Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
BILLY NATION: A TRIBUTE TO BILLY JOEL
A musical celebration of an artist whose catalog has over 33 top 40 hits, Billy Nation – A Tribute to Billy Joel entertains audiences with a high energy authentic concert experience of Billy Joel classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Complete with Billy's signature grand piano, growling saxophone, rich harmonies, and audience engagement, Billy Nation captures Billy's stylistic range with ease from anthems like 'Piano Man' to rocking songs like 'You May Be Right' to
beautiful ballads like 'Just the Way You Are.' Billy Joel is undoubtedly one of the best songwriters of his generation. Billy Nation pays tribute to this world-class talent and does their songs justice with great performances and passionate live shows that bring back the authentic spirit of the piano man’s music. Billy Nation is not just a cover band; the group aims to capture not only the music but also the look and the aesthetics of what makes Billy Joel such a special artist. This tribute act will make you feel like you are experiencing one of Billy Joel’s concerts in his prime, bringing back the magic of that one-of-a- kind era of music. The show offers more than just music: Billy Nation goes to great lengths to recreate the magical atmosphere of those early Billy Joel shows, down to the aesthetics and the energy on the stage. This is perfect for those who want to re-live those magical memories, or even enjoying that experience for the first time, like traveling back in time. Billy Nation consists of the finest professional musicians who are extremely experienced on the stage and in the studio. In other words, they know what it takes to connect with the audience and give them a memorable experience in the best possible way! The group's founder and leader, Adam Shapiro, has a lifelong connection with Billy Joel and his music. Much like the legendary artist himself, his late father was also a New York-based pianist and singer. Billy Nation is Adam’s way of honoring his father’s legacy through music. Adam himself was no stranger to the limelight before focusing on this project. He spent the last 25 years performing with some heavy hitters in the music industry, including Huey Lewis & The News, Kool & The Gang, as well as the king of funk, James Brown. He teamed up with some of the best musicians in Southern California to create this one-of-a-kind tribute act. They continue to attract crowds throughout Southern California and beyond while spreading their passion for Billy Joel and his timeless music.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
TOGETHER PANGEA
with DEATH LENS and CHICO
Since they began jamming back in William’s Santa Clarita bedroom, Los Angeles indie band Together Pangea have continually challenged themselves with each subsequent offering. Jelly Jam [2010] poured the gasoline, Living Dummy [2011] struck the match, and Badillac [2014] lit the fire with its revved-up nineties rock-inspired flames. Along the way, fan favorites like “Sick Shit,” “Badillac,” and “Offer” would rack up millions of Spotify streams, while the group received support from Consequence of Sound, Pitchfork, MTV, Stereogum, and more. Following the 2015 release of The Phage EP, produced by The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson, these working class boys embarked on the journey to what would become 2017’s Bulls and Roosters, which evidenced their growth as a tried-and-true rock band with just the right amount of “brattiness,” as they like to say.
Together Pangea—William Keegan, Danny Bengston, and Erik Jimenez—return in 2021 having made the most of 2020’s turbulence by writing and recording DYE, an upbeat, undeniable collection of hooks, anthems, and power-pop garage-rock catchiness that is unmistakably the album of their career.
DYE is an amalgam of the band’s last three records: the inward looking and self-pleasing experimentation of 2017’s Bulls and Roosters, the frantic and scream-y Badillac with its inspiration from emotionally raw grunge, and the 50’s pop heavy 2011 album Living Dummy. After more than a decade as Together Pangea, the band know how their bread is buttered and made an effort to focus on what they know they do best.
www.togetherpangea.com
www.facebook.com/togetherpangea
www.twitter.com/togetherpangea
www.instagram.com/togetherpangea
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
DIGGIN DIRT
with SHAKY FEELIN'
This seven-piece band emerging from behind the redwood curtain in Humboldt County, California is skyrocketing through the west coast music scene. Shoveling out their own path, and consistently wowing audiences and filling concert venues, Diggin Dirt is no ordinary funk and soul band. Their sounds explode off the stage with a pure authentic energy, and once they have you in their clutches, the relentless dance party does not let up. Their intoxicating and infectious sound is fueled by a blazing horn section, pulsating rhythms, and searing guitars, that when combined into one, have been known to entice even the shyest of wallflowers to start movin and groovin. Tying it all together, is the band’s frontman, who is in possession of the pipes, charisma, moves, and natural-born-soul, and launches this ensemble into rarefied air. Behold, as they layer humble influences of psychedelic rock, Motown soul, Afrobeat, and even reggae, atop a sturdy foundation of late 60’s inspired funk music. You might have flashes of James Brown or Sly and the Family Stone, Otis Redding or Tower of Power, but make no mistake that you are in the presence of spine-tingling originality.
Show 7pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
MARIACHI EL BRONX
with VANDOLIERS TRIO
Born out of a collective love for Mexican folk music over a decade ago, the members of the acclaimed LA punk band The Bronx were tasked with creating an acoustic set for a tv show they were asked to perform on. From there, this exciting new, and creatively fulfilling, endeavor began to take shape, which led to the release of the band’s eponymous debut album, Mariachi El Bronx (I), in September of 2009. The album would lead to praise by both critics and fans alike due to the band’s precise attention to detail and musically authentic take on the form. "This was something that was a part of us that we didn't really realize,” singer Matt Caughthran told Punk News. “I mean, being from Los Angeles and growing up surrounded by Mexican culture, it just kind of happened."
As a fully realized outlet, Mariachi El Bronx would release its second self-titled album, (II), in 2011 and return with (III) in 2014, the band’s latest full-length LP and most experimental work to date that incorporates electronic flourishes and pop melodies into their traditional mariachi sound.
