2018 CANDLER PARK MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/24/18

ATLANTA – As festival season quickly approaches, Rival Entertainment announced today the highly-anticipated 2018 Candler Park Music + Food Festival music line-up. Returning to Candler Park for its 10th year on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, the Festival will feature: Gov’t Mule, Lettuce, Houndmouth, Keller Williams’ PettyGrass featuring The HillBenders, SUSTO, Twiddle, Larkin Poe, Busty & The Bass, and Webster. Sponsored by Athens-based Terrapin Beer Co., the two-day event will be packed with an incredible lineup of live music, food and local artisans for a family-friendly festival experience.

 

With this year’s addition of The Terrapin Beer Co. Battle of the Bands, fans can catch a preview of the fun-filled weekend on Friday, May 11. During the Battle of the Bands, bands will compete for the chance to perform during the opening slot on Friday, June 1. Visit terrapinbeer.com for more details.

 

“We couldn’t be more excited to present another stellar lineup for music fans who join us from all over,” says Festival Producer and Rival Entertainment Partner Josh Antenucci. “Maintaining that cherished neighborhood festival vibe while simultaneously featuring some of the most popular artists for an unforgettable experience, at an unbeatable price, makes our festival a mustsee event this spring.”

 

The two-day event is set to draw more than 20,000 attendees from Atlanta and beyond, and will feature much more than live music. As music fills the air, attendees will also have the opportunity to experience additional activities including a food village filled with local restaurant vendors and food trucks, an artist market, adult field games, a craft cocktail bar, and the exclusive Terrapin Brew Lounge complete with an expanded selection of rare Terrapin craft brews.

 

Gates open at 4:00 pm on Friday, June 1 and at 12:00 pm on Saturday, June 2. Weekend ticket prices are $25 for General Admission and $60 for VIP through April 15 and will then increase. Advance purchase is highly recommended at candlerparkmusicfestival.com. This festival is an all-ages event. Children under 12, accompanied by an adult ticketholder, do not require tickets. A portion of festival proceeds will support the festival’s philanthropic beneficiaries to be identified while working alongside members of the community during the planning of the festival and announced at a later date. Candler Park Music & Food Festival is produced by Rival Entertainment and is a rain or shine event.   About Festival Performers Legendary rock torchbearers Gov’t Mule have showcased their virtuosity, intelligence and breadth for more than two decades, which have encompassed 15 studio and live albums, millions of album and track sales and thousands of performances. The band have become a human encyclopedia of timeless American music while adding to that canon with their signature sound.

 

For more than two decades, Lettuce have brought a new vitality to classic funk, matching their smooth and soulful grooves with a hip-hop-inspired urgency and mastery of beat. In recent years, they have watched their fan base expand as they’ve hit bigger and bigger stages and earned their name as a can’t-miss festival act.

 

Houndmouth became the irrepressible core of an outfit turned magnetic. They earned a reputation as a must-see act, their hooks, energy and charisma making them feel like a lifelong friend you’d just met.

 

Keller Williams’ new Tom Petty-inspired project titled Keller Williams’ PettyGrass finds him performing select covers in a rollicking bluegrass style alongside eclectic bluegrass quintet The Hillbenders. These special performances will serve as a way to pay homage to a musical icon while bringing a new perspective to his time-honored songs.

 

For Justin Osborne, the music of SUSTO was something he had to get out into the world. Their music finds them taking the spacey country rock of their debut into the stratosphere, piling on layers of sighing keyboards, galloping rhythms and frayed, noisy guitar solos atop wistful melodies and lyrics that examine growing up and growing into yourself.

 

In the live setting, more and more people are invigorated by Twiddle’s community, promoting positivity and the band’s skillful improvisational music. So many like-minded people believe in the greater good, and they find that good in Twiddle.

 

Larkin Poe is a roots rock ‘n roll sister duo comprised of Rebecca Lovell and Megan Lovell that are descendants of tortured artist and creative genius, Edgar Allen Poe. After experimenting with an array of musical styles, they found a way to blend together a sound that channels their distinct voice. They are currently working on their next album.

 

With their seamless blend of soulful hip-hop vocals, rap, signature brass and synths, Busty and the Bass is ushering in a new era of genre-defying sound. The Montreal-based nine-piece quickly shot up from packed house party jams to scorching live performances in front of thousands of fans across the US, Canada, Europe and the UK.

