The 14th Annual Gem and Jam Festival in Tucson, Arizona is the epicenter of the world-renowned Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase, while also a staple in the jam and electronic music festival stratosphere. The scenic desert landscape fabricates a full-on bazaar-of-sorts, pushing past the boundaries of a typical music festival and perfectly coalescing the worlds of workshops, performers, visual artists and installations. The eclipse of these mediums allow for this experience to move past just the most epic gem show in North America, into a fully stimulated and sensory-provoked musical experience.

The multi-genre musical performances set to showcase at Gem and Jam festival encapsulate national talent and adhere to their reputation of supporting local artists at The Opal Stage. Fans are still high off the phase two announcement of the lineup featuring Shpongle (Simon Posford), STS9, Liquid Stranger, Claude Vonstroke, and Lotus.

As we approach the less than a month away mark, Grateful Web wants to shine a light on acts making their Gem and Jam festival debut. In conversation with Grateful Web, these debut acts showcased preview tracks to get to know their tunes pre-festival, highlighted upcoming releases and projects and some even hinted at some of their favorite gems and minerals.

Here Grateful Web Spotlight Debut Artists Include: Shpongle (Simon Posford), Rising Appalachia, TAUK, Jimkata, Tripp St., MZG, & Moontricks. Get to know these acts from the below profiles and let the excitement of the approaching festival captivate your spirit.

Shpongle (Simon Posford):

Psychedelic duo Simon Posford and Raja Ram are Shpongle, an ambient / electronica project formed in 1996 after the pair viewed a solar eclipse in India. After that event, they entered the studio and attempted to duplicate the experience in sonic form, and the result was a 20-minute track, "...And The Day Turned To Night," which was featured on Twisted Records label compilation titled Eclipse. Shpongle's full-length debut album, Are You Shpongled? was released in early 1999. Their sophomore effort, Tales Of The Inexpressible arrived in 2001 and featured the additions of Spanish and East Asian instrumentation. In 2005, the duo released their third album, Nothing Lasts...but Nothing Is Lost (Remastered, 2019) which was intended to be their final project. However, Shpongle returned in 2009 with Ineffable Mysteries, which incorporated world music themes, and the God Particle EP in 2010. Museum of Consciousness followed in 2013. Their sixth album, the appropriately titled Codex VI was released in 2017. In 2019 they played 2 sold out shows at Red Rocks, Colorado with the full live band. Work has already started on their 7th studio album to follow in 2022.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

“Shpongle's music is quite diverse, from the Latin vibes of My Head Feels Like A Frisbee, to the psychedelic madness of Nothing Lasts, so it makes it quite hard to pick a single track that encapsulates the whole of Shpongle. I suppose Divine Moments of Truth is a fun gateway for those who've never heard our music before.” - Shpongle (Simon Posford)

Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?

“I've never been to Gem & Jam before, so I wouldn't know where to go, but I'm fascinated by the whole "gem" side of the festival... I might try to acquire some more rocks.”

Are there any music/projects that you have been working on that correlate time-wise with your appearance at Gem and Jam that you would like to shout out?

“I had my solo lockdown project (Flux & Contemplation) released since I was last in the US, but I can't imagine I'll play much of it at the festival.... It's a bit too isolated & alienated in atmosphere.. I feel we need to be more celebratory right now!”

If your musical act could encapsulate one gem/crystal's energy, what would it be?

“I don't know enough about gems or crystals, but I've always found opal to be rather magical... Like captured liquid rainbows.”

