In a career built on reflective, deeply personal songwriting, Nahko’s extraordinary new album, ‘Take Your Power Back,’ stands as far and away his most profound, revelatory, and fully realized collection yet. Recorded in Los Angeles and Executive Produced by cut&dry, the record grapples with grief, trauma, and reconciliation, learning to face heartache head on and embrace the peace and serenity that comes with understanding and acceptance. As heavy as all that may sound, ‘Take Your Power Back’ is as uplifting and infectious as anything Nahko has ever released, blending socially conscious folk and rock with soulful, alt-R&B, genre-bending production. It’s an album of growth, of courage, of resilience. It’s a testament to the beauty and evolution that can come from fully inhabiting our pain, and it’s proof positive that our true power—spiritual, physical, and emotional—inevitably comes from within. 

Born to a Puerto Rican/Native American mother and a Filipino father, Nahko was adopted by a white, conservative, Christian family in Oregon and raised under the name David Bell. He later learned that his birth was the result of a rape, that his biological mother had been fourteen and sold into sex work at the time he was conceived, and that his biological father had gone on to be murdered. A sixth-generation Apache, he took on the moniker of Nahko—a play on his middle name, Nahkohe-ese, which translates to Little Bear—as a way of reclaiming his roots, and in his late teens and twenties, he began traveling the country, spending stints living as far afield as Hawaii and Alaska as he wrestled with identity, purpose, and perception. 

Backed by his band, Medicine For The People, Nahko released his debut album, ‘On The Verge,’ in 2011, but his true breakthrough came two years later with ‘Dark As Night.’ The record was a critical and commercial breakout, landing in the Top Ten on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and earning the band festival slots at Outside Lands, Electric Forest, Wanderlust, Bumbershoot, and more. Over the next four years, Nahko would go on to release two more celebrated albums with his band, solidifying his reputation along the way as an outspoken activist and advocate for both social and environmental justice.

Keep up with Nahko and his music at the links below:
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/nahkobear/
https://www.instagram.com/nahko_and_mftp/

Spotify: 
https://open.spotify.com/artist/35fFUv2850L9CQjjNrLBpb?si=z9SmIMBDTBuiZY8IorPGeg

Nahko & Medecine For The People - Live At Deep Dive (Warrior People)

From Ithaca in upstate NY, Anthony Kannon is a remarkable young man. The highly talented rapper draws on hip hop’s traditional elements of real life storytelling, and has used traumatic episodes in his own journey to both inspire him and provide focus as an artist. 

At the tender age of 6, his mother was incarcerated which led to the split up of his family. This motivated him to pick up the pen for the first time, and encouraged by his musician father, wrote his first verses. Thereafter, armed intruders to the family home left the young man shot as he attempted to wrestle a gun from one of the perpetrators. Initially unaware that he had been shot, that realization soon showed the severity of the situation and as friends rushed for an ambulance to arrive, he asked that he be allowed to listen to his favorite rapper, Royce da 5’9”. Anthony wanted that music to be the last thing he heard in case he didn’t pull through. 

Anthony showed a maturity beyond his years in processing and using the experience. A passionate supporter of the entire Upstate scene, his belief in cross collaboration is articulated as “a form of activism, we are stronger together than we are apart.” His spectrum of knowledge and understanding of personal and social issues is reflected in wide ranging subject matter through a prolific period of writing as presented in a series of albums in EP’s throughout 2021 and 2022.

Keep up with Anthony and his music at the links below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonykannon/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3CL51SkcQYRYOLS7iUn06L?si=Arhj4Jv-RvCICeDuJj_miA

Anthony Kannon - Live At Deep Dive (Pitfalls)

Cast Iron Cowboys came together when a handful of gentlemen green to the Ithaca music scene discovered that their musical passions and inspirations not only meshed, but breathed new energy to an antique sound - classic western, Texas blues, and country bluegrass.

Now, if you catch a Cast Iron show, you'll find six Cowboys delivering a mixture of boot stomping barn burners, two-stepping dance numbers, and evocative ballads. Repertoire includes original songs, as well covers from timeless artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Doc Watson to contemporary musicians like Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, and Billy Strings. Five-part harmonies, multi-instrumentalists trading solos, and an unflappable groove bring community together in heels, hats, and attitude to fit the theme. The Cowboys are Max Moses, Margaret Harper Josh Chamberlain, Joe Hayward, Nate Marshall, and Zeb Whitford.

Keep up with the Cast Iron Cowboys and their music at the links below:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cast.iron.cowboys/

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/08mgr1FqtSCH8y9BaQ9nhT?si=bkQHAi2bTPSolY3Xo_RafQ

Website:
https://www.castironcowboysmusic.com/

The Cast Iron Cowboys - Live at Deep Dive (All Of Me)

Galactic Escort Service - Live at Deep Dive 1.31.24 (Set 1 End Funk Jam)

Dub Apocalypse is an instrumental dub reggae band from Boston, MA. Band members are Tommy Benedetti-drums,Van Martin-guitar,Johnny Trama-guitar,Aaron Bellamy-bass,and Timo Shanko-sax/bass.  The band came together in 2007, led by drummer Tommy Benedetti and guitarist, Johnny Trama. Tommy Benedetti is one of the founding members of American Reggae Pioneers,John Brown's Body. He brings a wealth of experience from the reggae/dub scene to the table,having recorded albums for the legendary Shanachie Label,John Zorn's Tzadik Label (mixed by Bill Laswell),and is currently with John Brown's Body on Easy Star Records.  This history is combined with almost 2 decades of International touring,as well as backing some of the giants of Jamaican music,including The Meditations and Justin Hinds.

Livingston's recording career began in 1978 with his first recording at Joseph Hoo Kim's Channel One recording studio. This was the album "The Tale of Two Cities." He has recorded with producers including Coxone Dodd, Winston Riley, Sly& Robbie, Clive Jarrett, and King Jammy. Livingston made his breakthrough in 1981 with his conscious roots reggae vocal and dub discomix, Trodding Through The Jungle recorded with Flabba Holt of the Roots Radics, then gaining further success with his 1984 hit 100 Weight of Collie Weed. In the 1990s, he recorded Rumors with Shabba Ranks, produced by Bobby Digital. Livingston moved to Brooklyn in the 1980s, where he lives to this day.

Keep up with the band and their music at the links below: 
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/dubapocalypsemusic/
https://www.instagram.com/carltonlivingston/

Spotify: 
Dub Apocalypse: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4xvXrbtN66x9w1uOYeW3qL?si=jeyTtBPbR0ChhTMK3NS-lw
Carlton Livingston: 
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cvdnitvOQm3hA67H4izQT?si=l9GJVETtQw2vPffk3vCkUg

Dub Apocalypse ft. Carlton Livingston -  Live at Deep Dive (Lonely Man)

Galactic Escort Service ft. Ray McNamara- Live at Deep Dive (Mid-Set Improv 7.31.24)

Ithaca-based artist/producer Double Tiger (aka Jay Spaker) is no stranger to critical acclaim. Known for his contributions with trendsetting reggae powerhouse John Brown’s Body, as well as his role as half of Tour De Force, and co-founder of Dub Stuy Records, Spaker is also recognized for his past collaborations with legendary artists such as Luciano, Johnny Osbourne, Sly & Robbie, Rankin Joe, Brother Culture, Omar Perry, Al Campbell. Lutan Fyah, Eek A Mouse, and Scientist.

Keep up with Double Tiger and his music at the links below:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/double_tiger_sounds/

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1m5Ph9rM9DvGWyvopepCLA?si=4C0-PCtvRjSWFl60_PCy7w

Double Tiger - Live at Bernie's Beach Bar 8.4.24 (Fire Burn)

From underground shows to international festivals, Sophistafunk has been described as “Rage Against the Machine meets The Roots, dipped in P-Funk.” They’ve also become widely known on the touring circuit as a rare Hip Hop meets live electronic jam band, performing multiple sets at Electric Forest and Camp Bisco (USA), as well as BoomTown and Shambala (UK), to name a few. They’re well known from New York to New Orleans, and have particularly strong followings in California, Colorado, Michigan, New England, and the Great Northwest, among others.

