With only 8 weeks to go before the 16th Annual Suwannee Springfest kicks off at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL, today festival promoters announce another round of artist additions. Springfest is pleased to welcome to the lineup San Francisco rockers Tea Leaf Green, as well as Packway Handle Band, Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils, Grant Peeples, Sanctum Sully, Red June, Taylor Martin’s Engine, Tennessee Firearms, Short Straw Pickers and Uproot Hootenanny. They join more than 30 other artists listed below.

Additionally, Springfest is proud to host two very special sets with Tony Rice, who will sit in with Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and also with Infamous Stringdusters. Full lineup details are listed below and on the newly re-launched website, suwanneespringfest.com.

The 16th Annual Suwannee Springfest will be held March 22-25, 2012 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. Three-day weekend passes are available now for only $150 and children age 12 and under are free of charge. Discounts are offered for students and retired and active military.

On March 15, weekend passes go up to $165 so buy early and save. To purchase tickets online or to find out more, please visit www.suwanneespringfest.com.

2012 Suwannee Springfest Confirmed Lineup

J. Tillman

After four years, drummer J. Tillman has announced his departure from Fleet Foxes. Tillman made the announcement on his Tumblr, with the message posted below:

“Farewell Fleet Fans and Friends. Back into the gaping maw of obscurity I go. Tokyo is my last show with the Foxes. Sorry if I was distant and obtuse if we ever met. Have fun.”

Tillman joined Fleet Foxes in 2008, just before the release of the band’s self-titled debut record. Fans can expect more material from the talented Tillman, as the former Foxes drummer has been releasing solo material since 2004 and all throughout his tenure with the band. His most recent album, Singing Ax, was released in September 2010.

Lotus by Brian Hockensmith

Lotus returns to the road in 2012 in support of the recently released self-titled album on SCI Fidelity Records. The group’s live shows have become a staple among concert enthusiasts with the high-energy vibe and intense light show working audiences into a blissful frenzy.

Lotus has just released a new remix of the album-closing track “Orchids” by The Album Leaf (Sub Pop). Listen/download below. Jesse Miller (bass, sampler) explains how the collaboration came about:

“We’ve been fans of The Album Leaf going back a number of years. During the summer of 2010 we played 3 shows with the band and met Jimmy LaValle (the main mind behind The Album Leaf). His compositions have a unique ability to bring a very human and affecting element to music that is steeped in electronics. We decided he should remix one of the least electronic compositions from the Lotus album “Orchids.” LaValle created a mix that combines the lush strings and guitars of the original with The Album Leaf’s signature approach to atmosphere and beat to create a track that invokes a sepia-filtered, cinematic nostalgia.”

Lotus is composed of Mike Greenfield (Drums), Jesse Miller (Bass, Sampler), Luke Miller (Guitar, Keys), Mike Rempel (Guitar) and Chuck Morris (Percussion).

Catch Lotus in the following cities:

February