Day 3 Artists

Son Volt

Alt-Country

Jay Farrar founded Son Volt in 1995 after leaving the seminal group Uncle Tupelo. Son Volt’s 10th studio album Electro Melodier offers up a unique blend of folk, country, blues, soul and rock – an electric troubadour with melodies that hit and stick. Band members include keyboardist/steel guitarist Mark Spencer, bassist Andrew Duplantis, guitarist Chris Frame and drummer Mark Patterson.

The Crane Wives

Folk Pop

After meeting in college, the young band of idealists called The Crane Wives pursued a life of touring, building a grassroots fanbase across the midwest one room at a time. Whether playing to a thousand people at a brewery in their hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan or to eleven people in far-flung dive bars, the four piece folk-pop group has always played with one goal in mind: to have a good time.

The pulse of the Crane Wives, Ben Zito (bass) and Dan Rickabus (drums) create a groovy backdrop integral to the band’s sound, while co-leads Emilee Petersmark and Kate Pillsbury duel on electric guitar and vocals. Known for harmonies, beaming smiles and high energy melodies that counterbalance cerebral, angsty lyrics, the Crane Wives perform symbiotically like only a band with a tenure of over a decade can. The Crane Wives have 5 full length albums under their belts and have performed over 600 shows across the United States, including opening for acts such as The Avett Brothers, Lake Street Dive, The Dead South, Greensky Bluegrass and many more.

Mario Abney & The Abney Effect

Jazz/Soul/Funk

Mario Abney is a master trumpeter, singer, songwriter, and bandleader of a well-known Jazz/Soul/Funk/Brass band. Mario has been compared to the genius of Miles Davis, the leadership and insight of Art Blakely, and the infectious dance moves of James Brown. Often seen dancing dexterously across the stage during his performances and yelling encouraging words to his band members and the audience, Abney's shows are a vibrant celebration of the dynamic straight-ahead jazz of Chicago and the soul, spirituality, and freedom of New Orleans.

Daniel Villarreal

World

Panamá-born, Chicago-based drummer Daniel Villarreal is known to many for his work in Dos Santos, Wild Belle, The Los Sundowns, Valebol Rudy de Anda, and many more. He’s one of the busiest players on the Chicago scene. If you’re in the Windy City, find him almost any night of the week at a bar, club, or venue near you, either behind the drumkit or behind the turntables, donning a beaver skin stetson hat, with his baby blue vintage Mercedes parked out front. For his lead artist debut Panamá 77 he engages a diverse array of friends and collaborators - including Bardo Martinez (Chicano Batman), Jeff Parker (Tortoise), Marta Sofia Honer (Adrian Younge), Anna Butterss (Jenny Lewis), and Aquiles Navarro (Irreversible Entanglements) - to create a vibrant and verdant suite of multi-textural psychedelic instrumental folk-funk.

Grace Thiesen Trio

Americana / Blues

Grace Theisen is an Americana/Blues artist originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her love for music started in her childhood living room, harmonizing to folk and blues songs with her family. Inspired by a variety of artists from bluegrass/folk singers like Patty Griffin and Alison Krauss to pop artists like Billy Joel and The Beatles to blues artists ranging from B.B. King to Bonnie Raitt. From 2015–2018 Grace was making a name for herself in Nashville – she opened for Emmylou Harris, played the infamous Bluebird Cafe, participated in songwriter rounds at The Listening Room and opened for Matthew Perryman Jones at The Nashville City Winery, all while running her non-profit, Songs Against Slavery, full-time. She has created quite a buzz since returning to the Michigan Music Scene – winning Cari Cole’s Best New Artist of 2021 and being named “Artist To Watch” by Michigan’s Local Spins media outlet in January of 2022.

The Sypian Family Band

Rock

Hailing from Michigan’s Great Southwest, The Sypian Family Band is an all encompassing original rock and roll outfit. Fronted by the incomparable Leslie Sypian on vocals and guitar, The Sypian Family Band also features the tasteful lead guitar of Nathan Sypian, expert bass lines from Dustin Lowe, and top notch percussion from Matt Sypian. Captivating live performances along with interesting, unique songs are trademarks of this experienced and well established group of musicians. Classic rock sensibility with a unique, fresh sound. Come hear your new favorite songs!

Jack Whittle Trio

Blues / Roots

The Jack Whittle Trio is a deep blend of Blues and Roots that is playful and sincere, improvised but not wandering, informed by the past, but not recreating it. In 2022 Jack released his debut album and toured the south backing up Chicago Blues diva Liz Mandeville.

Down Home

Americana

Down Home is a locally grown band founded in 2021 by Joe Iantorno (vocals/guitar) and Paul Matthews (vocals/piano) on the Indiana/Illinois border. While the pair may have only been playing out as a band since 2021, they’ve been creating music together for the last decade. The duo draws much of their style from popular rock, country and folk, and much of their inspiration comes from our families and communities. This is a band that is absolutely committed to finding a sound that is organic, reliable and original and they enjoy playing anywhere good music is appreciated.

The Resurrection Blues Band

Blues

The Resurrection Blues Band was formed in August of 2017 with Rodney Mills on guitar and vocals, Scott Ovens on drums and Tommy Knight on bass. Over the years the band has gone through a multitude of changes from having a horn section, harmonica and organ and an assortment of different players. They have now settled on being a 3 piece band once again with founding members Rodney Mills, Scott Ovens and seasoned veteran Mike Balmes making his debut to the Power Trio known as the Resurrection Blues Band. Heavy Blues born from Good Times, Bad Times & Hard Times.