Patricia Vonne is back from Madrid with the Best Animation award for “Huerta de San Vicente,” a music video and homage to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. The Texas native, musician, actress & two time SXSW best female vocalist winner adds another award to her growing accolades. The video, from the song featured on Vonne’s album Firebird and her Spanish compilation album Viva Bandolera, is no stranger to awards. It was the “Grand Prize” winner in the Latin category for the John Lennon Songwriting contest in 2009.

Rising star and reggae band, Stick Figure released a music video for “In this Love” off of their latest album Set in Stone, in support of their New Year’s Eve show announcement. “In This Love,” comes from the musical imagination of Scott Woodruff and creates a vibrant sonic soundscape and the music video reflects just that. The Rasta gradient overlay matches perfectly to the reggae vibe heard in the track, and it is highlighted by tropical landscapes of Latin America and the South Pacific.

New Kingston, the Brooklyn-based progressive reggae group, has confirmed details on their upcoming album A Kingston Story: Come From Far, due out August 25th, on maverick indie imprint Easy Star Records. This marks the band’s fourth studio album and follows their 2015 breakout release Kingston City (Easy Star), which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart followed by international touring and critical praise from tastemakers including Yahoo! Music and Sirius XM.

J Boog has just premiered his latest music video “Good Cry” featuring Chaka Demus. A true work of art from his most recent album entitled Wash House Ting released in November, 2016. Filmed in Kingston, Jamaica's Majesty Gardens, J Boog and his film crew were able to set up camp thanks to legendary dancehall hype man and sound specialist Joe Lickshot.

In 1988, on the eve of a two-decade civil war, Somalia’s authoritarian ruler Siad Barre launched punishing air strikes on the north of the country, known today as Somaliland, in response to agitations for independence. The bombing leveled the entire city. Barre targeted Radio Hargeisa to prevent any kind of central communication system that could organize a resistance.

Christos DC (aka Chris Vrenios) is a Greek-American artist, producer, and touring multi-instrumental musician based in Washington, DC. His multicultural sensibility and heart for roots music have been influential in shaping the reggae scene locally and around the world. His own recordings, paired with those released through his homegrown Honest Music label, highlight some of the most well known names in reggae today including Sly & Robbie, Thievery Corporation, Akae Beka, and GRAMMY-nominated icon Don Carlos.

Summer will start a little early this year with the Easy Star All-Stars kicking off their West Coast Tour 2017 at the legendary Monterey Fairgrounds, as the band’s first ever appearance at the California Roots Music and Arts Festival marks the first show on a 16-stop outing. The tour will run through late June as the band returns to reggae-friendly cities across the West Coast and Mountains. Supporting acts include The Late Ones and The Elovators.

Jesse Royal releases the first single, “Always Be Around,” from his upcoming debut full-length this Friday, May 26. Two days earlier, the song will be premiered on Wednesday, May 24, via the Mass Appeal website. This release marks the first collaboration with U.S.-based indie tastemaker label Easy Star Records, giving a taste from what is sure to be one of the biggest reggae albums of the year.

Well known around Texas for his contributions with the award-winning group The Effinays and funk-disco up-and-comer Ronnie Heart, multi-talented instrumentalist, composer, and producer Valenti Funk is determined to introduce his unparalleled brand of funk-fusion to the masses. Valenti, whose name is inspired by his Valentine’s Day birthday, will be releasing newly remastered physical copies of Valenti on June 7th on his own record label, Clear Zebra.

The California Roots Music and Arts Festival is excited to announce the food and craft vendor lineup for the festival happening on May 26-28, 2017 in Monterey, CA. Now in its eighth year, the festival continues to partner with stellar local food vendors to bring festival goers many dining options including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices. The festival will host several craft vendors at the “Art Retreat” zone, sponsored by Integrity Wine, which will be selling clothing, unique artwork, and more.