Sleepy Drums brings together a close knit group of friends who have collaborated for years. This project hones in on the creative focus of J. Stout, the founder of Lo Fi City, a Cincinnati based DIY record label; and channels inspirations ranging from punk, grunge, psych and more. Beginning as a solo side project, J. Stout crafted the first Sleepy Drums album "Spooky" in 2012. This album served as an experimental outlet, with ranging genre styles. In 2015, J. Stout decided to switch the focus from free form experimentation to garage punk and lo fi indie rock, somewhat in the vein of fellow Ohio rockers Guided By Voices. Once again, he recorded and performed the next Sleepy Drums EP "Lucy" on his own, self-releasing it on Lo Fi City Recordings. Once both Dinosaurs & Thunder and Little Trees (J. Stout's other bands at the time) began to dissolve, Sleepy Drums emerged to the forefront of creative focus. Calling on long time friends Michael J Hamilton (Revenge Pinata, Flux Capacitors) and Christopher Berning, Stout finally turned the project from a solo endeavor to a full fledged-band, releasing "Cosmic Imagination pt. 1" in late 2015. Joshua Bradbury, known for his bass work in Dinosaurs & Thunder, was added to the lineup in 2016, assuming the rhythm guitar position.  "Cosmic Imagination pt. 2" was released on August 5, 2018 and expanded their experimentalism while also honing in on their now trademark sound.  They entered the studio with Todd Uttley to begin recording their next album in 2019, but the pandemic thwarted it's progress, eventually forcing the album to be completed remotely.  In the meantime of finishing this album, Sleepy Drums released a series of singles, many from the sessions with Todd, that solidified their new sound with much more clarity of vision.  "Cosmic Scraps," a collection of previously unreleased demos and b-sides was released exclusively to Bandcamp on August 24, 2022. 

Since they started making music in 2023, Cincinnati-based trio Alex Kasznel & The Board of Directors have developed a sound some call “surprisingly un-whiny,” a style they affectionately refer to as “pop punk for grownups.” Their debut album, Everything Is Important & Nothing Matters was released in May of 2023, and was followed up by their 4-Song EP, Parachute, in December of that year.

As It May is an emo trio based in Bellevue, KY. Originally launched as a solo project by guitarist and vocalist Hunter Swope in 2017, the band expanded its lineup in 2021 with the addition of Brian Duffy on bass and backing vocals, and Justin Smith on drums. Drawing on their heavier influences, As It May is poised to release new music soon. The band has had the honor of sharing the stage with notable acts like Free Throw, Grayscale, Saturdays at Your Place, and Greyhaven.

Louisville, Kentucky band Half Nelson is made up of Ann Gilly (vocals/guitar), Megan Day (vocals/drums), Kelly Krucki (vocals/keys) and Jess Chao (bass). Formed in late 2022 after a chance encounter, Half Nelson has spent the last two years writing music, playing shows and having fun in Louisville and surrounding cities. Inspired by the thick vocal harmonies and punk edges of bands like Mannequin Pussy and that dog., combined with the melodic sensibilities of Charly Bliss and The Beths, Half Nelson has created a sound and style all their own. From bratty punk pop on songs like “Cutting Corners” and “Liar, Liar” to edgy keys-driven ballad “(Who Wasn’t an Idiot About) Love at 25” to political punk rock songs like “Runtime,” Half Nelson revels in genre-mixing to outwardly share their inner musings about life. If you’re a person who needs release from overthinking, Half Nelson might be the band for you. Their first EP, HOT N’ EVIL, was released last summer and they will be in the studio soon to record a follow up.

Heist is a prog-punk power trio from Cincinnati, Ohio. @heistohio on all platforms

Ohio Valley Psych Lounge Adam Brandt - Guitar, Vocals Jeffrey Earl - Drums, Vocals Nathan Stevens - Bass

Modelo fueled emo/math rock.

PUNK N STUFF FROM OHIO! ALL HAIL THE SNAIL!