On the heels of 2019's "World on Fire" the year's top selling album on Billboard's Reggae albums chart, Stick Figure is announcing their Once in a Lifetime summer ampitheater tour. Once in a Lifetime hits markets from California to New York, including a previously announced show Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver on June 7, selling out less than three days after going on sale.

Reggae staples Collie Buddz, The Movement, and Iya Terra will join Stick Figure for Once in a Lifetime. All acts released successful albums in 2019, with Collie Buddz releasing Billboard's sixth best selling reggae album of 2019 and The Movement releasing Billboard's fifth best selling reggae album of the year.

Iration has a natural affinity for reggae and island sounds. Their love and appreciation for music spans across a wide range of styles and genres including rock, pop, R&B and funk. Over the past 15 years, the celebrated five-piece - Micah Pueschel [Lead Vocals / Guitar], Adam Taylor [Bass], Joe Dickens [Drums], Cayson Peterson [Keyboard / Synth] and Micah Brown [Guitar / Vocals] – have perfected their distinct hybrid style of music, blending all influences together as evidenced on their seventh, and most recent, full-length album Coastin’ [Three Prong Records). A record about being thankful for the moments that we have.

Iration has been touring nationally since 2008, performing at festivals nationwide from Lollapalooza to Sunfest and Hangout, closing stages at festivals like Bottlerock and Outside Lands. The Hawaiian-bred musicians look forward to spreading their original sound and 'Aloha spirit' all the while never forgetting to get a surf in when possible.

“It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done as a band to make this record,” says guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman of Pepper, in speaking on the recording process of their new self-titled album. “It speaks loudly and widely to a broader audience while maintaining everything good about the band, which, first of all, is our positive attitude.” After releasing five albums, Pepper has opened a new chapter in their storied career. Drummer Yesod Williams adds, “This record feels very cohesive in a way our past releases maybe didn’t. I think it’s an album that can appeal to everyone, as well. We’ve been pigeonholed in the past so this is an opportunity to transcend all that and spread our wings even wider.”

The trio, who formed in 1997 and moved to the mainland from their hometown of Kailua Kona, Hawaii in 1999, pressed pause after the release of their fifth album, Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations, in 2008. There was a sense of fatigue and disunity amongst the three musicians, who took some time off from music both apart and together before rejoining to create an EP, Stiches, in late 2010. The songs on that release re-energized the group, revealing an urgent desire to make a new album that reflected where they are in their lives and career now. After some tour dates in support of the EP, Pepper sat down and focused on their sixth album, a self-titled released that swings open the door on this new chapter.

The musicians went into the studio with Matt Wallace, a producer known for his work with Maroon 5, O.A.R. and Faith No More, in early 2012. Matt helped focus the group’s vision and expand their musical knowledge base, an experience the band members compare to being in their own version of college. The album was recorded in various studios over the course of a year, honing in on Pepper’s re-defined self-identity and how that focus was reflected in the songs.

“We learned so much,” Yesod says. “Matt help us really focus on the art of songwriting. He sat in the room with the three of us with a fine-tooth comb and went over every word, every melody, every sound. He showed us that it’s important what you do play as well as what you don’t play, creating both spaces in the songs. We learned how powerful simplicity can be. Plus, we had such a good time recording this album and I think that shows.”

The resulting album, self-titled to accentuate where the band feels they are presently, broadens Pepper’s style, veering into new sonic territory while still retaining all the fun elements that make the band so beloved by their fans. The ever-present sense of life surges through the tracks, bolstering the sense of optimism throughout. The party anthems, the beach hang melodies, and the boisterous rhythms are all there, each song carefully crafted to best express these sunny moments by the ocean.

“This album is basically 12 snapshots of where we are,” vocalist/bassist Bret Bollinger says. “There are songs that will remind you of your favorite Pepper songs, but by the end you’ll hear some unexpected things. You’ll realize that the songwriting is so much more refined. And there’s laughter in the background of the songs. That’s how good the vibe is on the record.”

Pepper has toured extensively with groups like 311, Slightly Stoopid, Flogging Molly and Sublime With Rome, and spent several summers on Warped Tour – and this live sensibility shows. You can almost feel the sand in your toes and the sun on your back as the album progresses, the musician’s amiable personalities palpable beneath the island rhythms and mellow tones. The band’s music – both live and on their releases – is really about enjoying life and being grateful for each experience, a sensibility that’s very familiar to the three musicians currently in their career. From their 1999 debut Give’n It to their 2006 standout album No Shame, which was recorded with 311’s Nick Hexum, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal and Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary, Pepper has embodied not only a style of music but a lifestyle, one that’s most easily found on beaches across the world, but also one that’s relatable to anyone anywhere.

