Get To Know The Hulaween 2014 Line-up

Hulaween is only 3 weeks away. What better time than now to get to know the artists showcasing their talent at the festival. Music Festival News proudly presents an overview of the artists you’ll be seeing live.

The String Cheese Incident

(Progessive Bluegrass, Country, Neo-Psychedelia, Jam Band)

SCI is a finely tuned organism of sound that has been playing in excess of 20 years. They formed in the skiing environments of Colorado. The band has placed a focus on their large community following, and always makes sure their fans are pleased. The diverse 6-piece-group is best known for their live “incidents” which present a wide variety of music. After taking a 2-year hiatus to refresh and work independently on creative endeavors, they came back in 2009 evolved. SCI takes pride in true musicianship and their performances include multiple types of art.

Big Gigantic

(Livetronica, hip-hop and jazz)

Hailing from Boulder, CO — Dominic Lalli & Jeremy Salken brought their unique styles together to create Big Gigantic, the fun high energy band we’ve all come to know and love. Mixing electronic vibes with live instrumentation, their talent has taken them to festivals such as Summer Set, Hangout, and Firefly; drawing enormous crowds with their funky grooves. This past summer they were invited to be a part of Skrillex’s Superjam at Bonnaroo which featured other guests like Damien Marley, Lauryn Hill, Thundercat, and Zedd. Lalli is a superb Sax player with a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, Salken sets the tone on the drums. The duo also gives you the option of buying their music or downloading it for free from their official website.

Thievery Corporation

(Electronica, House, Downtempo, Trip Hop)

Thievery Corporation has songs in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Romanian and Hindi. They incorporate various world music influences into a fresh sound.

A creative collective began with Eric Hilton and Rob Garza in Washington DC. Their shared passion for similar music brought them together to create an authentic movement. They combine psychedelic electronic music, social consciousness, and intricate musical skills to bring magic to the ears of their listeners. Along with their DJ style base they collaborate with several different musicians and vocalist. Their tranquil, elusive, and upbeat sounds will make your journey into their music unforgettable.

Beats Antique

(Electronic, World, Bellydance, Ethnotronica)

Electronic/World fusion dance trio Beats Antique brings you their new album and multi-media touring show A Thousand Faces: a journey beyond the sonic realm that’s part odyssey, part genre-warping rock opera. The album is an epic two-volume adventure that follows every stage of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey with sweeping and lushly textured new compositions. While the fully immersive show will carry audiences through the complete journey, A Thousand Faces – Act 1 represents just the first half of the monomyth, with the second volume due out next spring.

theNEWDEAL

(Live Progressive Breakbeat House)

Another veteran jam band, this trio consist of bass, drum, and keys. TND formed in Canada back in 1998. They are coming into their 15th year of continuous live performances. Their diversity has blessed them with the opportunity to be a part of shows with artist like Herbie Hancock, the Roots, Moby, and Fatboy Slim. With over a 1000 live shows in their history and a large fan base, their experience alone is impressive

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

The drumming grandmaster, Joe Russo, has been involved with a myriad of great bands and his talent is self-evident. When we heard that his Grateful Dead cover band, whose roster sports some of his Bustle in Your Hedgerow bandmates, we realized this would be a show that cannot be missed. After all, Joe Russo is good friends with Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weird, having played together in Further. It is believed that a small 10-stop-tour is being planned so this may be one of your only opportunities to witness their greatness.

Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ Set)

(Psybient, Psytrance, Electronica)

Their musical style combines traditional music from all over the globe and vocals with contemporary western synthesizer-based psychedelic music. Shpongle is currently working on their 6th album. Their performances are in the spirit of psychedelic experience. Although they were formed in 1996, by 2010 they only had 10 doucumented performances. The core of the group is made up by Simon Posford and Raja Ram. Posford tours regularly, performing live DJ sets and Raja Ram accompanies him on flute from time to time. Shpongle has put on stellar shows for massive events all over the world.(Japan, Europe, Moscow, Australia, U.S.) It is a privilege to catch one of their live performances, which can sometimes include a full band. Their expanding views are brought to life through colorful art, costumes, and lights.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/5319611″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” ]

Greensky Bluegrass

(Americana, Bluegrass, Indie, Rock)

If you’re familiar with bluegrass music, then you’re tuned in to some of what Greensky Bluegrass does. They’re also known to throw a great party, rock n roll, and (if the critics are to be believed) they have great songs. They are unquestionably a team of friends that traverse the country making music they enjoy. What makes Greensky different than Bluegrass? Poignant rural ballads about real people? Dobro tone that Jerry (Douglas or Garcia) would love? Distortion Pedals? Grit and attitude from a whiskey soaked card game? Indeed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The Dean Ween Group

Michael “Mickey” Melchiondo, Jr. was one the creators of two of his former bands Ween and Moistboyz. His third project, The Dean Ween group, debuts on his 30th year of performing. His experience melds skilled musicianship with offbeat humor. Ween had huge success in creating consistent new music on a regular basis. Not counting EP’s, live albums, demo tapes, and early independent realeases, Ween completed 11 studio albums. Dean Ween brings a history of love for music with a wild rock experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gocGx6Vcpdg

Emancipator

(Trip Hop, Downtempo, Ambient)

While attending the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg for psychology, Doug Appling took several music classes which inspired the creation of his Emancipator moniker. He released his first solo album, “Soon It Will Be Cold Enough” in 2006. His first live show was in 2009 as the opening act for Bonobo who he claims is “one of his favorite producers.” Often joined by a violinist, this soothing atmospheric music will cut to your core.

EOTO

(Electronic, experimental,dubstep, livetronica)

This goliath sounding duo is a side project of two String Cheese members. EOTO is a uniquely complex explosion of technology. All of their performances are improvised with live looping and no prerecorded sounds. Their innovative movement is a maze of instruments and electronic synths and sounds to get lost in. Their members bring in a world of musical experience. They have collaborated with other Hulaween artists, Big Gigantic, Beats Antique, and TheNEWDEAL. These musical gods are must see. Over the years, EOTO has taken home numerous awards including “Best Live Dubstep” at the Dubstep Awards in 2012 as well as multiple awards for their cutting edge visual show, and most recently ranked in the “Top 50 bands to see live” by HypeMusicFestivals.com.

Conspirator

(Electronic)

Formed in 2004 by Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein (keyboardist and bassist for the Disco Biscuits) and DJ Omen. The band soon recruited guitarist Chris Michetti (of RAQ) and Torch, a drummer that they discovered on YouTube. Their smooth jamtronica has taken them to Ultra, Nocturnal Festival, Electric Forest, North Coast Music Fest, Jam Cruise, Starscape Fest, Gathering of the Vibes, and Counterpoint. “Unleashed,” the bands newest EP is available for free on the bands official facebook page.

Future Rock

(Electronic)

This trio of musicians lives for enormous dance parties. Their energetic productivity is proved by five released albums. They have made a name for themselves on the festival circuit by bringing their Chicago grooves all over the country. They are a balanced electronic act with a light show that is as good as their music, a perfect combo for fun time’s music festival.

Nahko & Medicine For The People

(Acoustic Thump-Hop)

This 5-piece tribal unit brings conscious native warrior music to the modern world, with a female jimbe/ Bajo Cajon percussionist. With a blend of traditional musical influences they reach to the roots of their entire movement. They have been categorized with reggae artist but far transcend genre. They bring in indigenous spirits to the table and smiles everywhere they go. They move in the name of love, and have a huge movement within the social/environmental justice realms. Their bass player Dustin Thomas will also be performing a solo set for an extra dose of soul medicine.

The Soul Rebels

(Brass Band, Soul, Funk, Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop)

New Orleans natives Lumar LeBlanc and Derrick Moss both shared an undeniable desire to play music that they were hearing on the radio but wanted to do so while still respecting the traditional Brass Band sound of New Orleans. They knew that in order to do so they would have to create their own band and that’s how the Soul Rebels were born. This 8-piece band has collaborated with extremely talented artists such as Metallica, Green Day, Maceo Parker, Galactic, Slick Rick, Trombone Shorty, Joey Badass, & The String Cheese Incident. The Village voice describes them as “the missing link between Public Enemy and Louis Armstrong.” Their performance is a definite must see.

Rising Appalachia

(World, folk, soul)

Led by 2 strong southern sisters; they bring a catharsis of soul and energy. Their musical roots come from a global community that embraces heritage and are all about positive change. They combine their platform with others aiming to shift the worlds views and promote justice and peace. Who else combines fiddles with beat boxing? Their catalog includes five albums and performances all across this great planet of ours.

Rob Garza (of Thievery Corporation)

As one half of electronic music pioneers/producers Thievery Corporation, he has been at the forefront of music and has traveled the globe performing, remixing, djing, recording and composing.

Since Garza’s recent relocation to San Francisco, he has begun a re-exploration of his love for electronic music and beats

focusing on Nu-Disco, Deep House while keeping very groove oriented and outer-national based rhythms. Recently he has been djing and remixing, taking things to an even more spaced out and trippy level.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/138256238″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Kung Fu

(Electro-fusion, contemporary EDM)

Their fans often put Kung Fu in the same category as festival favorites Umphrey’s McGee and the Disco Biscuits. These five guys mesh funk fusion with contemporary electronic dance grooves to provide a lethal arsenal of sound waves to it’s dancing listeners.

Judah & The Lion

(Americana, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock)

This unlikely trio met through mutual friends and created the band while attending Belmont University. Guitarist Judah Akers is from Tennessee, Brian Macdonald plays the mandolin and is from a Chicago suburb, and Nate Zuercher is from the Colorado mountains and plays the Banjo. After several jam sessions, they vibed so well that they decided to form a band. They can be described as a “Modern pop band with a feel as old as hills and holler.” In 2013, they released an independent EP entitled “Sweet Tennessee” which made it to #2 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and #1 on iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. Their newest album “Kids These Days” was released on September 9, 2014.

Van Ghost

(Alt-Country)

This 5-piece-band brings beautiful optimistic tunes from the Midwest. They are equipped with a gem of a female vocalist who has had the opportunity to work with some musical giants. Together the band has made a name for themselves opening up for acts such as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Drive By Truckers, and John Oates.

The Heavy Pets

(Rhythm and blues, Jazz Funk, Reggae Fisopm, Folk Rock, Jam)

This jam band consists of guitarists Jeff Lloyd and Mike Garulli, Jim Wuest on the keys, drummer Jamie Newitt, and habitual bass slapper Tony D’Amato. They originated in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2005. They come from humble beginnings with their first performance being on a patio just after Hurricane Wilma. They’ve come a long way though, appearing regularly at Bonnaroo, Langerado, The New Orleans Backbeat Jazzfest, and Wakarusa. The band currently has 5 studio albums under their belt with their second album “The Heavy Pets” being dubbed a “Top 10 album of 2010” by The Huffington Post.

Ghost Owl

Birthed out of the musical hub that is Athens, GA; this group of successful long time musicians brought ‘Ghost Owl’ to life in January 2013. Ghost Owl embodies all the components of a dream-like performance, planetary technology, celestial vibrations, and boundary dissolving visuals. They have been blessed with a solidifying opportunity to join Papadosio for 7 shows starting November 1, 2014.

Greenhouse Lounge

(Euphoric, Hypnotic, Electronic, Future, Funk)

Greenhouse Lounge is an electronic musical trio that combines the computer based production of a DJ accompanied by rock guitar leads, heavy synthesized bass and live drums. They are adept at merging these rumbling basslines with pumping electronica beats, breakbeat dynamics and staggering sample manipulation. Their music can be described as euphoric; a hypnotic based sound; tightly woven sonic soundscapes that are rich in melody and texture

Cope

(psychedelic southern funk, jazz-reggae and electro-grass music)

Cope started as a family band with two brothers and a cousin out of Akron, Ohio. More than a decade later the Stadelman brothers, along with multi-instrumentalist Juanjamon and drummer Brad Elliot; have evolved into a family full of friends, fans, dancers, and music-heads across the U.S. This circle of family is united together by fun loving good times, some serious psychedelic southern-fried funk, rockin’ jazz-reggae and electro-grass music.

