Howard Kern "Howie" Day (born January 15, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter. Beginning his career as a solo artist in the late 1990s, Day became known for his extensive touring and in-concert use of samplers and effects pedals in order to accompany himself. He self-financed and self-released his first album, Australia, in 2000. Day eventually signed a recording contract with major label Epic Records in 2002 and has since re-released his debut as well as producing a follow up, Stop All The World Now. Despite initially sluggish sales, Stop All The World Now was certified gold in early 2005 and has produced a number of singles, including "Collide", Day's most successful to date, and the hit "She Says". The track became Epic Records’ first platinum single, eventually selling 1.5 million downloads. After a five year tour before the release of Stop All The World Now followed by a three year tour, Day took some time off and focused on writing music. Since then Day released his Be There EP in May 2009 which will be followed by Sound The Alarm in September 2009. Stop All the World Now (2003–2008) After the EP's release, Day relocated to London, England to record Australia's follow up, which was provisionally titled From a Northern Sky. The album, which would eventually become Stop All The World Now, was recorded in London's famous Olympic Studios with Martin "Youth" Glover, the bassist for British band Killing Joke, whose previous production credits included The Verve's Urban Hymns, one of Howie's favorite albums. While certain tracks on Australia had featured session musicians, Stop All The World Now saw Howie joined for the first time by a permanent backing band, consisting of multi-instrumentalist Les Hall, drummer Laurie Jenkins and ex-Verve bassist Simon Jones. In addition, the majority of the album's songs were co-written with either Better than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin or Jump Little Children's Jay Clifford. A full band tour to promote Stop All the World Now began on September 27, 2003. Due to other commitments, Simon Jones was unable to tour with the group and was replaced by Jeremy Curtis. The album was released one week and three days later on October 7 to tepid critical reactions. Rolling Stone's Pat Blashill referred to Stop as "not bad" but "indistinct", but Popmatters' Devon Powers noted that though Australia had been an album one falls for passionately, "Stop All the World Now is an album you have a crush on, not one you fall deeply, complexly, and foolishly in love with. And crushes have a way of disappearing suddenly, without a trace."Stop Sales of Stop were initially sluggish, but slowly began to rise beginning in late 2004 with the single release of ballad "Collide", which became a popular radio hit and was featured on TV shows such as Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and One Tree Hill as well as soundtracking a promotional trailer for the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Stop was finally certified gold in early 2005. Fan favourite "She Says", which was first released on 1998's White EP, was released as a follow-up to "Collide", although as of 2006 it has not achieved the same success, it became a mid-level hit. Boosted by the slow burning success of Stop All the World Now, Epic released the Live From... EP on December 6, 2005. The 7-track EP contains live renditions of songs from Australia and Stop All the World Now as well as a cover of Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over". The EP has not been widely reviewed, though Allmusic referred to the release as "holiday market product," "tepid", and "directionless". Sound The Alarm (2009) Howie Day released his third full length, "Sound The Alarm", under the Epic music label on September 8, 2009. After an extensive tour schedule following the release of "Stop All The World Now", Day decided to take some time off, during which he sorted through his emotions by writing songs, many of which have made their way onto Sound the Alarm. “I toured for five years straight before Stop All The World Now came out, then for three years non-stop after it was released," Day says. To get his desired range of sounds and moods, Day recorded in a variety of locations, including Los Angeles, New York, London, Minneapolis, and Bloomington, Indiana, between the spring of 2006 and fall of 2008. He also collaborated with several musicians and producers, including Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Mike Denneen (Aimee Mann, Fountains of Wayne), Mike Flynn (The Fray, Augustana), Warren Huart (The Fray, Augustana, Better Than Ezra]) and Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin — each one of them an expert in pulling superlative performances out of the artists they work with.

Serena Ryder is a Canadian singer/songwriter who is from Millbrook, near Peterborough, Ontario. She performed in many venues around Ontario from the age of 18, including being showcased at the CBC Women's Blues Review 2002 at the Music Hall, Danforth Avenue, Ontario at 19. She has a "fearless" approach to performing. Her voice is mature beyond her years, with tremor and vivacity of a seasoned blues singer. Promotional CDs ('A Day at the Studio' and others) were available at some of her early performances and since then she has released three albums. In 2004 she released her debut album Unlikely Emergency, which included the single "Just Another Day" which gained significant airplay on many Canadian radio stations. The album was released with the production help of Hawksley Workman, who contacted the CBC after hearing her perform on a local Live radio broadcast. The album was recorded at his studio and released on Workman's Isadora imprint. Serena is currently signed to EMI Music Canada, and in late 2006, she released her major label debut featuring a collection of Canadian cover songs If Your Memory Serves You Well. This sophomore release featured three originals, including the standout single "Weak In The Knees", which was also featured on the 2007 'Women & Songs Volume 11' compilation. Ryder soon found herself opening major concerts for the likes of Aerosmith and she won the 2008 Juno Award for "Best New Artist." In November 2008, Serena released her third album, Is it o.k., mixing original work with a reprise of "Weak In The Knees". She was nominated for two Juno Awards for 2009 - including 'Artist of the Year' and 'Adult Alternative Album of the Year' for "Is it o.k.", which was eventually released in the USA almost a year later.

