the Violet reVolt

Dubbed the "Future of the Blues" by legendary "Misty Blue" recording artist Dorothy Moore, and a "Blues Trailblazer" by Living Blues Magazine- JJ Thames is the "leave-it-all-on-the-stage" front-woman of the Violet ReVOLT; and possesses the mesmerizing je ne sais quoi star-quality of Tina Turner, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor, and Ruth Brown all in one raw, often wistful, always powerful and passionate voice. Jj's voice and stage presence is one that often incites goosebumps, tears, encores and standing ovations- commanding the attention of any room -whether it be a 100 person capacity Hole in the Wall Mississippi Juke Joint, or a 20,000 seat stadium (both of which have been tested and proven) She is a Billboard Blues album chart -topping artist, and dynamic entertainer who quickly wins the hearts of the listener with her funny anecdotes, and messages of hope, positivity, love, and encouragement. Having been shown the ropes by some of the best including Bobby Blue Bland, Denise LaSalle, Peggy Scott Adams, and Marvin Sease...Jj has been on the road since she was 18 years old, and at 35 has certainly come into her own.

The Violet Revolt is comprised of two women and two men (Justine Gardner (Bass), Lauren Stockner (Guitar), Roger Voss (Drums) and Phil Silverberg (B3/Keys)) This eclectic mix of seasoned musicians include Berklee College of Music graduates, A longtime School of Rock Instructor, and previous band members backing John Ginty ( Allman Brothers, Santana, Govt. Mule, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Widespread Panic.) and Todd Wolfe (Carla Olson and Sheryl Crow) for many years.

Underneath the deeply southern juke joint stylings, and waves of gospel pulsing through the group of diverse almost 30 somethings - there is a mixture of elemental hip-hop, energetic 90's and southern rock and blues guitar licks, groovin' vintage soul melodies, and a peek-a-boo of roots reggae woven throughout the foundation which diversifies JJ and the Violet Revolt in a way that is unexpected and pleasantly explosive to the musical palate.

The Violet Revolt is a perfectly gelled supporting cast while Ms. Thames masterfully draws you in to live out her transparent, often humorous, and honest musical stories with her deeply personal lyrics, soulful moans, deep-bellied hollers; and skillfully controlled scats with perfectly timed pauses, swells, and whispers. She is a visual artist who effortlessly uses her voice to paint on the canvas of the listener's heart. To hear and watch her leading Jj Thames & Violet ReVOLT into superstardom is to be colored amazed.

Website:

https://www.iamjjthames.com/thevioletrevolt

Stephanie Scelza was born to a pack of wolves and left howling on the doorstep of a human family in 1983. Her family realized she was different when she started singing before she could speak, and whisked her off to vocal lessons at the age of ten. She narrowly escaped a life of professional opera-singing when she found a guitar, quit her studies, and eloped with a band.

Never able to take herself seriously as a human being, Stephanie found solace in the blues, when she discovered she was able to howl away with impunity.

Suspicious of human classifications, Stephanie is hard-pressed to describe her music as a blend of funk, blues, and folk. She has tricked a wide array of respectable human musicians into playing music with her, none of whom she can remember by name, because that kind of thing isn't important to wolves.

You can find her padding around the Portland music scene with no particular directive beyond survival, and the desire to find a quiet place for a good, long howl.

Website:

http://strangeandthefamiliars.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/strangeandthefamiliars/