Hi friends!! As you know, I love music, and I came by this honest from a family of music-loving people. My dad, Brad Posey, hosts an eclectic radio show by the name of The Invisible City on public radio in Huntsville, AL. You can read a fantastic article about his show and his 10+ years devoted to it right here. Twice before, he has hosted an all-local music festival named after his show. And here we are, in 2022, on the eve of the third-ever Invisible Fest.
I believe very strongly in supporting local music, so I wanted to write about some of the amazing people who will be performing at this year’s Invisible Fest. My brother and I were able to reach out to a few of the insanely talented artists on the lineup and ask a few questions, just to get to know them a little bit better. I’ve compiled those questions and answers here for you, and I hope this helps pique your interest in local talent, and maybe gives you something new to listen to.
You can catch all of these artists (& more!) Saturday, September 3, at Fractal Brewing Project in Huntsville, AL. And the best part: it’s FREE!
Emily McEvoy of DILL
Q: What got you started in music? How old were you when you began playing music?
A: “I would always listen to my older brother’s favorite music with him while we played video games. It was mostly stuff like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Rage Against The Machine, etc. Then I became interested in what my Aunt and Uncle were listening to, which was artists like Fleetwood Mac, The Who, The Replacements, Led Zeppelin, etc. I took guitar lessons briefly during middle school and became obsessed with playing. I spent many hours alone in my room learning to play my favorite songs on guitar and eventually bass. I’ve been playing music since I was around 11/12 years old.”
Q: Who/what are some of the biggest influences on your sound?
A: “Julia Jacklin, Pinegrove, Wet Leg, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, Jay Som, Big Thief, Sasami, Paramore, Soccer Mommy, Billy Joel, Momma, Failure, Men I Trust.”
Q: If you could play any music festival, which would you want to play?
A: “Hmm…probably Shaky Knees. I’ve been going for years and always dream of playing on Criminal Records stage.”
Q: Where can folks listen to your music?
A: “Spotify, Bandcamp, I think i’m on the rest of the streaming platforms? Haha.”
Alan Little
Q: What got you started in music? How old were you when you started playing music?
A: “Pretty much my whole life I’ve been trying to make some kind of organized noise. My parents always had music on in the house. Always. My dad also had a guitar. Though I didn’t really get into guitar that early on, I was still interested. We also had a piano. I banged on the piano a fair amount.”
Q: Who/what are some of the biggest influences on your sound?
A: “James Taylor, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, definitely my early influences.”
Q: If you could play any music festival, which would you want to play?
A: “I’d love to play Jazz Fest one day.”
Q: Where can folks listen to your music?
A: “Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidl, Apple Music, YouTube.”
Dizzy D
Q: What got you started in music? How old were you when you started playing music?
A: “I got started in music at around age 12 just freestyling in cyphers. Me and a friend decided to start writing and making songs and entered a talent show at school. That was my first taste recording and performing. So all in all I’ve been doing music for about 25 years!”
Q: Who/what are some of the biggest influences on your sound?
A: “So many to choose from but the top artists that influenced my sound are Three Six Mafia, DMX, Bone Thugs n Harmony, OutKast, and Canibus. I think I’m a good mixture of all of them.”
Q: If you could play any music festival, which would you want to play?
A: “I’ve played Bonnaroo before but I would love to rock a stage at Rolling Loud.”
Q: Where can folks listen to your music?
A: “Im on all platforms, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, but one of my personal favs is Bandcamp.”
Nash Hamilton of Nash Hamilton and the CreekHouse Orchestra
Q: What got you started in music? How old were you when you started playing music?
A: “My grandad was a 50+ year member of the Grand Ole Opry, and my dad is a 30+ year touring musician, so I basically grew up backstage traveling with my family. To me music feels like home. I started writing my own songs and performing by myself at age 13, but have been playing music with my family on stage since I was 5.”
Q: Who/what are some of the biggest influences on your sound?
A: “My biggest influences, I’d care to guess are the Outlaws of country music: Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Johnny Cash, all frequent my record player. But I’ve always had a soft spot for Rhythm and Blues. Needless to say, I can tell you all of the best R&B radio stations in the state of Tennessee.”
Q: If you could play any music festival, which would you want to play?
A: “I’d love to get the chance play stages like Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Pilgrimage, etc. But in all honesty, I’m just really happy to play music anywhere people will listen :)”
Q: Where can folks listen to your music?
A: “I will have my debut single release in October. Stick around, it’s worth the wait.”
DJ Siza Hanz
Q: What got you started in music? How long have you been playing music?
A: “Technically, I queued records as a child for the congregation at worship services. I would later handle microphones, and other sound equipment as I got older. I also would make beats on school lunch tables, desk, and lockers for my buddies and I to freestyle over.”
Q: Who/ what are some of the biggest influences on your sound?
A: “As far as production goes, I studied Boogie Down Productions, DJ Premier, DJ Magic Mike as a child. I am heavily influenced by the 80’s and 90’s culture and television”
Q: If you could play any music festival, which would you want to play?
A: “Bonnaroo, since it is a little closer, and a super BIG DEAL!!!”
Q: Where can folks listen to your music?
A: “You can find my music on any music or video platform that you enjoy! Just search DJ Siza Hanz or Mocca B for special releases.”
Clover of Cloverfields
Q: What got you started in music? How old were you when you started playing music?
A: “I started playing and writing in church, which gave me opportunity to compete In songwriting and vocal categories that got me to California to compete on the National scale. I’m still really proud of this accomplishment and made me feel like, “hey maybe I’m not too bad I should do this part time” I started writing more seriously after leaving the institution to process my journey with faith, identity, personal circumstances that stemmed from that space, and love.”
Q: Who/what are some of the biggest influences on your sound?
A: “I think my biggest problem is that I have too many influences but if I had to pick I would say Angel Olson, Amy Winehouse, and a long list of my friends who play music and inspire me.”
Q: If you could play any music festival, which would you want to play?
A: “I’d love to play at Bonnaroo as a Tennessee native.”
Q: Where can folks listen to your music?
A: “I have a 4 song EP on ✨all streaming services ✨”
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I hope these interviews gave you even the tiniest taste of the incredible variety of talented local musicians that will be featured at Invisible Fest this year. There are veterans of the scene and fresh faces, genres spanning anywhere from soft indie rock to retro hip-hop to folksy blues. I hope you’re able to check these artists out, either live or on the many streaming platforms mentioned here 🙂 And as always, support local music!!
Until next time, Sophia ❤
Small Town Sophia 