Check Back Jan 10th For The 2026 Lineup
Click or Scan to add the Sustain Fest ‘26 Official Playlist!
TBD - Main Stage
Armchair Boogie - Madison WI
Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call it— Armchair Boogie is rapidly becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based quartet is known for their powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with unforgettable live performances. Listed as a “Must-See Roots Artists at Bourbon & Beyond'' by The Bluegrass Situation who wrote, “We recently caught this jammy Wisconsin outfit at Earl Scruggs Music Festival, where they burnt down their late-night set.”
Armchair Boogie is Augie Dougherty on banjo with Ben Majeska acoustic & electric guitars backed by tight, driving rhythms of Eli Frieders on electric bass and Denzel Connor on drums. This unconventional lineup enhances their lightning-fast bluegrass, allowing them to freely venture into the realms of funk or country. A band on the verge, Armchair Boogie is excited to independently release their 4th studio recording, Hard Times & Deadlines, on March 15.
Composing these songs around the beginning of the pandemic, Majeska and Dougherty—who sing lead on the respective songs they wrote—were experiencing the stresses of entering their late 20s.
Majeska says “Life comes with highs and lows, and Hard Times & Deadlines captures the fleet of emotions that come with it. From broken hearts and fond memories. To broad horizons and the inevitable end of this human journey.”
"Hard Times & Deadlines is a pretty literal explanation of what I felt life was turning into,” Dougherty says. "The fluffy part of college and party life was beginning to fade away and it seemed like it was time to put my head down and work. "Once the tunes were drafted, they were brought to the whole band for collaboration. "This is where the tune truly becomes a Boogie song. Everyone adds their touch of creative input and we're able to polish it up collectively pretty quickly,” explains Dougherty.
“Armchair Boogie played our very first Sustain Fest ‘23 and we have seen them many times since then. Their sound continues to evolve but what has never changed is the fun they have on stage and the energy they pour into performing. We are grateful they are coming back to jam with us again!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
TBD - Side Stage
Booze Hounds Bluegrass - Indianapolis, IN
Booze Hounds Bluegrass has been playing out since 2017, the four members that make the band today came together in April of 2023.The band consists of Eric Lee Reel (guitar), Alec Bohuk (mandolin), Taylor Williams (upright bass), and Joseph Fawcett (fiddle). They all reside in Hamilton and Marion County, IN. BHB hosts an open bluegrass jam at Duke's Indy on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Come on out! Their evolving setlist has traditional bluegrass, original tunes, Grateful Dead covers, and much much more. They play all over central Indiana and hope to broaden their horizons in 2025.
“I have watched the Booze Hounds play at the Mousetrap all night long and not only did they sound great, their energy never slowed down. They were having as much fun as I was! Talented entertainers!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle - Cincinnati OH
TBD - Main Stage
Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle hail from Cincinnati where they have been crafting a sound that is both rooted in tradition and refreshed by modern sensibilities. This four-piece ensemble confronts the raw expanse of American music, fashioning a live music experience more akin to a bygone era of sweltering summer tent revivals and introspective meditations of the human condition.
Leaning into the foundation of folk, old-time, and early country and bluegrass, the Hustle has molded a unique blend of these traditions with contemporary influences of psych rock, raucous performative gyrations, and a growing catalogue of personal storytelling to offer a product solely their own. Strong vocal leads from Casey Campbell, the drummer, and Matt ‘Wabs’ Wabnitz, the guitarist, anchor a sonic landscape full of lilting harmonies and powerful counter-melody; and with the multi-instrumental leads of Scott Risner and Bill Baldock abounding the audience is guided through a show that defies most genre labeling and denominations. The Hustle aims to take its’ legions to a churc experience regardless of an individual’s origins; all are welcome and encouraged to embark on the journey.
The group’s upcoming recordings and albums expand on the already thick palette by adding new voices and layers, sometimes leading the group to perform as a six-piece ensemble. New music slated for mid-Spring 2026 promises to be both a departure from previous endeavors while holding fast to the core of the passion and performance that has laid the foundation for the past thirteen years, leading to a devoted and committed fanbase across the globe. Jumping from banjos, to fiddles, to electric guitars, to four-part harmonies keeps the audience wholely enthralled with what may be coming next... And with the growing directions of the Hustle, that anticipation will lead folks on a most exciting mission of new music exploration.
“We first saw Buffalo Wabs open up for Town Mountain at the Bluebird in Bloomington IN and have been fans ever since. Powerful songwriting and vocal diversity drive their sound. We are grateful to have finally have gotten them onto the festival stage. We hope all of our Sustainiacs enjoy their debut performance!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Chicken Wire Empire - Milwaukee WI
TBD - Main Stage
Chicken Wire Empire is a Wisconsin-based bluegrass band known for their dynamic musicality, thorough arrangements, and true-to-life songwriting. The band emerged in 2016 with their debut self-titled album and have since released a prolific catalogue of studio projects and live performances. Their sixth and latest album, Growing Pains, releases June 1 and is a veritable culmination of the band’s growth through the past decade.
CWE continuously captivates audiences with thoughtful, energetic performances. Their high-level musicality turns up a fresh conversation with each show, like a brainstorm of creative musical substance. Americana Highways writes “These musicians must enjoy what they do because their joy translates through their instruments. The energy, fingering techniques are all proponents that deliver substance with a modicum of joy. There aren’t any low points, missteps, loss of heat in any of these melodies.”
The band has been recognized worldwide for their performances and recorded works, with Americana UK calling their latest album “a variety which transcends genre and rewards careful listening.” Capturing the ever-evolving sights and sounds of the road through the lens of their Midwestern roots, the band’s catalog of songs is ever-growing and CWE continues to be acknowledged for their pensive attention to detail in writing and crafting deeply engaging songs.
Chicken Wire Empire has partnered with dozens of artists from all corners of the bluegrass genre, from Sam Bush and Peter Rowan to Vince Herman and Keller Williams. Their forthcoming album features guest appearances from Grammy-winning artists Jerry Douglas and Kyle Tuttle. The long list of collaborators has lent a lifetime of taste and knowledge to CWE’s musical journey while the band has grown into its identifiably authentic yet original sound.
Notable Performances:
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (NY), 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival (TN), Huck Finn Jubilee (CA), Ozark Mountain Music Festival (AR), John Hartford Memorial Festival (IN), Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival (PA), Harmony Park Revival Fest (MN), The Station Inn (TN).
“It is really hard to find Progressive Bluegrass Bands that have it all! Chicken Wire Empire is balanced with great lead vocals, harmonies, musicianship, and lyrics. The total package. We are grateful to host them for the first time in our concert series in Feb of 2026 and again at Sustain Fest ‘26!
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
TBD - Bourbon Barn (solo)
Chicago Farmer - Chicago, IL
The son of a small-town farming community, Cody Diekhoff logged plenty of highway and stage time under the name Chicago Farmer before settling in the city in 2003. Profoundly inspired by fellow Midwesterner John Prine, he’s a working-class folk musician to his core. His small-town roots, tilled with city streets mentality, are turning heads North and South of I-80.
“I love the energy, music, and creativity of Chicago, but at the same time, the roots and hard work of my small town,” he shares. Growing up in Delavan, Illinois, with a population less than 2,000, Diekhoff’s grandparents were farmers, and their values have always provided the baseline of his songs.
He writes music for “the kind of people that come to my shows. Whether in Chicago or Delavan, everyone has a story, and everyone puts in a long day and works hard the same way,” he says. “My generation may have been labeled as slackers, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t work hard - many people I know put in 50-60 hours a week and 12-hour days. That’s what keeps me playing. I don’t like anyone to be left out; my music is for everyone in big and very small towns.”
He listened to punk rock and grunge as a kid before discovering a friend’s dad playing Hank Williams, and it was a revelation. Prine and Guthrie quickly followed. The name Chicago Farmer was originally for a band, but the utilitarian life of driving alone from bar to bar, city to city - to make a direct connection to his audience and listener, took a deeper hold.
