Interviews

Grateful Web recently had the opportunity to sit down with bluegrass guitar virtuoso Billy Strings. He began putting in his time as a boy, never putting that guitar down or giving up when it got tough. His father and community fostered the bluegrass and folk spirit that runs through his veins. But Billy Strings is not your grandpappy's bluegrass band.

On Saturday, September 8th at 10am CT, Donley Auctions will host an auction of fascinating memorabilia from the Grateful Dead. Items include rare sketches by beloved guitarist Jerry Garcia, backstage passes, artwork from Stanley Mouse, and a whole lot more.

Spafford. Still waters run deep with this Phoenix band.  Often described as patient jams, they are putting out another dimension for creative types.  The immersive community and collaborative culture they are honing is described nicely by Andrew “Red” Johnson when we sat down to chat about how the Summer tour is going and what we can look forward to in Spafford’s future, including their debut performance at Lockn' Festival on Sunday afternoon (2:15 PM).

Cory Wong lives a modest life – Whether he’s on the road playing sold out shows with the Ann Arbor-bred funk phenomenon Vulfpeck, diving deep under the sea with the mysterious instrumental quartet The Fearless Flyers, or touring the world with his newest solo project the Cory Wong Band, it’s safe to say this Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist is living a dream most would say was impossible just a few short years ago.

Policulture, a Boulder based band, combines conscious lyrics, horns and roots rhythm into an authentic group best described as original mountain reggae music. No doubt that their environment growing up has not only affected their sound, but transcended them into a modern, mindful and inspiring collective.

Human encyclopedia of all things literature and cinema, Spencer Charnas, has enjoyed a successful career thus far embracing the cult following that accompanies his Metalcore band Ice Nine Kills. The band from Salem consistently finds a way to put a dark spin on their deepest passions with their lyrically motivated music that often take more than one listen to fully digest.

“We’re not going to make you cry; we’re not going to make you sad. We’re going to make you smile, we’re going to make you laugh, we’re going to make you laugh at us and yourself. We’re going to make you say the “F”-word” Would be a lot to experience in a show, but this is exactly what Reel Big Fish veteran Johnny “Christmas” Christianson promises from the audiences who find themselves at their concerts.

After a colossal performance at Summer Camp, Grateful Web’s June Reedy Jameson got to sit down with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Greg Ormont. At Summer Camp they took the stage to a huge double rainbow that seemed to intensify as they played. Continuing the magical streak, they will play Red Rocks for their first time with Moe on July 12th.

Nahko Bear and his multi-colored tribe are spreading their rainbows all over the country as they support Dispatch on a North American tour that will last thru Autumn equinox, 9/21 2018. While Nahko & Medicine for the People have been known to rally the crowds at festivals, this summer they will play only a handful, including the Friendly Gathering in VT 6/28- 7/1 2018. Grateful Web got a chance to check in with Nahko and see how the tour life is treating him. We also asked some of those “getting to know you” questions that burn deep inside.

Cleveland Ohio might not be the reggae capital of the world, but the grit and determination to establish themselves despite locational barriers made the men of Tropidelic all the more eager to make their dream a reality. From dorm room project to a nationally touring band, their momentum shows no sign of slowing down.

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