2024 Lineup
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One of the most electrifying new acts to emerge in recent years, Black Pumas first brought their unbridled breed of psychedelic soul to their 2019 self-titled debut — a widely acclaimed LP whose deluxe edition landed a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year. With seven Grammy nominations now under their belt, the Austin-bred duo have made a major cultural impact with smash singles like "Colors": a gold-certified anthem that's amassed over 450 million streams, in addition to hitting No. 1 at AAA Radio and earning Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best American Roots Performance. Known for their exhilarating live show (as shown on multiple sold-out tours across North and South America and Europe), singer/songwriter Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada first discovered their once-in-a-lifetime chemistry back in 2017, after Quesada began searching for a potential collaborator and connected with Burton through a mutual friend. Thanks to the potent collision of their distinct sensibilities — Burton is a self-taught musician who got his start busking in his native Los Angeles, Quesada is a Grammy winner whose background includes playing in Latin-funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma — Black Pumas soon set off on a meteoric rise that's included performing at the Grammys and at President Biden's inauguration, making high-profile appearances on shows like "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," winning Emerging Act of the Year from the Americana Music Association, and selling over a million album equivalents worldwide. Produced by Quesada and co-produced by Burton, their massively anticipated sophomore album Chronicles of a Diamond finds Black Pumas bringing their singular vision to life with more power, passion, and daring originality than ever before.
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Bates & The Strangers are a unique collective of intense, emotional and exciting musical energy. Since the ten-piece ensemble planted its seed in 2018, they've become one of the most requested bands - giving fans what they want by mixing popular covers that show off their grandiose musical capabilities while also mixing Bates’ original lyrics with soulful classics. Re-imagining some of her original instrumentals from producers like True On Tha Trac and Major 88 Keys makes The Strangers a dynamic, cutting-edge band that will make you laugh, cry, dance, and sing along.
Among the members are songwriter Bates; Zo (Midwest Avengers) on the drums; Madison thumbing the bass; Emmy-nominated pianist Foxx; a versatile vocal trio featuring STNTN, Papa Kemp, and Qui; and a highly potent brass section, KlickKlack (Saint Boogie Brass Band) and Volume Speaks who are both award-winning producers. Not to mention, their newest addition to their hip-hop flava DJ Deeway and their striking feature female rapper and icon Mz Tigga, bring the experience into full circle.
The self-proclaimed “Bad Band" is also known for their stage appearance - masks, bandanas, and quirky themes backed by relentless delivery.
During Grovefest 2023, The Strangers opened a packed concert for Big Freedia, and upon entrance, shocked the crowd with movie-themed LED masks, creating a mysterious aesthetic and followed with a banging set. Their goal is to represent the culture of international hip-hop, R&B, rock, Latin, dance, soul and to give life to their predecessors.
THE STRANGER BAND: INSTAGRAM
BATES STL: INSTAGRAM
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Atlanta indisputably set the pace for modern hip-hop. However, Big Boi set the pace for Atlanta, and by proxy, the culture at large. If the genre of hip-hop ever gets its own "Rap Mount Rushmore," a legacy as the region's foremost wordsmith, funkiest gentleman, and resident ATLien certainly guarantees a place for the diamond-selling artist, rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, philanthropist born Antwan André Patton. Big made history as the preeminent spitter of the Dungeon Family and one-half of OutKast. The legendary duo sold 25 million albums and garnered seven GRAMMY® Awards, becoming the first and only hip-hop artist in history to win the GRAMMY® for "Album of the Year" upon release of their 2003 RIAA Diamond-certified Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Big Boi made his proper introduction as a solo artist in 2010 with Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. A modern classic, it captured #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and landed on Pitchfork's "100 Best Albums of the Decade 'So Far.'" Following a succession of high-profile album releases, Big Boi released his most recent album Boomiverse in 2017. The smash single "All Night" soundtracked a high-profile Apple Animoji commercial, blew up radio, and clocked 40 million streams within a year. The song also hit the Top 30 on the pop chart and the Top 10 at Rhythmic. In addition to his music career, the Hip-Hop legend recently announced that he will be the executive producer for a new crime series titled Government Records. He also signed a deal with Bread and Butter Content Studio to produce Big Boi's Gotta Eat, an upcoming series to find the freshest seafood and unique food culture coast to coast, with an energy that only Big Boi can bring.