Reckless Kelly is an Austin, Texas based alternative country / roots rock band. The band was formed in Stanley, Idaho, but moved to Austin in January of 1997. Their name was inspired by Australian bank robber Ned Kelly. Their offical website is at www.recklesskelly.com/.

G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative blues and hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1992, the trio are known for their unique "laid back" blues sound. The trio released their first album; self titled, in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour. In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums. On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering of finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects. By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album showed to be similar with their debut album then previous release. Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the trio, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, "Mile" was followed by extensive touring. By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love (with the help of his bandmates and others) went solo and had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on. Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Jack Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP, titled Some Live Songs. In the summer 2005, the band was featured (along with the less well known Philly local Chuck Treece of 80's skate-rock band McRad) in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring the groups own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing. G's 2nd electrical solo release Lemonade also included Special Sauce on some tracks. Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, Ben Harper, Jasper, and Blackalicious also contrbuted. G. Love still continues to tour with the Special Sauce in the meantime.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is relentless reggae sound. Roots reggae and experimental dub. North American International Body Music. Giant Panda recently had their touring van converted to run on waste vegetable oil. The sextet will be playing at Rothbury, Reggae On The Rocks, and Wakarusa this summer. GPGDS played 180 shows in 2008, including performances at Mountain Jam, and Wakarusa. 2007 highlights include a three-week stint in Jamaica, numerous national tours, and a concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC). Thanks to their aggressive touring schedule and dynamic sound, Giant Panda has developed an extensive following. Formed in 2004, this Rochester, New York-based group has made a name for themselves through hard work on the road. GPGDS plays an eclectic blend of roots reggae, dub, and afrobeat; their impeccable musicianship and explosive live show have received widespread acclaim. Giant Panda will be releasing a new album in 2009. Their 2006 debut "Slow Down" is receiving regular airplay on Sirius and XM Radio. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad has shared the stage with reggae greats Toots And The Maytals, The Wailers, Lee Scratch Perry, Yellowman, Culture, The Meditations, Don Carlos, Morgan Heritage, Mad Professor, and Edi Fitzroy. They've been joined on stage by members of Brazilian Girls, Thievery Corporation, and Umphrey's McGee. "This is some of the most intense roots reggae we've ever heard..." - Knoxville's Metro Pulse "...heavy, air-tight dub and roots reggae pressure..." - Washington Post "...a viable contributor to the modern reggae movement." - Metro Santa Cruz

Los Lonely Boys (Henry, Ringo, and Jojo Garza) announce the upcoming release of 1969, an EP of covers that pays tribute to one of America’s most musically hailed years. Five years after crossing into the mainstream with the GRAMMY winning single “Heaven,” the brothers take this opportunity to invoke the sound of a generation that walked the moon and transcended Woodstock. They lend praise to songs that provided a soundtrack for so many and inspired their own multi-platinum success. With their signature blend of Latin rhythms, searing guitar leads and impeccable harmonies, the band takes the opportunity to trace their musical lineage through the following tracks: Carlos Santana’s “Evil Ways,” The Beatles’ “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window,” Tony Joe White’s “Polk Salad Annie,” and The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.” Legendary engineer Andy Johns provides his signature, timeless sound to 1969. In addition to recording Blind Faith’s “Well All Right” – also a featured track on the EP – Johns is well known for his work on Led Zeppelin II, III, IV and The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St. Close friend Carlos Santana once told the brothers "When you're up on that stage or when you record, you want to be the tool that shines light through to everybody." Los Lonely Boys always took his message to heart and more so now than ever with their spirited renditions of these classic tracks that they hope will appeal to their current audiences as well as attract new ones that appreciate this generation of music.

