Behind the name The Tallest Man On Earth is Kristian Matsson (b. april 30th, 1983 in Dalarna, Sweden). He plays guitar, banjo and piano and has released two full length albums, the first entitled Shallow grave and the second entitled The Wild Hunt, and a self-titled 5-track EP on the Swedish label gravitation.

The debut album from S. Carey, All We Grow, is the result of a young lifetime spent immersed in music. As a band member of Bon Iver from the very beginning, Sean Carey witnessed a flip of his formal training to step firmly into a worldwide-touring rock band. His performance degree in classical percussion from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and his love for jazz drumming prepared him for a central role in the inspiring force of the Bon Iver live show. All We Grow is a convergence of Carey's Waltz For Debbie era Bill Evans inflected jazz tendencies, and traditional rock band experience, taking leads from Mark Hollis' Talk Talk. It also retests the waters of modern classical composition, investigating the moodiness generated by percussive repetition in a manner familiar to fans of Steve Reich. In his downtime on tour with Bon Iver, Sean would spend time pining for his soul-mate's arms, and in that context, dreaming and composing. During infrequent tour breaks at home he would patiently record these pieces, adding layers each time. Two years later, the parts converged to make an album. For as much room to breathe as Carey allows his compositions, there are incredibly dynamic moments of bombast held right next to moments of subtle depth and texture. Engineered by Jaime Hansen and Brian Joseph, intermittently at home and at April Base (Justin Vernon's studio outside Eau Claire), All We Grow is an all-encompassing headphone experience as intimate as chamber music and as ambitious as a symphony. While many are familiar with the cabin mythology of Bon Iver, the story behind Sean joining the band is equally kismet. After hearing through mutual friends that Justin was looking to put together a band, he spent two weeks in his bedroom listening to For Emma, Forever Ago on Myspace, dissecting and learning the drum and vocal parts so well that Justin invited him to join the band upon Sean's approach. All We Grow is a classic album born without expectation and met with adoration - a cathartic result of Carey's extraordinary and vibrant life experiences that resonates loss, dreams and heart in a manner so instantly relatable, you feel as though you can touch it.

Jamie Lidell (born September 18, 1973, Huntingdon, England) is a musician and soul singer, signed to Warp. Famed for his largely improvised shows, that see Jamie constructing his tracks live, voicing and layering right in front of your eyes, effortlessly whipping them out of the air and forging them into clanking electro riffs and deathprod funk grooves. Likened to Sly Stone, Prince and Little Richard, he is Britain's voice of soul for the new era. Jamie is/was half of the Super_Collider project. He has also helped write and produce on the albums of Mocky, who in return drums in his live band.

Twin Shadow

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears is a blues band from Austin, Texas influenced by Howlin' Wolf and James Brown. Formed in 2006 and fronted by Black Joe Lewis, the rest of the bands members, include Zach Ernst, Bill Stevenson, Matthew Strmiska, Ian Varley, and the Hard Proof Honeybear Horns (Jason Frey, Derek Phelps, Joe Woullard) . After being signed by Lost Highway Records at SXSW they released their debut album Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! in March of 2009. The album was produced by Spoon drummer Jim Eno.

Mayer Hawthorne is a singer, writer, producer from Ann Arbor, Michigan, right outside of the "D". He grew up listening to his fathers music collection which where he gets his love for soul music. Some of his influences are Motown singer Smokey Robinson, Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, and Eddie Holland to name a few.

There are at least three bands called Girls. 1) In 2006, Christopher Owens and Liza Thorn began a music project called Curls, which dissolved itself when Liza decided to focus more on her new band, BRIDEZ. Not to be dissuaded, Christopher recruited San Francisco's infamous ladykiller Chet "JR" White to join him and changed the band's name to Girls. Chris was formerly a member of Holy Shit with Ariel Pink. Being raised in a cult where "pop music was banned, women sold themselves for sex and several members were driven to suicide... the Girls' singer’s life seems to have been a blur of prescription drugs (fentanyl patches are his favourite), punk rock shows and art happenings." (NME) All of which has deeply inspired and informed the music the band make. Their debut, 'Album' was released in September 2009, through True Panther Sounds and has received wide critical acclaim - notably from NME, in the UK. Two of their songs have been made available as free downloads via RCRD LBL: http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Girls/music 2) GIRLS (ガールズ) was a 70's all-female rock band from Japan. 3) A swedish synthpop/disco band featuring Paul Rein.

