“What elevates Uncle Lucius above the pack—is how they’ve brought Southern charm back to the jam scene. This is contemporary Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with lyrics that resonate deep into your bones. It’s spiritual yet catchy as hell, and the guitar work will leave you breathless.”
Take “Holy Roller,” the epic jam that doesn’t just take you to church—it takes you to heaven. Mike Carpenter and Doug Strahan trade solos that would make Duane Allman proud, while Grossman transports the whole thing on organ. But here’s what makes it resonate: the song basks in glory while simultaneously understanding the dark side of religion. That’s the Uncle Lucius magic—they can make you dance and think at the same time.
— Americana Highways
Already touring nationally, this soul-pop and R&B band has appeared on stages ranging from the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C., to Rhythm & Roots and other regional festivals across the country. The Wisconsin-based group blends soul, R&B, pop, and a little bit of groove-heavy rock into something that feels both polished and loose at the same time—rhythm-forward music with real emotional lift behind it. “Led by TAE’s powerful, deeply expressive vocals“ (Iowa PBS) the band has built a reputation as a live act that can shift quickly from intimate and reflective to full-on joyful release.
They don’t approach soul music as retro revivalism. There are touches of modern indie-pop, groove-based R&B, and even a little communal, almost gospel-like uplift in parts of the set. The result feels young, alive, and genuinely fun ….
The Kruse Brothers combine soaring harmonies, emotionally direct songwriting, and rock-and-roll energy into performances that feel both polished and alive. Brothers Chandler and Miles Kruse bring classically trained voices to the band’s harmony-heavy sound, giving the live show a level of vocal precision and power that immediately separates them from many of their peers.
The brothers combine traditional country themes with a modern desert-rock atmosphere shaped by artists like Chris Stapleton, the Eagles, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. Their music leans heavily on “blood harmonies,” gritty guitar work, and Western imagery, creating a style that mixes dancehall energy with emotional storytelling rooted in the American Southwest.
“But don’t expect music like the Everly Brothers cooing about teenage love here. You get the sense these Phoenix boys have been to the grave of Waylon Jennings in nearby Mesa, and maybe even poured one out for ol’ Hoss. This is some honky-tonkin’ music that isn’t afraid to get a little rowdy.”
— Saving Country Music
