NorCal bluegrass jammers Hot Buttered Rum (HBR) and members of San Francisco’s ALO headlined their annual family-oriented fest in the Mendocino County redwoods last weekend.

Chatting with Mikaela Davis after the show in Cleveland at the Beachland Tavern I asked how she would describe her music. “It’s hard to describe,” she said “All of us have different backgrounds and musical experiences. I’d say" Rock n Roll” she continued.

Thursday, April 20th, was the first full day of music at the 2023 Skull & Roses Music Festival. Many in the crowd happily celebrated 4-20 in a smokey haze during the 12-hour musical marathon. The fact that cannabis is now legal in California made the occasion all the more celebratory. A strong wind picked up, clearing the sky of clouds, making for a warm afternoon and a crystal-clear evening.

For fans of Ghost Light, we all know that Raina Mullen has the ability to be an amazing solo performer. For several years we've seen her shine in Ghost Light, but I had not had an opportunity to see her rock it out solo. She delivered a kick butt solo set opening for Mikaela Davis on March 2, 2023 at Milkboy in Philadelphia. 

In a guest-filled closer at The Cap, one of the many highlights was Rick and Peter from Goose sitting in on a "Franklin’s Tower" > "The Other One", along with RatDog's Kenny Brooks and the full 10-piece band. We also saw Dred Scott and singer Sasha Dobson on Saturday, and Friday's performance was accentuated by harpist Mikaela Davis joining for most of the show.

Cabin fever is revived and revved up to an 11. This summer is finally showing itself, both societally and weather permitting. Let’s kick it off on Memorial Day weekend and see some music! My app is downloaded, I’ve scribbled down which sets I want to go to, and now comparing notes with friends, I still can’t decide which is my best option. It’s all posted online because it is time for Summer Camp 2022! It’s Sunshine, Moonshine, Soulshine, and Starshine stages to rage your face off.

The third day of the fourth Skull and Roses Festival saw the biggest crowds ever and record warm temperatures. A strong onshore wind helped mediate temperatures. When the Alligators rotated onstage just after 4 pm, the fairgrounds were packed with music fans. The band was actually created initially as a one-off to perform at the festival. According to promoter Dennis McNally, “The Gators came into being because Chris, the promoter of Skull and Roses, had a problem—and a vision.

Marco Benevento announces FOLLOW THE ARROW, a one day festival presented by the Woodstock, NY-based artist to be held Saturday, June 18 at Arrowood Farms in Accord, NY. Benevento will be joined by The Slip, Antibalas, El Michels Affair (DJ set), Mikaela Davis & Southern Star, Karina Rykman, Jayla Kai and Ratboy Jr.

It took all of 30 seconds into their show at Boston’s The Sinclair on Wednesday night to see that the members of psychedelic instrumentalist band Circles Around The Sun are incredibly excited for this spring tour. Right off the starting line of the show opening “Saturday’s Children,” Adam MacDougall was flailing jubilantly over his multiple keyboards, dishing out a spectrum of eerie and intriguing wails between synthesizer and piano.

Amy Helm’s silken voice weaves together her third solo album, What the Flood Leaves Behind. The lyrics reflect pain, truth, and beauty and asks questions that don’t always have an answer. Recorded at Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY, What the Flood Leaves Behind is a shining example of Amy’s spirit of collaboration.