Show 8pm // General Admission $29.50 / General Admission Day of Show $35 / General Admission Meet & Greet $79.50
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presants:
OHGEESY: OFF THE XTRAS TOUR
featuring 310babii
Moving like a chess player, Ohgeesy maneuvers through hip-hop with clear intention, knowing exactly where he wants to go and how he'll get there. During childhood, the Los Angeles-born Mexican American immediately gravitated to hip-hop. His uncle possessed an impressive CD collection, boasting classics by everyone from UGK and Juicy J to LA legends like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. In third grade, he even copied rap lyrics into his notebooks, predicting his fate. In 2017, he co-founded Shoreline Mafia. Within three years, the group picked up three platinum singles and two gold singles, gathered billions of streams, sold out one show after another, and earned acclaim from Pitchfork, The Fader, Forbes, The Washington Post, and Noisey, to name a few. By the dawn of the global pandemic, Ohgeesy's life had changed forever. He became a father, focused on "getting healthy," and he recorded more than ever before. Now, Ohgeesy asserts himself as an impactful and inimitable solo presence on the mic. His deft wordplay, head-nodding hooks, and undeniable swagger fuel his 2021 full-length debut GEEZYWORLD kickstarted by the first single "Get Fly" [feat. DaBaby].
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
COUNTRY PARTY NIGHT: STARRING HIGHWAY STARR
Spawn from the outskirts of Los Angeles and Ventura, the band
features lead vocalist Dave Rea, along with Scott Felton on lead
guitar, Melvin Brannon provides the rolling thunder on bass opposite
the powerhouse drumming and percussion of Joel Meza and Aaron
Roth, who round out the band's rhythm section. Not just another
rehashed “Saloon Band”, HIGHWAY STARR has raised the
standard by combining the music, attitude and showmanship in their
concert style shows throughout the region. Their vast set list
includes contemporary hits by Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Luke
Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Keith
Urban, Eric Church and many more!
Past festival work includes Boots N’ Brews Opened for Chris Young,
Joe Nicols, Niko Moon, and Jon Pardi, Simi Valley Roundup Country
Music Festival, Surf Rodeo Summer Music Festival, Borderline Party
in the Park Festival, 100.7 KHAY Fest Opened for Luke Combs and
many more.
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
GIMME GIMME DISCO
If you can’t get enough of ABBA, boy do we have THE dance party for you! We are a DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80's like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, & so much more. So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, put on your best disco attire, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life! 🪩🎤✨🕺💃❤️🫶
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
FRENSHIP w/ THE IVY
With their chart-topping hits and innovative soundscapes, FRENSHIP will guide you through a sonic landscape that transcends boundaries and connects hearts. From dance floor anthems to introspective ballads, their music will take you on an emotional rollercoaster with their infectious sound and heartfelt lyrics. Formed in 2013, FRENSHIP began as a collaboration between friends, James Sunderland and Brett Hite, who met selling spandex at Lululemon. Drawing inspiration from folding pants, the duo set out to create music that embodied the essence of human connection. In 2016, FRENSHIP gained international recognition with their breakout hit single, "Capsize," featuring Emily Warren. The song quickly became a chart-topping success, reaching platinum certification in multiple countries. Since then, FRENSHIP released their debut album and an array of captivating singles, each showcasing their evolving sound and growth as artists. Tracks like "1000 Nights," "Wanted a Name," and "Remind You" have garnered critical acclaim and cemented their reputation for crafting emotionally charged anthems that resonate with a broad audience. FRENSHIP's live performances are a testament to their magnetic presence and showmanship. With a commitment to delivering powerful shows, FRENSHIP’s energetic stage presence and genuine connection with their audience creates an immersive and unforgettable experience. This Fall, FRENSHIP is releasing their 6 song “Base Camp '' EP with new label partner, ONErpm. Base Camp marks the beginning of new music, a US headline tour and the start of a long climb upward that leads into their 2024 sophomore album. The Base Camp EP showcases collaborations with international artists and tells stories you would hear around a campfire: stories of love, heartbreak, adventure and escapism. Join the climb as FRENSHIP leaves their indelible mark on the industry and fans alike.
THE IVY
Just when you think you have The Ivy all figured out as a dreamy synth-pop band, they’ll throw a curve ball, incorporating lo-fi bedroom sounds, rock guitars or R&B-inspired instrumental interludes into their indie pop. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based duo comprising singer/songwriter/guitarist Wyatt Clem and songwriter/synth player/bassist Shawn Abhari always keeps you guessing.
Dubbed by Earmilk as “one of the most promising indie pop acts to come out of Oklahoma,” The Ivy burst onto the scene in 2017 when their songs “Gold” and “Have You Ever Been in Love” went viral, climbing the Spotify charts & receiving millions of streams, winning over critics and drawing comparisons to The 1975.
The Ivy’s 2023 debut full-length album, A Door Still Open, showcases their knack for writing inviting pop hooks that are utterly catchy without being saccharine and their ability to construct enticing melodies within a pop framework. The album touches on themes of self-reflection, personal growth and transcending the limiting beliefs and mindsets we’re often indoctrinated into during our upbringing.
Case in point: lead single “Good Faith.” With its groovy opening bass line and Wyatt’s dreamy, ethereal vocals, “Good Faith” combines pop, R&B and indie rock elements to great effect. The song’s lyrics encourage us to take a break from the hustle culture that tells us we should constantly be striving. “It’s about realizing there’s value and worth in being present and keeping your attention on what exists right here and now,” Wyatt says.
Wyatt and Shawn met studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Oklahoma City & discovered their musical styles complemented each other. Shawn loved emo and pop punk like Green Day and Blink-182 and Wyatt was influenced by R&B and the blues. When they came together, these disparate influences balanced out beautifully.
Both Shawn and Wyatt grew up playing music from a very young age. “My parents are both first-generation immigrants,” Shawn says. “My dad is Iranian and emigrated to the U.S. during the Iranian Revolution, and my mom is from France. They encouraged us to express ourselves creatively, but academics always came first.” Shawn played in several punk bands with friends growing up in Tulsa and ended up studying engineering and music production before focusing his attentions on songwriting and creating music with The Ivy.
Wyatt grew up in Amber, Oklahoma, a small town about 40 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. “Where I grew up it was all about baseball and sports,” Wyatt says. “You weren’t supposed to express yourself too much. It had to be within the confines of what was perceived as ‘normal.’”
Wyatt got his first acoustic guitar when he was 12, and his father—who’d often blast Van Halen, Bon Jovi and old country music in his truck—noticed that Wyatt had an aptitude for guitar and encouraged him to take lessons. Wyatt soon took up the electric guitar and found himself studying the early music of Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay. “Music provided something spiritual for me—almost like a religious experience,” Wyatt says.