The Soft Pack are an indie rock band which formed in San Diego, California, United States in 2007. They consist of Matt Lamkin (vocals, guitar), Matty McLoughlin (guitar), David Lantzman (bass) and Brian Hill (drums). They were originally known as The Muslims and released one single and a 12" EP on 1928 Recordings under their previous name. As the Soft Pack they have released two EPs. Their self-titled debut LP was released in February 2010.

Playing for Change is a foundation and multimedia online music project created by producer Mark Johnson and his Timeless Media Group, in conjunction with Concord Music Group that seeks to bring together musicians from around the world. The project started in 2004 with the organization's self described goal to "inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music". The creators of the project travelled around the world to places such as New Orleans, Moscow, Zimbabwe, Tibet and using a mobile recording studio, had local musicians perform the same song, interpreted into their own local style. The project's first single Stand by Me, began with a Santa Monica street performer named Robert Ridley, who they had perform the tune. They then travelled around the world and had more musicians add their versions.

Hanson is an American pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The band consists of guitarist and vocalist Isaac Hanson, pianist and vocalist Taylor Hanson, and drummer and vocalist Zac Hanson. Their work has spanned many different genres, including rock, blues, folk, and pop. They are most noted for their Grammy-nominated 1997 hit single, “MMMBop.” Their 1997 album Middle of Nowhere (the band’s third recorded album and first major studio album, also nominated for a Grammy) was met with critical acclaim and went on to achieve multi-platinum status. The group’s subsequent major effort, This Time Around showcased the brothers’ considerable talent and artistic growth, receiving wide critical acclaim for its bluesy/classic-rock and soulful pop harmonies. The album failed to repeat the commercial success of Middle of Nowhere however, only achieving gold status. The album has since been considered a trend-setter and precursor for such acts as Michelle Branch, John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Vanessa Carlton and Eisley. After many promotional and artistic conflicts with Island/Def Jam, Hanson split from the label in 2003 and started their own label, 3CG Records. In 2004, they released their third major studio album, Underneath, independently. The album reached #1 on Billboard’s Independent Album Chart and has since been noted as one of the biggest-selling independent albums of all time. The single “Penny & Me” reached #2 on Billboard’s Top 200. Like This Time Around, Underneath was well-received and well-reviewed for its more mature classic rock/pop sound. The band continues to have a dedicated fan base and Internet presence, and recently completed a tour of college campuses, showing a documentary, Strong Enough to Break, made about their struggle to form their own label and release Underneath. The documentary http://www.last.fm/music/Hanson was also shown at the Hollywood Film Festival in October 2006. A live album (The Best of Hanson; Live & Electric), recorded in Melbourne on the Australian leg of the “Underneath: Live & Electric” tour was released in October 2005. The band released of their fourth major studio album, The Walk in North America on July 24th, 2007. They have released a second documentary, titled Taking The Walk as a continuation of their struggles and successes of writing, recording and producing their own album. After spending some time in Africa, Hanson released a single “Great Divide” for World AIDS Day, with 100% of the download proceeds going to the Perinatal HIV Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa. During the making of The Walk, Hanson made a trip to Africa to record some tracks with the African Children's Choir. They were so inspired by their experiences there that they have since teamed up with TOMS Shoes--a california-based company who donates a pair of shoes for each pair sold to a child in poverty who does not have shoes. In order to raise awareness for this charity and the daily things we take for granted, as well as small and impactful ways to help those in need, Hanson organizes one mile barefoot walks before each of their shows. As of 10/30/08 they have walked a total of 100 miles together with their fans. They are donating $1 for each person who walks with them to one of 5 causes to help children and monthers in Africa battling AIDS and poverty. The fans are invited to organize their own walks and Hanson will also donate a dollar to whatever cause they are walking for. The goal is to Walk around the World and as of 2/4/2009 have walked 19,236 miles and have 5,666 to go. More information is available at www.takethewalk.net Hanson released their 5th studio album entitled "Shout It Out" on June 8, 2010. Leading up to this release they performed all of their albums at 5 sold out shows at the Gramercy Theater in New York City. Websites: http://www.hanson.net http://www.youtube.com/ITZHanson Discography: Boomerang (1995) MMMBop (1996) Middle of Nowhere (1997) Snowed In (1997) Live from Albertane (1998) Three Car Garage: The Indie Recordings 1995-1996 (1998) This Time Around (2000) Underneath Acoustic (2003) Underneath (2004) The Best of Hanson: Live and Electric (2005) The Walk (2007) Middle of Nowhere Acoustic (2007) Take The Walk EP (2008) Stand Up, Stand Up EP (2009) Shout It Out (2010) ————————————————————————————————————————- *Hanson was also a funk-rock group from England in the 1970’s. “”Unapologetic and hard-funkin’, this supergroup released two sundry albums in the mid-70s for Manticore: Now Hear This (1973, MC66672 - US, K43507 - UK) Magic Dragon (1974, MC66672 - US) Formed by Junior Hanson (real name: Donald Hanson Marvin Kerr Richards Jr.; was a member of Bob Marley & The Wailers, Steve Winwood, Keef Hartley Band), it’s simply criminal that this outfit was overlooked by the British press and record buying public alike (note “Magic Dragon” being possibly a US-only release!); the only way I’ve personally found out about it is the same way most of today’s “heavy rock archaeologists” are finding out about it: via the inclusion of bassist Neil Murray. Both albums featured a star-studded cast. On “Magic Dragon” - Glen Le Fleur (Murray Head, Gonzalez, Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance, Olympic Runners, Gerry Rafferty), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gilgamesh, Colosseum II, Black Sabbath, Gary Moore, National Health). On “Now Hear This” - Rebop Kwaku Baah (Can, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Free, Traffic, Steve Winwood), Clive Chaman (Jeff Beck, Hummingbird), Delisle Harper (Graham Bond Organisation, Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Ginger Baker, David Coverdale, Freddie King, Olympic Runners), Conrad Isadore (Olympic Runners, Joe Cocker, Hummingbird, Paul Kossoff, Manfred Mann, Terry Reid, Stephen Stills, Vinegar Joe), Jean Roussel (Joan Armatrading, Elkie Brooks, Atlantis, Joe Cocker, Donovan, Roger Glover, Keef Hartley, Alan Hull, Tim Hardin, Juicy Lucy, Paul Kossoff, Linda Lewis, Osibisa, Robert Palmer, Wilson Pickett, Police, Cat Stevens, Mick Taylor, 10CC, Thin Lizzy, Ron Wood), Bob Tench (Jeff Beck Group, Roger Chapman & Shortlist, Boxer, Peter Green, Humble Pie, Hummingbird, Freddie King, Van Morrison, Linda Lewis, Streetwalkers).”