Poi Dog Pondering is a band currently based in Chicago, Illinois but was formed in the mid-1980s in Honolulu, Hawaii and membership has evolved around the creative vision of lead singer-songwriter Frank Orrall. Orrall took the band's pop folk direction into electronic & ambient house music in the later 1990's ,but has since returned to explore the soft rock, folk, country & soul influences that gave the band it's initial audience on the indie Texas Hotel imprint and eventual major label contract with Columbia/Sony in the late 1980's. Poi Dog Pondering "the little big band with the strong back and supple/stubborn heart" has been following its intuition for 20 years. From bohemian street buskers to impossible-to-market major label sacrificial lambs, PdP have ripened into staunchly independent musical voyagers. Every sound that has excited them flows through their music and floods it with ever changing colors - acoustic, folk, global music, big band disco, electronic textures, orchestral collaborations, ROCK and SOUL - threaded with lyrics that embrace both the beauty and pain that life can bring. Poi dog Pondering formed in Hawaii in 1986. The first live performance was at the Honolulu Arts Academy. Filled with youthful exuberance and inspiration from ready about Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground's "Exploding Plastic Inevitable" projected film and music happening, PdP projected films of lava eruptions, ocean and other natural environments over the band as they performed. The tradition of projected imagery along with PdP live performances has developed and matured over the years and continues. There is a bolstered sense of history within the band now, a swagger that comes from having steadfastly carved their own path. It is quite apparent that PdP has always been, and ever will be in it for the love of it; creating and performing. Line up changes are par for the course. PdP is an organic entity, it changes like life does. But there is a core with strong roots, open to new eras and ready to experiment. That's what keeps it vibrant. Band leader, Frank Orrall's interest in electronic music garnered him respect from the Chicago House/Electronic music community for his solo project 8fatfat8, and lead him to become a member of Thievery Corporation as percussionist and vocalist. All this influenced 2 of PDP’s Natural Thing and In Seed Comes Fruit albums which saw the band experimenting with electronic textures, beautiful lush arrangements and un-hurried, sometimes instrumental song structures, letting musicality determine the song structure, rather than traditional "verse / chorus / bridge" style song writing. Poi dog Pondering delivered a Rock and Soul record with " 7 ",their 7th studio album, 14 cuts deep and layered in horns, strings, immediate guitars; sometimes shimmering and liquid, & sometimes "crunch and gristle". A painter's pallete of unique instruments, vintage keyboards, "on the sleeve" lyrics, gripping bass & drums and beautiful harmonies. Known for following their heart, this record finds PdP playful, intimate, honest, cocky, boisterous and definitely ready to take it live. “Poi is becoming one of the longest running and most spirited do-it-yourself musical institutions in the country, defying the odds of commerce and interpersonal relationships by keeping a 12 piece band viable…” – GREG KOT, CHICAGO TRIBUNE “The Poi Dog sound happens because of the real and deep connection between the players, which shows in how they listen to one another in performance. The fact that most of them have been doing just that for two decades only increases the power of community they bring to the stage.” - NO DEPRESSION (January 2008, Live Review)

There are two bands using this name: an American folk-rock band and a British heavy metal band. 1. Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American folk-rock band which consists of singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. Toad the Wet Sprocket was formed in 1986 at San Marcos High School just outside of Santa Barbara, California, when singer-songwriter Glen Phillips was just a 14-year-old freshman, and the other members were 17-year-old juniors. The band drew its name from the Eric Idle monologue "Rock Notes" on Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album from 1980. Their first public appearance was at an open-microphone talent contest in September 1986 (which they lost). Toad the Wet Sprocket's first album came out in 1989. Named Bread and Circus, it was their first effort for Columbia Records, who had signed them out of high school. The album spawned the singles "Way Away" and "One Little Girl," which made the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, but did not receive much attention. The follow-up, Pale, was released in 1990 and saw their sound mature. Featuring the singles "Jam" and the Modern Rock Chart hit "Come Back Down," the album was still not a massive success. The band finally achieved fame with their third album, Fear (released in 1991), which became the band's first RIAA certified platinum album. Also, the singles "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean" reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1994, after years of heavy touring, the band released their follow-up to Fear, Dulcinea. This album spawned the hit singles "Fall Down", which reached #1 on the US Modern Rock charts as well as #5 on the Mainstream Rock chart, as well as "Something's Always Wrong", which also charted. This album was also certified platinum by the RIAA. A compilation album of b-sides and rarities, In Light Syrup, was released in 1995; it included the single "Good Intentions", which was featured on the soundtrack for the television show Friends. Largely due to the strength of the single, this compilation was certified as a gold album in 2001. The release of Coil in 1997 acted much like a follow up to 1994's Dulcinea. Featuring a more electric, rock sound, it contained the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock hit "Come Down", as well as the radio hit "Crazy Life" (which did not chart). The album, despite the success of "Come Down" as a single, failed to reach any sales benchmarks. Toad the Wet Sprocket formally broke up in July 1998, citing creative differences. Since breaking up, the band has continued to perform together since their initial 2002 performances at a Rape Crisis Center benefit and opening for Counting Crows. As of May 2009, they have shows slated to play through out the summer 2009 concert season. 2. Toad The Wet Sprocket was an nwobhm (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band active from the mid-70s to 1982. They released two singles, "Pete's Punk Song" and "Reaching the Sky", before their breakup. Their song, "Blues in A", was included on Metal for Muthas compilation (1980).

Originally conceived as a loosely-knit collective showcasing four of Austin’s best up-and-coming artists, The Band Of Heathens are quickly becoming one of the most exciting new acts in American Music. The band’s debut album, LIVE FROM MOMO’S features dynamic songwriting with powerful vocal harmonies and superb musicianship.