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Join J.D. Reager for “Back to the Light: Songs & Stories”, featuring performances and conversations with special guests HEELS, Cory Branan, Alicja Trout, Graham Burks, Michaela & Will Forrest, and Jeff Hulett.
The Green Room
Tickets: $15 in advance | $20 at the door (plus fees)
Doors open at 7pm | Show starts at 7:30pm
*Crosstown Arts is requesting proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for this event. Please be prepared to present your vaccination card or a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours at check-in.
J.D. REAGER
Memphis musician/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist J.D. Reager is a veteran of several TN-based touring and recording acts, including Glossary, Pezz, Two Way Radio, Snowglobe and The Passport Again. He has opened for heroes and appeared on MTV and released two critically acclaimed solo records, but is in no way famous. In 2020 he launched a podcast, network and label called Back to the Light, and he has since finished a new solo album of his own (due later in 2022), and produced a new album for Memphis underground icons The Subteens.
HEELS
HEELS is the combined effort of Joshua McLane and Brennan Whalen. A two-piece band from Memphis, TN. They started as a stripped down acoustic outfit in 2015. Over the course of the last few years they have evolved into a fast paced electric punk outfit with a more heavy and melodic sound. Equal parts ragers and conversationalists, HEELS writes pop songs for a dying planet.
CORY BRANAN
Over the last two decades Cory Branan has released five albums to much critical acclaim from NPR, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone among others, who called him, “A country boy with a punk-rock heart.” He has toured extensively, appearing on stages from Letterman and the Ryman to your town’s shittiest punk bar.
Branan’s songs have been covered by such artists as Frank Turner and Dashboard Confessional. He has also collaborated with the likes of Jason Isbell, Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), and Craig Finn (The Hold Steady), who have been included as featured guests on previous records. Branan has even been mentioned in the Lucero song, “Tears Don’t Matter Much” with the lyrics, “Cory Branan’s got an evil streak, and a way with words that’ll bring you to your knees.”
ALICJA TROUT
Alicja Trout is a Memphis-based rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. She is best known for her work with the synth-heavy Lost Sounds, which she started with Jay Reatard. Her current band, the River City Tanlines, were named an essential Memphis band by Spin Magazine in December 2007. Trout also owns and operates Contaminated Records, her own independent record label.
GRAHAM BURKS
Graham Burks is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who has toured and played with Pezz, Sweet Knives, Magic Kids, Jeremy Scott, Small Room, Perfect Vessels, Infinity Stairs, Recoil, and more. Graham released a new album with his solo project Loose Opinions in 2021.
MICHAELA & WILL FORREST
Michaela and Will are a husband and wife duo from Memphis. As a duo, they specialize in covering Southern soul and Blues. Their full band, Rosey, can be found on Spotify and Bandcamp at yesorrosey.bandcamp.com.
JEFF HULETT
Memphis musician Jeff Hulett started playing drums at 16 years old. Around 21 he knew he wanted to be a songwriter and band leader. Today, Jeff plays in several Memphis bands, including Snowglobe and Me & Leah, as well as leading his own band. His music is eclectic, simple, and always a tad surprising.