The Honorary Title began several years ago as a moniker for Brooklyn singer-songwriter Jarrod Gorbel's solo folk musings, but later evolved into the full-fledged quartet responsible for 2007's critically acclaimed Scream and Light Up the Sky (Doghouse/Warner Bros.) Gorbel has come full circle this year, stepping out from behind the Honorary Title name and recording two remarkable new discs. His recently-released tour EP, Ten Years Older and the upcoming Devil's Made A New Friend - Gorbel's debut solo LP - mine classic soul, traditional folk and Americana, incorporating strings, horns and female backing vocals for a sound more lush and organic than any of his previous work. The Honorary Title released their debut album, Anything Else But the Truth on Doghouse Records in 2004. Produced by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Guster), the album combined the unbridled passion of Gorbel's vocals with pop hooks and keenly observed, poetic lyrics. The self-produced video for their song "Everything I Once Had" became a fixture on FUSE, and the disc earned accolades from Rolling Stone ("a soaring, heart-rending debut,") Spin (which praised Gorbel's "winning humor and killer pipes,") and GQ, among others. Nominated in August 2004 for the prestigious Shortlist Music Prize (alongside Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, TV on The Radio and many more), the album's popularity kept The Honorary Title on the road for three years. To help bottle the lightning The Honorary Title was creating onstage, the band turned to producer Rob Schnapf, known for his work with Beck and the late Elliot Smith. Their major label debut, 2007's Scream And Light Up The Sky, was met by rave reviews, with Rolling Stone declaring: "Gorbel still has his strikingly gorgeous voice, which will probably always be the secret to slaying the sound-alikes." Or, as Paste put it: "Under-realized power-pop supergroup makes its best album." Gorbel's deceptively simple melodies, warm arrangements and soulful, soaring voice were always what drove The Honorary Title; his new, solo material brings those qualities into crisp focus in a way that makes the details even more beautiful. Tuesday November 24 marks the digital release of "Ten Years Older", the first single and title track of Jarrod Gorbel's forthcoming EP which was previously made available on the final Honorary Title tour. The collection was recorded this past August in New York and is a taste of what is to come with his first full length solo album Devil's Made A New Friend, which was recorded this summer in Los Angeles with producer Blake Sennett, formerly of Rilo Kiley and the Elected. Look for Jarrod on tour early 2010. http://www.myspace.com/jarrodgorbelmusic