Returning for their second appearance at Lefty’s
Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance is high-energy folk duo from Nashville, Tennessee, born from the solo careers of multi-instrumentalists Jordan Eastman and Laurel Lane.
The two met in early 2014, and began touring together just three weeks later; living in the back of Eastman’s truck and playing shows across the country.
The pairing of Lane’s Dolly-esque southern charm with Eastman’s heartfelt lyrics and passionate stage performance was quickly met with great response; inspiring them to quit their day-jobs, and take to the road full time.
Since forming, the duo has been hailed for their honest songwriting, grassroots sincerity, and crowd-oriented live performance that kicks down the fourth wall and has led both fans and critics to say, “They play with such vigorous honesty, it reminds you that music can still be more than gimmicks” (Dan London Blog) and call their songs “Good, earnest, and full of real heart.” (Orlando Weekly)
In 2015, they released their 100% crowd funded debut album “Worry Has No Home,” and even moved from the truck bed to a conversion van; into a what feels to them like mighty fancy livin’.
Pick Up their Record at Bandcamp / Reverbnation / FacebookÂ
Matthew James & the Rust Belt Union
Matthew James hails from Downriver, Michigan. A seedy hustling underbelly of Detroit. He left rambling around with Rickett Pass and the Back Home in Michigan Band for a handful of years before running out of gas and coffee in Des Moines, IA. As he shrugged his shoulders and lit a cigarette he decided to hang his hat in Iowa. Where he was lucky enough to meet Wrex Hill, Nathan Emerson, Jason Bordeaux, Matt Miller and Brad Hanson which now make up the Rust Belt Union. After two rehearsals it was clear that the Rust Belt Union was here to stay. This is Midwest Junk Soul. The songs of hard working, land locked dirty hand blues.
They have a “LIVE” Demo release April 17th at Lefty’s Live Music and are hitting record on a full length album shortly there after.