BUMPIN UGLIES

The trajectory of Bumpin Uglies started over a decade ago, making music with friends, playing backyard parties and anywhere else they could get a gig. For Brandon Hardesty, lead vocals and guitar, it was a simple time, but one that taught him lessons that stay with him today as he leads the band into the 2020s. One was that he would do whatever it took for him and his band to be successful. Another was in discovering that doing it his way was the only way, which still applies today. Bumpin Uglies do things their way, free to play, think, and write however they feel, critics and the mainstream music industry be damned.

In the early days, Hardesty was hustling waiting tables while stoking his musical fire with every minute of free time he had. A point came years ago when he knew it was time to put up or shut up if he was going to make a career as a musician, so he dug into doing all of the things it takes to grow Bumpin Uglies from a grassroots local band into a nationally touring act. It took a tireless DIY ethic; and it still does, but if Brandon did not have the singular focus on breaking through and achieving his musical dreams, the story of Bumpin Uglies wouldn’t be what it is today.

Bumpin Uglies are a band that have hoisted themselves up and forged their own path, but even as they look around at where they are, how far they have come, it is clear to them that there is so much more work to do and they continue to do it every day. With the help of bassist Dave “Wolfie” Wolf, drummer TJ Haslett and keyboardist / master shredder Chad Wright, they are doing just that.

Bumpin Uglies recently came off the road, having to cancel their spring tour due to COVID-19. Brandon and the boys have been keeping their rabid fan group “Uglies Nation” entertained with full band live streams, hosting socially distant concerts and even a few Drive-In concerts until the world slowly gets back to a place where Bumpin Uglies can tour once again.

Fresh off the successful release of full length, “Keep your suitcase packed.”, they are in the midst of a new project called “The Never Ending Drop." The concept is simple, yet groundbreaking..

"For the last ten years, we’ve been on what feels like the never ending tour. So in a year where the tour is forced to stop, we decided to double down on the music making portion of our job description," Hardesty explains. The band released their first single, "Fear," in October and plans to release a single per month indefinitely on the second Friday of each month. Be sure to check out the new material on Spotify or wherever you stream music.

Links: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify

ARTIKAL SOUND SYSTEM

Artikal Sound System is a reggae band based out of South Florida. Founded by Chris Montague (guitar) and Fabian Acuña (bass) in 2012, the band honed their chops backing a series of Caribbean singers. Along the way the boys picked up the insane and absurd keys player Christopher Cope and the heavy footed drummer Adam Kampf before finally trying something a little sonically different with their neighbor, female vocalist Logan Rex. After nearly a decade of playing together the boys sound tight and powerful, creating the perfect foundation for their jazz-influenced singer to dance around on lyrically and literally. What you hear is the sound of friendship, hard work, imagination and the hope to spread their message of love and the importance of having a good time.

Links: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify

ONE TIME WEEKEND

They groove, you move. One Time Weekend is a fresh band who has quite craftily created a groove-laden spirit and infused it with a clean, melodic and progressive edge. Since their inception in 2016, OTW has made an impact as one of the youngest talents in the Northeast music scene, and is quickly on their way to spreading their original material around the country. The fans love their music for it's danceable and story-telling qualities, as well as its composition and creativity.

The band is made up of lead guitarists Adam Eytan and Zac Mulcahy, who are well known for their speed, soul, and “guitarmonies”. Bassist Ian D’Arcangelo holds down the low end while simultaneously delivering powerful lead vocals, and drummer Ben Sullivan ties it all together with his precise and in-the-pocket rhythm. All four members contribute in rousing four-part harmonies, and all four members contribute to the songwriting process.

Links: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify