Guided by its ongoing mission of “keeping music in the schools” and featuring a remarkably diversified fusion of musical voices, the 16th annual Petaluma Music Festival on July 29 celebrated the day with 14 music performances over three stages at the Marin-Sonoma Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California. Fueled by its belief in “the positive influence of music in children’s lives,” previous fest donations to the music programs in Petaluma-area schools have totaled $425,000.

The 12th incarnation of the Petaluma Music Festival, proceeds of which are allocated to local public school’s music programs, packed a potent punch on August 3. This year’s all-Bay-Area-band fest’s pleasing musical patchwork, which fueled lively dancing, swaying and foot-tapping, was led by prominent rock ‘n’ jam bands ALO, David Nelson Band, The Mother Hips, Hot Buttered Rum, Blame Sally, New Monsoon, and Royal Jelly Live.

Grateful Web caught up with Royal Jelly Jive’s Lauren Bjelde & Jesse Lemme Adams while they were on a remote chili pepper farm in Oregon. They are touring in support of their new release Stand Up.  This album speaks volumes of their retro style with an overwhelming sense of unity and blissful love.  Twelve tracks describe the Jellies style as they take you on a musical tour of the life they live and how they live it.

In a city where heaps of incredible music has been written and produced, Royal Jelly Jive is a testament that San Francisco remains fertile ground where artists take inspiration from the very streets they walk. Fronted by lead singer Lauren Bjelde and keyboardist/accordionist Jesse Lemme Adams, Royal Jelly Jive pen dynamic silhouettes of everyday neighborhood characters, falling in love in nooks of the City, and ultimately standing up for who you are and what you believe in.