Here Are the Artists Who Rocked our Stages Last Year
Ky-Mani Marley
The Marley surname perpetuates Jamaican royalty, resonates world-wide recognition and represents the pioneer of a cultural, political and social revolution. Reggae Icon and Legend Bob Marley blessed the world with his timeless, brilliant and message filled sound which continues to inspire and influence audiences today. With such a living past, Bob Marley’s conviction and passion for music unintentionally was passed to the lives of his offspring and has allowed the Marley name to remain relevant amongst the hierarchy of the reggae sound. Son of “Bob Marley” and “Table tennis” champion Anita Belnavis. Ky-mani Marley is the second youngest of Bob Marley’s eleven children. While bearing the Marley name, Ky-mani’s childhood told a different story.
Roots of Creation
Whether on the festival circuit, performing at jam and reggae-rock favorites like Camp Bisco, Gathering of The Vibes, California Roots, Jungle Jam and Closer to the Sun, or sharing the stage at sold out shows with some of their diverse influences including Slightly Stoopid, The Wailers, and Michael Franti, reggae/rock/dubtronica band Roots of Creation (RoC) offers up a high-energy, infectious live music experience. Their mix of reggae riddims, conscious lyrics, spirited horn lines, and electronic beats makes crowds move and has their loyal underground fan base (RoC Family) and street team (Universal Soldiers) travelling the distance to pack venues from coast-to-coast.
Mike Love
In this modern age of music, genres blend together as naturally as the river flows into the sea. With the expansive library of all the music of the world from every time period at our fingertips, creative artists seem to be more and more liberated from the archaic mentality of being pigeonholed into one genre or demographic. Mike Love is at the forefront of this movement. With a foundation rooted in the spirituality and message-based music of Reggae and Rastafari, he blends the sounds of progressive and classic rock, pop, R & B, soul, blues, flamenco, jazz and so much more. Healing is at the core of his music. With ever evolving live performances, Love keeps his organically grown fanbase returning again and again to witness the evolution of tried and true fan favorites, and the ever-expanding repertoire of new music that is constantly surfacing. Fans often leave live performances remarking about how they have just been to church, or had a bad day turned around.
Through The Roots
Few things ever grow tall without roots. For the five members of Through The Roots, it took a decade of inspired songwriting and heavy touring to develop the band’s unique sound: a modern blend of roots reggae, hip-hop, rock, and electronic pop. It’s a sound that nods to the band’s diverse influences while also reaching far beyond them, and it began humbly enough, with the guys hosting their own backyard shows in college towns across southern California.
Zach Deputy
On his path towards becoming a successful touring musician, Zach Deputy serendipitously landed a solo gig in his early 20s by walking into a bar just after that night’s featured artist had bailed. Deputy soon introduced the world to the sound he’d eventually dub “island-infused, drum ‘n’ bass, gospel-ninja-soul.” By 2008 he’d released his debut album Out of the Water and—thanks to his ingenuity in looping—made his name as an unforgettable one-man-band live act. The new music kept flowing, and since then Deputy has released four critically acclaimed full length studio albums. As a special sneak peek into his new music, Zach will sprinkle songs from his upcoming album throughout his sets this fall.
The Elovaters
The Elovaters sophomore album, DEFY GRAVITY, dropped October 26, 2018 (Rootfire Cooperative) and debuted at #1 in the Billboard and iTunes Reggae charts. Two months later it was voted people’s choice Album Of The Year 2018 by Surf Roots TV & Radio. Produced by Danny Kalb (Beck, Ben Harper, Willie Nelson, The Movement) and critically acclaimed, “Defy Gravity is simply on another level…intricate and nuanced, full of thought-provoking surprises.” The album marks yet another milestone in the band’s incredible rise from the south shore of Boston. Other highlights from 2018 include signing with Madison House agency in September, performing at Levitate Music Festival, Sugarloaf Reggae Festival, and direct support dates for The English Beat, and Badfish. In March 2019 the song “People Go” was featured in multiple episodes of CBS’s Hawaii Five-0.
Air Traffic Controller
Air Traffic Controller have created a place all their own in the indie pop world.
Serving in the US Navy as an air traffic controller, singer/songwriter Dave Munro sent home demos written during deployment to his friends, this was the inception of the band.
With an eclectic song catalog and category-defying organic/electronic sound, people are taking notice of ATC. They were 2015 Billboard Hot 100 Fest performers with The Weeknd and Justin Bieber, placed on the NPR Hot 100 List for SXSW, named Guardian UK Band of the Day, won Best Indie Alternative Song for “You Know Me” in the Independent Music Awards, and have over 20 million spins on Spotify.
lespecial
On his path towards becoming a successful touring musician, Zach Deputy serendipitously landed a solo gig in his early 20s by walking into a bar just after that night’s featured artist had bailed. Deputy soon introduced the world to the sound he’d eventually dub “island-infused, drum ‘n’ bass, gospel-ninja-soul.” By 2008 he’d released his debut album Out of the Water and—thanks to his ingenuity in looping—made his name as an unforgettable one-man-band live act. The new music kept flowing, and since then Deputy has released four critically acclaimed full length studio albums. As a special sneak peek into his new music, Zach will sprinkle songs from his upcoming album throughout his sets this fall.
