Friday, August 11th
8 pm - 10 pm: The Steepwater Band
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Patrick Sweany
4 pm - 5:30 pm: Al Spears & the Hurricane Project
Saturday, August 12th
8 pm - 10 pm: Joe Stamm Band
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Matt Keen
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Patrick Bale & the Pale Ales
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Whoosh
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Daniel Cronson Band
10:00 am - 11:30 am: The King of Mars
Patrick Sweany lives for the Grooves.
Whether it's the ones he records on his albums, the ones he lays down with his band on the stage, or the ones that define his days writing songs and living life in his E. Nashville neighborhood, the Grooves are what have propelled Sweany through 20+ years of performing and recording across 8 studio albums and dozens of countries around the world. Being in the Groove is Sweany's recipe for success.
To say 2020 has disrupted these Grooves, is a severe understatement. The cancellation of live music in the U.S. for the past several months initially ground Sweany's Groove to a halt. However, it hasn't all been bad. The time away from the road and away from the studio has forced some introspection and reflection.
Serendipitously, Sweany had begun a new experiment in 2019 teaming up with Andrew Trube and Anthony Farrell (the Austin duo known as Greyhounds) to rework and re-record some of his oldest compositions. Taking songs from his first two records, Sweany headed into Bud's recording Services, Greyhounds' studio while on tour in Texas.
Together with his touring band, Sweany reworked about a dozen older songs, and even tracked a cover and a never-released tune. The experience was rewarding and fun, but with tour dates pending, the rough tracks sat on the shelf for several more months. Once back in Nashville, Sweany began working with local producer Dexter Green at 3 Sirens Studio. Dex began meticulously shaping and mixing them, and Get That Feeling was born.
Nine Mile Records is releasing two batches of these recordings (volumes I & II) in 2020 and 2021 while Sweany writes and records another full-length album of new compositions.
The songs represent both a look back over Sweany's long career, and new collaborations that showcase some sides of Patrick's songs you might find surprising.
It's never too late to find a new Groove.
Matt Keen is a multi-genre musician from Chicago, IL who has been honing his eclectic style for years. When playing with his rock and roll band Rebel Soul Revival, Matt Keen (Band) or working around the country as a solo acoustic artist, Keen brings an unparalleled honesty and grit to his every performance. As he begins to gain notoriety around the Midwest and cities he’s visited, this one of a kind performer is trying to bring a renewed passion to live and original music. His debut solo album 'Restless Days' - released in April of 2020 is an 8 track southern rock renaissance with nods to early Skynyrd and Allman Brothers Band. With hints of John Mayer and Santana style songwriting throughout 'Restless Days' is a confident step forward in a new chapter of Keen's career.
Al “Hurricane” Spears is a working Chicago blues musician currently playing guitar with “The Hurricane Project”. Whether backing up another local musician or playing in a band, he can often be spotted at various Chicago Blues establishments like Buddy Guy’s Legends, Kingston Mines and Rosa’s Lounge delivering a slow blues groove or an explosive thundering guitar solo. Al Spears has earned the respect of his fellow musicians as a friendly, reliable craftsman who knows his way around the fret board. Being a Chicago Blues musician carries the responsibility of continuing the legacy of some of the worlds renowned Blues artists, and “Hurricane” is a blues guitarist who embraces this legacy by playing promoting the Blues art form wherever he can.
For Hurricane, the blues is a way of life. He began listening to old 78s as an early child. He picked the guitar in the early 90s, and just kept playing. He began playing some of the local blues jams at Carter’s Place in Lockport, and the Harlem Avenue Lounge in Berwyn after working his full time job.
He’s developed a strong style that could be described as a mixture of jazz and blues with an edge. Hurricane has shared the stage with some of Chicago’s finest musicians, including Toronzo Cannon, Lurrie Bell, Mike Wheeler, Billy Branch, Johnnie Drummer, Aron Burton, Jimmy Dawkins, and the father-son combo Lonnie and Ronnie Baker-Brooks.
Hurricane is a family man, raised on corn bread, collard greens and black eyed peas. He recently retired from his fortune 500 job, and is enjoying life as a Chicago blues musician.
Hurricane works hard to keep the blues art form alive. He operated three of the longest running blues jams in the western suburbs, in an effort to keep this great music in front of the public. He still plays quite a few shows in the Chicago area.
Hurricane wants to give special thanks to his wonderful wife Donna, Michael Wheeler, Toronzo Cannon, Chico Banks (RIP), Twist Ferguson, Dave Riley, Lindsey Alexander, Billy Branch, Carl Weathersby, Carlos Johnson, Third Coast Guitars, Glen Gerini, Doug Horan, Jeff Ruffin, Gibson Custom Guitars, and hosts of friends who helped make the music possible.
Meshing the heart of traditional Americana songwriting, the energy of contemporary country music, and the attitude of Hard Rock, Patrick Bale & The Pale Ales are a giant bullet point on the growing list of artists bringing the genre down paths not taken.
Tunes you forgot you loved, with a touch of stank you didn’t know you needed!
Daniel Cronson is an independent Chicago Artist. Since 2016 he has weaved elements of blues, jazz, soul and RnB into his own personal sound. Since then, Daniel has had the honor of performing with Grammy Winning and Nominee artists such as Los Lonely Boys, Chicago's own Billy Branch and more. In between releasing original, inspired blues and jazz songs he also street performs yearly on Michigan Avenue, as well as maintains a musical residency in some of Chicagoland's most prestigious spots.
The King of Mars (TKOM) has evolved from a four-piece rock band into a larger group with synths, auxiliary percussion, and a horn section. Their sound shakes the foundation of traditional rock music by encompassing Jazz, Funk, and Soul musicality alongside insightful lyricism.
“They are a fun band, and they have a refreshing sound that captures you, pulls you in and smacks you over the head with a diversity of instruments and sounds.” -A Look into Me “Bleach and Aspirin” Review
“Can’t tell you how happy we were with the [TKOM] show. I appreciate… the bands pulling out all of the stops on promotion. The night was a big success for all parties involved.” -Kickstand Productions
“[TKOM] can put in their music something unique and also innovate, making several interesting mixtures of genres within Rock.” -Rock Vibrations “Bleach and Aspirin” Review