JUDAH & THE LION
The last few years have proven to be one of the most brutal, turmoil-fueled eras in recent decades. Between the Covid-19 pandemic, political feuds, difficult economic conditions, and rising tensions in the East, we can all agree it has been tough times. But if anyone knows the old adage “diamonds are created under pressure” best, it would be Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald.
Founded in Nashville, TN over ten years ago, Judah & the Lion quickly jumped into the hearts of people everywhere with the release of “First Roots” in the summer of 2012. When Judah Akers, Brian Macdonald, and Nate Zuercher first met they were young college students having fun at Belmont University. Judah was even a D1 baseball player for the college!
What really drew the hearts and ears of the band’s early listeners was their passion for combining bluegrass instruments with new rock sounds. Rather than play the cookie cutter guitar, bass, and drums, the members of Judah & the Lion opted for the mandolin and the banjo. If you want to be great, you have to be different. Judah & the Lion nailed both aspects of that saying.
Fast forward ten years and the pandemic had screeched an eight year touring career to a halt. During this time, each of the members took a personal break to spend time with their families and work on mental health. Brian perhaps got the best end of the stick, being able to spend a year of quarantine in Sweden while his wife worked towards her Masters Degree. Unfortunately, the time away did lead one of the founding members, Nate, to take a step back and leave the band.
The change of becoming a duo after spending ten years as a group of three forced Judah and Brian to reevaluate their dynamic as a band. The pair tackled this challenge, and the outcome of their adjustments reinvigorated their partnership and pushed their creativity to new heights.
One of their first sessions back in the studio occurred in the Fall of 2021 at Echo Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina. Judah and Brian invited some lifelong friends and touring mates to the recording studio so they could all hang around each other while doing what they loved most. After a two-year mandatory vacation courtesy of Covid-19 and the life-altering news of a member leaving the band, Judah and Brian let their creativity lose and their passion run wild.
Brian described the recording session as “one of the most fun times we had in the studio… it felt like a retreat.”
You can listen to the results on their latest album release, Revival, found on Spotify or any music platform you prefer. A true diamond formed under the pressure of a difficult few years, where in the end, Judah & the Lion found the character and passion they needed to make a true Revival – and the fans couldn’t be happier!
Judah & the Lion has resumed their touring career and will take the stage at Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival in San Diego this November. Check out more information about the festival at wonderfrontfestival.com.
You can also learn more about the band at judahandthelion.com.
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About WONDERFRONT Music & Arts Festival
The return of the 7+ stage, 80+ band, 3-day music, culinary and arts festival descending upon the stunning waterfront of downtown San Diego – “where the city meets the sea.” The festival will feature stages and activations spread across the various parks and piers along the Port of San Diego, from the Embarcadero Park up to Broadway Pier.
About Wonderlust Events, LLC
Based in San Diego, Wonderlust Events llc is an innovative events and entertainment company focused on conceiving, creating, and executing impactful, music-based live experiences delivered across multiple mediums (theatrical, traditional, and streaming broadcast). Its founders, Paul Thornton and Ernie Hahn, each have over 25 years of experience in large-scale event promotions, production and creative development.
Media Contacts:
Esther Shepherd
esther@tagpresents.com
208 761-7729
Kira Finkenberg
kira@thekiraco.com
619 204-7342
WONDERFRONT Festival
Friday-Sunday, November 18-20, 2022
WONDERLUST EVENTS, LLC
550 West B Street, 4 th Floor
San Diego CA 92101
Ph: 619.340.1070
For tickets, more information and to sign-up for the WonderLIST:
https://wonderfrontfestival.com