 

Atlanta-based Webster has performed at numerous venues throughout Atlanta from small to large events, every stage suits them. Their ever-evolving song list includes, among others, covers of Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, Phish, REM, Ryan Adams, Dire Straits, Johnny Cash and Railroad Earth.

11TH ANNUAL DOGGIES ON THE CATWALK

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/21/18

The Annual Fashion Fundraising Event Celebrates Its 11th Year of Pairing Canines and Couture to Benefit Canine Assistants

 

Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Greenberg Traurig Office at Terminus 200 in Buckhead, Atlanta

 

Atlanta, Georgia – Doggies on the Catwalk returns this year for its biggest show to date. Celebrating 11 years of philanthropic success, Doggies on the Catwalk’s founder and notable Atlanta personality E. Vincent Martinez is thrilled to take this year’s event to the next level – 25 levels to be exact.  Moving the annual affair to Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office at Terminus 200 in the heart of Buckhead, attendees are invited to experience a crowd-pleasing runway lineup that includes adorable pups, local personalities and coveted luxury brands.  An unforgettable evening of fashion, fun and philanthropy, Doggies on the Catwalk will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 7 p.m. and benefits Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization which educates and provides service dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs.

 

“In addition to raising much-needed funds for Canine Assistants, it’s also our mission to raise awareness about the organization and these incredible dogs that not only provide loyal companionship, but help those in need with essential everyday tasks – from turning lights on and off and opening and closing doors – to pulling wheelchairs, retrieving dropped objects and summoning help,” says Martinez. “We also simply cannot wait for patrons to see our new location, that will provide a more intimate and elevated experience and absolutely stunning views of the city. This year’s event promises to be our best yet.”

 

Emceed by beloved media icon Monica Pearson, the event will feature a cocktail reception and a high-energy runway show featuring the season’s most sought after looks from top designers and brands found at SAKS Fifth Avenue such as Gucci, Prada, Givenchy, Saint Laurent and much more.  And for the first time, patrons can take advantage of three ticketing options, which includes Pedigree, Top Dog and Good Dog packages:


Pedigree Level
 – Premium seating, roof top access, VIP pre-party from 5:30 to 7 p.m., select bar, hors d’oeuvres provided by Le Bilboquet, meet & greet with Whispering Angel’s Paul Chevalier, informal modeling from SAKS, Pop Up Shops, couture candy takeaway by POP Events, available for $225.

Top Dog Level – Reserved seating, roof top access, VIP pre-party from 5:30 to 7 p.m., select bar, hors d’oeuvres provided by Le Bilboquet, meet & greet with Whispering Angel’s Paul Chevalier, informal modeling from SAKS, Pop Up Shops, couture candy takeaway by POP Events, available for $175.

Good Dog Level 
– Select bar, Whispering Angel, hors d’oeuvres, Pop Up Shops, couture candy takeaway by POP Events, limited seating available on a first come, first serve basis, available for $75.

 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.fashionado.net/doggiesonthecatwalk.

 

IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY WITH MONSTROUS FIRST ROUND LINEUP

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/15/18

Armin Van Buuren, Alesso, Galantis, RL Grime, Zeds Dead and Special Guest: Adventure Club Top the Lineup, Along With Over 40 Additional Artists

 

Tickets Now On Sale For Atlanta’s Largest EDM Camping Festival

 

Once viewed as a burgeoning new festival filling a void in the Southeast, Imagine Music Festival now celebrates its 5th Anniversary as one of the nation’s most anticipated electronic dance music events. Preparing for its biggest year to date, Imagine has released the first phase of its lineup which includes some of the biggest and most exciting talent from around the globe. Returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia on September 21 through 23, 2018, the first round of headliners for the highly-anticipated music and camping festival include:  Armin Van BuurenAlessoGalantisRL GrimeZeds Dead and special guest: Adventure Club. With still more headliners to be announced, this initial collection of top tier names are joined by over 40 additional artists.

Featuring four main stages, with more stages and artists to be announced, Imagine’s immersive aquatic fairytale will permeate the grounds of Atlanta Motor Speedway – from the infield to deep into the early morning in the camping areas. Additional artists on the 2018 performer lineup include: Oceania Stage: 12th Planet; Bear Grillz: Liquid Stranger; Riot Ten; Zaxx; Eddie Gold; Kevin Flum; Leah Culver; Midnite Panda; Ra; and Sunday Service. Amazonia Stage: GRiZ; ZHU; Cashmere Cat; Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ set); Ekali; Eoto; Lotus; Jai Wolf; SunSquabi; Higher Learning; Juju Beats; Levitation Jones; Protohype and Zen Selekta. Disco Inferno Stage: Green Velvet; Oliver Heldens; special guest: Noisia; Boogie T & Squnto; Chocolate Puma; EDX; Joker; Koan Sound; Shlump; Walker & Royce; Wax Motif; Afro Acid Block, with: Salah Ananse and DJ Kemit; Ariel; Exit 9; Halogen; Ployd; and White Rhino. Aeria Stage: Paul Oakenfold; Gabriel Dresden; DJ Dara; IV Lab; Bryson Taylor; and DaddyDough.

