-acclaimed albums � Dap Dippin (2002), Naturally (2005) and 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007) � captured and released by the independent Daptone Records. Their albums recall an analog era led by iconic studios like those at Motown and Stax Records, and have thrust the fifty-three-year-old Augusta, GA native and crew into the multimedia limelight. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have appeared on CNN, Good Morning New York, MTV News, VH1, Conan OBrien, Craig Ferguson, David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, BBC Television, NPR radio shows like Morning Edition and Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and have been covered in a slew of publications, from personal blogposts all the way to feature stories in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsweek, the Associated Press, Interview, the Village Voice, and Entertainment Weekly.

Carolina Chocolate Drops

FRIDAY, MAY 14th -

In the summer and fall of 2005, three young black musicians, Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Justin Robinson, made the commitment to travel to Mebane, N.C., every Thursday night to sit in the home of old-time fiddler Joe Thompson for a musical jam session. Joe was in his 80's, a black fiddler with a short bowing style that he inherited from generations of family musicians. He had learned to play a wide ranging set of tunes sitting on the back porch with other players after a day of field work. Now he was passing those same lessons on to a new generation. When the three students decided to form a band, they didn't have big plans. It was mostly a tribute to Joe, a chance to bring his music back out of the house again and into dance halls and public places. They called themselves The Chocolate Drops as a tip of the hat to the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, three black brothers Howard, Martin and Bogan Armstrong, who lit up the music scene in the 1930's. Honing and experimenting with Joe's repertoire, the band often coaxed their teacher out of the house to join them on stage. Joe's charisma and charm regularly stole the show.

The Swell Season

THURSDAY, MAY 20th -

In 2005 Glen Hansard, lead singer of The Frames and Marketa Irglova recorded an album together in Prague while working together on the soundtrack of Jan Hrebejks movie, Beauty In Trouble. The Swell Season was released in April 2006 and also featured two Interference musicians, Marja Tuhkanen (violin) and Bertrand Galen (cello). In many ways, it was to prove partly inspirational for John Carneys Once, a low-budget Irish indie film that turned out to be one of the most successful independent features of 2007. The pair not only wrote the songs for the movie but they both starred in it as well. Since the release of the film Glen and Marketa have toured extensively as The Swell Season and in February 2008 they took the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for Falling Slowly.

The Infamous Stringdusters plus Town Mountain

FRIDAY, MAY 21st -

After a strong introduction at the 2004 IBMA convention, The Stringdusters are poised to become the most talented and creative new band on the bluegrass scene. Based in Nashville, TN, the band consists of six very unique, professional players who are steeped in the tradition of bluegrass vocal harmony as well as the progressive edge of instrumental music. A wealth of original songs helps to set The Stringdusters apart from other groups of its kind.

Butch Walker & The Black Widows

SUNDAY, MAY 23rd -

Butch Walker may be remembered as the lead singer from the now broken-up Marvelous 3, who had a 1999 hit with Freak Of The Week. But hes also been an in-demand producer in recent years. He was involved with Pinks Im Not Dead album as well as her rendition of Stevie Wonders Tell Me Something Good, which will be on the upcoming Happy Feet soundtrack. Pink returned the favour by contributing vocals to Rise & Falls Song Without A Chorus. The list of acts that Walker has produced, mixed or written with also includes Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Bowling For Soup, Sevendust, American Hi-Fi, and The Donnas. He recently finished working with Pete Yorn and will be kept busy with Hot Hot Heat and The All-American Rejects this summer.

Matt Stillwell plus Buchanan Boys

SATURDAY, MAY 29th -

Matt Stillwell's move to Nashville was the ultimate eye-opener. 'I watched friends do showcases and hoped someone would show up,' he says. 'I watched them being promised record or publishing deals that might or might not happen. So I made the decision that what I needed to do was to eliminate the 'no's, and the way to do that was to go build a following.' A man with a work ethic as big as his talent, Matt did just that, and in this age of American Idol and viral videos, he has built his following the old-fashioned way--one city, one club, one crowd at a time.

ZOSO - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

FRIDAY, JUNE 4th -

In 1995, Zoso was formed to create the most mesmerizing and accurate portrayal of the biggest band of the 1970s - Led Zeppelin (Rolling Stone Magazine). Each member was selected to portray both the appearance and playing styles of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones. Zoso almost immediately developed an outstanding regional reputation and were awarded Best Tribute Act in California by Rock City News.

Tortoise

FRIDAY, JUNE 4th -

The great majority of artists spend their formative years, if not their entire careers, working to shake off the gravitational pull of their predecessors, and the many masters and masterpieces that came before them. Rare indeed is the artist who outgrows their early influences, and instead become one of the markers by which other groups are measured. Almost alone among bands of the last two decades, Tortoise is a group that resists easy metaphors and analogies, who can be described as sounding like only themselves and no one else. Twenty years after its founding, the band's signature and singularly inimitable sound-a fluid intersection of dub, dance, jazz, techno, rock, and classical minimalism, with no part overwhelming or dominating the whole-remains an American and international original. Even more unusually, they seem to have arrived at their sound with almost no apprenticeship to speak of; to judge from their early singles and albums alone, they seem to have come into being with their musical identity and DNA fully formed, like Athena from the forehead of Zeus. Further, while the group has spawned countless imitators, heirs, and followers-sincere, flattering, and otherwise-Tortoise remains unique in the world of contemporary music for their boundless intellectual curiosity, their unmistakable compositional voice, and their synthesis of seemingly contradictory sound worlds far from their doorstep.