Nashville, TN,  Live Electronic Jam
http://arpetrio.bandcamp.com/

Four years later, Nashville based Arpetrio is touring harder than ever before. The mix of complex production tools and sophisticated compositions result in the finest elements of jam, electronica, jazz-fusion, trip-hop, and psychedelic music. As one of the southeast’s fasting growing electronic groups, Arpetrio has demonstrated their drive through constant touring, playing shows spanning from northern Michigan down to South Florida and everywhere in between. Arpetrio combines the precision of a DJ with the vivid expression and versatility of a live band creating a unique fusion experience at each show.
Gaining notoriety by acting as direct support for acts such as Conspirator, Shpongle, Eliot Lipp, EOTO, RJD2, and countless others, as well as playing festivals like Rootwire, Werkout, Bond Fire, Karma, Trinumeral and Dexfest, Arpetrio has quickly gained speed and a fan base that is arguably one of the best. Audiences can feel the energy from each successive beat and swirling electronic sound. With each show, Arpetrio continues to experiment with new combinations of sounds and textures resulting in a one of a kind experience each time.
as well as playing festivals like Trinumeral and Dexfest, Arpetrio has quickly gained speed and a fan base that is irrefutably one of the best. Audiences can feel the energy from each successive beat and swirling electronic sound. With each show, Arpetrio continues to experiment with new combinations of sounds and textures resulting in a unique experience every time. It’s a juicy jamtronica revolving around versatile structures, while being slapped around by deep improvisation, capped off with blocky arpeggiators fused into live instruments. ((Are-PET-trio))

■■■■■■■■■Jahman Brahman■■■■■■■■■
Asheville, NC
www.JahmanBrahman.com

Jahman Brahman is a four-member collaboration originating from Columbus, Ohio in 2003, and currently residing in the mountains of Asheville, NC. The musical intuition of each member overcomes the restrictions of any particular genre as they pioneer the musical trail with a sound completely their own. The name Jahman Brahman emerged from each member’s goal to achieve the ultimate state of musical cohesion; each instrument connected to one another to create a piece of music from the heart of one.

They’ve described their particular style as shred ‘n’ flow, a dynamic sound with a wide breath of influence, but a focus on rich, fluid, progressions of energy. Providing the low end, Nate “Brother” Brown brings his own style of funked out and super fresh bass grooves giving depth to Justin Brown’s full and conscious lyrics. Drummer Rowdy Keelor gives the sound its steady concrete pulse providing the heartbeat for Casey Chanatry’s riveting guitar-work. Combined, Jahman Brahman leaves the listener with a message on life, love, and the wonders experienced being part of an extraordinary musical family.

Each member holds a unique passion toward many different audio paths, with influences ranging from classic rock to electronica; from punk to jazz. Instead of conforming, they ascend music through the coalescence of their diverse styles, taking risks that unfold into powerful jams and creative compositions.

Jazz / Funk / World / Soul / Pop

With the release of their live, 2-disc album/DVD “Tell Your Friends” (Ropeadope Records), Snarky Puppy has gone from an underground secret to one of the most internationally respected names in instrumental music.

The 3-time Dallas Observer Music Award winning group (“Best Jazz Act” 2008, 2009, 2010) has, over the last four years of touring, gained a reputation for putting on a live show unparalleled in energy, virtuosity, and musicianship. They seamlessly fuse a deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with sonic and conceptual innovation in a way that is able to reach the most critical- or most carefree- audience.

It is, in its physical makeup, a group of musicians from two different cultures and traditions- jazz and rock kids from white America, and gospel/R&B kids from black America. This convergence, which occurred while the band was in its adolescence at the University of North Texas, has naturally established a series of combinations and a system of balance that instantly draws listeners to the music- raw funk and sensitive dynamics, relentless pocket and lyrical melodicism, lush harmony and soulful simplicity, and most importantly, a delicate mixture of composition and improvisation.

Snarky Puppy is somewhere between a garage band and a collective, with over 25 players in regular rotation. The core of the group, which remains consistent, features Grammy Award-winners Robert “Sput” Searight on drums (God’s Property, Snoop Dogg) and Shaun Martin on keys (Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu). Its other members are mainstays with artists like Erykah Badu, Marcus Miller, P Diddy Dirty Money, The Polyphonic Spree, Snoop Dogg, Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, Morcheeba, Tower of Power, Ari Hoenig/Adam Rogers, Kenny Garrett, Yo-Yo Ma, Lucy Woodward, and Bilal, among many more.

The group was conceived and is held together by award-winning bassist/guitarist/composer/arranger Michael League, whose creative grass-roots approach to a tougher-than-ever industry has created a most unique musical animal. It is a three-headed creature: first, and most obviously- an original music ensemble. Second- a production team and session band for individual artists. Third, and probably most importantly- Snarky Puppy is a group of musicians unanimously and enthusiastically committed to music education and community outreach. Working with groups like ROAM (Roots Of American Music) in inner city Cleveland and the Music Lab at Jefferson Center in Roanoke, as well as giving clinics at over 40 colleges, high schools, and middle schools worldwide, the band has made a strong commitment to spreading a love of music and general positivity to a young generation looking for something real to hold on to.