 

“Topping the prior year’s lineup has undoubtedly become a bigger challenge each year.” says Iris Presents founders Glenn and Madeleine Goodhand. “Through many special requests, our fans and the Imagine Family have helped to curate another dream lineup. Our fan support has been an integral part in this festival’s growth and we cannot wait to welcome you all back for our best year yet.”

Returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a third straight year this September 21-23, 2018, with early admission available on Thursday, Imagine continues to grow into the expansive venue further embracing the aquatic theme that runs throughout. Never ones to rest on their laurels, Imagine will be presenting fans with increased upgrades, based on feedback from its 2017 attendees. Imagine will continue to improve on the guest experience with more camping activities and services, additional entry and exits gates, improved VIP area, more custom stage designs and overall improvements to the site that will create better flow and shorter wait times. Throughout the aquatic wonderland there will be no shortage of aquatic creatures, dancers, cirque acts, art, workshops, the return of the Imagine pool and of course an even bigger and better lineup. As one of the country’s last remaining independent festivals, Imagine creates an all-encompassing, 360-degree sensory experience that blends music, circus troupes, performers, dancers, art, workshops, classes and more.

 

Tickets are available now starting at $219 for a 3-day pass and $285 for a 3-day pass with camping. VIP passes with express entry into festival, exclusive viewing areas, VIP bars and lounges, and private air-conditioned VIP trailer restrooms start at $360 for a 3-day pass and $479 with a

3-day pass with camping. Several lodging packages are available, including GA Camping, VIP Camping, RV Camping, Unity Travel Qube village and Hotels.  Tickets are available online at www.imaginefestival.com. Imagine Music Festival is an 18 and over event.

 

Imagine Music Festival is produced by Iris Presents. Visit www.imaginefestival.com for the most up-to-date information. Stay connected on Twitter at www.twitter.com/imaginemusicfes and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/imaginemusicfestival.

 

IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 OFFICIAL AFTER MOVIE

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL SANDY SPRING ARTSAPALOOZA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/15/18

Featuring 150 Must-See Artists and Craftsman, Live Acoustic Music, Gourmet Food Trucks, Children’s Area, and More

 

Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Atlanta, GA – The seventh annual Sandy Springs Artsapalooza presented by The Atlanta Foundation For Public Spaces returns on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, 2018. Featuring more than 150 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craft persons, glass blowers, jewelers, and more, the festival will transform the beautiful tree-lined streets of Sandy Springs into an expansive outdoor art gallery. Festival-goers have the opportunity to view artist demonstrations, participate in hands-on art activities and enjoy live acoustic performances. The award-winning, two-day festival will also have a children’s area, gourmet food trucks with healthy alternatives and beverages. The festival is free to attend, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome.  For more information about the festival, please visit http://sandyspringsartsapalooza.com or  www.affps.com.

33RD ANNUAL GEORGIA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/15/18

The 33rd Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival announces weekly themes for the 2018 Festival located just minutes from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on I-85 at the Fairburn/Peachtree City exit. Open Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day, 10:30 am to 6 pm, April 14 – June 3, 2018.

 

2018 THEMED WEEKENDS

 

Featuring a new Renaissance adventure and/or special ticket promotion every weekend! (Subject to change.) In addition to the themed weekends, we have a Pub Crawl twice daily, starting a 12:30 pm and again at 2:15pm, and NEW THIS YEAR we are hosting a Fairy Tea Party at 1 pm. Tickets for these events are can be purchased at the Information Booth, just inside the Front Gate.

 

April 14 & 15: Opening Weekend 2 For 1 Buy 1 Adult Ticket-Get 1 FREE – SAVE $23.95! Let the FUN begin with a BOGO!

 

April 21 & 22: Kids Free Weekend Sponsored by Superior Play Systems – Up to 4 Children FREE with Paid Adult; Enjoy activities in the Superior Play Systems Kids Kingdom Play Area, Costume Contests and More!

