The 2025 RHYTHMS ON THE RIO Artists:

Kitchen Dwellers

The Kitchen Dwellers are a high-energy, four-piece bluegrass band from Montana. 

 Formed in 2010, the band’s music blends folk, bluegrass, psychedelic, and rock influences, with unique interpretations of traditional and modern music that has been described as “metal grass” but is more commonly referred to as “Galaxy Grass.”

 Known for their extremely high-energy live performances, the Kitchen Dwellers have been storming the jamgrass world, melting faces worldwide and leaving a trail of new fans in their wake.

Andy Frasco & The U.N.

Andy Frasco has long been celebrated as a bold DIY trailblazer in the touring scene, renowned for his kaleidoscopic musical fusion, distinctive onstage charisma, and infectious party spirit. Yet, as an artist and band leader, he’s also unafraid to delve into introspective and challenging emotional terrain. “With so much bad news in the world, why not try to figure out a way to get out of the darkness,” Frasco says.

“We’re not going to be able to change the world, but we can at least help the process along by being optimistic that the future will turn itself around. And if everyone changes their mindset about the future, then maybe we can change the world.”

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

He calls it Cosmic Country, a moniker that’s both self-descriptive and a statement of purpose. It’s an organic rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang, a showcase for Donato’s instrumental virtuosity and facility for melodically infectious songcraft. Bridging Nashville and the Great West, Kentucky and mid-60s northern California, tie-dye and plaid, it’s a world of his own, and wide world of musical adventure at that.  

“I think Cosmic Country is a tale as old as time, really,” Donato explains. “It’s yin and yang in a musical form. It’s three chords and the truth, and then on the other side it’s exploration and bravery. I really went through a lot of years of grinding, and still am, to achieve this sound which is a vehicle for my personality, and the personality is a vehicle for my soul.”

DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY WILL BE PERFORMING 2 SETS at RHYTHMS!

Jeremy Garrett

ARTIST-AT-LARGE

Jeremy Garrett has been playing music since he first picked up the fiddle at the age of three, encouraged by his father, a guitarist steeped in Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys and its guitar/banjo duo of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs. The two formed a band together, the Grasshoppers, and that helped launch Jeremy’s 45-year and counting career as a musician.

Garrett is well-known as a member of the Grammy-winning bluegrass band, Infamous Stringdusters.

Garrett has released seven solo albums, with his latest, Storm Mountain, his first since 2022’s well-received River Wild. 

Dogs in a Pile

Dogs in a Pile employs a unified approach to performance and songwriting, crafting aural mosaics through adept instrumentation and humble precocity. As avid storytellers, they draw inspiration from personal experiences, balancing life’s foibles with ever-present youthful sanguinity.

Merging funk, jazz, and rock and roll with psychedelia, the band presents a completely original vibe built on kaleidoscopic soundscapes eerily reminiscent of the days of yesteryear.

Mihali

For Mihali, music behaves much like a living being. It grows, it matures, and it changes with a sentient consciousness and with whims of its own. And just like music, the Vermont-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of rock outfit Twiddle continues to evolve, using his gift as one of the strongest modern-day songwriters, guitarists and performers to bring healing vibes and unforgettable songs to the world. 

Now he continues to grow and transform with his music, continuously rolling out new songs while mapping out his 3rd solo album, and relentlessly touring the country to spread love and reggae spirit to all those who need it.

Pixie & the Partygrass Boys

Hailed as “the hottest band in the Wasatch” by the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association, Pixie and The Partygrass Boys is composed of lifelong professional musicians drawn together by a common love of bluegrass and skiing in the Wasatch.

Featuring soulful, often harmonic vocals and solid strings and rhythm, this tight-knit crew was born out of the belly of a warm cabin after a long day on the slopes- drinking whiskey and singing into the night. With a high-energy sound and a love for silly outfits, they travel the land spreading the gospel of whiskey, chickens, and fun for everyone

Sicard Hollow

Nashville’s psychedelic punk-grass rockers, Sicard Hollow, grew up sick of any existing institution telling them who and what to be.

Now, as they navigate adulthood, they’re equally tired of the music institutions telling them what their music should sound like—so they dunked it in patchouli and a skate-and-destroy ethos that brings an enduring sound into the modern age.

Diggin Dirt

Hailing from Humboldt County, deep in the redwoods of California… Diggin Dirt is an undeniable force in the West Coast funk scene. With a deeply original sound and a reputation for high energy performance, this premier ensemble is a captivating scene.

Dirt’s tight stage presence and irresistible groove will keep you dancing all night. 

Arkansauce

Arkansauce calls forth melodies of the Ozark Mountains’ rolling hills and raging rivers with their distinct blend of newgrass. This progressive string quartet features Tom Andersen on bass, guitarist Zac Archuleta, Ethan Bush on mandolin, and Adams Collins on banjo. Their music features improvisational string leads matched with complex melodies, intriguing rhythms, and deep thumping bass grooves. Each member sings lead and harmony parts as well as contributes to the lyrics, which offer authentic, intelligent songwriting with hard-hitting hooks.

