Alternative Rock

Leah Wellbaum has never been afraid of her own humility or honesty. But she’s never quite examined it the way she has now with Parallel Timeline.

On Slothrust’s latest album, bandleader Leah Wellbaum pushed herself to try and understand her own spirituality on a deeper level, putting a lens on the core wound of the human experience, the idea that we’re alone. While the majority of songs were written pre-pandemic, “A Giant Swallow” was not. The lullaby-like acoustic track unites the record and serves as a roadmap for Slothrust’s previous work, referencing lyrics spanning as early as their first record. Recalling the sweet harmonies of “Courtesy” and “Waiting,” Leah reflects on her search for the unified space.

Blues / Rock

Born and raised on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, Indigenous front man Mato Nanji (Ma-TOE NON-gee) was heavily influenced by the music his father and uncles were making. Mato was exposed to Greg’s vast collection of blues records by legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King. 

Consequently, Mato embraced and began utilizing his own musical talent at a young age. With the experience, love and wisdom of their father to guide them, Mato, his brother, sister and cousin formed the band Indigenous while in their late teens.

Rock and Roll

Thelma and the Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The group is the brain-child of lead vocalist and guitar player Lauren “LG” Gilbert.

Punk Rock

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, these Chicana rockers have made a mark on the ever-so reemerging riot grrrl genre, gaining praise from Iggy Pop, touring with Joan Jett and the Black Hearts, the Descendants, Against Me! and Babes in Toyland, as well as with punk icons Agent Orange.

Indie Rock / Power Pop

Gully Boys is a trio made up of Kathy Callahan (guitar, vocals), Natalie Klemond (bass, vocals), and Nadirah McGill (drums, vocals) based in Minneapolis, MN. Citing influences such as No Doubt and Hole, Gully Boys have crafted a sound that brings a new life to the nostalgic 90s grunge rock that is irresistible to many.

Folk

Raye Zaragoza is a galvanizing presence, a self-assured artist making music to fight for, represent, and celebrate those left too long outside the spotlight. Known for tenacious feminist anthems and fearless protest folk, her stage presence teems with determined morale. As a Japanese-American, Mexican, Indigenous woman, Zaragoza spent much of her early life trying to assimilate with the world around her, to meet punishing standards of beauty synonymous with just one color of skin—and not her own.

Dance / Industrial

Nebraska’s elusive Leather Band, PLACK BLAGUE, has been on a rampant path of sex, destruction and electronic leather mayhem for nearly two decades.  Performing internationally from large theaters and dive bars, to art galleries, dingy basements, and even children’s television shows.

Blues / Rock / Funk

Kris is a Lincoln, Nebraska native and a family man who has built a reputation for refusing to play by industry rules or pander for awards and accolades.  He is truly a one of a kind performer who hits the stage with an intense purpose of uplifting and engaging audiences while delivering his flavorful gumbo of rhythms and melodies.

Indie Soul / Rock

Into the next decade KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of the artist’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues roots. Guillen calls their genre-bending style “indie soul-rock.”

R&B / Soul

Tapping into her love of 90s/alternative R&B music, CJ Mills is a multi-instrumentalist who often builds her songs around vivid harmonies and soulful baselines. This Nebraska native has injected herself into the Philly music scene with her ability to create a song from scratch live using her loop pedal.

Rock and Roll

Lincoln four-piece rock band FREAKABOUT signals at monumental changes with its supercharged sophomore record BABEZOOKA, a brisk 32-minute romp packing a bold lyrical attitude and mind-bending density.

Electronic

Dark Oceanz comprises the two bass music heavyweights Darkwood & OCEANZ. Breaching out from the emerging underground Lincoln/Omaha Nebraska bass music scene, the two producers have combined forces to form a tidal wave of subsonic party beats summoned from the deep trenches.

Neo Soul / Rock

The Fey, an Alternative R&B band, was formed by singer, songwriter, and producer Zach Watkins. While the infrastructure of the group’s style and sound is developed by Watkins, it is made complete by instrumentalists Michael Rogers (lead guitar), Ludwing Siebenhor (rhythm guitar), and John Fucinaro (bass).

Indie Pop

Reed Hoelscher and Jack Blocker grew up together. They went to the same school and played on the same sports teams, up until middle school, when they parted ways. Years later, they reconnected after finding out that they lived in the same dorm at the University of Arkansas, and what started as old friends jamming in the music room and watching baseball games together turned into musical duo Rightfield.

Ska

Tone Zone Skam was formed in 2010 seeking to have the Mexican Ska rhythm and style. From Chicago to the world, TZS seeks that the people identify themselves with the band making them forget their problems for a while, TZS, through their songs, also fights for equality, unity, & brother/sisterhood, Wherever you are TZS will make you dance “Ska Without Compassion.”

Hip-Hop / Rap

A recording artist, music producer, sound engineer and founder of Culxr House, a creative art/community space where artists and entrepreneurs can grow and enrich their own artistic talents and create opportunities. As both an emcee and producer, Yates collaborates with others in a variety of capacities.

XOBOI is a solo hip-hop/rap artist who frequently teams up with Marcey Yates as a duo. STDNT BODY and The Dilla Kids more specifically.

Soul/Pop

Rap/Hip Hop

Indie Rock

Funk

R&B / Soul

Soul/R&B/Blues

Experimental

Ska

Post Punk/Psychedelic Pop

Punk Rock

Jazz/Pop

Electronic

Soul/Gospel