Asheville NC’s most beloved Soul band, the Secret B-Sides, presents forty-five minutes of groovy and psychedelic Soul stylings on a new, full-length album, Easy Magic. More old-school than new, deeper grooves and darker vibes differentiate Easy Magic from its 2011 predecessor, Flowers & Chocolate. Lyrically, Easy Magic deals with heavier subjects--police brutality, political trickery, loneliness, societal collapse—the joyous groove found therein making them all lighter somehow. Flowers & Chocolate was meant to tempt listeners into bliss; Easy Magic is meant to sustain listeners through trial and tribulation, making life magically easier. Juan Holladay provides vision, lead vocals and rhythmic guitar. Robin Tolleson is the heartbeat, drumkit beats to move your body, and supporting vocals. Jeff K’norr is the color, sonic textures and sweet audio candy from piano, keyboards and synths. Bassist Shayne Heather is the glue, settling everything into the funkiest of pockets. Guests from the Asheville music scene are woven in – legendary soul singer Sidney Barnes, the Common Foundation horn section, guitarist Mark Burin, cellist Franklin Keel (Sirius.B), saxman Jason Moore, rapper Red!nk, steel guitarist Matt Smith (Shannon Whitworth), and dj Marley Carroll adding cuts and tasty sound design. Recorded at Collapseable Studios by Jeff K’norr 2012-13. The Secret B-Sides: Voted ‘Best of WNC’ #1 Soul Band 2011 and 2012. Shared stages with Soulive, Toubab Krewe, Lee Fields, Gift of Gab, Talib Kwali, ArtOfficial, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Rubblebucket, GFE, and Spam All-Stars. Performed at LEAF, Bele Chere, Trinumeral, International Soul Summit, Indiana Craft Brewers Fest, Music on the Mountaintop, All Go West, French Broad River Fest, Cola-Con. Flowers & Chocolate, the B-Sides’ 2011 studio debut, was recognized among WNCW’s Top 12 Regional Releases, and described by Modern Drummer magazine as “A Soul Party.” Now hear the group’s highly anticipated follow-up, Easy Magic, about which Mountain X-press writes, “More deep grooves, retro cool, and space-age romance.” What they’re saying about Easy Magic… “The new cuts, including ‘Must Be Real‘ and ‘Landing Pad,‘ still exude the group’s R&B and soul roots, and being considered romantic doesn’t mean the tunes are ballads. They’re upbeat and groovy.“ Jason Gilmer, Spartanburg Herald-Journal “Holladay has a knack for pulling far-flung influences together under the psychedelic umbrella of R&B, happiness and the kind of love that, whether spiritual or sexual in nature, makes us better people. ‘Are You Music?‘ pulses and thumps with heavy bass and bright jabs of organ. The song breathes, throbs and sweats under Holladay’s supple vocal. ‘Are you music? Are you so sick? Are you straight up tired of the same old new tricks?‘ he sings. If so, Magic can probably cure what ails you.“ Alli Marshall, Mountain X-press “The group’s diverse but smoothly distilled sound draws from funk and soul, rap and R&B, repurposing them in service of themes that are more mature than those pursued by many of the band’s modern peers. Holladay wants his music to deal in positive and powerful messages. Easy Magic revels in modern soul that doesn’t forsake sensuality in pursuit of music with a genuine sense of purpose. Easy Magic isn’t afraid to pair its muscular grooves with equally weighty issues.“ Jordan Lawrence, Mountain X-press