Strung Like A Horse

(Garage Grass)

Built in a garage two years ago, Strung like a Horse resembles a psychobilly diesel pick-up. There’s BJ Hitower’s manic bass work providing the suspension of the band; bouncing, at times weird, but always reliable. Ben Crawford and his “s-s-s-s-string drum”. Slothimus Prime and Bertha, his chairdrumset, ping-ding-crack-and-rumble like a pieced together yet functional engine. “Spooky Chicklets” exists as an otherwordly force surrounding the truck; his violin sings the sounds of night-woods on the sides of the highway. Clay Maselle with his guitar in the shotgun steers the band into the depths of the wood with lyrics to narrate the adventure.

To bring it down to a point, these junkyard dogs bring “honest, playful, head-bangingly interactive fun” to any venue their rocket crashes.

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

(Jazz/Rock Fusion)

Classically trained composer Jonathon Scales leads this innovating quartet with groundbreaking use of the steel pan drum. You will hear a living chemistry of urban class and bass. This collective is receiving praises for their genius, master skill, and invention. Traveling from southeastern cultural hub of Asheville, NC.

Shane Pruitt Band

(Blues, Gospel, Southern Rock, Jam Bands)

The Shane Pruitt Band oozes talent. Shane Pruit is from Spartanburg, SC and has been surrounded with Gospel and Jam bands his entire life. The band has also shared the stage with Johnny Winter, Junior Brown, Chuck Raney, Victor Wooten,Galactic, Papa Mali, The Neville Brothers, The Lee Boys, Roosevelt Collier, Oteil Burbridge, Mose Allison, Michael Burks, The New Mastersounds. The members share their own place in music history as well. Hammond B3 player and vocalist Lil’ Jimmy Peterman is a founding member of the Steve Miller Band (1967-1969), having also been a founding member of the Steve Miller Blues Band (featuring Steve Miller and Bozz Scaggs’ original colaboration).

Suenalo

AfroLatinBabymakin'DescargaFunk

Compromised of some of the best musicians in the Miami area, Suenalo, brings harmonious street flare. Putting the creators in a category is nearly impossible. The have a afro carribean hip hop flow, blended with jam fusion, with some soul on top. If you love discovering a new world of artist, this is your omen. Put these guys on your list of must see.

Dustin Thomas

(World Music)

Big hair, big smiles, and a whole lot of love: International globe-trotter Dustin Thomas is making waves from Australia to Moscow with his infectious blend of beat-box/soul folk. Armed with a voice, a guitar and universal anthems of faith, love, and war; this young artist continues to inspire hearts around the world on his mission of music, joy, and peace.

Dustin is currently touring globally and nationwide, both as a solo-artist and in collaboration with Nahko and Medicine For The People.

Beartoe

Full of muddy Florida cultural spirit, Beartoe merges sophistication with back yard blues. The play like giants and are quickly becoming a must have at Florida festivals. They have opened up for artist such as Devon Allman, Tab Benoit.

Post Pluto

Indie Blues Jam Funk Fusion

Post Pluto is here to make you boogie. Mixing the improv roots and unexpected covers of the jam world with the groove of funk and the originality of today’s indie scene, the five-piece Pensacola band has built a reputation for gettin’ people movin’.

Music can be many things to many people. These guys embrace it for what it is to them – fun. Their sound rocks and rolls. It peaks and soars. It reaches the depths of an entirely fresh universe that is unabashedly and undeniably Post Pluto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rio9X0O_P4

— Rolando Jimenez & Tracey Broxton