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Chingy, who single handedly influenced cultural slang with "thurr" and "hurr" following the smash Billboard Hot 100 hit "Right Thurr," achieved superstardom success with seven other Hot 100 hits, including "Holidae In," "One Call Away" and many more. An actor and philanthropist, Chingy, achieved rapid mainstream success with the release of his triple-Platinum RIAA certified debut album, Jackpot and knocked himself out of the No. 1 position with his second platinum album Powerballin, featuring Hot 100 hit "Balla Baby" as well as a collaboration with Janet Jackson on "Don't Worry." Chingy followed up with another RIAA-certified Gold record, Hoodstar, which also reached the Billboard 200 all-genre Top 10 albums chart, and spawned Hot 100 singles "Pullin' Me Back" featuring Tyrese and "Dem Jeans." The eighth song from his album, "I Do," is featured on the soundtrack for the video game "Need for Speed: Underground 2" The album also featured guest appearances from R. Kelly, Bun B, Lil Wayne, Lil' Flip, David Banner, Nate Dogg, and Get It Boyz. That same year Chingy was featured on Houston's Hot 100 single "I Like That" featuring Nate Dogg and I-20. Chingy's fourth studio album, Hate It or Love It, also - landed in the Billboard 200, and produced the Hot 100 hit "Fly Like Me," featuring Amerie. The LP also featured appearances by Ludacris, Bobby Valentino, Steph Jones, Trey Songz, Rick Ross, and Anthony Hamilton. CHINGY is conquering 2023 with his new album, CHINGLISH, which is his own term for how he pronounces his words. The album shows his truth, his words and his life on how he sees it. Chingy headlined shows across New Zealand and Australia with notable acts with Nelly, Ne-Yo, Bow Wow, and more. His non-stop touring continued with dates across the U.S. and Canada, as well as performances for service members in Guam, South Korea and Japan as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour.
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Cimafunk is a Grammy-nominated, Afro-Cuban Rockstar. His name refers to his heritage as a "cimarrón," Cubans of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery, as well as to the essence of his music that aims to subvert classical Cuban rhythms with innovative mixes of funk, afrobeat and hip hop. Cimafunk has received overwhelming praise touring the U.S. and Europe, making a name for himself as one of today's great showman, performing an electric live show with La Tribu, his 9-person band from Havana. His live show is a celebration of groove and an unforgettable sonic and bodily experience. Cimafunk is redefining contemporary Cuban music as well as Afro-Latin identity and the fusion of black cultures. His latest album, El Alimento, was nominated at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album.
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DJ PBNJEFFY is a DJ and creative from Kansas City, MO and based out of St. Louis, MO. His love of music runs deep across many genres and artists. He believes that music has the power to connect us all and heal ourselves. As a DJ, he loves spinning house, disco, dance, hip-hop, R&B, and pop to encourage people to let the spirit of music move them. He’s performed at local venues in St. Louis such as Sophie’s Artist Lounge and Handlebar. DJ PBNJEFFY has also performed at various St. Louis community events such as AFROSEXYCOOL, Tower Grove Pridefest, and WerQfest music and arts festival, which highlights Black LGBTQ artists.
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Pharaoh is a progressive DJ & Record Producer inspired by genres like Underground Hip-Hop and House to create forward-thinking blends of contemporary songs to contrive a new way of listening to these tracks.
As a first-generation Egyptian hailing from Saint Louis, he started his journey into the music industry at Webster University. He used the four years there to hone his skills in producing and engineering tracks for recording artists.
After graduating, Pharaoh began to DJ at clubs and bars around the city, making connections to local artists of all kinds and further integrating himself into the scene.
Now, Pharaoh DJs shows for artists and uses his platform to promote their music and organizations like the Mental Health Foundation, STL Against Sexual Assault, Gaza Emergency Relief Fund, and many others.
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LaRonn Simmons, widely known as DJ Tycoon, is a versatile and accomplished DJ hailing from the vibrant city of St. Louis, Missouri. His journey into the world of DJing began a mere three years ago, when serendipity intervened. As a former club owner, LaRonn found himself in a situation where the scheduled talent failed to make an appearance one fateful night. Without hesitation, he took matters into his own hands, stepping up to the DJ booth and embarking on an impromptu crash course in the art of DJing. What ensued was nothing short of legendary, and a star was born.
Since that fateful night, DJ Tycoon has become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. His meteoric rise is a testament to his innate talent, dedication, and unwavering passion for the craft. With a unique ability to read and engage any crowd, DJ Tycoon has had the honor of gracing the stages of renowned festivals, electrifying concert venues, and transforming a wide array of occasions into unforgettable experiences.
His expertise transcends boundaries, as DJ Tycoon has artfully curated music for weddings, set the dance floor ablaze at nightclubs, brought communities together at local events, provided the perfect soundtrack for picnics in the park, ignited the nostalgia of reunions, and elevated the atmosphere of corporate gatherings. DJ Tycoon's extensive repertoire spans across genres, ensuring that the right vibe is meticulously tailored to suit the distinctive essence of each event he touches.
What sets DJ Tycoon apart is not just his exceptional talent but also his unwavering commitment to his craft. His willingness to travel ensures that his infectious energy and musical mastery can be enjoyed far and wide. Whether you seek an unforgettable night of dancing or a sophisticated ambiance, DJ Tycoon stands ready to craft the perfect musical experience for your event. With a passion that knows no bounds and a dedication to excellence, DJ Tycoon continues to captivate audiences, one electrifying performance at a time.
DJTYCOON.COM | FACEBOOK | X
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Selcouth Quartet is a dynamic new ensemble featuring Joe Russo (drums, keys) Stuart Bogie (saxophone, flute, clarinet, keys) Jon Shaw (upright & electric basses), and Jonathan Goldberger (acoustic & electric guitars).
Their self-titled debut album, recorded at Floki Studios in Iceland with producer and engineer D James Goodwin, is a mesmerizing exploration of a range of styles and moods.
Born of creative immersion in a remote and otherworldly environment, their sound seamlessly drifts between hauntingly beautiful melodies, propulsive improvisation, expansive atmospheres, and towering sonic constructs.
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“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet”- Downbeat Magazine
An inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist; trumpeter and vocalist; a composer, arranger, and platinum music producer; bandleader and major recording artist (The Mugician-Sony "The Mugician") and currently with Concord Jazz
“Keyon Harrold Is Equal Parts Music” - Billboard
Musically, Harrold lives by the notion that the only thing that identifies a genre is its beat. That belief has allowed harrold to tear down the walls of the genre to roam music freely. There are only 12 notes, so he pours his soul into every musical situation, be it performing live, recording, or composing for television and film.
“Keyon Harrold carries a natural swagger that is not misplaced: he’s a compelling communicator and commanding trumpeter.” The magic of his performance is the accomplishment of a quintet that resonates as both accomplished and raw, the seeking of new challenges...” -Love Supreme Festival.
Harrold’s career is a spectrum of greatness. From touring and recording with Jay-z and Cirque Du Soleil to being signed by legendary Rapper Nas (Mass Appeal) and writing the theme song for The Queen Latifah’s Show.
Harrold is a first-call artist with feature credits with Keith Richards, Black Pumas, Mac Miller (Stay), and Nas (The Jarreau of Rap) and Harrold’s latest collaboration with UK crooner Samm Henshaw ( Still Broke).
Keyon is a frequent collaborator with YEBBA, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, Common, PJ Morton, and Gregory Porter.
Harrold is the new Artistic Advisor for Jazz St.Louis
He is an activist for social justice and equality.
Look for New Original Music and content from Keyon 2022.
KENYONHARROLDMUSIC.COM | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X
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Like most artists, Nicole Wray's life in music has always reflected her real life. As a fifteen-year-old in Virginia, she auditioned for Missy Elliot in her mother's home. Even then, with her voice so full and arresting—Missy signed her on the spot. Later, in 1998, merely two years after that tryout, she had a debut solo album and a single that smashed up radio and TV, quickly going gold. But back then—young and unsure—Nicole was essentially following someone else's lead, signing the lyrics they wrote for her and in the way they wanted them sung.
Fast forward to now, after a few fits and starts with other labels and projects, and you'll find a very different Nicole Wray. Today, she's a mother, a wife, and living for herself and her family. So naturally, this evolution followed into her music: she sings how she wants to, expertly writing lyrics for herself and others. To hear her tell it, it's these things—and most importantly, an unflinching self-belief—that help lead a young and raw Virginian singer named Nicole to become Lady Wray.
The latest step for Lady Wray is her new album, released on Brooklyn's Big Crown records. Called Piece of Me, the record is—on the one hand—a continuation, picking up where Lady Wray and label co-owner/producer Leon Michels left off with Queen Alone. But Piece of Me is also a kind of homecoming for Lady Wray. That first record sonically showcased the dexterous range of Lady Wray's voice and songwriting by leaning toward soul and R&B with tinges of hip-hop. On Piece of Me, it's still R&B with a heavy dose of soul, but you'll hear boom-bap-smacked drums and chunky basslines front-and-center, all creating a head-noddingly dense backdrop for Lady Wray to traverse—much like the era in which she was first introduced to us. In some ways, Piece of Me is like a Big-Crown-ification of late 90s R&B—and Lady Wray is right at home.
Nowhere is this approach more evident than on the first single from the record. The song shares the same name as the album, "Piece of Me," and while it was initially released in 2019, it took off in 2020 and beyond. It's about the people in your life who may need more than you can give, and how that can strain it all. It's no wonder this single resonated in 2020—we all either wanted more or wanted to give more at a time when we couldn't connect. Featuring just Lady Wray, piano, drums, bass, and guitar—the musical backing is restrained and expertly executed, setting up Lady Wray for the full spotlight. With its open-and-bubbled bassline and speaker-testing drumline, some rap/hip-hop artists have already sampled this song. And while that is a kind of compliment, it's really of little consequence. Only a few people in the world can take this level of musicianship and elevate it. And Lady Wray is one such person.
The story goes that "Piece of Me," plus two more singles ("Come On In" and "Storms") were products of jam sessions at Leon's home studio. And while that's not all that impressive, listen to these songs—with subject matter covering relationships and hardship, the emotional charge Lady Wray sends out, the connection she and her lyrics make with the audience—and then picture her having to sit down to record. At the time, Lady Wray was pregnant with her daughter—in her last trimester. Her voice is so powerful, so raw, so thorough on these initial songs—it's wild to think that they were recorded this way. And even wilder to know that she knocked them all out in one take. Just more evidence that Lady Wray is indeed doing what she's supposed to do, and very little is going to stop her.
With this in mind, when talking about this record, for Lady Wray, it's another step toward a larger purpose. "My goal is always to help and to heal people with singing," she explains. "Part of that is to try and bring back real music, real singing, so people can feel something again." Now, she's not dissing anyone here, to be clear. It's just that Lady Wray cannot sing without tapping into something deeper, searching for that shared compassion between all of us. Perhaps it comes from her church upbringing, or maybe from her years of trials and tribulations in the music industry. Either way, Lady Wray is looking to bring that "Good Sound" back and the good feelings that come with it. She calls it "those inner hands," and she always means to stir them up, grabbing your attention from within.
There shouldn't be too much of an issue keeping our attention with Piece of Me. First, building on the hip-hop production vibe, there's the song "Through it All." It's about a chaotic but beautiful relationship and how, despite the troubles, we can still be thankful for it. But the song features a sped-up Lady Wray signing the chorus, sounding right out of some long-lost Kayne West beat tape circa 2005. Then there's "My Thing," which starts with the funkiest of open drum breaks. And with Lady Wray complimented with fuzz guitar and just-off-beat-enough string plucks, you might mistake it for some Amy Winehouse remix or something. But no, it's not. It's Lady Wray, and you'd be good to remember that.
With past albums like the Lady project and Queen Alone, it's hard to not acknowledge that Lady Wray plus Leon Michels production equals magic. But this magic is also coming from the fact that Lady Wray is now squarely herself, calling her shots, and singing to help heal first—everything else is secondary. "It's a beautiful thing I've always wanted in my career, and now I have it," Lady Wray says. "They encourage me to be me all day long." This is Lady Wray at her finest, and she's giving us all a piece of where she's at these days.
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LETTUCE is (a) the prime ingredient in a salad, (b) a slang for cash, (c) a green herb that can be smoked, (d) a genre-busting six-member musical collective formed in 1992 by four alumni of the prestigious Berklee College Of Music, or (e) all of the above. If you answered "e," then you're in on the sheer magic of a band that both feeds the rich history of funk music and combines it with strains of hip-hop, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, jam, go-go, and the avant-garde.
The GRAMMY® Award-nominated six-piece is comprised of Adam Deitch [drums, percussion, arrangement], Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff [guitar], Erick "Jesus" Coomes [bass], Ryan Zoidis [alto, baritone, tenor sax, Korg X-911], Eric "Benny" Bloom [trumpet, horns], and Nigel Hall [vocals, Hammond B-3, Rhodes, clavinet, keyboards]. To date, their discography includes Outta Here [2002], Rage! [2008], Fly [2012], Crush [2015], the EP Mt. Crushmore [2016], the live album Witches Stew[2017], Elevate [2019], Resonate [2020], Unify [2022], and now VIBE — a single 48 minute continuous session of pure, free-flowing improvisation, available digitally for the first time.
With VIBE, Lettuce cemented their status as boundary-pushing innovators over three decades into their lauded career, blurring lines and smashing up jazz chords, psychedelic passages, big horns, strains of soul and go-go, hip-hop elements for an uplifting, improvisational sound all their own. Ryan Zoidis explains, "We got into a vibe and hit record. 48 minutes went by like a blink of an eye. This is our first purely improvised recording. Nothing planned, nothing edited or overdubbed. This is a true spontaneous musical expression captured in its entirety."
All together now… Let us VIBE.
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Aida Ade
is a singer/songwriter/producer based in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a trauma therapist and classically trained violist and violinist who has transitioned into the world of vocal music. With inspirations ranging from Nina Simone to Chaka Khan to Sade to Fall Out Boy to Chronixx, Aida displays a truly eclectic sound in each of her works. Her most recent release, "The Unbreakable Aida Ade" is an EP that embodies a unique blending of her many musical influences as well as her mental health background.
Meet Alexia Simone,
a talented singer-songwriter from St. Louis. Her debut EP "Late Bloomer," released in July 2021, marked the beginning of her musical journey. Alongside her work as one half of the group InBloom, Alexia collaborates with various artists and producers in cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Memphis, and Atlanta. Drawing inspiration from her love for R&B and early experiences in the church, she embraces the rich musical traditions of her hometown. Alexia unveiled her second EP, "A Beam of Black Light (Deluxe)," produced by K Kudda Muzic in March 2023, and continues to explore her versatile sound and soulful essence.
"Darkwood"
is a captivating hip-hop collaboration between rapper/songwriter Khiro Kano and producer Michael Franco, serving as a refreshing sonic experience for St. Louis and a unique perspective for outside eyes looking in at the city. The album blends exotic soulful loops with Kano's playful yet candid lyrics, skillfully establishing a harmonious fusion of genres that sets it apart from the mainstream. With "Darkwood," listeners can anticipate a musical journey that pushes boundaries and challenges preconceived notions, promising to leave a lasting impact on the world of hip-hop.