 

April 28 & 29: Time Warp Weekend A weekend of Cosplay and Costume Contests where Fantasy meets History, and Superheroes meet Royalty

o Also, Pet Friendly Weekend Bring your Dog or Cat on a leash. Enter the pet costume contest. See the website for pet registration form and full detailswww.GArenfest.com

o And, College Weekend Too! $8 at the Gate with valid College ID

 

May 5 & 6: Maytoberfest Weekend This weekend sample a variety of German Beers and Bavarian Food while enjoying special guest musicians.

 

May 12 & 13: Highland Weekend The Village welcomes the Scottish and Irish this weekend. Bagpipes, drums and kilted dancers abound. Bring your clan! Sunday is Mother’s Day – The first 100 Moms thru the gate get a flower.

 

May 19 & 20: Pirate’s Weekend Pirates of all ages are welcome to compete in the Costume Contests, or play Walk the Plank Trivia. It’s a weekend full of fun and mischief for Pirates of all ages! Sunday, May 20 is ASL Celebration Day. American Sign Language interpreters will be on stage at select shows throughout the day.

 

May 26, 27 & 28: Memorial Weekend – 3 Days to Play! The Festival is open Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day Monday. Bring the Family out on this holiday weekend. All military get in free at the Gate with ID, plus up to 4 family members get in for just $8 each.

 

June 2 & 3: Romance Weekend Last chance to find romance at the 2018 Festival. Take part in a Mass Renewal of Vows Ceremony on Saturday or Sunday. Last chance for a turkey legges and a frothy ale, too. See the exciting finale of the 2018 Equus Maximum Joust Show, and all of your favorite Festival performers one more time, ‘cause after this weekend, we’re History… ‘til next year!

 

Purchase discount tickets online: https://www.garenfest.com/

MOTOAMERICA’S SUZUKI CHAMPIONSHIP DESCENDS ON ROAD ATLANTA THIS WEEKEND

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/11/18

Featuring Motorcycle Road Racing, Freestyle BMX, a Special Appearance by Tony Hawk, Skateboarding, Live Music, VIP Experiences and More 

Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 15, 2018 

 

Costa Mesa, CA – The MotoAmerica Suzuki Championship descends upon Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia this weekend, Friday April 13 through Sunday, April 15, 2018.  This can’t-miss event includes three full days of motorcycle road racing, freestyle BMX, skateboarding, stunts, and live music… plus Tony Hawk and Friends getting rad on a 40-foot skate/BMX ramp on Saturday and Sunday.  If all that’s not enough, the event features The Wall of Death motorcycle stunt riders, an interactive kids zone with Stryder bikes, a pump track, Mini Moto exhibitions and bounce houses, and renowned DJ Jayceeoh spinning a special set on Saturday.  While the demos, skating, BMX and motorcycle stunts and races last all weekend, Hawk will be skating on Saturday only on his personal, state-of-the-art vert ramp brought in just for the event.

 

Five classes will compete in the Suzuki Championship at Road Atlanta: Superbike (Saturday and Sunday), Supersport (Saturday and Sunday), Junior Cup (Saturday and Sunday), Twins Cup (Saturday) and Stock 1000 (Sunday). Practice and qualifying will be held on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, WERA will race its 1000 Superbike class on Sunday.

Action enthusiasts looking for the full experience, can treat themselves to VIP Full Throttle ticket packages that includes entrance to the incredible M2 Lounge — luxury suites and stages that deliver the ultimate viewing experience for all the action. Besides complimentary food and drink, VIP goers will experience meet-and-greets with riders and Maxim magazine hostesses, escorted pit lane access, and a chance to walk the track and see first-hand the twists and curves that make MotoAmerica one of the world’s most exciting new sports.

 

MotoAmerica’s Full Throttle ticket package will cost $119 prior to April 11 and $149 after April 11, and that package is nearly sold out. Premier VIP Parking is available for $50 prior to April 11 and $75 after April 11.  There is also a VIP Full Throttle ticket package that includes entrance to the M2 Lounge – luxury suites that deliver the ultimate viewing experience for all the action. The VIP Full Throttle ticket package is available for $299 for the two-day experience.

For more information, the full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit http://motoamerica.com.

 

TICKET GIVEAWAY: WASABASSCO BURLESQUE AT CITY WINERY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/9/18

TICKET GIVEAWAY ALERT! You heard us right! Get the perfect date night made right with two tickets to the Wasabassco Burlesque on Saturday, April 21st at 10! Go to our social media pages and like our page, this post, and tag your plus one! Easy, peasy. Our lucky winner will be announced on our social media pages on Tuesday, 4/17 around 9 pm. Good luck!

