Inman Park Festival is proud to provide an opportunity for young musicians to exercise their chops and show off their talents and the fruits of their diligent work. The Pepperland Kids have just finished recording their first two original camp songs, “Mysterious Wonder”, with music and lyric assistance by Caroline Aiken (camp instructor) and “Believe in Yourself” with music and lyric assistance by Mikhail Peterson of Copious Jones (also camp instuctor). We are happy to bring you these talented rocking camp kids, many of whom come from the neighborhoods around Little Five Points/Inman Park area.  Pepperland is a 501C-3 non profit; every year they raise funds to sponsor low income kids from Atlanta at music camp.  They are also supported by the local music community, including folks like Khalisa Taylor, Ben Farmer, Alex Tramble, and Richie Jones, in addition to those mentioned above.

Rising Lion is roots reggae, urban and dub artist based in New York and Florida. “Feelin Irie” the first single from the upcoming Changes album was released on May 18, 2010, on Klem Records, with worldwide distribution by L G N Entertainment Distribution Inc. It can be purchased on i-tunes, CD Baby, Amazon.com and at www.risinglion.com. Changes is the fourth R L album and is scheduled for release in early 2012. The band has a proven touring track record and has appreciated successful sponsorships with Budweiser, Jagermeister and now Candy Rocks, a division of H.O.W. Inc.

With a remarkable mix of Roots Reggae, R&B, Rock, Blues and Hip-Hop in his sound, Rising Lion has a reputation for bringing good vibes to every show. His uplifting message, fiery guitar and soul stirring music will make your body groove and your feet want to dance.

Rising Lion is a seasoned touring band and has performed all over the US and abroad for 17 years (see setlist tab for a comprehensive list of the band’s venue history). The Lion has proven to be a favorite at many prestigious festivals and concert series including The Legends of Rasta Reggae Tour, The New England Reggae Fest, The Annual Bob Marley Reggae Festival, Mountain Town Stages Concert Series, Golden Gate Park Reggae Festival and several of the Live After Five Concert Series across the nation.

Cute Boots is a band whose character is made up of their unrelenting work ethic and their beloved history together, believing strongly in the appeal of music that’s welcoming and sincere. Drawing from influences that range from Bruce Springsteen and Simon and Garfunkel to contemporaries such as Okkervil River or Mountain Goats, Cute Boots aims simply to share the comfort of their stories and music with their audience, and to entertain. Born and Raised is the newest record from the band, available exclusively at live performances for the time being. See y’all there!

Inspired by the soul of the South and the spirit of gypsies, Lily and the Tigers play what they call gothic Americana music. The band’s foundation rests in the words, voice and guitar of Casey Hood and the restless beats of upright bassist Adam Mincey. The two call Atlanta, Georgia home and the musicians around town family. Their debut album, Sojourner, is a reflection of this community with contributions from several of their friends. From trumpets and accordions to harpsichords and harmonicas, every song tells a different story. Since the band’s 2009 conception and their first national tour, Lily and the Tigers has blossomed into a full sound including alto clarinetist Mikhail Ally, lead guitarist Jared Pepper, drummer Peter Webb and fiddler Ryan Gregory. Together these six summon a fiery energy that requires no amps to be heard and taken to heart. They are currently at play, recording their first album as a full band which they plan to release in spring of 2012. The band looks forward to following this release with a summer tour, rambling up the northeast coast.

For three years, Wire Method has rocked the Atlanta music scene.  Based in Marietta, Georgia, this Indie Pop-Rock band formed in the basement of Brooklynn, Lauren, and Morgan Scott.  The three sisters create the heart and harmonies of original Wire Method music.  Brooklynn is a singer/songer writer playing keyboard.  Lauren drives the band on her drum kit, and Morgan adds harmonies, violin, and glockenspiel to the unique sounds of Wire Method.  Jared Cox, Seth Banks, and Cameron Moore round out the band with shreddin’ bass and guitars.

Pillage & Plunder is a three-piece art rock band making fun and thought-provoking music. With a fast-growing Atlanta fanbase, a well-received debut EP released just last year, and a series of successful performances at SXSW this year, these three gents have plenty more in store for the world and are showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. They are currently in the studio recording their follow-up full-length album to be due out fall of this year.

Polynesian “fusion”?

Tongo Hiti- (from a review of their show at a local nightspot…) “I only go to Trader Vic’s on Thursday nights because I know I’ll get to see Tongo Hiti in action. Over the course of four hours, they move their guests from the gentle hip-swaying shores of a dream-away Hawaii to an alternate dimension where Johnny Cash and Pete Townsend get together with Metallica to peep underneath Celine Dion’s petticoat.” Also…”A Tiki act like no other, developed in the subterranean oasis known as Trader Vic’s, Tongo Hiti has been pleasing visiting conventioneers and Atlanta’s tattooed hipsters with traditional hawaiian tunes and AM/FM gold from the 70s and 80′s since 2005!”

Funky horn band

Cadillac Jones- Rhythm Method, the fourth album from Cadillac Jones, finds the band tracing a steady pulse through funk’s past and future. The record starts on the band’s own front stoop with “Reynoldstown,” an homage to one of Atlanta’s oldest urban neighborhoods. Closing the door behind them, Cadillac spends the first half of the album exploring grooves of the early ’60s. Blazing organs and punctuated horn lines run roughshod over tight drumbeats and the comforting tone of a Fender p-bass. At the album’s midway point, the band shifts gears into darker territory. The combination of club beats and organic keyboards of the title track “Rhythm Method” literally melt into the otherworldly funk odyssey of Volcano Sunday, which in turn catapults the listener into afro beat grooves and Moog-heavy jams. By the end of the record Cadillac Jones returns home; the same band but with a decidedly different outlook, encapsulated by the electronic comfort food of the closing track “Wonderbread.” Ultimately ”Rhythm Method” unleashes the band from its conceptual moorings of albums past and puts it back where it’s most comfortable-all over the funk/jazz map.

Gypsy jazz, Django-style

Bonaventure Quartet- Chances are you’ve never heard a band quite like the Bonaventure Quartet. Like the Squirrel Nut Zippers before them, the misnomered sometime-sextet is steeped in the old-time jazz your grandparents may well have listened to in their youth. But where that Carolina act tended to serve up Dixieland and Ragtime with a healthy dose of camp, the Bonaventure Quartet tackles Django Reinhardt’s Continental jazz with a warm sense of reverence that reeks of authenticity.
The group began as an acoustic trio, but it’s hard to imagine them being this good without veteran vocalist Amy Pike, former frontwoman for swing band The Lost Continentals. The group also showcases guitarist Charles Williams’ (a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit) classical compositional influences, Dave Boling’s strummed guitars and Don Erdman’s smooth clarinet
And so it with these Atlantans, moving from gypsy-style jazz and Argentinian tango to klezmer influences and sultry blues with equal aplomb. Since each of these seasoned veterans seems to have their own side gigs, I’m guessing the Bonaventure Quartet doesn’t play out all that often. Which makes it all the more essential for jazz fans to catch them when they do.