cross-pol*li*na*tion (n.): The transfer of pollen from one flower to another, producing stronger and more vigorous plants. These genetic diversities often result in the evolution of new species.
The same can be said of music.
Blending the sweet sounds from some of Charleston's rock royalty, The Dubious Battles is evolution at its finest: a homegrown supergroup born from a collaboration among friends. Originally formed during the 2011 charity tour "How the Other Half Gives", The Dubious Battles features Luke Cunningham, Ryan Bonner and Tyler Mechem, each solidly successful with their individual projects but coming together again out of a mutual appreciation for one another's talents.
"We enjoyed being around each other," Cunningham says, "singing each other's songs and playing music together so much that we knew we'd have to get together again and do something collectively."
So when Cunningham was invited to perform at this weekend's Jail Break Festival, he saw it as a golden opportunity for The Dubious Battles.
"I thought that, given Jail Break's focus on art and creativity, it would be the perfect event to showcase this side project that we've been itching to unveil."
The performance will include original songs composed by all three members (they currently have close to twenty in various stages of progress), unreleased solo material and favorite tunes from each of the guy's other projects: the Luke Cunningham Band, Ryan Bonner and the Dearly Beloved, and Crowfield. And while there are no concrete plans to record a full album, The Dubious Battles have been working on ideas for an EP and have released their first single, "Bad Deal (Goodbye, Tuesday)", a nostalgic folk tune with an irresistible cadence and sweeter-than-honey string section, riding the vocal harmonies like a warm summer breeze.
"Luke, Ryan and I have known each other for a long time...but we were always creating our own music, separately," Mechem says. "Now, we're all in it together. No matter who brings the song to the table, we all need to be proud of what we perform. There's a lot of trust that goes into that."
The Dubious Battles take the stage at the Jail Break Festival this Saturday (4.27) at 6pm. For tickets and other festival information, visit www.jailbreakcharleston.com.
To download "Bad Deal (Goodbye, Tuesday)", visit the iTunes Store.
Band Websites
The Dubious Battles
Luke Cunningham
Ryan Bonner
Tyler Mechem
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There are some pretty sweet shows going down around town this last week of April - enjoy the spring while you can, because the summer sweats are right around the corner!
MONDAY- April 22nd
- "After School Special" w Rachel Kate + Antoine Dukes
Charleston Pour House, on the deck
6p - FREE
- South Carolina Broadcasters
Yo Burrito
6:30p - FREE
- ELIM BOLT, Scott Dense and Water Liars (Oxford, MS)
The Royal American
9p - $5
- Sarah Cole + the Hawkes
The Drop-In
9:30p - FREE
TUESDAY - April 23rd
- "Eclectic Evenings" feat. Happy Story Hour, Port City Prophets + Hibachi Heroes
The Royal American
7p - FREE
- Happy Story Hour
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley)
8:30p - FREE
- Matadero backs J. Roddy Walston + the Business (Baltimore)
The Rec Room
9p - FREE
- The Nobody Brothers (a Ryan Bonner project), Tuesday residency
Loggerhead's Beach Grill
10p - FREE
WEDNESDAY - April 24th
- Barn Jam feat. Heartfelt Hinges, 72nd Central, Ryan Boss, Georgia Slim, Josh Haskins and Dean Johanesen
Awendaw Green
6p - donations
- Charleston Blues Review
Mad River Bar & Grille
6p - $50 adv/$65 dos
- Guilt Ridden Troubadour
Home Team BBQ (Sullivan's Island)
8:30p - FREE
THURSDAY - April 25th
- Graham Whorley
Juanita Greenberg's (Mt. Pleasant)
6:3op - FREE
- Folly Beach Bluegrass Society
Folly Crab Shack
7p - FREE
- Guilt Ridden Troubadour
The Southern Bar & Grill
9p - FREE
FRIDAY - April 26th
- Aaron Firetag + Friends
Charleston Pour House, on the deck
6p - FREE
- The Dead 27s and TJ Jazer (Greenville)
The Windjammer
9p - $7
- Jordan Igoe
Cutty's Elliotborough Establishment
9p - FREE
- Versus Angels, Fusebox Poet (Charlotte)
Tin Roof
9p - $5
- Ryan Bonner Band
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley)
9p - FREE
SATURDAY - April 27th
- Fifth Annual Strap-On Face Funk, feat. The Dead 27s, OldYou, Yellowknife, Shonuff, Gaslight Street + more
Charleston Pour House
3-10:30p - $5 adv/$10 dos
- "Rhythm is My Business" local female talent showcase, feat. Jordan Igoe, Lily Slay, Stefanie Bannister + Dorothea Hudson
Main Library Auditorium
3-4p - FREE
- JAIL BREAK music, arts + funhouse street fest, feat. Brave Baby (5-6p); The Dubious Battle (Ryan Bonner, Luke Cunningham + Tyler Mechem, 6:30-7:30p); The Royal Tinfoil (8-9:30p); Steven Fiore (10-11p)
Old City Jail
4p - $15 adv/$20 dos
SUNDAY - April 28th
- "Girls Rock!" Charleston Volunteer Interest Party
Andolini's, downtown
3p - FREE
MONDAY - April 29th
- "After School Special" w Rachel Kate + Antoine Dukes
Charleston Pour House, on the deck
6p - FREE
- South Carolina Broadcasters
Yo Burrito
6:30p - FREE
- "Willie Nelson's Birthday Tribute", feat. Lyndsay Holler, Lesley Carroll, Fairy God Muthas, Jimmy Snyder + more
Tin ROof
7-11p - donations
TUESDAY - April 30th
- "Eclectic Evenings", feat. Skwirl Grinda and Godwin Falcon (Savannah)
The Royal American
7p - FREE
- Co. plays w Modern Man and Besnard Lakes (Montreal)
Charleston Pour House
8:30p - $10
- Whiskey Diablo
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley)
9p - FREE
- Scott Dence
The Rec Room
9p - FREE
- The Nobody Brothers (a Ryan Bonner project), Tuesday residency
Loggerhead's Beach Grill
10p - FREE
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