About the Artist

Edward David Anderson is an American songwriter and veteran of the road who spent his formative years fronting the revered Midwest band, Backyard Tire Fire. Known for infectious melodies and memorable messages he penned 8 releases for the band and played countless shows across the US and Canada.

Since their hiatus in 2011 EDA has continued to write and tour solo and with his band Black Dirt Revival. His delivery in the live setting is both dynamic and impactful showcasing a natural prowess on banjo, acoustic/electric guitars and foot percussion. He defines his sound as Black Dirt Music. “Songs about people and places, about life and love and loss. It’s roots music, cultivated in the fertile soil of the Midwest.”

His 2014 debut, Lies & Wishes (produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos) was lauded “a superb solo effort” by No Depression while David Dye (NPR World Cafe) praised his follow up Lower Alabama: The Loxley Sessions (2015) as “a wonderfully soulful record.”

With his recently released Chasing Butterflies (10/19/18, Black Dirt Records), EDA made the album that’s been on his mind for some time now. “I’ve always wanted to make a record in Muscle Shoals. But it needed to be the right batch of songs with the right people,” he recalls. Securing Jimmy Nutt as producer and enlisting local musicians yielded “a stunning collection of modern Americana” (Donald Teplyske of Fervor Coulee). From the hopeful opening lyric, “It’s a beautiful thing/when two people sing/in harmony,” to the haunting title track’s “There’s a restlessness I guess/I’m uneasy I confess,” EDA takes you on a vast & colorful musical journey. You get the feeling he’s lived these songs. That the sleepless nights, the long drives, and the never ending search fuel the fire that keeps Edward David Anderson out there Chasing Butterflies.

Althea Grace is a young singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Chicago area. Althea’s music can best be described as new age blues with heavy doses of jazz, funk, and soul featuring her powerful, soulful voice and guitar skills to match. Growing up the daughter of music lovers and in a city filled with talent, music quickly became her sole passion in life. Before even learning to drive, Althea began sharing the stage with many notable bands such as X Ambassadors, The Shins & Sylvan Esso. Michael Kaiz of Jambase described Althea as “One of Chicago’s rising gems.”