BIO

From the shores of Southern California comes The Great North Special, an Americana jam band that fuses together a unique blend of country-blues, psych-rock and funk-soul. Beautiful melodies and tight grooves lead the way through their mind-blowing energetic dance party live shows. Their sound is eclectic and compelling with heavy rhythms, harmonized vocals & guitars, and world class keys and organ. Each performance is a soul-driven ecstatic whirlwind of exploration through improvisation and crowd connection. 

Their self-titled EP in 2020, and follow-up single “Love Service Devotion” in 2022, garnered much attention in the California jam and americana scenes, and saw the band featured on major West Coast radio, including renowned radio station KLOS 95.5 fm in Los Angeles. Their debut LP “Callithump Parade”,  released in the summer of 2024 has had multiple songs see playlist success, including placement on Spotify’s Modern Jam Band Playlist. With distinct musical versatility, captivating lyricism, and careful songwriting, the band continues to explore in-depth themes within their songs such as love, joy, nature, technology, existentialism and spirituality. The Great North Special is a truly unforgettable experience for music lovers everywhere. 

Highlights

Band Highlights

  • Featured and interviewed on LA’s Heidi and Frank Show 95.5FM KLOS

  • Featured on Spotify’s Modern Jam Band Playlist

  • Featured and interviewed on KX93.5FM Laguna Beach

  • Featured and interviewed on No Simple Road Podcast

  • National College and Jam/Americana radio promotion

  • Featured music videos on Americana-UK.com

  • Awarded Artist Innovation Grant from Laguna Beach Arts Commission in 2023

  • Featured in Seager Clothing Co’s Online Streaming Festival 2020


Festivals Played

  • High Sierra Music Festival 2025 (w/ALO, Andy Frasco, Dogs In A Pile, Daniel Donato and more)

  • June Lake Jam Fest 2024 (w/The Nth Power, Cubensis, Alex Jordan, Joe Marcinek and more)

  • Field Trip Festival 2024 (w/Donovan Frankenreiter, Nikki Lane) - San Juan Capistrano, CA

  • Coast Film & Music Festival 2024 (w/Cayucas, Mapache, Matt Costa) - Laguna Beach, CA

  • June Lake Jam Fest 2023 (w/Mother Hips, Stu Allen & Cubensis) - June Lake, CA

  • Coast Film & Music Fest 2022 (w/Honk, Matt Costa) - Laguna Beach, CA 

  • Orange County Music/Jam Fest 2021 (w/Cubensis, Robert Jon & the Wreck) - Irvine, CA


Venues Played

  • Boom Boom Room - San Francisco, CA

  • Crazy Horse Saloon - Nevada City, CA

  • Rivian Theater - Laguna Beach, CA

  • Wayfarer - Costa Mesa, CA

  • The Coachhouse - San Juan Capistrano, CA

  • Winston’s - San Diego, CA

  • The Mint - Los Angeles, CA

  • SLO Brew Rock - San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Venice West - Venice Beach, CA

  • Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA

  • Peri’s - Fairfax, CA

  • Liquid Gravity - San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Saint Rocke - Hermosa Beach, CA

  • Mozambique - Laguna Beach, CA

  • Skyloft - Laguna Beach, CA

  • T-Bar Social Club - Mammoth, CA

  • Commons Beach - Tahoe City, CA

Statistics

  • 3200+ followers on Instagram

  • 2500 monthly listeners on Spotify 

  • 110k+ streams for “Callithump Parade” album on Spotify

  • 1500 views on YouTube

Press

“Bursting with energy and soul, the album showcases the band's knack for storytelling and their evolution into a formidable musical force. Each track shows their raw, unfiltered talent and ability to connect with audiences on a profound level.” — CoastFilmFestival.com 2024

“Simply joyous. Once again, The Great North Special deliver music to be utterly absorbed in with their latest single, ‘Toketee Breakdown’. It’s music from out of time, featuring fine instrumentation and showcasing their excellent songcraft.” — Americana-uk.com 2024


“The Great North Special are an exciting and welcome addition to the Americana scene and could become hot property for record labels and festivals around the world.” — MusicRepublicMagazine.com 2024


“..foot-tapping, infectious fun. The song is full of likeable hooks, delightful melody and improvised, free-form jams.” And “an infectious celebration of love and music.” — Americana-uk.com 2022


“With well composed and progressive arrangements, the song has an incredible groove and delicate vocals that come together in a precise and exciting way.” — RoadieMusic.com 2022

Music

Videos

Releases


 
 

The Great North Special EP
June 2020

 
 

Love Service Devotion Single
May 2022

 
 

Toketee Breakdown Single
March 2024

 
 

Callithump Parade Single
April 2024

 
 

Clearlight Single 
May 2024

 
 

Callithump Parade Full Length LP
June 2024