CHALK DINOSAUR – Chalk Dinosaur (Pittsburgh, PA) features a fusion of electronic dance music, funk and psychedelic rock. It has distinctive melodic themes coupled with a heavy rhythm section and augmented with synthesizers and electronic textures. The live shows are characterized by high energy and emotional diversity.
Chalk Dinosaur was founded in 2008 as the artist project of Pittsburgh music producer John O’Hallaron, and is known for it’s colorfully diverse and prolific songwriting. Over the years, Chalk Dinosaur has released 25 albums and EP’s, ranging from indie and surf rock to psychedelic rock, electronic dance music, funk, and jam. Some albums are instrumental and some are vocally centered. Some are solo recording projects, while others are collaborative albums featuring the full band.
Live performances take several forms. Chalk Dinosaur mainly performs as a duo and sometimes as a quartet with each form having a different repertoire. The 4-piece leans more funk and jam, and the duo leans more towards electronic dance. Both incorporate the foundation of funky grooves and distinctive melodies.
Members of the live band include John O’Hallaron (guitar, keys, vocals, electronics), Nick O’Hallaron (drums), Jon Henderson (guitar), and Michael Berger (bass).
UNDERGROUND SPRINGHOUSE
“More of the good, less of the bad.” That’s the motto upon which Underground Springhouse have built their sound and style. Exploring reggae, country, and funk influences within a rock ‘n roll context, Springhouse has crafted a genre-bending catalog that takes listeners from beaches to back roads with ear-worm hooks and head-bobbing grooves.
Their debut single, “Joyfell” (2018), has caught the ears of listeners around the country, galvanizing the band to become the touring and recording machine that they are today. Springhouse has since released a full length album, “Underground Springhouse” (2021), and two EPs, “Tom Foolery” (2019) and “I Recall” (2023), as well as a number of one-off singles. Their most recent EP, “I Recall,” features five new songs and showcases the band’s honing of their songwriting craft. On certain tracks the group explores newer influences like bluegrass and Americana, while on others they expand on more familiar styles like reggae and funk. All the while, the band stays true to their motto and their sound by including sing-along choruses and dance-worthy rhythms across the EP.
The band’s consistent recording output and dedicated touring schedule have helped grow their audience from a college town phenomenon into a frenetic mass of music lovers, particularly in the Southeast and along the East Coast, where Springhouse has headlined such venues as Athens’ Georgia Theatre, DC’s 9:30 Club, Nashville’s Exit/In, Birmingham’s Avondale Brewing, New York’s Brooklyn Bowl, Asheville’s Salvage Station, and Atlanta’s Terminal West. Fans should expect the unexpected at a Springhouse concert as no two shows look the same. The band’s fondness for improvisation and segues, and use of mashups and surprise covers make each show a unique experience, and keep fans coming back night after night.
Members Charlie Haas (guitar/vocals), Jackson Thompson (bass/vocals), Max Motley (keyboard/vocals) & Mitch Davidson (guitar/vocals) met in Athens, Georgia while students at the University of Georgia. Underground Springhouse is a product of Athens’ renowned music scene, slowly evolving as the group grew from a dorm room project into the polished outfit they are today.