“One of the most authentic, hard working and kind musicians, Cody and his team have been wonderful to work with and supportive of our entire mission. As we head into year 4 we are grateful that Cody has been here every year. His deep portfolio of music spanning 20 years can make you pound your feet with an intense folk rock sound and yet other tracks touch your heart and make you think of family.”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Chris Zink is an accomplished dobro and lap steel guitarist from Jessamine County, Kentucky, whose musicianship is firmly rooted in the bluegrass tradition. Influenced early on by icons such as Jerry Douglas, J.D. Crowe, and Tony Rice, Zink developed a strong foundational style that blends technical precision with deep musical sensitivity. His move to Colorado proved pivotal, broadening his artistic perspective through immersion in the jamgrass scene and exposure to influential bands including Leftover Salmon and The Infamous Stringdusters.
Zink is a founding member of Wood Belly, winners of the 2018 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition and nominees for IBMA’s Momentum Band of the Year. As a performer, he has toured extensively across the United States, appearing at premier festivals such as DelFest, Northwest String Summit, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, RockyGrass, and WinterWonderGrass. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with many of bluegrass music’s most respected artists, including Billy Strings, Del McCoury, Molly Tuttle, Leftover Salmon, and The Infamous Stringdusters.
Beyond performing, Zink is a dedicated educator with years of teaching experience, including leading instructional workshops at major music festivals.
Chris Zink - Artist at Large - Loveland, CO
All Weekend - All Stages - Fire Side Picking - Workshops
“This is only our 2nd year featuring an Artist at Large. It has been a goal of mine to add this experience for our fans since the beginning of Sustain Fest because it adds so many different layers to the stage performances! Chris Zink is not a stranger to Sustain having played the festival twice as well as our concert series as a member of Wood Belly. Zink will be facilitating late night picking, lead bluegrass workshops and of course bring elite musicianship to the stage. However, perhaps his greatest contribution will be the passion and loving energy he shares with fellow artists and fans all weekend.”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Debutants - Fort Wayne, IN
TBD - Main Stage
Debutants is a high-energy string band with eclectic influences, and a penchant to play anything they feel. Dancing between songs and styles of old and new, this fun-loving collective dazzles with impressive musicianship, earnest songwriting, and dynamic live performances.
Debutants have evolved from a duo between longtime friends, Lynn Nicholson and Jon Swain, into a formidable 7- piece string band with eclectic influences. Regardless of number of members, what somehow manages to always come through loud and clear is the amount of fun they're having playing together, and the vibrant life breathed into their music.
On their 2021 debut release, Indiana Newgrass - EP, Debutants went into the studio with banjoist Michael Earl Newsome, fiddle player Sean Hoffman (Goldmine Pickers, The Goat's Beards, Soltré), and bassist/vocalist Colin Taylor (Uncle Muscle, Hillbilly Casino). Also highly instrumental in capturing their original sound, was recording engineer and producer Tyler Thompson (Fruition, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, Jay Cobb Anderson) at his Studio 110 in Pittsburgh, PA.
For their 2022 sophomore release, Nobody Knows - EP, the band unquestionably returned to Thompson's Studio 110, this time bringing Lauren Blair on fiddle/vocals, and Ellen Coplin on cello/vocals. Growth became evident on titles such as Nicholson's Hard to Say, along with increases in tempos and instrumental prowess demonstrated on pieces like Swain's Never Thought I'd Be the One.
With the same lineup in 2023, the band tackled their first full-length album, River on the Moon. Nicholson and Swain were now joined by Hoffman and Taylor in songwriting. This release conveys their most ambitious and cohesive sound yet, in part due to recording all of it "live" circled together around a few microphones.
“It is important to our community that we balance returning festival performances with new bands coming to Sustain for the first time. Debutants have played the last 3 years and not only did they light up the stage, they made a huge impression on me back stage. They are delightful people on top of being talented musicians.
I can hear influences from progressive bluegrass bands that have come before them and yet Debutants are not following anyone as much as expressing their own hearts & souls in a fun energetic manner! We are grateful to have another Indiana band on our Indiana stage again in 2026”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Front Porch - North West AR
TBD - Main Stage
Foot stomping clawhammer banjo, powerful vocal harmonies, and ripping mandolin and fiddle melodies to energetic rhythms. Front Porch blends contemporary folk songwriting styles with an old time mountain sound rooted in Ozark tradition - creating a unique mix of old and new that will make you hoot and holler.
