Andy Frasco & The U.N.

With curly tufts of a recognizable Jewfro peeking from beneath his knit cap, Andy Frasco is a cross between John Belushi’s “Joliet” Jake Blues and Jimmy Buffett—but sounds like himself: a band-leading, genre-blending, songwriting party animal. Onstage, he turns into a rock 'n' roll Tasmanian Devil, channeling Springsteen-style energy as he leads his band, the U.N., through instrument swaps, stage dives, and spontaneous crowd moments. Every show is a wild celebration of inclusivity and tolerance where “you do you” and "let us do us." After 15 years of relentless touring, the band has gone from dive bars to playing 250+ shows a year. That journey is captured on 'Growing Pains,' their 10th studio album and first full-length since 2023’s 'L’Optimist.' It also marks Frasco’s debut as producer, showing his evolution as both artist and storyteller. From the country-island anthem “Try Not to Die” to the folk protest “Life is Easy” (featuring Billy Strings, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Steve Poltz, and Chris Gelbuda), the record reflects Frasco’s growth. Other standouts include the Motown-tinged “Swinging for the Fences” (with G. Love and Eric Krasno) and “They Call Me Hollywood (But I’m from LA),” featuring rapper ProbCause. Most of the album was written in Nashville with guitarist Shawn Eckels and longtime collaborators. “I came into this life wanting to write songs,” said Frasco. "My cup is full. I’m really starting to see my dreams come true.”