2024 Sustain Concert Series -Featured Bands
“Like many of the up and coming bands we find, I first heard about Pythagoras from members of our Sustain Community. Jason & Jessica are proud parents of one of the members of the band (Gracie) and told us all about their studies and goals. I am really excited to see these young musicians shows us their version of bluegrass. I hope it is the first of many shows they perform for our Sustain Community!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Pythagoras - Tennessee
Thursday - July 18th 2024 - Indianapolis
Forged in the heart of Johnson City, Tennessee, Pythagoras pushes the boundaries of bluegrass and acoustic music! If you like the hard-driving bluegrass of artists like Flatt & Scruggs and Tony Rice, groovy fiddle tunes, jam bands like the Grateful Dead, and lots of original material, you’ll love Pythagoras’ sound.
Pythagoras consists of pickers from all around the east coast, now making their home in sunny Tennessee, studying bluegrass music at East Tennessee State University: Grant Dresnok (guitar & lead vocals), Gracie Grossman (fiddle), Joe Henson (Mandolin), and Lexi Wagnitz (upright bass).
Pythagoras has played festivals, listening rooms, private events, and has toured overseas! Their passion and drive for the music they play shines through in their performances.
“We are blessed to have Ida Clare come play for us! Their rich vocals and crisp timing compliment there story telling approach that I can’t wait to see live!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Ida Clare - Louisville KY
Friday - September 13th 2024 - Indianapolis
A captivating blend of Americana and Bluegrass that harkens back to the roots of American music while infusing it with a fresh, contemporary energy. This dynamic ensemble brings together seasoned musicians who share a passion for storytelling through song.
At the heart of Ida Clare's sound is Lea Cockrell, whose soulful voice weaves tales of love, loss, and the human experience with unparalleled emotion and depth. With a voice that effortlessly traverses the highs and lows of the musical landscape, Lea delivers the focal point of the band's sonic tapestry, drawing listeners in with heartfelt delivery.
Joining Lea on stage is banjo player Robin Thixton, whose roots in traditional Bluegrass shine through in every note she plays. With a history of performing with many standard bluegrass groups including the all-girl band Petticoat Junction, Robin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Ida Clare, infusing their music with the authentic sound of Appalachia while adding her own unique flair and style.
On mandolin, and as the band's primary songwriter, Jim Wheatley brings a poetic sensibility to Ida Clare's music, drawing inspiration from the world around him to craft evocative and introspective songs that resonate with audiences on a profound level. Whether he's channeling the beauty of nature or reflecting on the complexities of the human condition, Jim's songwriting serves as the backbone of Ida Clare's repertoire, adding depth and nuance to their sound.
Rounding out the lineup is bass player and audio engineer Nick Stevens, whose diverse background in music brings a unique perspective to Ida Clare's sound. While his roots may lie outside of Bluegrass, Nick's impeccable taste, tone, and timing have made him an invaluable addition to the band, anchoring their music with his solid bass lines and expert engineering skills.
Together, Ida Clare is more than just a band – they're a musical journey through the heartland of America, where tradition meets innovation and the past merges seamlessly with the present. With an impressive repertoire of original songs that showcase their collective talent and creativity, Ida Clare is poised to make a lasting impression on the world of Americana and Bluegrass music, one heartfelt performance at a time.
“I actually felt silly that I had not heard Wood Belly before researching artists for 2024 Sustain…WOW!!!. When I listen, they take me for a ride seamlessly moving from newgrass to americana and occasionally surprising me with some soul/funk. They effortlessly cover a wide vocal and musical range…they are the entire package!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Wood Belly - Colorado
Thursday - April 4th 2024 - Indianapolis
Honest, soulful, and bearing a sound all their own, Wood Belly sprouted from the roots of bluegrass to notch a unique home in the broader Americana scene and continues to captivate audiences across the country en route.
With an unrelenting dedication to original songwriting, harmony singing, and artful arrangements, the quintet is forging a sound that is based in newgrass and flavored with alt-country, rock, and just enough jam to glue it all together.
Wood Belly established themselves as a staple of the Colorado and national acoustic music scene by winning the 2018 Telluride Bluegrass festival band competition and being nominated for an IBMA award. Bluegrass Today said “Even now, it’s safe to determine that they’re ones to watch...the freshness and vitality they bear elevates their standing and assures their status as instant contenders”. That freshness continues today as the band takes on a new shape. With a restructuring of the rhythm section, Wood Belly has opened up a world of dynamic range and dimension to be explored.
“We have been entertained by Cody on multiple occasions at the First City Music Festival. He balances a seriousness for his craft with a laid back fun loving entertainer which makes him fun to watch live. His range of original music blended with his interpretations of other songwriters music he respects makes each show a bit different.”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Cody Heckin Williams - Indiana
Thursday - April 4th 2024 - Indianapolis
Indiana's own, Cody Heckin Williams! Self proclaimed, lousy poet that knows a few chords calling himself a songwriter. Cody features a wide range of originals as well as his unique versions of other songwriters hits.
“We were introduced to Wilson Thicket by Lynn from the Debutants. We are excited to see them play live for the first time in June at our Small Concert Series. I was impressed with both their individual vocals and harmonies as well as their balance of traditional and progressive bluegrass arrangements.”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Wilson Thicket - Michigan
Thursday - June 13th 2024 - Indianapolis
Wilson Thicket has the acoustic soul of an Appalachian string band, but there is more to this Thicket than just a patch of bluegrass! Wilson Thicket combines a hand-picked group of the top singers, instrumentalists, and songwriters that Michigan has to offer, with decades of performing experience under their collective belts. Old school favorites, creative covers, and dynamic original songs are all delivered with strong doses of vocal harmony and creative instrumental mastery. This music has plenty of roots and lots of grass. There may be some thorns, but also some flowers. Welcome to the thicket!
“We have been listening and talking with The Wildwoods for over a year trying to find a time to see them live. Their harmonies are dare I say angelic. Blending through genres while consistently displaying tight musicianship. What a treat!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
The Wildwoods
Thursday - June 13th 2024 - Indianapolis
In the heart of Lincoln, Nebraska, The Wildwoods emerge as a folk/Americana trio, a musical tapestry woven by the husband-and-wife duo, Noah (guitar) and Chloe Gose (violin), accompanied by the bassist Andrew Vaggalis. Their story is a symphony of exploration and connection, a journey that has taken them from the Midwest to international stages, carving out a unique place in the folk landscape. Their presence has graced stages alongside artists such as Mighty Poplar, Sierra Ferrell, Aiofe O’ Donovan, Melissa Carper, Jamie Wyatt and Joe Nichols at concerts and festivals like Summerfest, FreshGrass and the Oyster Ridge Music Festival.
The Wildwoods have become a force in the folk scene, boasting accolades like being finalists at the FreshGrass Music Festival Band competition and Gems on VHS "Gems in the Rough" competition in 2023. Their songwriting prowess is underscored by semi-final placements in the International Songwriting competition, with tracks like "Untitled" and "Way of Train." Recognized consistently at the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards, they were crowned "Best Band" by the Lincoln Journal Star’s Lincoln Choice Awards in 2022.
Their sonic journey unfolds through albums like the debut "Sweet Nostalgia" (2017), followed by "Birdie & Goose" (2017), "Across A Midwest Sky" (2019), and their latest masterpiece, "Foxfield Saint John" (2023). The band's evolution is evident in each track, a testament to their commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
United by a passion for folk/Americana, the trio’s influences range from Watchhouse and Nickel Creek, to Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Their music, though comfortably under the folk/Americana umbrella, weaves intricate chord structures and emotional textures that defy genre boundaries. Together, their harmonies resonate with artful sincerity, drawing inspiration from nature, their shared experiences of growing up in Nebraska, and life on the road.
“I have seen One Way Traffic play live multiple times and even camped next to them at one festival. We are blessed to have them play in our February 2024 Sustain Small Concert Series event. With their unique combinations of vocals and instrumentation, they surprise you while still leaving you satisfied. Moving quickly from an Americana sound with hints of Bluegrass to upbeat contemporary rhythms. I am sure the Sustain community will love them. We hope to get them on our festival stage in 2025!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
One Way Traffic - St. Louis MO
February 16th 2024 - Indianapolis
Born from an open-mic bluegrass jam in St. Louis, Missouri, One Way Traffic is a five-piece band with an eclectic sound. Inspired greatly by Americana, Blues, and Jazz, the band combines their individual influences to create a gumbo chock full of musical deliciousness and surprise.
In just four years together, One Way Traffic have quickly established themselves as a premier band within the St. Louis music scene, selling out shows monthly at the storied Broadway Oyster Bar and playing world-class venues like The Sheldon Concert Hall, The Pageant, and Old Rock House.
Their ability to connect with fans in their hometown has led them to stages across the country, opening for and sharing the bill with bands like Yonder Mountain String Band, Kitchen Dwellers, Leftover Salmon, Split Lip Rayfield, and Twiddle. Additionally, their name can often be spotted on festival line ups like Blue Ox, John Hartford Memorial, and Pickin’ On Picknic. Just after releasing their first album in 2019, "Turn Right", they won the band competition at Northwest String Summit.
With the release of "Move Into The Outside" in 2023, and another album on the way, One Way Traffic continues to establish their mark on pop culture with no signs of stopping.
“I find Cam’s music to be authentic while still causing me to reflect on old time country greats. His lyrics and melodies relax me and get me thinking about the important things in life!”
Kyle Ochs - Sustain Festivals
Cam Pierce - Nashville, TN
February 16th 2024 - Indianapolis
Cam Pierce was born and bread in the West... way West. Born in a tiny logging town in Oregon and growing up in the deep woods of the Southern part of the state. He says that all his time in the woods watching, listening, and being still is a key force in his spontaneous approach to songwriting. Cam's stories reach out and activate the imagination. Transporting the listener to another time, place and frame of mind. His is a unique take on the various styles of Roots Music. Cam Pierce's music isn't just a "retro throwback sound", it is something stylistically new, and directly from the old.
Last year saw the release of "The Horseshoe". A 12 song album tracked live with band in the home of Cam's friend and Luthier located in Leiper's Fork Tennessee. The album is void of fancy production and technological "magic". It is an honest to goodness OLD country record, not forced "retro" hoopla. From start to finish it's like stumbling upon some forgotten recordings from the bygone era of grit and individuality that once permeated the vast landscape of "Country Music".
The Cousin Brothers
January 12th 2024 - Indianapolis
Puttin' the Kick-Ass back in Bluegrass!
Matthew Marcelle w/Guests
January 12th 2024 - Indianapolis
Come watch the self-proclaimed 14th best songwriter in Indianapolis team up with one of the best drummers in the city
Stampede String Band
January 12th 2024 - Indianapolis
Inspired by the blind blues singers and red clay farmers who gave the nation its heart and soul, The Stampede String Band presents their 4th album, The Last Shall Be First. It tells stories of outcasts, seekers, and good-hearted people fighting for their lives against the odds, and it searches out beauty and redemption in the low points in life. In the spirit of lowliness, this album strips away all trace of glitz and grand production. Founding members Aaron Nicely and John Bahler recorded these sparse duets with the same condenser mic they use for live performances, capturing the power, intimacy, and rawness of the miracle that can happen in a single-take. The song “Record Store Babies” laments the loss of “the scratches and pops that we’ve all grown to miss when the mp3 compression sucked out every hiss,” but rest assured these songs give you all the life, warmth, earnestness, and imperfections of those old recordings.
Over the last decade, The Stampede String Band has earned a reputation for their hard-hitting acoustic performances, thoughtful lyrics, and powerhouse vocal harmonies. The Last Shall Be First is not just another decent Stampede album: it’s a hair-raising experience. Its ten tracks include eight new originals, a cover of former band member Scot Heminger’s track “Long Time” that originally appeared on an album by his band Dos Ringos, and a cover of Blind Willie Johnson’s soul-splitting spiritual, “Nobody’s Fault But Mine.”