Currently, Snarky Puppy is touring to prepare for their next live, in-studio album/DVD, to be recorded over 5 days in New Orleans this fall for Ropeadope Records.

■■■■■■■■■SASSAFRAZ■■■■■■■■■
Funk/Hip-hop/Soul/Pop
Athens/Cincinnati OH

Sassafraz is the brainchild of composer/singer/guitarist Eric Turner. The band is all about stretching out, getting creative, and pushing boundaries. In the musical world of Sassafraz, heavy funk grooves can quickly change into psychedelic guitar solos; freestyle rap verses might lead into jazz horn battles, or they might go somewhere completely different—that’s the beauty and excitement of Eric Turner’s compositions.

Eric needed to find knowledgeable musicians to play such dynamic and varied music, so he turned to his frequent collaborators, Jack Gould and Zach Pontzer. Then they sought out the best bassist and drummer they could find. This led them to the College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati where they met Jeff Mellot and Jon Lattier. Holy shit can those guys groove out. Jeff, who has been referred to by some as a “White Questlove”, and Jon, a student of the Marcus Miller school of funky bass, make pockets so deep that you can;t help but fall inside and get warm by their funky fire.

They then added the final piece of the puzzle with the addition of Emerson B. a singer, rapper, and freestyle extraordinaire who is one hell of a performer. Emerson effortlessly works the crowd and dances like his clothes are on fire. After tearing it up in Philly and New York for years, Emerson made his way back home to Ohio, met up with Sassafraz, and decided to stay. Members of Sassafraz have shared the stage with Victor Wooten, Wynton Marsalis, ?uestlove, Soulive, Lettuce, Papadosio, Less Than Jake, Badfish, and more. For as young as they are, these guys have been around the proverbial block a few times.

This rock solid 6-piece group has the ability to play any song, in any style, at any time. Their diverse skill set and improvisational approach, mixed with extremely danceable beats, catchy hooks, and funky vocals makes Sassafraz a band that everyone will enjoy! This summer they’re looking to break onto the festival scene with a bang and record their first album. They also hope to sell sassa-fries out their bus. Check them out in a (probably Ohio) city near you!

18+ To Dance
21+ To Drink
ULTRAVIOLET HIPPOPOTAMUS
Grand Rapids, MI
Rock, Jam, Electronica, Prog
www.uvhippomusic.com

In an era which seems like everything has been done before, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus has carved themselves a niche sound of it’s own with genuinely heartfelt lyrics coupled with compelling composition and explosive instrumentation. The music created by this five piece band from Grand Rapids, MI. is progressively diverse, always switching between genres throughout the course of a show – sometimes even throughout the duration of a song. Their live shows have become an avenue for the band to build upon the core of their songs, exploring new ground, creating tension and taking risks for those moments of pure musical ecstasy, giving fans a unique and original experience within every show. UV Hippo has 3 full length studio albums and numerous live recordings and is widely considered one of the most promising bands on the scene with unparalleled musical talent and vision.

Support TBA

■■■■■■■■■Thursday, May 17th■■■■■■■■■

■■■■■■■■■The Droid Dance■■■■■■■■■

Dub Wars & Grassroots California is PROUD to bring to you:

■■■■■■■■■B.Lewis■■■■■■■■■
San Jose, CA
Electro-Soul-Beats
blewis.bandcamp.com

■■■■■■■■■Spankalicious■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH
Psychedelic Bounce
www.spankalicious.com

Spankalicious is BOUNCE! Kevin Moore (aka: Spankalicious) recently moved his home base from St. Louis, Missouri to Cincinnati, Ohio where he is holding down a new residency while gearing up for a very fun filled 2012!

In 2011 Spank played 100+ shows, traveling over 90,000 miles, meeting AMAZING people while attempting to spread a message of higher awareness among the people. From sunrise sets in the French Quarter of New Orleans to the 4:20 set at Wakarusa 2011, and many many places in between Spanky has constantly been rocking parties at every stop. Playing alongside every major cutting edge act in livetronica, dubstep, and edm as well as many major festival appearances including Wakarusa, SummerCamp, Sonic Bloom, Bassnectar’s First Bass Center, Camp Euforia, and is already slated to take the stage at this year’s SummerCamp Music Festival!

An extensive background in rudimental percussion/drumming have allowed Spank to read rhythms inside and out. With musical influences ranging from the Grateful Dead and Phish to U.G.K. and Three Six Mafia, Spanky has found his niche in his world of Glitchy Hippie Psychedelic Bounce.

