Sean Hobbes & The Hi-Res + Julai and The Serotones

Sean Hobbes & The Hi Res is a pop-soul singer-songwriter based in New Orleans. He grew up in Philadelphia, surrounded by live music and dreaming of being on stage. 7 years of performing in clubs throughout New Orleans led him to develop a sound and style that draws on a multitude of genres and influences. As a writer, he looks to create dynamic soundtracks to the universal experiences of love and life.

His band, The Hi Res, includes Kevin Appelson (drums), Tristan Clark (bass), Riley English (guitar), Mauricio Viana (keys & tenor sax), Aidan Swindell (bari sax), and Avery Bell (trombone). The group came together in September 2020 as a way to stay sane during the pandemic. What started with simple porch shows quickly turned into SXSW showcases and tours across the Gulf South and East Coast. The group performs frequently in New Orleans and continues to broaden their touring across the United States.

Their debut album, Images of Roses, is the product of a year and a half of writing and recording. Building arrangements that incorporate jazz, pop and rock, they looked to capture the eclectic nature of life that bleeds into the music that they make. The album tells the story of falling in and out of love, moving from infatuation to closure. The project was produced by Riley English, Avery Bell, and Sean Hobbes. It was recorded at Marigny Studios and mixed by Adam Keil and mastered by Sean Peterson.

JULAI and the Serotones are an 8-piece powerhouse band that bring their high-energy sound to listeners worldwide. The band has appeared on bills with award-winning legends such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, Alanis Morissette, Trey Anastasio, Hozier, Steel Pulse, Gin Blossoms, The Skatalites, Ripe, and more. After hearing the band’s debut studio album, critics have commented, “Driving with outright creative freedom and faultless musicianship, the precision and passion of JULAI and the Serotones reaches unrivalled peaks… Guided by confidently meandering vocals, the Connecticut band showcases a level of unity and colorful optimism that’s unparalleled amidst such a vast group set-up.” Deftly navigating between high caliber improvisation and downright catchy original tunes, the band has a unique ability to bring out the best in every crowd they play for.