With three critically acclaimed EPs and A Door Still Open under their belts, The Ivy have amassed fans around the world, shared the stage with LANY and the Band Camino, performed at Lollapalooza and are making indelible waves in the indie pop scene.
Doors 8pm Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
J BOOG
with L.A.B and CAS HALEY
BORN AND RAISED ON THE WEST COAST AND INFLUENCED HEAVILY BY HIS POLYNESIAN
UPBRINGING, J BOOG IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE TOP REGGAE SINGERS IN RECENT
YEARS. MENTORED BY ISLAND REGGAE ICON FIJI, HE FINE TUNED HIS SOUND AND STYLE
CREATING A UNIQUE BLEND THAT TRANSCENDS ACROSS CONTINENTS.
EARLY ON IN HIS CAREER, A CHANCE ENCOUNTER LED J BOOG TO CONNECT WITH YAMI BOLO AND GRAMPS MORGAN, WHICH THEN TOOK HIM TO JAMAICA WHERE THE REGGAE SINGER FOUND HIMSELF WORKING IN THE HISTORICAL STUDIOS OF BOB MARLEY, DON CORLEON, BOBBY DIGITALS, SHAGGY, AND SUGAR MINOTT. THIS EXPERIENCE NO DOUBT PLAYED ANOTHER KEY ROLE IN THE FLAIR OF BOOG’S MUSIC. HIS DEBUT ALBUM, HEAR ME ROAR, DROPPED IN 2007 AND A FEW YEARS LATER HE RELEASED BACKYARD BOOGIE, WHICH INCLUDED MEGAHITS LIKE LETS DO IT AGAIN PRODUCED BY DON CORLEON AND SUNSHINE GIRL PRODUCED BY GRAMPS MORGAN AND FEATURING PEETAH MORGAN. AMIDST THE 2020 GLOBAL PANDEMIC, LET’S DO IT AGAIN EXPLODED ON TIK TOK VIA A VIRAL DANCE BY STRANGER THINGS NOAH SCHNAPP EVEN GARNERING THE ATTENTION OF HIGH-PROFILE CELEBRITIES LIKE CHARLI D’AMELIO AND JASON DERULO. THE POPULAR TRACK CURRENTLY BOASTS OVER 75M VIEWS ON YOUTUBE AND CONTINUES TO CHART ON THE ITUNES REGGAE CHART EVEN TODAY. A YEAR AFTER ITS RELEASE THOUGH, BACKYARD BOOGIE EARNED J BOOG THE BEST ENTERTAINER AT THE INTERNATIONAL REGGAE AND WORLD MUSIC AWARDS IN CHICAGO. WASH HOUSE TING WAS RELEASED IN 2016 AND FEATURED TRACKS WITH VETERAN REGGAE BAND MORGAN HERITAGE AS WELL AS DANCEHALL LEGEND BUJU BANTON. THE ALBUM TOPPED BILLBOARD REGGAE ALBUM CHARTS AND WAS LATER NOMINATED FOR BEST REGGAE ALBUM AT THE 2018 GRAMMY AWARDS. HIS EP ROSE PETALS WAS NOMINATED FOR BEST REGGAE ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE 2017 GRAMMY AWARDS AND ALSO TOPPED US BILLBOARD AND ITUNES REGGAE CHARTS. J BOOG’S REPERTOIRE BOASTS TRACKS WITH SOJA, IRATION, TARRUS RILEY, THE GREEN, FIJI, CHAKA DEMUS, RICHIE SPICE AND MORE. HE HAS TOURED ALL OVER THE WORLD, INCLUDING EUROPE, AFRICA, DUBAI, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN AND OF COURSE ACROSS THE US. HE’S PERFORMED AT FESTIVALS LIKE CALI ROOTS, ONE LOVE NZ, GOOD LOVE, REGGAE RISE UP, ONE LOVE CALI, ARIZONA ROOTS, DRY DIGGINGS, AND THE MAYJAH RAYJAH TO NAME A FEW. IN 2021, J BOOG RELEASED THREE SINGLES [SIVA MAI FT. SIAOSI, AIN’T NO LOVE LIKE, AND FREE OF DEM]. HE EVEN HOSTED A DANCE COMPETITION FOR SIVA MAI THAT GAINED ENTRIES FROM DANCE CREWS ALL OVER THE WORLD. HE WAS ALSO NOMINATED FOR MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AT THE ISLAND 98.5 ISLAND MUSIC AWARDS IN HONOLULU.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
AN EVENING OF COMEDY WITH CHAD AND JT (OF CHAD GOES DEEP) | FULLY SEATED
Chad Kroeger (AKA Tom Allen) and JT Parr are on a mission to do good. Using their digital platforms
(@chadgoesdeep), the duo take action to raise awareness and bring change for some of the most
important causes in pop culture and beyond. When they are not at City Hall meetings [youtu.be], Allen
and Parr host the weekly podcast Going Deep with Chad & JT [chadandjt.com], which sees them
discussing major current events, honoring legends, exploring ongoing beefs, and giving solicited advice
to callers and fans alike. Tom and JT have appeared on HAWAII FIVE-O, ELLEN [youtube.com], HOWARD
STERN [youtube.com], SETH MEYERS [youtube.com], and JIMMY KIMMEL [youtube.com]. Chad can be
seen as “Mitch the Beignet Guy” on BARRY Season 3, which he was profiled for on GQ [gq.com]. They
previously wrote, executive produced, and starred in their Netflix series CHAD AND JT GO DEEP
[netflix.com], also produced by Abso Lutely Productions. Previously, they sold an animated series to
Hulu, with 3 Arts and 20th TV producing. They are currently developing a scripted series with Drew
Goddard and ABC Signature, and an animated series with 20th TV and 3 Arts, with Dominic Dierkes
attached. Chad and JT can currently be seen on Netflix’ UNSTABLE [netflix.com] as The Twins alongside
Rob Lowe.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
LIVING LEGENDS
Living Legends is an American independent hip hop supergroup from California consisting of Murs, Luckyiam, Sunspot Jonz, The Grouch, Eligh, Scarub, Aesop The Black Wolf and Bicaso. Originating in the mid 1990s, the crew garnered a strong grassroots following by selling their home recorded cassettes and CD's out of their backpacks on Bay Area streets. The group self funded countless of their own world tours and have remain completely independent to this day with a f*ck the industry ethos.
