Centered around the vein of old-school country with a cosmic west coast twist, Kimmi Bitter and the Westside Twang are here to transport you on a retro journey into the year 1962 through their nostalgic original songs. “A disciple of previous decades of music, Bitter’s style fuses traditional country and Americana vibes that hearken to eras gone by,” says Maddie Fry of Nashville’s music publication Music Mecca.

In the recent year, collaboration with Los Angeles producer Michael Gurley (Dada, Kiefer Sutherland band) on singles “My Grass is Blue” and “I Dream of You” are harmony-stricken ballads that have grown comparisons reminiscence of a time when Patsy Cline with the Jordanaires would overtake radio airwaves. "Immediately riveting classic country fans and stimulating chill bumps from the eerie similarities to Patsy Cline, 'My Grass Is Blue' is solid country gold,” says Saving Country Music who nominated the song for 2022 Single of the Year alongside fellow nominees Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, and Zach Bryan. She also found recognition in her hometown being nominated for Best Country/Americana Artist and “My Grass is Blue” was nominated for Song of the Year by San Diego Music Awards 2023.

With a debut full-length album on the rise, you can expect yet a new flare of throwback songs and hefty tour repertoire to follow. Gravitating towards the genres she loves the most and all things 1960s, is a singer-songwriter’s collection of work heavily committed to the vibe of traditional country, reverbed out western riffs, old-fashioned rock-n-roll, and hints of California psychedelia.

A product of the Californian sunshine, Beach Rock band Safety Orange have been proudly jamming across the US since ‘95. Founded through a love for surfing and good music, their laid-back, reggae-tinged approach to rock has seen them record four studio albums, spread their sound across the country, and broadcast good vibes to listeners around the globe.


Founded in San Diego, California by surfing buddies Harry Elmore and Sol Turpin. Safety Orange have gone on to craft out a sound truly unique – strong on the downbeat, soulfully uplifting and wrapped up in reggae-rock tones that intertwine with lashings of punk, ska, and Latin music.


Like most great stories, the one of Safety Orange was birthed by chance. After a surf session, Sol was promptly asked to step in on bass by co-founder Harry. It wasn’t long before the duo played at a friend's house party, where they proceeded to tear the roof off and alter the very course of their musical lives. Since then, Safety Orange has never looked back – they fell in love with playing music for others, and Sol has since strived to bring the Safety Orange sound to others across the globe.


From their 1997 debut offering 'Life As a Fish’, their sophomore 2005 album 'Troll Rock High', to the 'State of Where I Am', Safety Orange have had their sights on raising the bar for their signature sound. Their third and most recent album which included worldwide phenomenon 'Hotel Whatever You Like', went on to receive over 4 million streams in a short amount of time, and they’ve since gone on to release 36 singles thus far. With an output of over 4 CDs worth of music, and more scheduled for release on their imprint Wabasa Records, Safety Orange show no signs of slowing down.

MUSICIANS:
Sol Turpin - vocals, bass, production
Jacob Gonzales - guitar
Darryl Brown - drums
Past Musicians:
Harry Elmore - guitar
Don Wiseman - drums
Greg Karlo - guitar
Eric Rockwell - drums
Carlos "Los" Perez - drums
Jessie "Tato" Tate - drums
Albert Hurtado- guitar
Adam Bausch -  drums
Nate Lions -  guitar

I was raised in the artistic, small-town suburbs of Marin County, a few miles and a full generation removed from the hippy movement that swept through San Francisco in the late 60’s.  From Fleetwood Mac's Rumours to Stevie's Songs in the Key of Life, many great records came out of Marin County, fueled by the musical prowess of legendary concert promoter Bill Graham. This was my home, and these legends were a part of the infrastructure that sustained us. Although my parents weren’t big Deadheads, their catalog ran deep, exposing me to a vast collection of great records and artists.  Whether it was Graceland, Ziggy Stardust or Dark Side of the Moon — a record was always playing and music was a very present part of my life. 

My love for the craft of songwriting grew stronger as I got older.  From as early as the age of ten, I had a pressing desire to follow in the footsteps of my musical heroes.  Not because they looked cool or lived the dream; because they SOUNDED amazing and, musically, had IT figured out.  IT was always about the music for me, and as my family life became more tumultuous in my early high-school years, I came to rely on the cathartic escape that I experienced while sifting through my deeper thoughts and emotions.  I kept my head down through, what feels like, the dark ages of my early life, as I watched my mother’s addictions swallow her up.  Music became my drug and has remained that way to this day, always providing me with the needed awareness and reflection to navigate my way through the rapids toward calmer waters. I feel like my best work has always come in times of need - when I had nowhere to go to find the truth but deeper within.     

So here I am: a few bands removed, a husband, a father and a songwriter, finally facing the music and all my ambitions head on.  I’m focused on making the one thing that has always intrigued me the most:  a Great record.  One that comes from a place of truth and passion and carries a self-contained, distinctive and palpable presence and intention.  This quest may take a lifetime, as I navigate my way in and out of different musical and personal journeys.  I hope you stick around for the “long story” and hear something you like.

~ Jesse Ray Smith