Music Artist Bios
Forrest Day
Based out of Oakland, Forrest Day is a 5-piece band that's been performing concerts around the country for almost a decade. It's a true rags to riches story, but without any money. New album in the works, shows being booked, this wonka boat is showing no signs of slowing…combining elements of jazz, hip hop and more, this is a don't miss act. Forrest has a brand-new full-length album dropping in 2025 called Right On Time!
Greg Loiacono & Stingray
While Greg Loiacono may be best known as a gritty rock and soul man from his work with The Mother Hips and Chris Robinson, the singer/songwriter has ventured out on his own with a variety of musical projects. His latest group, Stingray, is a dynamic, genre-blending band led by Greg and features some of the San Francisco Bay Area’s finest musicians including Vicki Randle (Mavis Staples, George Benson), Michael Urbano (Lindsey Buckingham, Smash Mouth, John Hiatt ), Kofy Brown and Danny Eisenberg. The band merges elements of soul, rock, R&B, and funk into masterful songwriting, rich improvisation, intricate rhythms, and a deep attention to vocal harmony. The band’s work is characterized by its boundary-pushing approach to both performance and recording, with Loiacono’s distinctive guitar work and songwriting at the forefront. As Stingray continues to evolve, the band has built a loyal following for its innovative, energetic live shows.
With his distinct voice and skillful guitar playing, Loiacono has earned a reputation for his ability to blend elements of rock, soul and folk music. Over the years, his contributions to both The Mother Hips and his solo work have garnered critical acclaim, establishing him as a versatile and respected figure in the indie rock scene.
Benjamin Andrews (of Con Brio)
Benjamin Andrews is a guitarist, lyricist, vocalist and legend in Bay Area rock‘n’roll. Equally at home playing a dive bar or a festival stage in front of thousands of people, Andrews has spent the last 20 years in and around San Francisco, making a name for himself as a guitar virtuoso with jaw-dropping chops, a natural showmanship and deeply expressive style. As a veteran member of the acclaimed R&B/modern soul band Con Brio, he’s performed at the likes of Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, Japan’s Fuji Rock and Australia’s Byron Bay BluesFest.
2024’s YOU’RE DOING GREAT, is Andrews’ first major solo work, a compelling collection of songs he wrote between 2022 and 2024 and recorded at Con Brio’s Oakland studio. While sweeping, cinematic strings and driving rhythms accompany Andrews’ typically stunning guitar work, his soulful vocals take center stage here, drawing the listener close with conflicted meditations on love and self-destruction, death and rebirth. At once tender and tough, vulnerable yet sonically vast, YOU’RE DOING GREAT reveals a musician who’s seen some things, lived some lives, and is ready to let us in.
Rory Lynch Band
Rory Lynch plays new music for old souls. His unique style tiptoes on the lines between pop, folk, country, and jazz. In recent years his music has shifted to encompass multiple genres such as R&B, Neo soul, Bossa Nova, Funk, and even some Hip Hop. His voice is a blend of crooner, country, and soul that flourishes within his uniquely fashioned style of retro Americana. He is a mighty mean whistler as well. His band is comprised of handpicked talent that spurs each song into different territory. You will never hear a song played the same way twice. They allow for improvisation and tangential shifts of rhythm and melody that push each song to new heights. Put a Rory Lynch show on your bucket list. He never fails. Originally hailing from Philadelphia, this itinerant troubadour calls the central California coast home. He can be found singing and playing in wineries, dive bars, house parties, your local venue or just on the street. Always playing his new music for the old souls out there.
His sophomore full-length album is set to be released May 2025. He will be dropping singles ahead of the release date starting January 2025. Stay tuned.
Art, Craft & Community Vendors
Fern Quinn
Fern Quinn was born and raised in the Santa Cruz mountains and her paintings are a clear reflection of the inspiration she gets from her time spent among the redwoods and coastline. Her mission is to capture the beauty that inspires her to paint every day and share that beauty with the community. Fern will be offering prints and originals of her watercolor and acrylic paintings.
The Dragon Flies
Chrissy Wagner is a local artist that was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. Her style developed from a young age, working solely at first with graphite. She lost herself in the details, striving to personify the underlying soul of the subject matter. Chrissy started painting with acrylics in her teenage years and found that colored pencils and pastels could help her further express the energy of her creations. Fashion has always played a part of Chrissy's self-expression, and she would paint her leather boots and jackets and subsequently those of her friends. Her custom pieces have been showcased in boutiques around the Bay Area and she continues to enjoy creating custom designs for clients all over the US.
Foxy Monster
Foxy Monster is dedicated to the mission of spreading love, smiles, & goofiness while keeping heads & necks warm. Increasing cuteness by 400%
Food & Drink
Shockwave Foods
Dank food made by people who know their shit and give AF
Shanty Shack Brewing
Shanty Shack is a laidback nano-brewery and tasting room with handcrafted beer, hearty grub, and friendly staff with a vibrant outdoor patio that’s kid and pet friendly. Our rotating tap list of small batch creative beers use locally grown flavors to brew hazy IPA, barrel-aged sours, fruited kettle sours, pilsners, stouts, gruits, and Belgian styles. Live music, rotating food trucks, and backyard vibes make this hidden local gem a Santa Cruz favorite.
La Casa De Churros
Hand-made, authentic and vegan churros out of Watsonville. The real deal!
Cruise Coffee Company
Cruise Coffee out of Scotts Valley is roasted specifically for Cruise locations, and for all you decaf lovers, it's cold processed. Erin doesn't cut corners when it comes to taste, and sources everything she can from local, or small business vendors.