“We intentionally curate a fairly narrow sound for our Sustain events. Among other things, we look for authenticity…talent…potential. We want to make it easier for our community to experience the next great band. I feel Front Porch is that type of band. We are stocked to have them returning for their second year. Put your seatbelt on…turn up the volume and let their blend of speed grass and energy accelerate you down the road! PS Watch that speedometer!!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Greenwood Rye - Nashville, TN
TBD - Main Stage
Greenwood Rye is a modern jam-grass band, formed in Nashville during pandemic-times as the house band for the award-winning bluegrass supper club, Jane's Hideaway. The band, led by Shawn Spencer on Guitar and Vocals, and a main cast of Cat McDonald (Fiddle, Vox), David Freeman (Mandolin, Vox), Taylor Shuck (Banjo), & Andy Brown(Upright Bass), where they play every week for locals and tourist from accross the country who come to Nashville looking for a great, authentic music experience.
The group writes fun, modern songs that are rooted in bluegrass, throwing in some jam-band tendencies, and an occasional kick-drum or delay pedal. And they love performing fresh renditions of eclectic covers of all genres done with the beautiful sounds of acoustic bluegrass instruments.
Their latest album, "Hideaway" had a single, "Down to the River" debuted by Bluegrass Situation and two singles placed on Spotify's Official Editorial "New Grass" Playlist. The album that was released just last August already has over 300k Spotify streams.
Recently they have been venturing further and further from Nashville, playing on festivals such as ROMP, Americanafest, Official IBMA Showcase, Albino Skunk and a slew of other small festivals, clubs, events and house concerts.
“When I first heard Greenwood Rye’s sound I was immediately impressed with how polished and tight it was. We then got to host them at a Sustain Concert series event at our favorite dive bar the Melody Inn and got to enjoy their jam skills. They balance authentic professionalism with improvisational fun really well. We are grateful to have them make their festival debut at Sustain Fest ‘26!!!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Mama Said String Band - Louisville KY
TBD - Side Stage
Mama Said String Band is an instant classic, since 2016 they’ve been bringing their own brand of the grassroots music you’re so used to hearing to stages everywhere.
Based out of Louisville, KY, Mama Said String Band brings a refreshing reinvention to Bluegrass, Folk and Americana while focusing on vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation. Having won several notable regional awards including album of the year in the Lexington Music Awards for “Carry The Water”, Best Bluegrass Band in the Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards, Bluegrass Artist of the Year in the Lexington Music Awards and with three nominations under their belt, they have made a notable imprint in the Kentucky Music Scene. They bring big, relatable emotions and honest songwriting to every show, leaving fans always wanting more.
“Mama Said String Band have been steadfast drivers of the bluegrass scene well before Sustain Festivals arrived. We have seen them at several festivals in the Midwest but they also play many house concerts and small venues which helps “sustain” independent live music. When hardworking, talented musicians come together and play out live consistently, you get a wonderful performance. We are grateful to bring this level of artistry to our Sustain Community!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
March to August - Fayetteville, AR
TBD - Bourbon Barn
March to August is an Americana-Roots duo with melodies that merge influences of Folk, Americana, Bluegrass and Celtic music and lyrics that capture the essence of the human experience. With every song, they offer poignant snapshots of life’s diverse emotions and stories, inviting listeners to reflect on the moments that shape us all.
Hailing from diverse musical backgrounds, Derrick and Jodi Mears bring a plethora of influences to their work. Their lyrics often empower the voices of those silenced by circumstance, allowing each character’s narrative to be heard, while their instrumentation draws listeners into those tales with their unique Ozark Mountain sound.
M2A’s performances instill artistry and authenticity that transport you to a bygone era while infusing their own contemporary spin. With each note, this ensemble invites you to join them on a musical journey that resonates with the soul.
“In addition to being great musicians, bands like March to August have to also be entrepreneurs that run their own business. M2A worked with us for nearly a year before getting the right date on the calendar to perform at a Sustain Concert event. It was worth the wait! Great storytellers with a gentle way about their music while still stirring your spirit! We know they will capture the essence of the Bourbon Barn Porch when they play for us at Sustain Fest ‘26!!!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Nolan Strupeck - Northwest, IN
TBD - Side Stage
Nolan Strupeck is a 14-year-old fiddle player from Indiana who plays bluegrass and folk music. His musical journey began at the tender age of two, plucking on a tent string when he heard a band practicing near his campsite. Nolan enjoys attending immersive music camps across the country, as well as performing at various music festivals and events.
