Live Music: Matty Frank, Nicole Tester, and Chicken Ranch Road Show

self taught in almost all of his musical and engineering knowledge, multi instrumentalist and vocalist matty frank currently creates naturalist art pop for modern druids, infusing every thought with an intangible sparkliness unseen or heard anywhere else. as a lyricist praised for both haunting specificity and relatability, he aims to tap into community and global consciousness to converse with those who daydream of a more fantastic and shiny world, real or otherwise, through music and visuals. matty frank sprinkles delectable pop melodic shapes onto fantastical and whimsical video game and cinema inspired sound palettes, making for one of a kind listening and performance experiences.

Nicole Tester is a singer/songwriter based out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her eclectic sound pulls from the folk roots of the Appalachian Mountains where she was raised, intertwined with modern influences such as Big Thief, The Tallest Man On Earth, Florist, and Sylvan Esso. Balancing wit and humor with introspection and insight, she is sure to cover a vast expanse of emotional ground with her lyrics and expressive voice. Her songs serve as a way to tell stories, process her own experiences, and simultaneously attempt to find common ground to connect with others. Nicole just released a new EP this September.

CHICKEN RANCH ROAD SHOW plays country music for everyone. Founded in Raleigh, NC in 2023, the Road Show hits the stage with instruments in hand and tongues in cheek. Is it camp? Is it country? In the end, it’s somewhere between The Judds and the Jacobins, as the band blends roots rock and Americana sensibilities with a heaping helping of queer rage. Crashing and shuffling through songs about generational trauma, softboys, and a cheeky bit of cannibalism, Chicken Ranch Road Show looks to artists like Orville Peck, Amythyst Kiah, and Adeem the Artist as they pen their own definition of country music.