Released via their own label LAW Records, their universal appeal has led their music being placed in various movies and TV shows, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Good Luck Chuck, as well as several video game soundtracks. The band’s story to date has been a prolific one. But as Pepper turns the page into a fresh chapter with this new album, it’s clear that the band’s passion for music and life will continue on for years to come.

“We’re so blessed to be in this position,” Kaleo says. “We want to do the best we can with it. We had humble beginnings in our small town in Hawaii and we’re still that same humble band. We don’t take any of this lightly. Every day I wake up and think about how I have the best job in the world. The level of gratitude and happiness I have that we’re able to do this is incredible and I hope people can hear that when they listen to our new songs.”

With the release of his genre-hopping debut album, Slum Beach Denny, it’s time to add DENM to the storied list of Southern California’s musical ambassadors.  And like his most recent predecessors- Slightly Stoopid and Sublime- the twenty-something musician, songwriter, and producer drops plenty of hazy daze optimism into his melting pot of youth culture and life experience, emerging with a 21st century soundtrack from SoCal’s sun-kissed sand, surf, and streets.  “It might look overnight to some people,” says DENM, “but I’ve been working.”

Working, first as a producer, most recently as a songwriter and musician, DENM has been a highly sought-after creative force in the indie music scene for over a decade.  He’s evolved, thankfully and successfully, from years as an admittedly troubled teen bouncing from beach town to beach town.  And, as much as itinerant residencies in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Isla Vista marked his personal narrative, they also fostered deeply authentic and eclectic sources of inspiration for the budding artist.  

DENM taught himself guitar at 14, studying Jimmy Page on Led Zeppelin II, replicating every lick on his Alvarez acoustic- “the sickest present ever” from his mother.  He devoured YouTube videos on production techniques and, in 2017, found kindred spirits in the Rock Mafia duo of producers, Tim James and Antonina Armato.  He constantly grinded out new material, trusted constructive feedback from Rock Mafia, and chose positive vibes as motivation.  “Instead of trying to prove people wrong, I want to make sure that the people that believed in me are right.”

Utilizing his “ghetto set-up,” recording wherever the muse took him, DENM began crafting his own repertoire.  He built a personal studio- in a shipping container, no less- in Costa Mesa, Calif., where he assembled his raw tracks.  Then, in Los Angeles with Rock Mafia, he polished his prospective cuts into gems.  

DENM’s songs were notably genuine and reflective, not just autobiographically, but of the multicultural influences that surrounded him; revealing, if not celebrating, the seedier side of SoCal.  They also attracted a host of admiring peers; Dirty Heads’ Jared Watson, for one, guested on the album’s lead single, the reggae/punk cruiser “Califas.”

A devotedly independent artist, DENM signed with Ineffable Records in 2020; a strategic partnership that enables Slum Beach Denny to reach his ever-widening audience.  For DENM, this first record is an immense source of pride; his coming-of-age moment.  “Everything was fully realized: the vision; the mission.  I wanted to make a soundtrack of life that everyone can experience: falling in love; good times; hard times; a little bit of everything.”

And it’s just the beginning.

“Expect more out of me.  I’m going to write about my life.  I’m going to write about make-believe.  Whatever.  We’re just getting started.  Slum Beach Denny is album one,” says DENM.  “I’m living every day.  There’s inspiration everywhere.  I’m expecting to do this for the rest of my life.” 

Boostive is a live dub-hop group based out of San diego, ca. Formed by 3 childhood friends in ocean beach the group now boasts a 6-10 piece band complete with horn section and percussion. Though a group of young musicians boostive has shared the stage with many big name acts such as Slightly Stoopid, The Pharcyde and Souls of mischief. The group has also been featured at major West Coast festivals lightning in a bottle and Joshua tree music festival. Come be apart of the movement and stay boostive.

In April of 2018 Vana signed with Pepper's LAW Records and subsequently released 4 singles that year. In November, Vana visited Great Stone Studios owned by Scott Woodruff of Stick Figure in Oakland, CA. She recorded "Go For It" with Johnny Cosmic of Stick Figure. She also has a duo song with Happy Madison star Peter Dante called "Give Love Get Love”. Recently, Vana has enjoyed touring with bands including Expendables, KBong, & Kash’d Out. She has also opened up for such noteworthy artists as Pepper, Ballyhoo!, Badfish, Oogee Wawa, Tunnel Vision and Tropidelic.

2019 has been an incredibly busy year so far, touring the west coast multiple times with Fayuca & Audic Empire. Exhibiting a tireless work effort, Vana also traveled to St. John's and performed at the Cruz Bay Music’s Virgin Island Jam Fest.

For the remainder of 2019, Vana is focused on touring and festival performances. Vana’s also working on her debut album with Johnny Cosmic. She says “Working with Cosmic has helped me find my sound - there’s a new feel behind this album.”

Vana Liya’s debut album is slated for release in fall 2019.