The Trichomes
The Trichomes are leaf hairs, they reflect radiation, lower plant temperature, and reduce water loss. When you touch trichomes the scent sticks to you, much like the music of the band. Melting audible chocolate into your ears, the sticky sounds of The Trichomes are not easily forgotten. Neither are their hi-energy funkadelic infused performances.
Some even say, “it will bring you back to ’78.”
Infectious grooves, cosmic riffs, mated with insightful lyrics and a dirty back beat spontaneously combusting into the heels of your shoes. Since the band’s union, they have enthralled music lovers from all walks of life; performing at a variety of festivals, venues, making loads of public appearances, all the while recording new music.
Second Hand Smoke
SecondHand Smoke is Sublime tribute band out of Central Massachusetts.
The 6 piece band formed in 2015 with a love and dedication to this genre of music and it shows in every practice and every show. Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Stick Figure and Bob Marley songs are sprinkled through their highenergy sets, The band consists of drummer Anthony Albano … Jamie Mazzaferro on Bass … Marcus Washington on Saxaphone … Dj and Congo’s Josh Guyotte … lead singer and guitar Rob Richards and Michael Albano on Rhythm Guitar … come hear the sweet sounds of summer.
Everything you want to know about who we are and how we got here is all laid out in this podcast.
ReBelle
ReBelle is an intergenerational and intercultural band from Africa and America. They are an evocative musical force offering all original music, sung in many different languages including, English, Wolof, Creole, French, Arabic and Sanskrit. Their powerhouse vocalists chant meditations on liberation while instrumentals propel roots reggae soul. Their mystical mix of pulsing tribal rhythms and strong arrangements are internationally acclaimed.
SoulTree
SoulTree is an exploration of modern Bass music heavily rooted in old school dub, all performed with live instruments. SoulTree originally came to being as the offspring of The Achemystics’ Demse Zullo and Ian I who were looking to make music a bit more ambient and explorative than their main brand. It has now evolved into a heavier expression of dub with electro drops and edgy soundscapes that challenge the standard for live instrumentation. Ian I (drummer vocalist) and Chris Ball on bass provide the foundation with breakbeat, drum and bass and dub rhythms, while Dan Thomas on guitar and Jeff Fennell on sax take the sound into intergalactic dimensions.
Merther (VIP)
Jam music for anyone and everyone…
Merther is a 5 piece jam band based out of Bangor, Maine. With an extensive catalog of original music that is always growing, Merther blends the sounds of funk, psychedelic rock, electronica, and of course reggae/dub, from which their name is derived.
Merther: Denotes the sensations produced by smoking marijuana while listening to dub reggae.The merging and distortion of sense impressions that occurs during cannibonoid trance.
Little Big Wheel
Little Big Wheel is an Alt-Country Rock band. The Massachusetts based band features singer/songwriter Jim Weeks on vocals and acoustic guitar. With solid rock roots and splashes of country LBW has an energetic and fun live vibe. Established in 1997 with their first release “Home” the band has continued their musical journey through the years playing shows and later releasing “Redwood” in 2005.
Flowttiglio
if you don’t know about Flowttiglio (aka Jason Botiglio) by now then you need to abandon your position under that rock, dust off your ears, and look up this homie. “But Tyler (das me) where would I have seen Flow beflow?” to which I would likely reply “My guy, you could have seen him rolling all his gear around all around the country! You can catch this guy freestyle looping spicy chunes on the streets of Boston every so often; always tight coming out of a show and seeing my man Flow making me forget who I was there to see
J Murda
A Massachusetts native, Jeff (J Murda) Clark has been heavily influenced by music his whole life. Inspired by multiple genres of music, he hopes to bring a unique sound to every ones ears. the future.
Tha Red Baron
Tha Red Baron is a super popular rapper from Connecticut. He was unable to provide his bio so one has been appointed for him as his constitutional right.
Wubson LIVE
Wubson LIVE is a high energy, all original fusion of heavy electronic bass and guitar driven rock music.
Fvce Down
Fresh off his last success of Not even You ending at #38 on BeatPorts Dubstep top 100, Fvce Down is Ready to strain your vertebrae and leave you with a sore neck!
Be sure to catch his special set and first time “Silent Disco” experience!
Fvce down has also had other successes on iTunes, SoundCloud, and BeatPort.
Other songs that have charted are as follows :
Feel – (original mix) landed at #4 on dubstep top 100!
