Blue Cactus and Jobi Riccio

Blue Cactus, led by Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez, hails from North Carolina's honky-tonk scene, fusing folk, alt-country, and psychedelic rock. Known for supporting acts like The War And Treaty and Town Mountain, they craft introspective and lush music. Their third album, *Believer*, explores themes of illness, dreams, and hope with guest singers like Erin Rae. Praised by No Depression and compared to Gillian Welch, their rich sound remains deeply personal and adventurous.

Born in Morrison, Colorado, Jobi Riccio draws inspiration from artists like Sheryl Crow and Joni Mitchell. Her acclaimed debut album "Whiplash" blends classic songwriting with indie production, earning praise from The New York Times, Billboard, and NPR. She received the 2023 Newport Folk Festival John Prine Fellowship and is a 2024 Emerging Artist of the Year nominee by the Americana Association.