As a collective they have recorded six albums to date with a long awaited full length, "The Return" slated for release on November 24, 2023. Each member of the group is an active solo artist and combined they have hundreds of projects under their belts.
Living Legends continue to touch people worldwide with their raw truthful raps and unique sound giving listeners a feeling through the music that can not be attained anywhere else.
Show 7pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
FORTUNATE YOUTH
with DUBBEST and NICK SEFAKIS
Dan Kelly (vocals) Travis “Travi Bongo” Walpole (percussion) Jered Draskovich (keys/bass) Greg Gelb (bass, guitar) Corey Draskovich (bass, guitar, keys) Revelation Kalauli (drums)
From backyard BBQs in Southern California beach towns to its rise as one of the most popular reggae rock bands in the country, Fortunate Youth remains devoted to its roots and a simple mission: Spread peace, love, and unity with music. It’s a mantra of sorts for the multi-faceted sextet from Hermosa Beach, driving a relentless thirst for live performances and an ever-evolving cache of original material dotted with influences of blues, ska, rock, world, soul, and punk. Dedicated to performing live, the ensemble has logged countless miles across the globe, with F.Y. supporting brethren such as Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, and SOJA on major tours as well as continuing to headline national treks of their own; totaling over 27 tours since their inception. And true to their egalitarian ethos of brotherhood, they even swap spots onstage, rotating instruments to best fit the performance. Including the forthcoming album, Fortunate Youth has also catalogued over a dozen releases- ten LPs and EPs, studio and live combined, and several singles- since their 2011 debut, Irie State of Mind; notably, all have been recorded, produced, and distributed, in DIY style, by the self-invested band. All have charted in the Top 5, with three albums hitting #1. . “We’re trying to change the world through the music we write and play, and the lives we live out performing onstage,” says singer Dan Kelly. “We always hope our music can change the outlook of anyone’s day.”
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
KROOKED KINGS
with EVENING ELEPHANTS
Krooked Kings aren’t afraid of saying it how it is. Their unpretentious indie rock takes influence from The Strokes, Bon Iver and Peach Pit while their lyrics reflect the constant, churning coming of age that is being a twenty-something in America. “We just want to make music that will move people,” explains drummer Quinn Casper shortly following the release of their album “All Out of Good Days”.
After recently selling out the entirety of their first trip to Europe and most major cities throughout North America, it’s becoming clear that their message is connecting with an audience far and wide.
With 70 million album streams and a massive footprint on social media to show for it, the sky is the limit for Krooked Kings. Maybe they’re not out all out of good days after all.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
XAVIER RUDD
with BOBBY ALU
For Xavier Rudd, writing music and living his life are one and the same. “I’m literally just singing about the things that are going on around me,” he says of his sublime and soaring indie-folk. Environmental work, activism, veganism, spiritualism, surfing, family camping trips in the bush and dog walks on the beach; everything Rudd does, he pours into song. The result is a personal sound that strikes a universal note.
The Australian multi-instrumentalist’s new album title track best encapsulates this idea. Backed by the gentle strum of acoustic guitar, on ‘Storm Boy’, Rudd sends out a postcard of a sun-drenched life lived outdoors: “Freedom of the heart is what we crave / When we sit by the river with a cup of tea / Watch the movement of the tide in the gentle breeze,” he sings, in his comfort-blanket voice.
It’s just one of many highlights on a record that celebrates strength and stability at their most powerful and fundamental. In the picture-perfect video for ‘Walk Away’, Rudd is captured swimming in lakes, catching the surf and strumming his guitar, while booming bass drums amp up the track’s near-transcendent quality.
One specific moment seems to sum up the record for Rudd, an album which he describes as “pondering” and “more personal” than previous efforts. It’s a line where Rudd’s spirituality really comes to the fore: “Kookaburra calls just like he knows / And I call a ride back yes I’m home / He’s been with me he’s watched me grow / Through those rainy days and those rocky roads.”
Six years have passed since Rudd’s last solo release, Spirit Bird, and a lot of things have happened in that time. Storm Boy tracks the last five or six years of his journey, his “awakening” and of all the things that “have made sense” along the way.
Most notably, he’s fallen in love. “It’s definitely a theme on the record,” agrees Rudd. And if Spirit Bird signalled the beginning of his spiritual self-awakening, Storm Boy arrives at the conclusion. “Life feels strong and solid for me now… and this record is in a different space. It’s a solid space. I feel like I’ve come to the end of that chapter where I’ve learned a bunch of lessons and I’ve been shown a bunch of things spiritually.”
Hailing from Australia’s surf hotspot Torquay, Rudd kickstarted his career in 2002 with the now classic album To Let, before going on to release seven studio LPs over the next thirteen years: Solace (2004), Food In The Belly (2005), White Moth (2007), Dark Shades Of Blue (2008), Koonyum Sun (2010), Spirit Bird (2012), and his first album with The United Nations, Nanna (2015).
“I’ve had a great career of mucking around with different sounds… so every record you learn a little bit here and there,” says Rudd, whose new album tips its hat to his love of reggae and blues as much as it feels palpably more symphonic in sound than his previous LP, the collaborative Nanna.
Storm Boy marks a landmark shift in the ARIA-nominated star’s working process. Produced by Chris Bond (Ben Howard, Tom Speight) and mixed by Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam, Bowie, U2), it’s the first time Rudd has ever handed over the reigns completely to a producer. A brave move, but one that ultimately served him well. “Everything I wrote just had a sprinkle of magic dust on it,” he says of working with Chris Bond.
But there’s more to Xavier Rudd than making music: his peace-promoting messages travel way beyond the recording studio. As an activist, Rudd champions the rights of indigenous Australians, carrying out vital work to raise awareness of Aboriginal culture and preserve his own Wurundjeri heritage. He’s also a prolific environmentalist, having performed at rallies and demonstrations including 2014’s Bentley anti-gas blockade campsite.
Recent years have seen Rudd use his platform to share the benefits of mindfulness, while he is also a committed vegan and has worked with US animal rights charity Peta on more than one occasion, earning the accolade of Australia's Sexiest Vegetarian.
All of this aside, ultimately it’s about connecting with his fans. “It’s a huge compliment for me when there are people in other countries, in other languages, singing my lyrics and singing my songs,” says Rudd. And with a massive intercontinental tour lined up for this year – his biggest one to date – Rudd will bring Storm Boy to life on the stage, captivating a whole new legion of fans along the way.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
BURNING SPEAR
with KABAKA PYRAMID
Burning Spear's impact on reggae music is profound. A true legend, Spear's legacy through his music is one of self-reliance and self-determination for the African diaspora. With a career spanning over six decades, his message remains on point and his vocal delivery is as powerful as it is identifiable.
Winston Rodney began his music career in the late 1960s, attributing his start to a fateful encounter with Bob Marley. Both were living in the St. Ann's parish of Jamaica. As Spear recalls, "Bob was going to his farm. The man was moving with a donkey and some buckets and a fork, and cutlass and plants. We just reason man-to-man and I-man say wherein I would like to get involved in the music business. And Bob say, 'All right, just check Studio One.'" It was there that Spear recorded his first two classic albums, "Burning Spear" and "Rocking Time."
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Burning Spear rocked the reggae world, releasing acclaimed albums such as "Social Living," "Hail H.I.M." and "Resistance." His music evolved to incorporate elements of jazz, funk, and rock, while maintaining its solid roots reggae foundation.
Burning Spear has won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album; one at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 for "Calling Rastafari," and one for 2009's "Jah Is Real." He has been nominated for a total of 12 Grammy™ Awards. He was awarded the Jamaican government's Order of Distinction for outstanding services to music in 2007.
Since establishing their own label Burning Music Records, Winston and Sonia Rodney have released nearly forty singles, CDs, DVDs and vinyl albums on the Burning Music imprint.
In addition to his music career, Burning Spear is a dedicated anti-racism activist and philanthropist. He has been involved in various social and political causes throughout his career, including the fight against apartheid in South Africa, the struggle for independence in Zimbabwe and his campaign to raise awareness of the teachings of Marcus Garvey.
Burning Spear's legacy as a reggae icon is everlasting, and his music continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world. His influence can be heard in the work of countless artists who have followed in his footsteps, and his message of love and unity remain as relevant today as ever.
Kabaka Pyramid -
Kabaka Pyramid is a Grammy Award Winning conscious revolutionary lyricist with a signature musical style; blending the power, energy and melody of Reggae with the lyricism of Hip hop.
A key pillar of the Reggae Revival movement, Kabaka Pyramid carved his way into the Jamaican reggae scene with Rebel Music in 2011 with marquee songs like “Free From Chains” and “Warrior” featuring Protoje. His hip hop roots were evident in the lyrical style and hard hitting beats, laying the foundation for an ever ascending career highlighted by the classic marquee sophmore album “The Kalling” produced by role model Damian “Jr Gong” Marley.
This chart topping artist has developed a solid global fan-base that connects deeply with the messages in his music, touring extensively over the past 10 years to the largest of Reggae stages around the world and headlining numerous 20+ multi city club tours. Kabaka is well known for delivering an electrifying and entertaining live performance.
The Kingston native, born Keron Salmon, spent many of his early years developing his sound as a part of Bebble Team, a talented group of friends and schoolmates that would be the foundation of his independent label Bebble Rock. Rebel Music was the fruit of this preparation and Kabaka’s career as a reggae artist was born. After touring europe in 2012,
prominent producers would take an interest and staple songs “No Capitalist” and “Never Gonna be A Slave” as well as hit songs “Mi Alright” featuring Chronixx Chronixx and ‘Well Done’ produced by Damian Marley would follow in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The Billboard charting “Lead The Way EP” in 2013 would cement Kabaka in the international Reggae landscape as well as the career defining “Well Done” produced by Damian Marley in 2015.
The “Accurate” mixtape by Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire would see Kabaka collaborate with Raekwon on Be Inspired, and classic Kabaka vs Pyramid would be become a hallmark for true Kabaka fans.
After touring with Damian Marley in the US in 2017, Kabaka would team up with the son of Bob Marley for his debut album Kontraband, debuting number 3 in the reggae Billboard chart and number one in several countries on iTunes. Hit song “Reggae Music” became Kabaka’s first song to pass 10 million views on youtube with many other records from the album having a tremendous impact in the market such as “Can’t Breathe” and “Kontraband”.
During the covid pandemic Kabaka worked tirelessly and released popular singles “Nice Up The Dance and “Believe” as well as the classic “Immaculate Mixtape” with Federation Sound. He also produced his first juggling rhythm “Victory Rock” to great success. All this while working continuously on his second album “The Kalling”. Hit singles “Red Gold and Green”
featuring Damian Marley, The “Kalling” featuring Stephen Marley, Protoje and Jesse Royal and “Faded Away” with Buju Banton would see the 2022 LP release dominate iTunes charts in many countries culminating in a Grammy award for reggae album of the year amongst many other album of the year awards on publications such as Reggaeville and Riddim magazine.
Live performances for Rolling Stones, BBC radio 1xtra at Maida Vale and Tuff Gong Studios, winning the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association’s Breakthrough artist of the year and featuring on Chase and Status and Rudimental’s albums are some of the highlights of a stellar career.
“An unprecedented blend of Reggae and Hip Hop to deliver songs of social commentary and black pride” Mojo
Show 9pm.
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
MICRO MANIA WRESTLING
MicroMania Tour is a high powered, explosive, athletic Pro Wrestling show with just the right touch of comedy thrown in to make for a unforgettable BIG event not necessarily BIG people!!
These micro athletes may be short in stature but are giants in the world of entertainment where they will keep you on your feet screaming from the opening bell through the Main Event!
Show 2pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
All children under the age of 3 get in for free!
RL Musicali Presents:
THE ERAS SHOW | A TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE CONCERT
The extraordinarily talented kids of RL MusiCali will be taking on their most exciting project yet! Join us for a magical evening of back to back Taylor Swift songs, performed completely by kids! This exhilarating tribute show will leave you breathless! Dress up in your favorite era, and bring friendship bracelets to share or trade! Prepare to sing and dance with us!
Show 8pm
$1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Living The Dream Foundation.
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
EMO NITE
"Not a band. Not DJs. We throw parties for the music we love."
Emo Nite LA, the event started by two friends, (T.J. Petracca and Morgan Freed) at a small dive bar has grown into a full-blown phenomenon. They have been able to throw regular events in dozens of markets across the country and have had spots on lineups at festivals like Life is Beautiful, Slam Dunk, BUKU and Vans Warped Tour. In addition to these events, the Emo Nite founders have created successful clothing collabs with companies like OBEY, Urban Outfitters, PLEASURES, Rose in Good Faith, Chinatown Market, OWSLA, Hot Topic and more. But above all else, Emo Nite LA brings together people who share the love of emo rock music from the 90s, 2000s, and today, changing the idea of what a music event can be.'
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
Charity fee to support organizations dedicated to preserving our natural world.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
HOLLOW COVES
w. BILLIANNE
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
An earnest vulnerability combined with an uplifting message to seize each moment has buoyed Hollow Coves and their fans through a journey of mutual understanding — the dream isn't success but rather the acute awareness of life's fragility.
Hollow Coves is the indie-folk voice of connection to beauty and community — a reminder to look inside the self and embody gratitude for the natural world. Living on the Gold Coast and weaving their own perspective on paradise, Matt Carins and Ryan Henderson are equal parts songwriters and vocalists, alternating lead roles to best serve the song.
After meeting through a mutual friend at the end of 2014, Matt and Ryan recorded a handful of songs in a friend's garage. Ryan spent the next year traveling as they went back and forth over Dropbox, layering vocals and instruments as a means of creative release. After uploading a few songs to SoundCloud, thousands of listens poured in overnight until they amassed over a million clicks. Stunned, the boys phoned each other from across the globe. Deciding to follow whatever it was that chose them, Matt put aside his carpentry job, and Ryan gave up being a civil engineer to see where a life in music could lead.
Organic listening has grown their audience ever since, with over half a billion streams worldwide and nearly a million followers across their platforms.
That twist in fate led them to release their debut EP Wanderlust in 2017. Travel stories and ruminations on landscapes from years past defined their sound and their purpose as a group, and Hollow Coves unintentionally became known for writing indie-folk anthems for the great outdoors. Fan favourite 'Coastline' became one of the top 20 most used songs on Instagram Reels in Summer 2021, and was certified Gold in Canada and Australia.
As opposites that attract, Ryan's keen sense for detail as a classically trained pianist compliments Matt's easy-going surfer approach. The yin-yang pairing of their personal polarities allows them to flip complex musings into poetic simplicities, evoking a palpable feeling of weightlessness.
In 2018, they retreated to the countryside of Devon in the south of England to record alongside producer Chris Bond (Ben Howard, Justin Nozuka, Xavier Rudd), leading to the 2019 release of their debut full-length album Moments.
A hand-crafted acoustic journey that pulls you out of your world and into something mellow and free, Moments was well-received, with praise from the likes of Billboard, PASTE, Clash, Sunday Times, OnesToWatch and more. The band toured around the world with artists such as Tom Walker, The Paper Kites, Passenger, and most recently The Lumineers.
As the pandemic swept everyone into isolation, Hollow Coves moved into a house on the Gold Coast. They sourced second-hand equipment, put Matt's carpentry skills to use building a soundproof recording booth, and learned the basics of recording together through trial and error. Their EP Blessings was recorded and self-produced at the band's home in 2021.
"We wanted the album to be the musical equivalent of some sort of new age retreat where people might go to sit still, renew their mind, and shift their focus to something more positive," says Ryan.
Their narrative-driven lyricism pushed them beyond day-to-day life, capturing hard-learned lessons and hopefulness during tough times. The EP resonated with listeners seeking guidance and levity, and vulnerable stories and messages of gratitude poured in from fans.
Driven by the energy of their audience, a grounding oceanside lifestyle, and a sound that genuinely reflects their mindset, the band continues to push forward to live their own recipe for a good life. Now, the band is finishing an album with an exciting group of collaborators including Australian singer-songwriter Matt Corby while continuing to tour the world.
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE PETTY BREAKERS - TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS TRIBUTE
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
Y&T: 50 YEAR ANIVERSARY TOUR
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Before Mötley Crüe, before RATT, even before there was a Metallica, Y&T was slogging away in sweaty rock clubs around America. When the band formed in the early 1970s, little did they know they would set the standard for hard rock bands that trailed. Many of the biggest acts of the ’80s became popular opening for headliners Y&T—and cut their teeth on the band, as evidenced by the Y&T mentions in tell-all books by acts such as Metallica and Mötley Crüe.
Born in Oakland, California, Y&T is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s own innovators of the hard rock sound. Whether performing to a festival crowd of fifty-thousand or in an intimate nightclub, Y&T’s high-energy set and passionate performances still captivate legions of fans around the globe, proving Y&T’s music timeless.
Originally formed as Yesterday and Today, the initial powerhouse quartet—featuring Dave Meniketti (lead guitar/lead vocals), Phil Kennemore (bass), Leonard Haze (drums), and Joey Alves (rhythm guitar)—tore through the ’70s and ’80s with their own brand of hard rock. After two ’70s albums on London Records, they shortened their name to Y&T and released eight albums on A&M in the ’80s. Two more albums with Geffen Records marked an era of change with Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper, Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth) on drums and Stef Burns (Alice Cooper, Berlin, Huey Lewis) on guitar.
With a discography of 18 albums, three greatest hits collections, plus a boxed set, Y&T has sold over four million albums since their 1974 inception. The band’s most recent single I’m Coming Home has climbed to roughly 1.5 million views on YouTube. Y&T received extensive airplay with hits such as Forever, Rescue Me, Mean Streak, Don’t Stop Runnin’, and Summertime Girls—which played in heavy rotation on MTV. Y&T songs have been featured in a multitude of movies and television shows, including Real Genius, Out of Bounds, Baywatch, and Hunter. After five top 100 albums, songs that tipped into the 40s, two Bammie Awards, and many international television appearances, Y&T’s hits are still played on VH1 Classic and classic rock radio stations worldwide.
