Willie Sugarcapps’ long-awaited CD release party Aug. 20

Band: Edward Appleby, Beach Weather
Date: Fri., Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.
Venue: Portal Studio, 560 Dauphin St., www.portalstudiomobile.com
Tickets $5 at the door

Portal Studio has given LoDa and eclectic infusion. This studio features work from a number of local artists, but has also become an epicenter for local musicians to experiment with sounds. It seems only natural that two of the Azalea City’s most unique musical acts use Portal as a jump-off for an eight-date Gulf Coast tour. This will be an evening of sonic dreams provided by Beach Weather and Edward Appleby.

“Cascadia” is the latest release from Beach Weather. Ambient sounds mingle with ethereal voices throughout each track on “Cascadia.” It is not hard for listeners to succumb to the gentle nature of this album. Songs like “Ghosts” and “Small Voices” force listeners to create surreal images within their minds.

Edward Appleby will continue this minimalist extravaganza. Appleby’s latest effort is “Magic Kingdom, Vol. II: Liberty Square.” This album is evidence of Appleby’s evolution as a musician. Appleby has created a sonic canvas upon which he establishes vocals that are whispering dreams.

Band: The New Orleans Suspects
Date: Sat., Aug. 17 at 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Moe’s Original BBQ, 701 Spring Hill Ave., www.moesoriginalbbq.com
Tickets: $15 at the door

Moe’s Original BBQ serves up some of the finest food in LoDa, and soon, they will be serving up some of the finest sounds from NOLA. The New Orleans Suspects will have plenty of Crescent City sounds for Moe’s patrons who are hungry for more than their delicious ‘cue.

This group brings together some of The Crescent City’s most talented musicians with drummer “Mean” Willie Green (Neville Brothers), bassist Reggie Scanlan (The Radiators), Jake Eckert (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), pianist CR Gruver (Outformation) and saxophonist Jeff Watkins (James Brown).

They deliver a hybrid of jazz, funk and R&B. This can be witnessed on their self-titled debut with grooving numbers such as “36 Cars” and “Swampthang.” They also have a habit of paying homage to their forefathers with songs such as “Look-Ka Py Py” (The Meters) and “Big Chief” (Professor Longhair), which can be heard on their album “Caught Live at the Maple Leaf.”

Band: 92 ZEW presents Willie Sugarcapps CD Release Party
Date: Tue., Aug. 20 with doors at 6 p.m.
Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., www.soulkitchenmobile.com
Tickets: Free

The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill has featured some impressive collaborations between a number of talented musicians, and Willie Sugarcapps is one of the most epic conglomerations that has emerged from this unique venue.

This group features one of the biggest talents to come out of the Port City, Will Kimbrough, and Sugarcane Jane’s Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee, with Grayson Capps and fellow Lost Cause Minstrel Corky Hughes rounding out this Gulf Coast supergroup. The release of their self-titled debut is proof that this band has grown into more than just a Sunday afternoon jam session at the farm.

While the official release date is Aug. 20, Willie Sugarcapps has already begun to spread their sounds. They gave their fans an opportunity to pick up this Americana masterpiece at their shows at WorkPlay in Birmingham and at their recent performance at Callaghan’s.

The creation of this album was definitely a group effort. Capps penned songs like “Willie Sugarcapps” and “Poison.” Kimbrough contributed “Mud Bottom” and “Oh Colorado” (co-written with Sarah Jean Kelly). Crawford composed the track “Energy.” The album’s songs were captured by Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Trina Shoemaker, who has worked with everyone from Queens of the Stone Age to Emmylou Harris. After the album’s release, Willie Sugarcapps will begin performing across the Southeast in support of their album.