Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise:
Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise are a San Francisco based band that released their first record “Cappuccino Springs” in the fall of 2022. The band followed up with the home-recorded “Sun Child” less than a year later, and has toured throughout the west coast, from Los Angeles to Portland to Boise and many places in between, including a recent performance at Offbeat Festival in Reno. The Birds are led in collaboration between guitarist and vocalist Tom Conneely and bassist Alois Cerbu, home-recording and engineering both “Sun Child” and their forthcoming record “New Kind Palace.”
“New Kind Palace” is Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise’s second full length album, though in many ways, it might as well be the first. The release of the “Sun Child” EP in September 2023 marked a radical shift in both substance and form, as the desire for perfection and clarity was abandoned for muddled drum machines and lyrics that dealt with the painfully obvious facets of life. “New Kind Palace” builds on the foundations of “Sun Child” - drawing on its hissy intimacy while exceeding its through line, balancing tactile analog qualities with inventive electronic elements all while retaining an impressionistic lyrical focus against the trance-like qualities reminiscent of Arthur Russell and the lo-fi melodic guitars of The Cleaners of Venus.
After a false starts in ill-fitting studios, the ten songs of “New Kind Palace” were recorded in a variety of bedrooms and makeshift spaces that belay the music’s homespun qualities and intimacy. The recording and production process was entirely one of self-discovery, as handing off the various parts of the production process, from tracking to mixing and mastering, became untenable with retaining the honesty the work required. Mostly tracked to quarter inch tape, the music that constitutes “New Kind Palace” is a testament to self-discovery and trust in one’s self, while uncovering and facing head-on the simultaneous hysteria and transcendence of our inner worlds.
"New Kind Palace" by Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise will be released by Kestrel Records on March 21, 2025.
Adam Spry:
In the tradition of indie rock, Adam Spry isn’t just carrying the torch but reigniting the genre with a long overdue spark. His songs embrace the waves of uncertainty that inevitably crash into us all, while simultaneously providing a reminder that the storm shall pass. Spry fuses earnest lyricism with nostalgic compositions that will make you want to listen again and again. His musical style has been likened to The Shins, Fruit Bats and The Kinks.
Growing up as a military brat (a child of parents who serve in the armed forces), Adam Spry found himself feeling alone in a new town and new school, year after year. He’d eventually come to realize that music would be where he planted his roots, finding a sense of home listening to his favorite albums. Adam is driven by the idea of creating music that resonates with others who also feel adrift, longing for a sense of home and belonging. By blending emotional storytelling with melodies that evoke warmth and nostalgia, Adam aims to offer a refuge in his music—a place where listeners can find solace and rediscover the feeling of being anchored, even when life feels unpredictable and overwhelming.
Whether he’s performing with his lively backing band, or an intimate solo set, Adam Spry has captured audiences while touring throughout California, the Pacific Northwest, The United Kingdom and Mexico.
My Dog Jack:
My Dog Jack is a San Francisco based folk band. After playing live for years as part of various folk, jazz and bluegrass groups around the Bay Area, the gang have joined forces and are returning to their songwriting roots. Inspired by legends like John Prine, The Band, and Kate Wolf, as well as contemporary artists such as Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Wood Brothers, and The Devil Makes Three, My Dog Jack brings a cold coast-influenced take on western music. Bringing an energetic live show filled with original tunes, they’re stoked to share their new sound that generates the nostalgia of listening to your parent's ole’ Dylan cassette tapes.