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Rising Appalachia:

Rising Appalachia brings to the stage a collection of sounds, stories, and songs steeped in tradition and a devotion to world culture. Intertwining a deep reverence for folk music and a passion for justice, they have made it their life’s work to sing songs that speak to something ancient yet surging with relevance. Whether playing at Red Rocks or in rail cars, at Italian street fairs or to Bulgarian herbalists, this fiercely independent band has blazed a unique and colorful path across the globe. 11 years into their movement, Rising Appalachia believes that the roots of all these old songs are vital to our ever evolving soundscape. Led by the collective voice of sisters Leah and Chloe, and joined by their beloved band - percussionist Biko Casini and bassist/guitarist David Brown - Rising Appalachia is a melting pot of folk music simplicity, textured songwriting, and those bloodline harmonies that only siblings can pull off. Listen for a tapestry of song, clawhammer banjo tunes, fiddle, double bass, acoustic guitar, djembe, barra, bodhran,  spoken word, and a wealth of musical layering that will leave you called to action and lulled into rhythmic dance simultaneously.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

“Have a listen to Catalyst from our newest album, “The Lost Mystique of Being in the Know.”This gives a feel for the direction we are taking in our music in terms of instrumental openness and playful folk.” - Rising Appalachia
 
Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?
 
“The Gem Vendors! We have never attended a festival such as this so we are super curious to see what folks are making and bringing as far as gems go.  We have some stones from our grandmother set in rings and would love to pick a few folks' minds on what they might be.”
 
Are there any music/projects that you have been working on that correlate time-wise with your appearance at Gem and Jam that you would like to shout out?  
 
“We are doing our second full band livestream concert (from Preservation Jazz Hall in New Orleans!) on January 27th [right before Gem and Jam] and it will be available through the end of January to watch. We are thrilled to return to our favorite city in the world, a city that helped raise our musical career many moons ago, and create a night of music with our band and some of our favorite musicians in the city. You can go to our website for ticket info. Join us!”
 
Show Performances Before Gem and Jam 2022 [Catch them in your city beforehand?!]:

Thursday, January 20th | New Orleans, LA
Thursday, January 27th | New Orleans, LA
Saturday, January 29th | Austin, TX
Wednesday, February 2nd | Santa Fe, NM

[Learn More] | Facebook  | Instagram | YouTube  | Spotify

TAUK:

TAUK may be an instrumental band, but even without words,the group’s extraordinary new album, Chaos Companion, manages to speak volumes about the ups and downs of a year that challenged—and transformed—us all. Forced off the road for the first time in years by the COVID-19 pandemic, [the band] used the rare break from touring to stretch themselves as writers and instrumentalists, leaning into the sense of liberation and possibility that came with an empty calendar and letting it guide them toward uncharted musical territory. The resulting songs push TAUK’s sound to bold new heights, fearlessly fusing elements of progressive rock, funk, soul, EDM, and hip-hop into a richly melodic, groove-driven blend, one that’s complemented perfectly here by the equally adventurous production work of longtime collaborator Robert Carranza. Add it all up and you’ve got an evocative, cinematic collection that hints at everything from 70’s film scores and 80’s video game soundtracks to 90’s R&B and modern dance music, an immersive, transportive record that blurs the lines between the analog and the electronic as it balances old school grit and futuristic sheen in equal measure. It’s a dose of the familiar in the midst of the foreign, a wordless album that’ll leave you speechless.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

“All of them, on repeat, nonstop, over and over and over. Or Dormammu.”
 
Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?

“Festivals are always so great because we get to hang with our musical peers. It’s a time we all get to chill and share road stories and talk shop. I’m always looking forward to just walking around and taking in the vibe and meeting some new fans.”

Are there any music/projects that you have been working on that correlate time-wise with your appearance at Gem and Jam that you would like to shout out?

“Our newest album, Chaos Companion. came out last year and we’re still taking all of these opportunities to play that new material live. We’re also cooking up some brand new stuff in the studio that you should keep an eye out for.’

If your musical act could encapsulate one gem/crystal's energy, what would it be?

“Smoky Quartz
 
*Answers contributed by TAUK's guitarist, Matt Jalbert.

