The Mid-west can be downright f***ing boring. I’ve been there before. Some of the kids say the mid-west can be alright. Some of them can’t stand it. I don’t know what the mid-west looks like in the Kemps’ eyes, but I’ve hung out with those dudes and from what I can tell it’s weird and gets pretty dark. First off, they roll pretty hard. Are you asleep at 6:00 a.m. on a Tuesday morning? Probably. Are the Kemps? Fucked if I know but I doubt it. Second of all, you can throw all the dismissive black angels reference out the window, references are a lazy-man’s game; this is weird-ass Indiana drug-dirge at its most irresponsible.

-From their website

From Rob Dixon:

“The music of Rob Dixon is both respectful of tradition and free with expression and truly shows the musical diversity that is within Rob’s creative mind. After matriculating from Hampton University and Indiana University’s School of Music (considered the Julliard and Berklee of the Midwest), Rob moved to the top of the music world in New York City playing with legendary and popular artists such as the Count Basie Band, Tony Bennett, The Ellington Band, Slide Hampton, Dakota Stanton, The Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Rufus Reid, Akira Tana, the Maria Schnieder Orchestra, Jonah Jones as well as Bill Lee (composer and father of Spike Lee), Weldon Irving, Producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad (DJ of Tribe called Quest) The Skatellites, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and guitarist Melvin Sparks.”

From the band’s website:

“Afrobeat cannot stand still. As the genre’s tempting sounds continue a resurgence across the globe, Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat. Rather than become caricatures of the genre, CAbP slips a reverent nod to the tradition while delivering an energized originality different from any other band on the afrobeat scene today. At each of its 100+ live performances a year, the group’s frenzied songs hit audiences with a big enough one-two punch to tirelessly knock them onto the dance floor time and time again.”

From the band’s website:
“Glostik Willy is a band hitting the scene running.  With melodic tones and edgy riffs, this band is sure to bring all aspects of music together for an unforgettable evening.  What started out as three guys playing music in middle school, has turned into one of the most powerful trio’s around.  The band consists of Jameson Bradford on lead guitar, Buddha Aguilar on bass, and Ralf  Mowf smerkin the drums. The Indiana based band is an ever evolving sound that will be sure to leave you wanting more! “

“One Side Later is a jam band dedicated to creating and performing quality music. One Side Later delivers a unique sound that thrives off of improvisation. There is no leader and each musician has the ability to take a jam in any direction. The music has no boundaries and no limitations and the band takes pride in the fact that they never play a song the same way twice. This keeps the music fresh and leaves their audience wanting more.”

“The Twin Cats have been crushing dance floors with their distinct approach to fusion music since finalizing the lineup in 2004. Taking influence from funk, prog rock, jazz, and electronica, The Twin Cats’ sound is responsible for inducing spontaneous dance parties all across the Midwest.”

“Founded in 2009 in an otherwise quiet neighborhood in Fishers, IN, Solid Street brings to life an energetic blend of Funk Blues Rock. This four-member band boasts four songwriters and four dimensions of soul. They express their unique individual styles while staying connected to the common groove, allowing the creativity of their music to flow.”

“Midwest Hype combines a blend of Funk, Reggae, Rock, Jazz, and Hip-hop they call ‘Urban Garage Jazz.’ They have an intense, high energy show with music that never drags and personalities that keep a smile on every face.”

“Ultraviolet Hippopotamus is an explosive six-piece jam rock band from Grand Rapids, MI. Recently described by Colorado’s The Marquee as ‘brightening the future of the jam scene,’ UV HIPPO mixes tight funky jams with new dance beats and strange effects for a killer musical experience. The band performs an eclectic array of composed and improvised original material, dancing between genres of funk, jazz, livetronica, reggae, bluegrass, and progressive rock.”