The band is rooted in undeniable musicianship and authenticity, blending intoxicating beats with mind-expanding flows. Mad scientist Adam Gold is known for his heavy synth basslines and funky vocals. He plays four vintage keyboards at the same time, sometimes even while beatboxing! Gospel trained drummer and singer Emanuel Washington combines neo-soul with deep house, reggae, and more. Frontman / emcee Jack Brown evokes comparisons from Mac Miller to Michael Frantí, but his lyrical skill and conscious vibes are truly one of a kind. The band also features musical guests, ranging from brass instruments to guitars, turntablists, female singers, & other surprises. Lately, they’ve been touring with sax powerhouse Tommy Weeks of the Funky Dawgz Brass Band.

Keep up with SophistaFunk and their music at the links below:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lqw7I5sTFLm5SY1dAqFKp?si=mnkdpKRZT0y0C2xwN9nZ5Q
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sophistafunk__/

SophistaFunk - Live On The Deep Dive Deck (You Gotta Walk)

Nate, Tim and Jason:
______________________
Nate Smith is a drummer, composer, & producer from Chesapeake, Virginia. His visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming has led to three GRAMMY® nominations and work with esteemed artists, including: Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Brittany Howard, Van Hunt, The Fearless Flyers, Norah Jones, and Somi. Smith fuses his original compositions with an eclectic mix of music, including everything from jazz to R&B to hip-hop to pop. His latest album, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds (released September 2021 on Edition Records) is the highlyanticipated follow up to his 2017 GRAMMY® Award-nominated album, Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere. In recent years, Smith’s viral videos have been viewed by millions of people, underscoring his popularity as one of the most influential drummers of his generation. 
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Throughout his wide-ranging career, Tim Lefebvre has amassed a reputation for being one of the world’s most innovative bassists. The Foxboro-native’s creative playing style is an addictive blend of vintage rock, improvisation, soundtrack undertones, and electronic grooves that can be heard on his appearances on over 150 recordings, ranging from Grammy award-winning albums such as David Bowie’s Blackstar to the soundtracks of classic films such as The Departed and Ocean's 12. Now based in Los Angeles, Lefebvre is currently the bassist for the award-winning Michael Wollny Trio, improvisational free-jazz group Whose Hat Is This?, his Blackstar bandmate Donny McCaslin and Grammy Nominated artist Rachel Eckroth. New projects in 2023 include Nate Smith’s “Leave it out”, Andreas Schaerer group, Night Plow (out Feb 2023 on We Are Busy Bodies), and Lefebvre Reinhart and Gardner. 
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As a keys-obsessed youth growing up in Brooklyn, Jason told his mom that he’s not from “here” (like, this planet). Lindner "made his mark during the 1990s," in part as leader of a big band that played at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. He was also the club's house pianist around the time it opened in 1994. By 2004, Lindner was leading an electric group that consisted of Jacques Schwarz-Bart (sax), Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Reggie Washington (bass), and Gene Jackson (drums). His Now Vs. Now band began in 2006 as a quintet, with Cohen, Baba (beatbox, rap), Panagiotis Andreou (bass), and Mark Guiliana (drums) Lindner commented that "I wasn't playing jazz quartet gigs anymore. I was playing in a place where we could really experiment sonically, using electric bass, the drummer playing more groove-oriented beats and less straight ahead swing. I wanted to appeal to ordinary people and not just a jazz audience." In the first three months of 2015 he participated in recordings sessions for David Bowie's Blackstar. For this recording, he used nine keyboards and a grand piano. Lindner reported that his subsequent production work was influenced by the presence of Tony Visconti for the Bowie sessions.

Jack Reynolds

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