You can find him picking around a late-night campfire and sitting in with as many bands as possible, when given the opportunity. Nolan is deeply grateful for the ongoing support he’s received throughout his career and couldn’t have reached this point without those who have helped him along the way.
“I first saw Nolan as a young guest musician invited up to play on the main stage at the John Hartford Memorial Festival. His talent and confidence increase with every performance. We have watched his set list and skills grow while performing at the First City Music Festival. We are blessed that schedules have finally allowed Nolan to perform at Sustain.”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
The Baker’s Basement - Cleveland OH
TBD Side Stage
2-piece, Cleveland based, indie folk bucket band the Baker’s Basement (tBB) features the eclectic musical stylings of vocalist/drummer Kate Dedinsky and vocalist/guitarist Adam Grindler. At their rhythmic core pulses an orange striped, homemade, bucket-drum concoction, the funky back beat on which Dedinsky performs standing up with her signature swagger and sway. The duo’s intimate sound, rooted in a whimsical flavor of indie folk rock and topped with playful vocal layers, often volleyed to-and-fro across the stage, offers a humorous yet heart-wrenching sonic signature that’s altogether their own.
A hidden gem of the midwest, tBB’s affectionate and direct spoken word vocal delivery bounces atop their unusual percussive foundation of odds & ends, a drum apparatus that the group calls the “Tempeh Kit”—when matched with triggered samples and Grindler’s acoustic & electric guitar methods, both finger picked and strummed, their playful and oscillating sound is solidified. Between songs, the duo endears themselves to their audience through storytelling and banter. All and all, a performance by this dynamic pair is an invitation into an intimate world of creative fancy and captivating chemistry nurtured over years of playing both stages and street corners.
TBB performs the midwest and beyond, and has shared bills with artists such as Melvin Seals (of the Jerry Garcia Band) and Keller Williams through multiple festival appearances at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park. tBB has also appeared at Kinda Spoopy Festival, Jubileego, and Cleveland’s Brite Winter Festival & Ingenuity Fest in addition to residencies at Cedar Point. In addition to crafting and recording songs, the duo is invested in creating homemade video works to match their music. Recently the music video for their song “Wild Wild Sheep”, which the band scripted, filmed, and directed, was nominated at the 2023 Cordillera Film Festival in Reno, Nevada.
“The Baker’s Basement have played a concert series event as well as Sustain Fest ‘25. Their sound defies labels but their overall performance is easy to label…FUN!!! We were blessed to have Adam and Kate come play for a Sustain Concert Series event in Indy and I am still smiling about the entire experience. The buckets, the props, the shot song and the jamming, we had to have them back!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
The Cousin Brothers - Central IN
Saturday May 17th @ 12:00 PM - Main Stage
The Cousin Brothers have blazed their own trail, bringing their unique blend of rocked-up bluegrass and grassed-up rock and country to enthusiastic audiences. Voted Indianapolis’ number one country band (and number two folk band) by the readers of Nuvo Magazine, the Cousin Brothers look forward to furthering their goal of world domination through power-grass. Since their inception in the fall of 2004,
The Cousin Brothers have established themselves as a force in the central Indiana music scene. It is their unique blend of bluegrass, rock, country and comedy that has won them the respect of their musical peers and makes their high-energy live show a must-see experience that keeps audiences coming back for more.
In 2005, founding members Ben Long and Kevin Vickery joined forces with percussionist T.R. Yelton, whose train beats augmented their sound and helped them to take power grass music to a new level. Later that year, the band added the latest addition to the line-up, Dave Bagdade, a veteran bluegrass guitarist and vocalist, giving The Cousin Brothers three solid lead voices and two, multi-instrumental soloists.
“As the unofficial hype man of the Cousin Brothers, I couldn’t throw a festival and not include them! They have been entertaining the Sustain Community once a month at the Historic Melody Inn for years.
They don’t take things too seriously except making sure I dance and that they rock the crowd! Blending Ole Time Country with hard driving Progressive Bluegrass and a dash of genre bending surprises, the Cousin Brothers Movement may not sweep the nation but it will sweep Sustain for damn sure! Cheers to year 3 boys!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
The Fun Dunns - Vincennes IN
Saturday May 17th @ 9:00 AM - Breakfast Stage
The Fun Dunns are a roots music family duo that weave folk and bluegrass influences into their very own blend of tenor guitar led American standards and originals. Nash and Debbie’s original sound was crafted where most great things in the Midwest come from: the kitchen. Their music and song selection invite listeners to join their family in the tradition of folk music as familiar melodies and stories are shared from generation to generation. From the woods of Indiana’s First City, Vincennes, this southwest Indiana couple truly has fun playing their part in keeping the American folk music candle burning.
“We met Debbie and Nash Dunn as guest at their annual festival in Vincennes IN (First City Music Festival). Whether its singing an original tune or telling the backstory before playing a traditional tune, The Fun Dunns show a depth that you don’t get from many performers. I enjoy being entertained and taught about the history of roots music one song at a time! They help us believe in the good things coming!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Yellow Banks - Owensboro KY
TBD - Main Stage
The Yellow Banks is a country and western band from Owensboro Ky consisting of James Elliott, Tristan Howard, Bean Boyer, Scott Ethridge, and Matthew Smith.
Each artist in Yellow Banks brings their own unique twist that ultimately defines the composition in their music, noticeably ranging from traditional country music, western swing, rockabilly, and even funk and psychedelic aspects. The group’s chemistry shines through with electric performances, hard-hitting lyrics, pounding bass and drum, and soulful and crying guitar from every side.
In a very small amount of time, they knew they had something special. With their first single “Whole Lot to Give” in the books, and a desire to be heard, they immediately set out to make a name for themselves. In their first several months together, the band made trips to play in Lexington Ky, Louisville Ky, Nashville TN, and everywhere they could in between. These included appearances on the Fourth Street Live Main stage in Louisville, and a headlining spot at East Main Market in Leitchfield Ky.
During this time, the band really dove into writing their own music. Before long, they were on their way to a full-length album. Their desire to bring a genuine feel to their music is evident in the way they compose each and every piece they produce. Their vast musical background (mentioned before) ensured that while they stayed true to a mostly traditional country feel, they were also able to create a variety of sounds that are sure to encapsulate a wide audience.
As of July 2023, the band had begun recording the album they created. It was of the highest focus, as it captured the essence of everything the band had discovered about themselves in their short time together in recent months. It was raw, and meaningful, and could be felt through every note. The album was finalized in early November of the same year and is currently due to release in January 2024.
“I take a lot of pride in curating a pretty narrow sound for our Sustain Community. We book mostly Progressive Bluegrass and Americana music. However, every now and then a band comes along that is just outside of our “normal” sound but grabs my attention and convinces me that our fans will love them too! Yellow Banks is this years version of this. An “Outlaw Country” sound, featuring powerful vocals and hard driving melodies. They were gracious enough to play for our concert series and then debut on the festival stage at Sustain Fest ‘26!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Zach Cannon - Indianapolis, IN
Artist at Large - All Festival Long! All Stages!!
Zach Cannon is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist and genre-blending performer known his boundary-pushing sound and electrifying live shows. With an innate ability to seamlessly transition between instruments—guitar, mandolin, bass, autoharp, woodwinds and more—Zach creates a rich, layered musical experience that captivates audiences from start to finish.
Rooted in a diverse musical upbringing from Chesterton, Indiana, Zach's influences span everything from bluegrass, jazz, folk and world music, making each performance feel like a journey through sound. Whether crafting intricate melodies on the guitar, experimenting with bassoon in modern music, or walking bass lines on the bull fiddle (upright bass), Zach's versatility and mastery of various instruments allow for an organic, unpredictable live experience.
“We are so excited to have Zach be our very first Artist At Large. Like most things with us, we don’t know what we are doing but we are eager to learn! Zach’s range of musical experience gets us excited to see how he can interact with our talented lineup. Thank you Zach! We know you will make Sustain Fest ‘25 a special experience.”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals