According to Freud, the goals of the artist are fame, money and beautiful lovers. The path to this end has in recent history been guarded by a select few tastemakers with only their own personal interests in mind. The rise of information accessibility and the fall of world economy have created an environment ripe for change. The world of art and music are moving farther and farther away from the existing systems and processes of exhibition, performance and distribution. This DIY spirit has freed the artist to once again move art history and culture forward as individuals realizing their own vision. Fame, money and beautiful lovers are within the reach of every artist and they want it, so bad. Uninhibited by the status quo, Lance Rautzhan’s work defends the unruly spirit that has defined American painting. His paintings are bold comments on the human condition formed from elements of screen-printing, drip painting, collage, figuration and text.

Big in Japan is a mostly instrumental trio comprised of Matt Pierce on Rhodes, flute, and vocals, Ed Harris on bass and guitar and Michael Lowry on drums. Their sound has been characterized at times as sweeping and cinematic and furiously bombastic. They heavily favor playing live using the atmosphere of the venue and the connection forged between the audience and themselves as an indication of what they will play and how they play it, leading often to highly energized live shows that run the gamut between loud and raucous to so quiet, one could hear a pin drop. This "live in the moment" live approach has become their defining characteristic and finds audiences always wondering but never quite knowing what to expect when they see the band perform.

“If you like Stonesy garage rawk with splashes of heartland twang, you're gonna love the Izzys' eponymous debut album. . . it's a sweet ride. Short, catchy songs with loose, raunchy guitar playing and shrug-and-wink lyrics will grab you by both ears ... This one's for the real rock & rollers out there.” (ADRIAN ZUPP) Rolling Stone

The Jagged Hearts are a three-piece rock-n-roll outfit from Baltimore, Md. Formed in 2008 when siblings Jeb Stuart and Samantha Lee Johnston found themselves starting over after the breakup of their earlier project, Chicowater. Jeb ran into an old friend in an even older watering hole in Baltimore and over cheap whiskey and even cheaper conversation, the Jagged Hearts were formed. William (Big Billy Holler) Hiler was well known throughout Charm City for his imposing presence and thunderous drums. He had just recently parted ways with his most recent group, Van, and was ready to jump back into the action. The Jagged Hearts combined the Southern roots that embodied Chicowater with the sonic landscape of Billy's history. The outcome was a strange combination of garage sounds mixed with swampy country and topped off with enough indie to keep people guessing.