Details:

The #smartandnaked ladies of Wasabassco are back at City Winery Atlanta on Saturday, April 21st! Hosted by NYC’s Sapphire Jones and featuring Nashville’s GiGi La Femme alongside Toronto’s Lucky Minx and Candi LeCoeur, Desta del Carmen, Risky Sour, Roula Roulette & Ada Manzhart from Atlanta! Why is Wasabassco Burlesque a date night made right? They’re a world-renowned for its disarmingly sexy combination of contemporary striptease and top-tier variety. Bringing together retro-glam sophistication and a playful sense of humor, events are carefully curated to feature only the finest talent, an eclectic range of jaw-dropping acts that change with every show.

Since 2009 Wasabassco has been appearing monthly at City Winery NYC and we’re proud to bring that same level of showmanship to City Winery Atlanta in 2016 under the leadership of GiGi La Femme, Sapphire Jones and Doc Wasabassco. “ONE of the TOP Ten Burlesque Shows In The World” -Travel Channel.

 

Tickets run $20 for reserved seating and $25 for premiere reserved seating. Doors open at 10 pm and the show begins at 10:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

TLC TRADING SPACES HOSTS THE TRADING SPACES EXPERIENCE AT LENOX MALL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/2/18

TLC’S ‘Trading Spaces’ host Paige Davis and legacy designer Frank Bielec head to Lenox Square in Atlanta giving fans the ‘Trading Spaces experience’ on the day of the iconic show’s return to television

TLC’s hit series TRADING SPACES is returning after a ten-year hiatus on Saturday, April 7th to living rooms across America.  In advance, the show’s host, designers, and carpenters will be making stops in three cities on the day of the premiere, giving fans an inside experience on what it’s like to be a part of the show!

WHO:
TRADING SPACES host Paige Davis and legacy designer, Frank Bielec.

WHAT:
The TRADING SPACES Experience will include Design Live – fans can design a room live and see which TRADING SPACES talent they are most like; DIY Lab – attendees will be involved in mini workshops where they will learn some of the best how-to-secrets for designing from the shows designers and carpenters; Do It Yourselfie – an interactive photo station where fans can recreate iconic TRADING SPACES designs to share with their friends and Kid Zone – where kids can participate in a fun design.  In addition, a radio DJ from WSB-FM, B98.5 will be spinning music all day and you can hang out at the TRADING SPACES lounge or take your picture by the iconic truck!

WHEN:
Saturday, April 7th 12 – 6 p.m.

WHERE:
Lenox Square
3393 Peachtree Road NE
Across from The Cheesecake Factory & Nike

EIGHTH ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL ON PONCE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/28/18

Two-Day Fine Arts Festival Featuring 125 Displays of Local and Regional Fine Art and Crafts, Children’s Area, Gourmet Food Trucks, Live Music and More!

Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2018

Atlanta, GA – The eighth annual Spring Festival on Ponce will be held Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2018 in Atlanta’s historic Olmsted Linear Park. The sister festival to the Fall Festival on Ponce (October 20 and 21, 2018), the Spring Festival on Ponce will transform the park, which was carefully restored by the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance, into an outdoor art gallery to the backdrop of budding spring foliage. The two-day event will feature over 125 displays of local and regional fine art and crafts, utilizing the gorgeous landscape designed by one of America’s most celebrated landscape architects, Fredrick Olmsted, Sr. In addition to the abundance of unique art, there will be a children’s area, local gourmet food trucks, beverages and a stage for acoustic musical performances. The event is free, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome.  For more information, please visit  www.festivalonponce.com

RUBY VELLE & THE SOULPHONICS RETURN WITH SOPHOMORE RELEASE “STATE OF ALL THINGS” AND ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/12/18

 

The Billboard Charting Group, Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, return with a poignant and authentic sophomore release, “State of All Things” on Friday, April 27th. To celebrate the album that is six-years in the making, they’re having a special album release show at Atlanta’s Terminal West on Saturday, March 24th with the soul, funk, RnB Duo Greyhounds, from Austin, TX. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

Sharing bills with megastars and indie darlings like The XX, Erykah Badu, Bush, The Wailers, Kendrick Lamar, and more, they have a deep, raw funk, a stax-style southern soul, and positively uplifting and original Motown-channeling anthems. They’re looking forward to this album release, after the successful releases of the first two singles, that can be found here: “Broken Woman” and “Call Out My Name,” as well as, “State of All Things” the anticipated upcoming single out 3/23. Take a listen and get out to the show to celebrate their sophomore effort.