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In the beginning there was Thump… something strange and funky condensing out of the primordial ooze. Then: underground house parties and backyard raves, stuff of legend still whispered about in Los Angeles. And now: the Space Barn blasts off, and Thumpasaurus is ready to engage a new frontier in the Thumpaverse.
The inspired members of Thumpasaurus—Lucas Tamaren (vocals, guitar), Henry Was (drums, production), Logan Kane (bass), Henry Solomon (saxophone), Paul Cornish (keys), and Ben Benjamin (visuals/pancakes)—have been honing their craft and gaining a loyal cult for their experimental shows since they first got together 2015. Known equally for their musicality and theatricality, Thump has shared bills with Louis Cole, Vulfpeck, Jacob Collier, and more while individual members may have been spotted on stages with HAIM, Louis Cole, Ye, Snoh Aalegra, and the list goes on…
Through their relentless energy, creativity, and a touch of the absurd, Thumpasaurus tries to point towards our inner realities and teach us how to conjure joy out of thin air. Thanks to catchy choruses and memorable lessons, their songs will stick with you: from mental karate chopping all the bad thoughts, to “I’M PISSED - leave me alone” (working out anger through dance.) Fearless about the future, explorations of the Thumpaverse aren’t limited to their musical palette. Their live shows and memorable music videos feature collaborations with AI, experiments with lore and an expanded universe and iconic team-ups with visual artists and world-renowned clowns.
2022 was Thumpasaurus’s biggest year yet. The capricious gods of TikTok shone down on them and catapulted their confident tune “Struttin'” onto the phones of millions—and then their televisions, too, as the tune featured prominently in an international Samsung ad. Thousands of new fans from all over the world piled into the Space Barn as Thump sold out shows all over the U.S on their “Struttin Across America'' tour. The band racked up 5 million streams on Spotify and made their international late night debut in France, appearing on Alain Chabat’s “Le Late” right after the 2022 World Cup.
On the tail of this momentum as the “Thump experiment” reached worldwide audiences, their third album Hard began in the studio. In order to attempt to capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of their shows, the Thumpiest of all Thump experiences, they tracked live as a full band, and then sprinkled further funk on top. It’s stuffed full of bangers, as per usual. “We set out to seek what would be the natural evolution of our sound,” says Lucas Tamaren of the new album. “It showcases our development as a live band as well as our members’ individual growth as producers in their own right.”
The first single “Lipstick Makeup,” with a surreal music video created with director and animator Dylan Woodley, is a no-nonsense banger about getting ready to go to a party and feeling unstoppable, and proves that this is about to be their Thumpiest album yet by far. “Lipstick Makeup is about saying fuck it. I’m letting my freak out tonight and gettin real nice with it. It’s about being tired of all the pressures of life that make me live in anxiety and prevent me from being my authentic self. Tonight it’s different, because I'm on my way to the dance party.”
Next came “Terrified”, a song about the terror of falling in love accompanied by a zombie slasher music video featuring a chainsaw guitar. “I was having big feelings when I wrote this song,” says Tamaren. “I was entering a relationship and everything felt manic, blissful, and awful at the same time. That's why this song sounds so big and dramatic, almost theatrical. This song is an odyssey.”
Most recently, the band released their new single “I’m Cute”, a bass-driven self-affirmation anthem. “I’m Cute is about being cute. Putting on those little pants. That ball cap. It’s about feeling good. So good it’s almost sinister. Maybe something’s wrong. But how could it be if you feel this… Cute?”
The new record, and the major international tour they’re undertaking to promote it, are doors opening to all new potential disciples: an entry point into the fantastic, imaginative worlds Thumpasaurus has created for themselves and their listeners. To all of their audience past, present and future… Let there be THUMP.