With the passing of Kennemore, Haze, and Alves, it’s Meniketti who carries on the legacy that is Y&T. Y&T continues to tour the world, featuring the dynamic original frontman Dave Meniketti (lead guitar/lead vocals), John Nymann (guitar/vocals), Aaron Leigh (bass/vocals), and Mike Vanderhule (drums/vocals), playing songs that span the band’s five-decade career and including all the hits and fan favorites. Prepare to have your face melted.
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
KATCHAFIRE
Hailing from Kirikiriroa in Aotearoa (Hamilton in New Zealand) KATCHAFIRE have become a global roots reggae phenomenon with the all-Maori band bringing their pure classic sound to music lovers worldwide delivering one of the most authentic Reggae shows around.
With six successful albums, platinum sales, hit singles, and a massive fanbase selling out shows around the world, 2022 sees KATCHAFIRE celebrating 25 years of existence.
Their sound is built on the foundations of classic roots reggae with an R’n’B and funk rub, fusing modern dancehall and with slinky pop, cool grooves and uplifting vibes.
Built on a family movement, it all started when lead guitarist Grenville Bell, father of lead singer Logan Bell & drummer Jordan Bell, moved into an apartment building in town with his then teenage sons where they could make music all night, and the rest is history...
After countless jams and sold-out concerts, they swelled to an 8-piece collective of multi-talented songwriters and musicians and became a staple on Pacific Roots scenes around the world.
KATCHAFIRE’s popularity and critical acclaim has seen them share the stage with artists from Damien Marley, Steel Pulse, UB40, The Wailers, to Michael Franti and Spearhead and many more. They've garnered respect from the likes of Don Letts (acclaimed documentary maker and Clash tour DJ), music journalist David Katz, and have been championed on the airwaves by radio legends such as Steve Barker (BBC), Charlie Gillet (BBC) and David Rodigan (Kiss FM and others) to name a few.
Through height of the Covid19 pandemic KATCHAFIRE spent time in Aotearoa studios recording new music and now look forward to their first overseas shows since the pandemic began.
Not resting on their laurels whilst international borders were closed, Katchafire released two new singles “Circle Back” and “Whaingaroa” as well as re-releasing their “100” single from the Legacy album in Te Reo (Māori language) as part of the Waiata / Anthems documentary series – “Karawhiua”- and have more new music on the way soon.
There is no stopping the ‘Fire!!
Show 9pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
TWISTED GYPSY - FLEETWOOD MAC... REIMAGINED
Join us as TWISTED GYPSY celebrates and REINVENTS the timeless music of the legendary FLEETWOOD MAC. “MORE THAN JUST A TRIBUTE”, Twisted Gypsy takes you back to the early days of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and the heyday of 70’s Rock ’n Roll. They will transport you back in time to memories you forgot you had with their passion, ULTRA HIGH ENERGY, stellar all-live harmonies, fun stage banter AND RAW, TRACK-FREE performances! Close your eyes and you'll be blown away by our modern interpretation of the beloved Mac, whose music and vocals dominated the hearts of the planet. Not just another tribute band... TWISTED GYPSY is a surreal EXPERIENCE that will forever fill your soul …..
Doors 7pm / Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
YOU SHOULD BE DANCING - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
ARMY OF FRESHMEN - 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
with Special Guest NERF HERDER
Show 8pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
CÉU
with PAUL BEAUBRUN
In 2007, Céu debuted her self-titled album, becoming one of the select Brazilian artists nominated for an American Grammy in the World Music category. This groundbreaking album soared to the top of Billboard’s “Heatseeker” and “World Music” charts, also reaching an impressive number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notably, it marked the highest chart position achieved by a Brazilian artist in the U.S. since Astrud Gilberto's "Girl From Ipanema" in 1963.
With six albums to her credit, Céu has repeatedly claimed the number one spot on both the US and Canadian iTunes’ world music charts. Her remarkable achievements include eight Latin Grammy nominations and three wins, notably for her albums Tropix (2017) and Apka! (2020). In 2020, her last two albums dominated airwaves, becoming the most played records on over 200 college and community radio stations across the United States and Canada, within the Latin Music and World Music categories, according to the NACC charts.
Céu's music has transcended borders, captivating audiences on five continents at prestigious festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Festival (CA), North Sea Jazz (NL), Coachella (USA), Roskilde (DK), Rock in Rio (BRA), and Lollapalooza (BRA). Notable performances include memorable appearances in Havana (Cuba) and Beirut (Lebanon). Renowned for her collaborations with both Brazilian and international artists like Duran Duran, Herbie Hancock, Jorge Ben Jor, Gilberto Gil, and Emicida, Céu stands among the few Brazilian artists to grace the stage of BBC’s Later…with Jools Holland. Her albums and live performances regularly earn accolades, garnering placements on esteemed publications' Best World Music lists worldwide, including The New York Times, Billboard, The Guardian, Mojo Magazine, Wired, Sunday Times, Les Inrockuptibles, Telerama, O Globo, and Folha de S. Paulo.
Continuing to enchant audiences in her native Brazil and touring worldwide, Céu is widely regarded as one of the most influential Brazilian artists of her generation.
Paul Beaubrun -
A scion of Haitian musical royalty, Paul has spent his life living to the beat. Son of the Grammy nominated band Boukman Eksperyans, his earliest memories are of rhythm and sound. Moving to New York as a youth he was inspired by his heritage to begin crafting a sound all his own. Constantly aware of his roots, the struggle of an immigrant and the drive of New York life, Paul began to create a path where music, activism and history meet.
A unique and transfixing sound he calls 'Roots/Blues,' Paul weaves his impeccable guitar skills, rich, vocals, musical ingenuity and cultural history together; all while performing a smooth melange of both English, French and Creole (the native tongue of his Haitian roots).
Paul has played alongside some of the world's best artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Arcade Fire, Jackson Browne and Bob Weir. Worldwide performances include venues such as The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall in NYC, Massey Hall in Toronto, The Ryman Theatre in Nashville, The House of Blues in Chicago, The Montreal Jazz Festival, Festival Internationale Nuits d'Afrique in Montreal, Le Trianon in Paris, The Paleo Festival in Switzerland, No Siesta Fiesta in Norway. These continued accomplishments make him one of the few artists coming out of Haiti to garner worldwide success.