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Jimkata:

Jimkata, New York-bred synth-rock band, has been pairing playful, buoyant melodies with weighty, emotive lyrics since its members - three lifelong friends - formed the project in 2005. The group notched nationwide festival performances and released a series of critically-acclaimed studio albums before taking a hiatus in 2017. Now, four years later, Jimkata is back, this time with a renewed sense of purpose and an extraordinary new album to show for it. The songs here are at once modern and classic, blurring the lines between the organic and the electronic as they reckon with doubt, struggle, and perseverance in a search for truth and meaning. Bonfires delivers transcendence in tight, dance floor-ready packages, but there’s a sense of freedom at play on the collection that pushes the trio’s performances to new emotional heights, a kind of liberation that can only come from learning to let go of expectation and embrace the moment.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

“It's hard to pick one.  Our songs run the gamut from light and dancy to heavy dark grooves. If I had to exemplify this with the latest album it would be Roots Down and Writing on the Wall. I also recommend checking out our latest music videos, like the one for Wanna Go or Blessings in Disguise.”

Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?
 
‘I always like walking the grounds and checking out the vendors just to catch a vibe in the crowd.  And of course catching any sets that we can and hanging with or meeting other musicians.”
 
Are there any music/projects that you have been working on that correlate time-wise with your appearance at Gem and Jam that you would like to shout out?
 
“We just released our new album Bonfires in 2021 and have been finding cool ways to incorporate the new tunes into our live sets.  We used the fall as a chance to get our live show dialed in and reconnect with our fans so we're psyched to keep that going.’
 
If your musical act could encapsulate one gem/crystal's energy, what would it be?
 
“I have an amethyst sitting on my desk that I got from my great uncle.  It's my birthstone apparently.  Not gonna lie, I don't know a whole lot about that world but surely it must have something to do with our energy and I look forward to learning more about it.”

Show Performances Before Gem and Jam 2022 [Catch them in your city beforehand?!]:

Wednesday, January 26th | Steamboat Springs, CO
Thursdays, January 27th | Fort Collins, CO
Friday, January 28th | Boulder, CO
Saturday, January 29th | Denver, CO
Wednesday, February 2nd | Costa Mesa, CA
Thursday, February 3rd | LA, CA
Friday, February 4th | Ocean Beach, CA

[Learn More] | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram

Tripp St.:

DJ under the moniker, Tripp St., has seemingly materialized out of thin air and has taken the electronic scene by storm at an alarmingly quick pace. Making a grand entrance with a plethora of all original mixtapes, he immediately commanded attention by the masses through his unique integration of deep freeform bass and apparent boom bap influences. Having an extensive background attributed to hip hop production and studio engineering, he plucks elements of genres he loves, showcasing his ability to create and fine tune an entirely new range of sound. Paying homage to his roots in every sense imaginable, he brandishes the name Tripp St. from the street he grew up on. Paired with a nationwide tour and a slew of major market appearances under his belt, Tripp. St has already positioned himself to become one of the most highly anticipated acts in dance music.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

"This is Me" or "Thoughts" are the tracks I think explain the person I am without having to say a word. They say music is the universal language, so in my mind these tracks would be my best introduction or first impression.” - Tripp St.

Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?

“I really like to roam around and check most of the acts. Best thing about being anonymous is that I can get changed and blend into the crowd to enjoy the festival as an attendee. I usually like to be farther back in the crowd so there's a lot of space, or being in front of the house.”

Are there any music/projects that you have been working on that correlate time-wise with your appearance at Gem and Jam that you would like to shout out?

“Yes, I am currently finishing up my 3rd Album for Odyzey Music and it will be in heavy rotation for Gem and Jam. There's always new stuff I'm working on to play out—my favorite part about all this is being in the studio creating. It's my happy place where I don't have to think, I can do whatever I'm feeling and it's very fulfilling.”

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Soundcloud

Moontricks:

Moontricks, nestled deep in the beautiful Kootenay mountains of Western Canada, lies the home of a duo whose timeless sound captures the essence of their rugged roots. Combining their love of folk, blues, and electronic music, Nathan Gurley and Sean Rodman are blazing their own trail, merging musical worlds previously unacquainted and capturing audiences along the way. Since connecting in their rural hometown through a shared love of music, the pair’s chemistry was instantly apparent. With Gurley at the production helm and Rodman on songwriting and vocals, they’ve birthed an authentically raw and seductive sound infusing grassroots blues, wistful soul, and gritty, boot-stomping bass. From rural beginnings to global festival stages, this humble duo is now taking on the world. Dazzling audiences with their infectious vibe and unmistakable rhythm, Moontricks are clear proof that originality and passion can spark a creative odyssey.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

“Check out Mountains, it’s about freeing ourselves of troubles and we could all use a bit of that.”- Moontricks

Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?
 
“We’re looking forward to our first time at Gem and Jam and in Tucson. We’ve heard so many great things about the festival and its vibes! We’ll be exploring through the festival grounds and doing some gemstone hunting! We’re big fans of a lot of the acts booked so we can’t wait to see what Opiuo, Rising Appalachia, Sunsqaubi, Random Rab, Attya and Cloudchord have been getting up to with their music over the last couple years!”

If your musical act could encapsulate one gem/crystal's energy, what would it be?

“We love the Moonstone (orthoclase feldspar) being the one gem that was believed to have been derived from solidified rays of the moon by the ancients. It also happens to be the Florida State Gemstone, designated in 1970 to commemorate the moon landings which launched from there.”
 
Show Performances Before Gem and Jam 2022 [Catch them in your city beforehand?!]:

February 3rd - 5th | Brainquility Music Festival

[Learn More] | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify

MZG:

MZG consists of twin brothers, Zach and Charles Weinert, who spent many years working on separate musical projects, but in 2014, they relented to the inevitable and joined forces. Shorthand for “monozygotic” (the scientific term describing identical twins), the name MZG describes the unique bond these two share. After honing their craft in Jacksonville, FL, the pair began playing out for audiences. MZG’s reputation for setting dance floors aflame saw them soon sharing the stage with like-minded acts such as Griz, Herobust, and Manic Focus, as well as earning residency at Florida festival mainstay Suwannee Hulaween.  These self taught musicians and producers deliver bass driven, hip-hop influenced electronica while sharing a chemistry on stage that is natural and infectious. The undeniable energy the pair offers has MZG poised to bring their identical powers to ears worldwide.

[Track to listen to Pre-Gem and Jam Festival]

“Definitely check our song ‘Boolin’ w/ Kyral x Banko.” - MZG

Before or after your set, where is the first place on the festival grounds that you want to go to explore?

“We like to get a lay of the land and check out the vibe of every stage. Then of course it’s food vendors lol, even with catering we still like to go see what’s popping.”

Are there any music/projects that you have been working on that correlate time-wise with your appearance at Gem and Jam that you would like to shout out?

“We have 5 records coming out before June that are tapped in for sure. Included are a couple of throwback remixes from the MZG team that you should be on the lookout for soon.”

If your musical act could encapsulate one gem/crystal's energy, what would it be?

“Lemurian Quartz because it teaches oneness, while reminding us that although we are individuals we are connected to each other, and are all equal in Spirit.”

Show Performances Before Gem and Jam 2022 [Catch them in your city beforehand?!]:

February 3rd - 5th | Brainquility Music Festival

[Learn More] | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  | SoundCloud  | Spotify

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Along with the Grateful Web spotlight debut artists, headlining first-time debut acts for Gem & Jam Festival consist of Shpongle’s Posford and Liquid Stranger. Shpongle’s Simon Posford will make his highly-anticipated festival debut at the 14th annual Gem & Jam with a special live mind-melding set. Known for his shape-shifting mix of psychedelic trance, and world music, Shpongle promises to create an immersive experience replete with kaleidoscopic visuals, backed by scenic desert landscapes.

Equally exciting, Liquid Stranger has mastered his ability to slip in and out of genres whilst honing in on his own personal style. Liquid Stranger has earned his reputation of incommensurable talent ,taking his audiences on a soul-stirring aural journey of genre-bending beats on the dancefloor.

Dubbed the “Crown Jewel of the Southwest Festival Scene '' by Huffington Post, Gem & Jam is a completely unique and memorable gathering intentionally bringing together music, art, performance, gems, and community. Join us to celebrate recurring musical acts, as well as festival debuts this February in Tucson.