In the first half of 2012 he will see release an EP of self-produced tracks, a Spankalicious hat from Grassroots California, a coast to coast tour and kicking the 2012 summer festival season at SummerCamp Music Festival, in Chilicothe, IL.

■■■■■■■■■Manic Focus■■■■■■■■■
Saint Paul, MN
Electronic
http://www.manicfocus.com/

Manic Focus breaks the bounds of the typical electronic music realm. Having musical background from many different genres, his compositions are unlike any other electronic music producer, setting him far apart from the rest. While others keep bass at the forefront, his melodies tend to dominate his tunes, weaving together mesmerizing chords, entrancing rhythms, and intense bass.

His first album and collection of remixes portray a deep appreciation for his musical influences, while expressing a very distinct and fined-tuned taste. “Definition of the Rhythm” provides a broad array of electronic conceptions, from high-energy bangers to tranquil grooves with smooth flow. Now developing his second album, Manic Focus is steering away from sampling and is set on creating tracks that are strictly original composition. The first single, “Circles”, is a perfect example of how Manic Focus’ music is already evolving, containing a completely new vibe, yet the same captivating style and sound that he’s known for. Accompanied by his first music video produced by Digital Skylight, this release is proving that Manic Focus is ready to blow up the music world. Better be ready for what comes next.

■■■■■■■■■Meiosis■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH
Bass Music
http://soundcloud.com/meiosis513

Meiosis [my∙oh∙sis] is the side project of Cole Brokamp and David Sweitzer from Skeetones. Original productions stylized with live keys and samples make for a unique performance, giving the duo the chance to showcase their production prowess while focusing on bass-centric electronic dance music.

■■■■■■■■■Kronik Dub Crew■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH
EDM
http://soundcloud.com/kronik-dub-crew

KroniK Dub Crew (K.D.C.) grew out of the remnants of KroniK Dubz. Although essentially the same concept, K.D.C. is more geared towards the entire EDM music scene, playing all kinds of genres from dubstep to moombahton, electro to hip-hop, and mixing them into one big bassy dance party.

Based out of Cincinnati, OH, K.D.C. has just emerged onto the scene with their new identity, hoping to reach music lovers everywhere with their message of peace, love, bass, and rage!

■■■■■■■■■ill.so.naj■■■■■■■■■
Detroit, MI
Electronic, Beats, Experimental, Hip Hop, Post-Dub
Deepblip Records
http://illsonaj.bandcamp.com/

ill.so.naj is Detroit, MI based producer Wes Harden. His music can be described as a nostalgic look into the future of beat music. Choppy/dismembered beats nestled deeply into a spacey atmosphere of ambient synth textures and Motown style soul samples, ill.so.naj stands out as a pioneer in the world of electronic beat production.

■■■■■■■■■Jon Dose■■■■■■■■■
Lexington, KY
Bass Music
Made In Glitch
http://soundcloud.com/jon-dose/

■■■■■■■■■Muzzy■■■■■■■■■
Detroit, MI
Groove Music
http://soundcloud.com/muzzybeats

MuzzY is Detroit-Based Producer/Musician Dan Hacker. Thrust onto the scene at a young age, Dan found solace in the old school. Stylistically blending Motown and Jazz samples with modern hip-hop drum breaks, his music can best be described as “Soul-Hop”. He combines a wide variety of influences from Stevie Wonder, to Led Zeppelin, to J Dilla with his own live Guitar playing; which together makes for an interesting recipe set to tantalize your ear drums. You can catch MuzzY bringing back the funk around Michigan and the Midwest, and also with the likes of GRiZ and Tone Poets (Live Jam Band with Freddy Todd, ill.so.naj, and Unc).

■■■■■■■■■Johnny Quest■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH
www.soundcloud.com/johnnyquestdubstep

■■■■■■■■■Oxidizer■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH

■■■■■■■■■LebZ■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH
Electro/Dubstep

Born in New York City, ‘Lebz’ was raised with an ear for music, at a young age he was introduced to music. While in elementary school he first began to explore music when he learned how to play the violin, as time progressed he learned to play drums while in middle school and took part in many small rock bands until personal issues detoured him from the band. This musical hiatus continued through high school until after graduation when he was introduced to Dubstep at a Borgore show in times square, he quickly became more involved in the Cincinnati EDM music scene, it was only a mater of time until he began to compile his own mixes and soon began djing shows in front of small audiences and the rest hasn’t happened yet!

■■■■■■■■■DJ GEAR HEAD■■■■■■■■■
Cincinnati, OH
Up All Nite Productions

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■■■■■■■■■GRASSROOTS CALIFORNIA■■■■■■■■■

Grassroots California™ is a progressive clothing line that makes quality merchandise at affordable prices and donates a percentage of its proceeds on every purchase. It was our vision to create a company that gives back to the communities we live in and around the globe.