A little more about the band ICYMI (Full-Bio from their website):

Atlanta’s Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics are the heirs to the thrones of the old-school masters. But they’re much more than just a group of revivalists trying to create a period piece. Powerhouse singer Velle and her band will settle for nothing less than bringing these classic sounds glimmering into the now with a fresh new modern sheen.

Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics have made a name for themselves captivating audiences with their stirring live performances. They’re a world-class modern soul revue topped off with the cherry of Velle’s sultry voice, as she deftly toggles between sweetly crooned R&B tunes and expertly belted barn-burning get-downs that can instantly jolt a roomful of wallflowers into a wild dance party.

It’s this inviting and accessible bravado that has scored the band critical acclaim from outlets such as The New York Daily News, MTV, Paste and more. And in addition to their critical success, at a time when record sales are at an all-time industry low, the independent, DIY-minded Velle and the Soulphonics sold a quarter-million downloads of their single “My Dear” on iTunes, landing them in the top 30 on Billboard’s Heatseeker charts and at a stunning #4 on the iTunes R&B charts when their debut album It’s About Time was released in 2012. The group has shared bills with megastars and indie press darlings alike, including Erykah Badu, The XX, Goodie Mob, Gary Clark Jr., Animal Collective, Feist and Kendrick Lamar.

And they continue to blaze a trail into the hearts of music fans with their new single “Tried on a Smile,” which premiered via CNNgo. The song is the first to surface from Ruby and the Soulphics’ as-yet untitled sophomore LP, which is slated for a summer 2016 release. The feel-good new single was produced and recorded at Diamond Street Studios in Atlanta by the band’s own Spencer Garn (Black Lips, Sara Rachele, The Coathangers).

“No matter how you feel before the song starts, you’ll feel great by the end of it,” Velle says, “I always have a renewed energy after singing it. It’s a real mood changer!”

Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics formed originally in Gainesville, Fla., in 2006 when the band’s core members Spencer Garn (keys), Scott Clayton (guitar) and Ruby Velle (vocals, lyricist/writer) began performing together. They soon left behind the Florida college town, and headed for Atlanta, where they found a vibrant and eclectic music scene that embraced them with open arms.

At the time, they were playing mostly soul and R&B covers, selling out small clubs on the weekends, as Garn built Diamond Street—the band’s recording studio and rehearsal space. Having their own space and recording equipment, the band was able to take their time while recording, getting everything just right.

“After I listened to the It’s About Time recordings for the first time,” Garn says, “I got those shivers telling me that this really was something special.”

It’s About Time took Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics from being one of the most popular local acts in Atlanta to a being a player on the national stage. One of the album’s standout tracks, “My Dear,” was featured as an iTunes Single of the Week, propelling it to the top of the R&B charts alongside artists like Usher & Amy Winehouse. The album was universally praised by rock, pop and hip-hop outlets, and continues to make the rounds in underground DJ culture—several EDM remixes have accompanied subsequent releases including their single for “My Dear” and 2014’s Feet on the Ground remix EP.

The band’s first release after It’s About Time, 7-inch single “Heartlite” was featured by Starbucks as its “Pick of the Week” during Christmas 2012, and was playable on every Starbucks log-in screen across the world. Delta Airlines also picked up the song, making it available to listen on all flights. These notable features, along with several successful tours and festival appearances—including The Governor’s Ball and One Music Festival—have helped Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics rack up nearly one million downloads and streams.

Currently, Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics are in the studio laying down the songs that will make up their forthcoming sophomore release. “Most bands like ours tend to hold onto that soul-revue formula—black suits with skinny ties, side steppin’ to the groove, gimmicky segues,” Clayton says. “We’re moving into more modern elements of rock and pop through the lens of soul and classic R&B.”

“That’s the next evolution for the band—to separate ourselves from the soul-revivalist set,” Velle says. “We’re bringing new things to the table while still being soulful and authentic. We package it by drawing from my own eclectic tastes, and from the band members’ diverse backgrounds. It helps set our songs apart. You might not expect it, but a lot of my affinity for singing comes from Paul Simon. I want to be a story-teller with my singing. I’m not afraid to bring a folk mentality into the soul genre. We set ourselves apart with our lyrics and our unerring stance for positivity. We want to be a pillar of the soul genre, not just a representation of what it once was.”