Paul has joined forces with Artists for Peace and Justice, and become an integral part of their organization. He also continues to be an active member and perform at their many events in the USA and Canada. This allows Paul to do what he loves; play music while also furthering awareness of Haitian art, culture and promoting the incredible talent of Haiti's youth.
Paul's album titled 'Vilnerab,' released in 2015, soared directly to #1 on itunes in the World Music category, receiving rave reviews. In 2016, he was nominated for a Dora Award by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts for 'Outstanding Sound Design/Composition' in the production of Espwa/Espoir. Paul released "Ayibobo" in May of 2018 on Ropeadope Records, this albums sees Paul's evolution of sound into Rock/Roots/Blues music. In 2020 he released "Rasanbleman" on Ropeadope records, a live album and documentary including many different featuring artists from Haiti.
He is also part of "Let The Rhythm Lead: Haiti Song Summit Vol. 1," a collaborative album project including other songwriters Jackson Browne, Habib Koité, Jenny Lewis, Raúl Rodríguez, Jonathan Russell, and Jonathan Wilson, with members of the Haitian roots band Lakou Mizik released in 2020.
Paul is currently on a world tour with Arcade Fire as a member of the band and has appeared recently with the band on SNL, The Tonight Show and at festivals globally.
Show 7:30pm
GA tickets are standing room only, with very limited seating available first come, first served.
Ventura Music Hall Presents:
THE RECORD COMPANY
When The Record Company pick up their instruments, the members—Chris Vos [guitar, lead vocals, harmonica], Alex Stiff [bass, backing vocals], and Marc Cazorla [drums, backing vocals]—participate in a musical back-and-forth akin to a formative and supportive conversation among siblings. The nuances of their personalities seep through loose, bluesy guitar leads, airtight drum grooves, thick bass, and vividly evocative lyrics. With such fluidity, the musicians respond to one another so instinctually you’d swear they were telepathically linked. However, there’s no such superpower necessary when you’ve got the closest thing to a brotherhood that three musicians unrelated by blood can share…
The GRAMMY® Award-nominated trio only amplify the power of this bond on their fourth full-length offering and 2023 debut for Round Hill Records.
“We know each other’s personalities on the instruments, so we reconnected with one another and really found that brotherhood again,” explains Chris. “It's always been there, but we got back into a room where it was like a circle of stone. We’re creating something that will go out into the world. We all stand behind it equally, and we’re willing to put our lives and love into it. When you put your career, your future, and your art into another person’s hands and you know they’re doing the same for you, there’s a different level of trust. That’s been our secret since day one. When it’s challenging, we’re all trying to figure out the challenge. When it’s good, we’re all experiencing it together.”
They’ve experienced everything as a family since forming back in 2011. Along the way, they served up a tested-and-proven epic in the form of their 2016 debut, Give It Back To You. The release earned a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Blues Album” and spawned “Off The Ground,” which reached #1 at AAA Radio and tallied nearly 40 million total streams and counting. Beyond a string of stunning late-night television appearances, they performed on CBS This Morning, at Bonnaroo, and on an extensive tour with John Mayer in addition to headlining coast-to-coast. They maintained this momentum with All Of This Life [2018] and Play Loud [2021]. On top of praise from American Songwriter, Classic Rock, and more, NPR hailed the latter as “the band’s biggest and most dynamic record to date.”
In 2021, the guys hunkered down and commenced creating what would become their fourth LP. Working out of an intimate home studio in Beachwood Canyon, they wrote, recorded, and self-produced the music. Outside of cutting drums at the legendary Sunset Sound, it proved to be a homegrown affair through and through.
“We got back to our old perspective, which is to trust the idea, get out of the way, make something, listen, and respond to it,” affirms Chris.
Alex elaborates, “We decided to record the organic thing that got us really excited to play music as a band in the first place. That was the general theme of this record. Keep it as close to a three-piece sound as possible. Keep the music raw. It’s a return to form in a way, but we’re still growing.”
“We’ve been doing this for a while,” adds Marc. “As long as we sound like us, we can be proud of it. It’s not going to be for everybody, but we’ve never been prouder of what we’re doing.”
The Record Company kicks off their next era with the single “Dance On Mondays.” Guitar cries through a hypnotically hummable bassline and head-nodding beat. Meanwhile, a chantable hook instantly takes hold with grit and gusto as Chris affirms, “I don’t dance on Mondays.”
“Somebody asked me to go see a band on a Monday night, and I just said, ‘I don’t dance on Mondays’,” Alex recalls. “I wrote it down in my phone. The phrase signifies, ‘I’m taking my life back, and I’m not going to dance for anybody’. It goes back to where we are as a band and us being The Record Company.”
Then, there’s “Talk To Me.” Bass practically dances atop a simmering groove punctuated by tambourine before guitar kicks back in as Chris urges, “So, why don’t you talk to me?” Marc goes on, “It reminds me of one of those rare Blue Note groove records with a chill vibe.”
Launching into toe-tapping bounce, harmonica wails on “Darkest Days” as the stomp and 12-string guitar underline a soulful vocal. “Highway Lady” shines with a Laurel Canyon meditation in the glow of swooning slide guitar.
“We wanted to make music you could listen to “Highway Lady” on a road trip in the car with the city’s lights behind you,” Alex says. “This song had this big vibe of feeling good both musically and spiritually.”
“Lyrically, it’s my favorite,” adds Marc. “It could be about so many different things. I moved into this house with a little pool, which I’d always wanted in Southern California. When it’s hot as shit out, you naturally develop all of these new friends during the summer. You make a pool playlist, and I wanted one of our tunes to be a contender. To me, this is one.”
In the end, The Record Company are stronger than ever as a band and, more importantly, as brothers.
“I’d love for people to hear this record and feel like they’re in the house with us making it,” Alex leaves off. “I want them to feel like they’re part of this unpolished and homemade thing, because that’s what we were trying to get back to.”
“We’re a trio, and that’s the completion of this circle,” Marc concludes. “The fourth member of this group is the space between us. We embrace that space as part of the raw element. That’s what we explored on this album, and it’s beautiful. We can’t wait to bring it on the road.”