Many of the world’s visionaries started small, whether it be a simple idea in the basement of their childhood home, or in their local community kicking around ideas with friends and family. The truth is, creating something truly ground-breaking usually begins organically, with the creator not intending to create what it becomes. Particle is just that, a small band based out of Los Angeles, California in 2000, simply experimenting with classic electronic loops from iconic groups like Kraftwerk and applying live instrumentals that inspired them.

Keller Williams is a stand-alone kind of guy. With looping as his signature musical move, he has been in and out of loops ranging from gospel to funk bluegrass to now instrumental?  It’s true. The new Keller Williams album, SANS, hits the stores on Oct. 19th. Grateful Web had a chance to chat with him about the latest release.

KW: Trying out new headphones...Hello? Can you hear this okay?

GW: Yes I can! How ya doing?

The Guess Who has a rich catalog of hits spanning from the summer of love, 1969 up until today.  Who could forget the ripping song American Woman? Or the tender ballad These Eyes? Along with founding member Gary Peterson on the drums, the band includes D# on lead vocals & guitar, Will E. on guitar harp and vocals, Leonard Shaw on keys, flute, sax, and vocals, as well as Rudy Sarzo on bass and vocals.  Rudy took some time to chat with Grateful Web about the latest album and tour dates.

The Lil Smokies are like the little engine that could.  They keep chugging along creating a new landscape for themselves at each bend in the road. After critical acclaim including winning both the Northwest String Summit and Telluride’s band contests, they also received the International Bluegrass Music Association's Momentum Band of the Year in 2016.  Andy Dunnigan, songwriter, vocals, and dobro player for the Lil Smokies took some time out to talk to Grateful Web.

“Steve Poltz is not normal.” Self-proclaimed “Post Stroke Deadhead” –you’ll hear that story and many more. A child at heart, Poltz falls in with the ‘hipsters’ and ‘oldsters’. His music is so captivating that it transcends generations. A mix of singing, storytelling, shredding, and spoken word taking the audience from laughter to tears and back again. He co-wrote "You Were Meant For Me" with platinum-selling songwriter Jewel. Poltz transcends the word "talented. He’s unforgettable in all the right ways.

Grateful Web recently had the opportunity to sit down with bluegrass guitar virtuoso Billy Strings. He began putting in his time as a boy, never putting that guitar down or giving up when it got tough. His father and community fostered the bluegrass and folk spirit that runs through his veins. But Billy Strings is not your grandpappy's bluegrass band.

On Saturday, September 8th at 10am CT, Donley Auctions will host an auction of fascinating memorabilia from the Grateful Dead. Items include rare sketches by beloved guitarist Jerry Garcia, backstage passes, artwork from Stanley Mouse, and a whole lot more.

Spafford. Still waters run deep with this Phoenix band.  Often described as patient jams, they are putting out another dimension for creative types.  The immersive community and collaborative culture they are honing is described nicely by Andrew “Red” Johnson when we sat down to chat about how the Summer tour is going and what we can look forward to in Spafford’s future, including their debut performance at Lockn' Festival on Sunday afternoon (2:15 PM).

Cory Wong lives a modest life – Whether he’s on the road playing sold out shows with the Ann Arbor-bred funk phenomenon Vulfpeck, diving deep under the sea with the mysterious instrumental quartet The Fearless Flyers, or touring the world with his newest solo project the Cory Wong Band, it’s safe to say this Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist is living a dream most would say was impossible just a few short years ago.

Policulture, a Boulder based band, combines conscious lyrics, horns and roots rhythm into an authentic group best described as original mountain reggae music. No doubt that their environment growing up has not only affected their sound, but transcended them into a modern, mindful and inspiring collective.