The Black Cadillacs

The BlackCadillacs are a blues‐based indie rock band from Knoxville, TN. With members from each of Tennessee's major cities, the state's famous sounds are well represented. Nashville’s recent brand of rock n’ roll revival takes center stage, but a wash of authentic Memphis blues‐soul and a tinge of Knoxville country distill into a sound as rich and Southern as it is alive.

Alongside their native influences, The Black Cadillacs are heavily impacted by rock history. "Bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd laid the foundation for us. With the success of artists and bands like Jack White and My Morning Jacket, it’s easy to see that blues-­‐based rock n’ roll still resonates with audiences,” says guitarist, John Phillips. "We were inspired by the same bands; we’re just trying to keep those sounds alive in our own way."

From Memphis to Knoxville, Mick Jagger to Jack White, The Black Cadillacs' sophomore release, Run, pulls together more than 40 years worth of influence over this 11­‐track offering.

"Run is a veritable tapestry of lush blues and Southern soul with Phillips and guitarist Matthew Hyrka weaving varicolored webs of texture and melody over the solid foundation of bassist Philip Anderson and drummer Adam Bonomo," says Metro Pulse's Mike Gibson.

Released in June 2012, Run represents the band’s attempt to capture the dynamic energy of its live performance. The instrumentation was tracked live with the entire band in one room, just as the songs were written and perfected on the road.

The Black Cadillacs’ live set is where this well‐orchestrated yet explosive blend comes to life. Playing more than 100 dates in the past year, including sets at SXSW as a Red Bull Sound Select artist, The Black Cadillacs use raw emotion in frontman Will Horton’s voice to energize an audience and crank up the sound. "The group displayed a repertoire (old and new) of grooves, rockers and ballads," Red Bull Sound Select says of their SXSW performances. "They are often best when Horton showcases his voice over spare instrumentation ‐ the connection is undeniable.” 

Reggie Williams

Reggie Williams grew up on a steady diet of Jazz and Soul like George Benson, Sade, and All Jarreau, but it was hearing rock and pop when he was 13 that made him want to begin writing and recording music. Reggie started performing around the same time, and people became connected to his music much like the way he was connected to the music he loved.

Reggie began with two bedroom recordings titled, Songs For Stories and Learning to Live, which you can find for free here: reggiewilliams.bandcamp.com. He grew up in the scene, playing any show he could get, and moved on to Florida State University’s Music School.

He began writing more songs while obtaining his education, and knew he wanted to do something of higher fidelity that would convey the ideas better. So he began saving up and began recording with a close friend and producer, Robby, and released the Change EP in January of 2012, which can also be found on Reggie’s Bandcamp.

Currently, Reggie resides in Orlando, FL, and the next step is to give more and to grow. He has been writing more songs since his move, and he plans to record an EP and head on tour up the east coast to 33 cities, one of which will be Nashville, with the help of our audience backing his Kickstarter, which you can check out here: http://kck.st/19Y0HAw. Reggie and his backers believe in what he is doing here wholeheartedly, and we want to invite you to join as well.

Reggie WIlliams - Change

The Peace Tour

Many forms of music originated as a form of expression
 meant to empower and educate its listeners. As the music culture evolved and diversified it took various paths, some positive and some negative, and many people today believe the core foundation of positive music no longer exists. However, like most forms of art, the music genre is steadily making a comeback to its original roots of positive expression. By bringing regions together to showcase their wealth of cultures through musical concerts, dance performances as well as arts and crafts exhibits, The Peace Tour provides an avenue to celebrate the true essence of music.

Created as a daylong festival, The Peace Tour was founded to extend positivity through multiple platforms to reach the community, primarily focusing on uplifting our youth. With our youth relying heavily on social media and other technology mediums, it becomes undeniably difficult to navigate through this already challenging period of life. As our youth face negative images via the media, music, and surrounding communities, it becomes our responsibility to give them ownership within their communities by creating opportunities for them to become involved in. The Peace Tour contributes to the local youth and families by providing internship, mentorship, and other opportunities for self-expression throughout the festival. In addition, The Peace Tour will proudly donate a percentage of the proceeds to not only local schools, but also organizations designed to uplift our youth such as Pretty Intelligent, NFL YET, The Boys and Girls Club and Upward Bound.

The Peace Tour is not only a day filled with music, art and fashion, but also a unique opportunity to celebrate the spirit of community. The Peace Tour will have something for everyone with areas such as "What's Goin' On", inspired by Marvin Gaye's powerful album which will feature artwork and photography from students and artists depicting life through their eyes. This year’s production is set to arrive in Nashville on June 29^th at Shelby Park and will feature nationally recorded artists, as well as local, independent performers that will illustrate the true essence of music of all genres. Get your tickets now!

Sol Cat

There is no such thing as a landlocked island, except the one where Sol Cat seems to live. It’s like a place where the mind isn’t fully aware of its surroundings, and confusion welcomes the creativity it inspires. Sol Cat’s eponymous self-released de-but album doesn’t necessarily transport you to South Florida from Nashville, TN, but that is an appropriate enough concept. If Music City defines firm lines between genres, Sol Cat’s album champions redistricting, creating challenging new sounds in this arena of the traditional.

Think of a midnight drive somewhere warm, certainly the top is down, and yes, a beauty is in the passenger seat. The six-piece band suggests you can take this foggy, dreamlike scenario with you wherever you go. However, Sol Cat finds its own contentment and happiness in the valleys of Middle TN, grateful for the opportunity to tap into the mystical and spiritual musical foundation on which the land is built. The Athens of the South has an appeal any artist can feel — an enticing, drawing temptation.

Before relocating, Sol Cat’s members spent their time across the country, Miami to Los Angeles, New York City to The Gulf of Mexico. Musical influences span just as wide, yet an eclec-tic and oceanic resonance remains prevalent in their sound. Smooth grooves along the lines of George McCrae mix with semi-psych synth layers, while the likes of The Talking Heads and Laid Back inspire bouncy bass and slick guitar riffs.

With such a range of cultural and artistic influence, the creative process is equally interesting. Vocalist and writer Brett Hammann steers the musical direction of the band while guitarist Johny Fisher leads the group into new and uncharted territory. Drummer Ryan Usher provides the rhythmic backbone for bassist Aaron Martin, who also acts as Sol Cat’s Art Director. Lead guitarist Jaan Cohan brings catchy licks and skills to melt any face, leaving keyboardist and studio engineer Jeremy Clark to play intuitively as the music essentially produces itself. The group is now prepared and eager for the road, with its groundwork set for the message to spread. The Sol Cat sound is not as unfamiliar as it is forgotten; and those feelings and emotions poured into music past are ready to gracefully wash over a new generation. And for that, we salute you! 

Check out this video from their debut album!