HOT LIKE MARS 

Hot Like Mars is Chicago’s funkiest, most soulful rock band, turning heads with their exhilarating live performances and consistently compelling studio releases. The dynamic quintet - Anthony Perry (Lead Vocals / Keys), Frank Minella (Guitar / Vocals), Patrick Walsh (Guitar), Lamontae Norwood (Bass / Vocals), and Wes Julien (Drums / Vocals), has earned regional acclaim in recent years, delivering high-energy, genre-bending live shows that leave audiences spellbound. Leading with exceptional song craft, intrepid improvisation, and world-class instrumentation, the group’s uplifting presence has earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the circuit today.

Since their inception in December 2023, Hot Like Mars has rapidly risen through the music scene, garnering online acclaim, social media virality, and a fervent live following. They’ve shared stages with heavyweights like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Andy Frasco, packing iconic venues such as The Metro and Park West to the brim. Their Chicago residency alone saw them sell over 1,000 tickets, further cementing their status as a must-see act. In a testament to their growing influence, Hot Like Mars has gone viral on Instagram and TikTok, launched their live catalog on nugs.net, and had multiple singles spotlighted on Spotify's “Modern Jam Band” editorial playlist.

In just five months, the band unleashed seven live singles and a live album, all met with widespread praise from fans. This summer, they’re set to release their first studio single ahead of a full-length studio album dropping in Spring 2025—a project that will undoubtedly elevate their profile even higher. The album release will kick off an extensive tour across the Midwest and beyond, bringing their infectious grooves and inspiring tunes to an ever-growing audience.

Diversity is at the core of Hot Like Mars, and their mission is to break down racial barriers, uniting people through the universal power of music. Each song is crafted to inspire, motivate, and get listeners dancing to their irresistible rhythms. As we look ahead to 2025, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exhilarating year for Hot Like Mars.

JON SULLIVAN BAND

There are a lot of bands performing and releasing music to the masses - there are not many that can bring a feeling of pure soul.  Jon Sullivan Band is a group that can. The band is an ensemble including dueling guitars, sultry keyboards, driving bass, and a booming rhythm section.  Their music blooms from origins in soul, funk, rock and blues, unlocking feelings of nostalgia while also being something that stands in its own realm.  Led by the powerful, yet silky voice of Jon Sullivan, this band paints a picture through each song that is drenched in emotion, sprawling with funky melodies and leaves you with a feeling that you have traveled somewhere majestic.

Avey Grouws Band

"Blistering guitar and emotional vocals." (Vintage Guitar Magazine)

"This band kicks a**" (Martine Ehrenclou/Rock and Blues Muse)

"...a formidable ensemble." (Lee Zimmerman/Goldmine)

Avey Grouws Band resonates with the raw power of the Mississippi River, infusing their roots rock sound with a diverse blend of blues, rock and soul. Fronted by dynamic vocalist Jeni Grouws and fueled by the guitar prowess of Chris Avey, this two-time top ten Billboard charting band has carved out a reputation for a gritty sound paired with electrifying live performances. 

Sophomore album, "Tell Tale Heart," recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, under the guidance of Grammy award winner Casey Wasner (Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal), stands as a testament to Avey Grouws Band's musical evolution. Released in 2021, "Tell Tale Heart" stormed onto the scene, debuting at an impressive #7 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. This achievement followed their 2020 debut album, "The Devil May Care," which also made waves on the Billboard charts, peaking at #10 and marking the band as a formidable force in the roots rock landscape.

From the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the vibrant energy of the East Coast, and from the heartland of the Midwest to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, the band has captivated audiences with their energy and talent. Notably, their appearance at the renowned Big Blues Bender alongside legends such as Keb' Mo', Shemekia Copeland, Danielle Nicole and Tab Benoit further cemented their status as rising stars of roots rock.

Avey Grouws Band continues to push boundaries and blur genres as they leave an indelible mark on the landscape of modern roots rock. 

aveygrouwsband.com

LEFT WING BOURBON

Officially formed in 2007, Left Wing Bourbon is a confluence of regional musical streams. Seasoned with years of hosting and playing at Blues jams, they consistently move the masses to swing their hips at summer festivals, mixing soul, boogie, and funk into a kinetic Blues cocktail guaranteed to get you groovin’.

Faith Ulwelling’s vocals channel 60s soul and Delta grit; her brother, Jacob Ulwelling, caresses his bass until it moans and sings a counterpoint all its own. Tim Caswell (keys) brings sawdust-stage savvy to the performance, careening the band from ragtime to Motown, enhancing LWB’s funkadelic essence. Nancy Long (drums) and John Nietz (guitar) magnify the vibe, lifting audiences to their feet, seducing them to sway in time.

“They’re some of the best around. [Faith’s voice] is fantastic,” asserts long-time Tuesday Night Blues favorite Catya.

Influenced by the songs of Jon Cleary, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Robert Cray, Ray Charles, James Brown, Chaka Khan, Koko Taylor, and Etta James, LWB’s roots reach deeper than you’d expect for a Blues band from West-Central Wisconsin.

Members of the group were playing alongside Blues veterans at the famous River’s Edge Blues jams in the 90s and took those impressions firmly to heart. While the Blues jam venues may have faded into memory over time, the members of LWB continued to refine their style into what is now an ever-evolving, fast-flowing musical river of Blues-funk.

“Left Wing Bourbon is a band that plays well on the fly and launches from song to song without a lull. It’s a band that puts on a show full of kick-ass energy, a show that you should definitely check out… This isn’t a band that hits soft or slow. Everything about their performance is full. These guys are polished, and they feed off each other as you might expect from a group that’s this closely knit… Some of the strongest and most soulful vocals you’ll hear north of the Mississippi delta… You will get shivers up your spine.” ~ Matt Ledger for Volume One ingbourbon.com

Everett Smithson Band

 The band was formed in 2005 and included Everett Smithson on harp and vocals, Phil Schmid on guitar, Jeremy Johnson on drums and Bill Black on stand up bass. The sidemen had played together for a long time and had toured with Big George Jackson, Gary Primich, RJ Mischo, Kim Wilson, Bo Diddley, the Senders and many others.  They could lay down some tasteful grooves and their red hot instrumentals were always a crowd pleaser!

 In 2006 Everett’s wife Kathy Smithson hopped on board with her accordions and added a creole sound while mixing it up with tunes by Wanda Jackson, Lavern Baker, Memphis Minnie and the list goes on. In 2018 Milwaukee native Victor Span - alumni of Bryan Lee, Nick Moss, Reverend Raven, among many others - added his talents on drums and Jeremy Johnson added his guitar skills to bring the band where they are today! Everett, Phil and Kathleen have added many originals to the set list over the years, which can be heard on any of their five CDs, including 2018s "Tall Tales".