GingerLo
GingerLo has been warming the hearts and souls of the East Coast for years as a lovable personality. With his signature ginger beard and love for PBR, he has brought that same lovable energy to the music scene, gracing the masses all over New England and beyond with his sexy wubs and wobbles for the past several years. A strong supporter of the Bass scene in the North East, you’ll find him at anything bass related.
Biclops
Since his introduction to electronic music in 2001, Biclops has developed and ear for almost every type of dance music. His musical stories are told in the languages of Swing House, Drum and Bass, Techno and beyond. He uses his training in Classical Music to create a colorful diverse palatte to keep the listener engaged throughout his sets.
Beat Junkie
Growing up in the New England underground, BeatJunkie was exposed to some of the rawest talent in local music. Determined to do her part in keeping rave culture alive, BeatJunkie not only became a DJ; but also embarked on a mission to throw parties with the vibe and atmosphere that creates memories for all who attend. Local music is amongst the most important things to her and she strives to push forward the sounds of drum n bass, jungle, bassline, house, and breaks to the next generation. Follow BeatJunkie on Facebook to keep up with where she travels!
Krazen
Krazen, based in New England, is a Techno Producer and Deejay has developed a sound of their own- often influenced by older House Music, Rave, Industrial Music, and European Dark Techno. Music that encompasses rumbling basslines, catchy stabs, grooves, and rave melodies. Music that isn’t too Soft, but not quite Hard. Not quite normal, but not too unique. Krazen’s music is of its own unique sound and flavor. It’s music for the future.
DJ Kid Prophecy
As a New England area native Kid Prophecy has grown up in the scene enjoying all types of electronic music. His sets mostly consist of house/minimal techno/melbourne but occasionally dipping into other genres like trap or drum & bass. He is starting to make his mark in the New England EDM Scene as someone who is sure to make the dance floor move.
DJ Vibe Wise
J Vibe Wise (a.k.a. Bobby Falco-Killoran) traces the origin of his career to an affiliation with The Alchemystics dating to 2007. When he served as an apprentice recording engineer during a few of the band rehearsals. That relationship grew to include work with The Alchemystics as a stage technician.
Artemis
Artemis of the Wildland is often found stalking through digital forests, hunting down captivating tunes with arrow like precision. As a fawn, Artemis was trained in classical violin and voice, giving her a diverse palate for more modern musical styles. Her journey through the forests of life has given her the chance to work on stage fabrication and decorations, music, vending freshly squeezed juices, and more.
Sine Language
Growing up in a world of silence, Sine Language had a clean slate to develop his own taste in music. Stemming from the golden era of hip hop, he fell in love with the boom bap feel. As he grew older the aggression of metal and hardcore swept him away. And then he was introduced to drum n bass/jungle and has been a fan of electronic music since. You can catch him playing all different tempos – Dubstep, Drum n Bass, Halftime, Midtempo etc, all with deep and heavy bass undertones.
DJ Miah Love
There are very few that leave their heart out on the dance floor. The love felt in the packed rooms of nightclubs, to the fields of the festival circuit, comes from a passion that resonates from DJMiahLove behind the decks.
Big Red
Big Red has played for multiple promotions including Subterra, Bad at Parties, Electric Impulses Bass weekly, Project Sine’s weekly Sinewave Saturdays, and Morlocks weekly event Freq Fridays. At Freq Friday he closed for Lauren Valentin! On April 13 , 2019 he played his first Tight Crew show at their Sonic Mania party.
DJ Slackin
Who said too long was bad? DJ Slackin disagrees strongly.With a growing fan base of House lovers and DJs alike, DJ(Nick) Slackin is known for smooth long sets, and a hint of what he’s been working on at home. He’s also been involved in some projects for his local area and helped run some events as well. Going from Progressive to Electro-House seamlessly and not afraid to portray a story with his sets.
The Paplin
If you like weird sounds spanning a wide range of genres then you’ll want to hear The Paplin. His focus is primarily on chill psydub sounds but don’t be surprised to hear some dubstep, drum & bass, techno or even psytrance. He is also the proprietor of the Paplin’s Provisions which has been selling art by local artists for several years and for the last year he has been putting on shows in Boston bringing out artists such as Random Rab, Ecometric, and Dynohunter.
Werme
Rising up from the underground, WERME (werm-ee) brings dark vibes inspired by the Miami after-hours scene. With a passion stemming from her love for music and dance, WERME decided to take control of the music herself. Recently moving from the dancefloor to behind the booth, WERME has brought her deep and melodic vibes to the community.
ILLICITMOVEMENT
Inspired by the dark sounds and vibes of the after hours, ILLICITMOVEMENT integrates house music with dark, bass-heavy sounds and a unique low-frequency style impossible to sit through. By combining multiple genres, he makes it possible for various communities to come together their passion for dance music and all things dark.