Tuttle, Pool & Greuel

Adam Greuel (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, The High Hawks), Kyle Tuttle (Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Kyle Tuttle Band, formerly Jeff Austin Band), and Jared Pool (Larry Keel Experience) join forces to bring fans a high energy and highly entertaining collaboration.

Tuttle, Pool, and Greuel have shared the stage numerous times together over the years, but now take on their own project bending the possibilities of bluegrass and shaping it into their own. Born out of festival malarky and late-night hotel jams, this trio comes along as a sort of ‘Three Musketeers’ of the grass universe. Focusing on the parts of the music that spark joy and grow our community, these three writers and pickers will showcase some of their favorite material in a new and exciting way. Kyle Tuttle, Jared Pool, and Adam Greuel conjure a show that’s simply too cool for school, bringing a good time get-down to roadhouses, theaters, and friendly homes here, there, and everywhere.

Silas Herman & the Tone Unit

Silas Herman has grown up immersed in music his entire life.  As the son of Leftover Salmon’s frontman, Vince Herman, Silas has been exposed to some of the greatest musicians in bluegrass and jamgrass. His meteoric growth as an artist reflects the influences he has absorbed over the years.

Now, after a 6-month stint with Kitchen Dwellers (filling in for Shawn Swain), Silas Herman is finally striking out on his own.  The early indications are that Silas is already a pivotal member of the music scene, easily carrying the torch and igniting new fires with his lightning-fast mando chops.

Catch Silas Herman & the Tone Unit while you can – this band is going places fast!

Johhny Mullenax

Johnny Mullenax, a Tulsa native, grew up in a musical family. He started playing the guitar at age 5. In his teens, he followed his family to the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. In typical Johnny fashion, he showed up with just a guitar and ended up sleeping in a standup base case. At 18, he used a friend’s ID to get into a club where he was part of a live hip hop band backing rappers. According to Johnny, “Life is too short to play one style of music, and if you have an opportunity to try something different then you should give it a shot.”

Cristina Vane

Born in Italy, raised in Paris and London, and educated at Princeton, Cristina Vane’s music blends blues, country, indie rock, and more into a unique Americana sound.

With a background in punk, classic rock, metal, and indie rock scenes across Europe, Cristina’s sound is a reflection of her journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Now based in Nashville, her years in the USA led her to uncover her passion for delta blues and old-time music, as well as hone her playing and fingerstyle into a scintillating live act topped with arresting lyricism and powerful vocals.

Magoo

Magoo is a progressive bluegrass quartet based in Denver, CO, redefining the boundaries of traditional bluegrass with a fresh, contemporary approach. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band creates a unique experience that blends extended improvisations, intricate original arrangements, and tight three-part harmonies. Their foot-stomping grooves and energetic stage presence leave audiences both inspired and enthralled.

Rooted in respect for the legends of bluegrass, Magoo pays homage to the genre’s rich history while fearlessly exploring its modern evolution. Their sound is a vibrant fusion of tradition and innovation, combining heartfelt storytelling with virtuosic instrumentation. From delicate melodies to powerful instrumental jams, Magoo’s music takes listeners on a dynamic journey through the past, present, and future of bluegrass.

Link & Chain

Link & Chain is a vocal arrangement of four brothers that have been harmonizing together for decades, since their early days in Jamaica. They bring high energy Roots Reggae everywhere they go, backed by the heavy-hitting Dubcat All-Star band.

Elder Grown

Family and community are the roots of Elder Grown, a band of brothers from Durango, Colorado. Every audience member becomes their 6th collective member—the heartbeat that fuels their music.

Known for their energetic live performances, Elder Grown creates a captivating, genre-bending sound, blending hip-hop-forward funk, soul-inspired rock, jazz, and reggae, with improvisation at the core of their musical journey.

Mighty Holler

Born out of a love of making music together, Mighty Holler was formed! This group, or couple of couples, brings a connected energy to their performances. They enjoy bringing a variety of styles to their shows, including old-time, bluegrass, new twists on classic songs, sweet harmonies, and original tunes, but electric old time is an apt description of their sound.

YogaDurango

Yogadurango is Durango, Colorado’s community yoga center.

We believe in connecting people in healthy ways. In successful operation since 2006, we strive to create a welcoming place for people to explore, grow and transform. Our studio supports all levels of practitioner, providing high-quality experiences with exceptional instructors.

As a women-owned small business, we are dedicated to the well-being of our community and contribute to the richness and vitality that makes Durango such a wonderful place to live.

YogaDurango will be hosting free daily morning yoga sessions at Rhythms on the Rio!

Secret Circus Society

Secret Circus Society is a Durango-based entertainment company that brings the extraordinary to the ordinary!

Keep an eye out for them in the crowd to experience a magical moment!

Listen to the 2025 Rhythms on the Rio Playlist: