October. The month of the PSL, Halloween, sweater weather, Instagram worthy fall adventures, and of course, Hulaween.
Celebrating its fifth year, Suwannee Hulaween will offer a wide-reaching offering of live/jam and electronic music’s finest to soundtrack a fully immersive creative journey. New and veteran attendees will find themselves entranced by The String Cheese Incident (who remain at the helm of Hulaween – their flagship festival), The Disco Biscuits, Greensky Bluegrass, and Lettuce, being blown away electronic giants like Bassnectar, GRiZ, RL Grime, Claude VonStroke, Beats Antique, FKJ, Shiba San, and Manic Focus, or being treated to globally renowned headlining live acts like Ween, Run The Jewels, Portugal. The Man, Nick Murphy (Chet Faker), Nathaniel Rateliff, and many more.
As we countdown to Hulaween, here are ten artists that should be on your Hulaween radar. We have a good feeling their sets will be all treats…no tricks here folks.
BIG SOMETHING
Six piece powerhouse BIG Something fuses elements of rock, pop, funk, and improvisation to take listeners on a journey through a myriad of musical styles. Soaring guitars, synths, horns and alluring vocal hooks rise to the top of their infectious collection of songs and represent a sound that has caught the ears of Galactic, moe., Robert Randolph, and even The B52s who have all tapped Big Something as direct support. BIG Something dropped their 4th full-length studio album, Tumbleweed, this past February.
GRIZ
GRiZ is one of those artists that radiates loves and is a shining beacon of positivity in an unsettled world. The multi faceted electronic funk and soul musician cuts no corners with his production or live performances. Channelling authentic horn lines and catchy saxophone riffs with an awe inspiring live performance to match. GRiZ’s latest release “Good Will Prevail” debuted at #1 on the electronic charts and while always being available for Free Download, it was released through his own self-funded imprint “All Good Records”. “Show Love, Spread Love” in the name of GRiZ.
KEYS N KRATES
Keys N Krates first grabbed our attention a few years back at a Madison House SXSW party. Their energetic and bass powered set proved that Keys N Krates was and is not just any standard EDM act. Needless to say, we were impressed. Their breakthrough singles – the elastic loops and diamond-edged drums of “Dum Dee Dum,” the head rush hooks of “Treat Me Right,” a frantic, D’n’B-flavored “Are We Faded” – are able to pull the strings of packed festival crowds without resorting to tired EDM tropes. Hip-hop, house and UK bass music all play a role in their live sets.
MARIAN HILL
Hip-hop, blues harmonies, drums, bass, horns, classic vocal melodies, soloistic vocal chops, and intimate lyrics. This is what you get with Marian Hill. The Brooklyn-duo’s one of a kind sound doesn’t disappoint. Their music is moody and while you may have never heard their one of a kind sound before, it all feels surprisingly familiar.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4P73ZBrXOmsZA6WXsuxUC1
NICK MURPHY
In 2016, Nick Murphy killed Chet Faker. In the beginning, Chet Faker was a project for Murphy. This project soon turned into almost half a decade of playing music under the Chet Faker moniker and building a cult following that worshiped the downtempo, atmospheric electronica sound. Last year the Australian pop phenomenon decided to release the Chet Faker name and create new material and perform under his real name, Nick Murphy. You may recognize him and his distinctive sound and work with notables Flume, Banks, and Marcus Marr.
PERPETUAL GROOVE
Georgia’s Perpetual Groove is an absolute fan favorite. Since returning from a two-year hiatus, the Athens, GA, based band has come back stronger and more determined than ever. Over the years their music has evolved into a genre-bending, highly original sound that touches upon jazz-rock, neo-psychedelia, R&B, trance electronica, progressive rock, and anthemic arena rock. Their large catalog of original music offers something for everyone, but the band is also known for their eclectic range of covers. Last month it was announced that the band is planning to release a new album, their first in seven years – check out their new album campaign here. We have nothing but absolute love for these guys and we highly encourage you not missing them at this year’s Hulaween.
PORTUGAL. THE MAN
2017 has been a big year for Portugal. The Man with a new album and some heavy touring. The release of the new album, Woodstock (their first new album in three years), shows a new-found creative voice for the band. A voice speaking out about the world crumbling around them. Their mega-hit “Feel It Still” continues to play over the airwaves and stays steady on the charts.
SPAFFORD
As of late, Spafford seems to be all the buzz on the current jam scene. The four piece funk rock act hailing from Phoenix, AZ, has a sound rooted in deep sonic exploration with a focus on improvisational elements. A focus on blending genres with a deep foundation of patient groove building has helped craft a sound all their own. Formed in 2012 by happenstance, the band has been building an organic fanbase in the Southwestern United States through word of mouth ever since. The secret of Spafford is finally out and don’t miss your chance to see them.
STOKESWOOD
If you’re looking for eclecticism and high energy performances, look no further than Atlanta’s own Stokeswood. Known to switch instruments between songs, they eschew limits on influences. From Atlanta’s hip-hop beats to indie-rock melodies, their sound shimmers with futuristic thrum, thick with static, driving percussion and swirling high notes. Their songs range between (rightfully) earning their place on the dance floors as well as on that most personal of gestures: the mix tape.
TANK AND THE BANGAS
Their name is familiar and it’s familiar for a very good reason. We were first introduced to Tank And The Bangas in early 2017 when video of their victorious performance at NPR’s headquarters (after their unanimous win of this year’s Tiny Desk Contest) went viral. Rummaging through their sound like a thrift store hippie, you’ll find the Bangas to provoke a musical reference of Rhythmic Soul and Spoken word among other genres such as Rock, Gospel, Funk, and Folk. Combining the various musical technique among the Bangas, coupled with the instilling play on lyrics from the lead vocalist; Tank and The Bangas have quilted a unique sound that singles them as one of the most distinctive groups to come out of New Orleans.
**BONUS**
THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT’S NIGHT OF THE LOVING DEAD THEMED SET
Year after year, The String Cheese Incident delights and excites attendees with their annual themed extravaganza. This year SCI will be playing to the theme Night of the Loving Dead on Saturday night for their highly anticipated set. In a world devilishly assaulted by ferocious natural disasters, crazed political discourse, and other sinister attacks, love is the only kryptonite that can stop these invaders in their tracks. SCI invites all to bust out their zombie garb, cupid outfits or whatever else suits attendees’ Halloween desires. Their only requirement is that you inject whatever you wear with a ghoulish portion of LOVE. In 2017, love is the answer, love wins.
To get a taste of what we’ll be experiencing, check out SCI’s themed set from last year:
It all started when a much younger Jackie dove into her parents’ record collection, grabbed that trippy Magical Mystery Tour album, and played “Strawberry Fields” over and over again until it was engrained into her soul. She grew up on the dreams and stories of Simon and Garfunkel, “Bleeker Street” being one of her favorites, the seduction of The Doors, Van Morrison, because “Brown Eyed Girl” is definitely her song, and the likes of Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Jimi Hendrix…you get the picture. It may not show on the outside, but Jackie has a hippie heart, and that reflects in her musical tastes today. While some of her favorites may or may not be jam bands, her taste in music feeds into many genres. From alternative, Brit, and indie rock - OK, maybe all rock - to pop, to rap, to electronic, she loves it all. As a northerner, she thought she would never understand country until she found herself on a Georgia farm in cowboy boots watching Luke Bryan shake it for her- yeah, she got that. She is a chronic wanderluster, she doesn't believe in guilty pleasures, enjoys a great Moscow Mule, and is an absolute music festival fanatic- you’ll find her wherever the music takes her.