iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 09/09/2026

It would be nice to see you this week! Catch us Serendipity Public House in Midway Thursday evening (no cover) and at the Appa-Latch-Un Hippy Festival at the Bell County Fairgrounds ($2 admission for a full-day festival)!

Anabel pouts with her arms crosses in front of a sign of Uncle Sam with the printed text "I WANT YOU TO TRY THIS" and a chalkboard underneath. Handwritten chalk says "Being Nice."

Thurs Sept 10 6-8 @ Serendipity Midway
Sat Sept 12 5-6 Appa-Latch-Un Hippy Festival Bell County Fairgrounds

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 03/09/2026

upcoming sticker design courtesy of Violet's dad, Scott Updike (Goldenrod Tattoo, Lexington, KY)

Traditional art, stylized like an American traditional color tattoo. A bouquet of flowers is held within a newspaper cone. The flowers are roses, violets, and goldenrod. The newspaper is titled "VIOLET & THE NEWSROOM" and is tied with twine tied in a bow. The art is on a white piece of paper placed atop concrete.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 03/09/2026

ALSO we have merch now! Thanks to local artist Trent Nickens for designing these sweet things, and for Sticker Robot for printing them so good. We have 2 kinds - holographic and translucent. Put the translucent ones on glass or plastic for an awesome $3 stained glass window.

Sticker stylized to look like a stained glass window, with thick outlines and flat-color panels. An upright bass flanked by a fiddle and a dulcimer on either side, with violets sprouting around the frame. Text reads VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM. The sticker reflects light with a holographic rainbow sheen.

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Reposted by Violet and the Newsroom

Tyler @tacook.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Frankfort really nailed it by calling this festival Liberty Haller

Liberty Haller flyer for music festival in Frankfort

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/07/2026

The three of us spent last week at Cowan Creek Mountain Music School. Anabel was on hand for emergency instrument repair under the tutelage of our friend Jim Webb, while Violet and Clay were TAs – Violet for Linda Jean Stokley’s singing class, and Clay for Matthew Carter’s mandolin class.

newsroom.band

Downstream of Cowan Creek

Hello, Clay here! Anabel, Violet, and I spent last week at Cowan Creek Mountain Music School. Anabel was on hand for emergency instrument repair under the tutelage of our friend Jim Webb, while Vio…

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 29/06/2026

3 FREE shows coming up! Thursday @ Serendipity Public House in Midway from 6-8 Friday @ Liberty Hall-er in Frankfort. All-day event w/ fantastic musicians across 2 stages, including our friends The Local Honeys and Nat and Jeri! VatN plays from 3-4. Saturday @ West Sixth Farm from 6:30-8:30

Picture with hand-drawn text over it. Image is of Anabel standing at an overlook with her hands on a pair of stationary binoculars. She looks over the top of the binoculars at Black Mountain in the distance. Text over image reads: VIOLET & THE NEWSROOM UPCOMING WEEKEND SHOWS: THURSDAY JULY 2 SERENDIPITY PUBLIC HOUSE MIDWAY, KY 6-8; FRIDAY JULY 3 LIBERTY HALL-ER FRANKFORT, KY; SATURDAY JULY 4 WEST SIXTH FARM FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY 6:30-8:30

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 17/05/2026

Delayed start at Sig Luscher today due to rain. We'll be kicking off indoors shortly!

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 14/05/2026

Violet and the Newsroom will be playing this weekend at: The Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival at Beattyville Town Square (Friday) Sig Luscher Brewery (Saturday) The Wildwood Faire at Talon Winery (Sunday) See you soon! Photo credit Blake Larson

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 12/05/2026

Subvert @subvert.fm, the member-owned music cooperative, is officially launched! Go to subvert.fm/newsroomband to listen to our first track, and stay tuned for more (soon!)

Social image with purple background. Image in center is tintype black-and-white photo of Violet and the Newsroom - Anabel standing with bass, Clay sitting with dulcimer, and Violet standing with fiddle. Text above image reads "SUBVERT IS NOW LIVE - VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM IS A CO-OWNER OF SUBVERT"
text below image reads "subvert.fm/newsroomband"

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Reposted by Violet and the Newsroom

Subvert @subvert.fm · 08/05/2026

Subvert launches on Tuesday 12 May. We are now just days away. If you are a Member of Subvert, check your email for more details on how we will launch together next week. Not a member yet? These are the final days to join as a Founding Member of Subvert. Join the co-op at subvert.fm

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Reposted by Violet and the Newsroom

Subvert @subvert.fm · 26/04/2026

Subvert is a co-op owned and controlled by over 20,000 members. Co-op members are all co-owners. Artists and labels join free. Supporters join for life, once. Co-op membership is not required to listen and purchase music on Subvert. Join today at subvert.fm

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 10/05/2026

The Cuckoo/Ain't No Grave - Violet and the Newsroom 💜🎻

subvert.fm

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 10/05/2026

Our first studio demo is now LIVE! Free to stream and download on artist-owned co-op platform @subvert.fm - with more to come!

Tintype photo of the three members of Violet and the Newsroom. Anabel stands with an upright bass, Clay sits with a mountain dulcimer, and Violet stands with a fiddle. Anabel and Clay look directly at the camera with reserved, neutral expressions. Violet wears a neutral expression, but looks at her bandmates rather than the camera. Text at the top of the image reads "Violet and the Newsroom The Cuckoo / Ain't No Grave"

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 09/05/2026

CONGRATULATIONS, VIOLET! 💙💛

Violet wears a graduation cap and gown and shakes hands with MSU president Jay Morgan at 2026 Spring Commencement.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 17/04/2026

Friday show!! Also, a slight schedule change - VatN will play from 6-6:30, and Jimmy, Peyton, and Alanabeth will play from 7:30-8. Whole concert will air live on WMMT (88.7 Whitesburg, or stream it on wmmt.org)!

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 03/04/2026

Recording at the KCTM studio for Violet's senior capstone album. 💜 Photos by John Flavell

Foreground: Back of Anabel's head and shoulder as she holds an upright bass.

Background: Violet stands, singing and playing the fiddle into a microphone in a music recording studio.

Photo by John Flavell

Foreground: Back of Clay's head. He's turned to watch Violet.

Background: Violet stands and plays the fiddle.

Photo by John Flavell

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 14/02/2026

Next show: Friday, March 6 with our friends Odonian Dream and Cedar Girl at girlsgirlsgirls Burritos in Lexington.

show poster. background reads GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS in pink neon over an ivy lattice. concert info in white letters:
VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM
ODONIAN DREAM
CEDAR GIRL
$10 COVER
OLD-TIME FIDDLE & COUNTRY | FOLK PUNK | EMO FOLK
MARCH 6, 2026
DOORS AT 7 / SHOW AT 8
@ GIRLSGIRLSGIRLS BURRITOS

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 13/02/2026

As we teach today alongside Jim and Jimmy, we remember James E. Webb warmly.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 13/02/2026

On Fridays, VatN, Peyton Byrns, and Jimmy Webb (one of James E. Webb's grandsons) head down to Martin County High School to teach traditional old time tunes to students, at no cost to them. It's a program of the Stidham Old Time Music Association, which Jim founded and runs out of his dad's shop.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 13/02/2026

Webb's shop is the birthplace of VatN. It's where we played our first show together outside of the KCTM. Though it's the younger James (Jim) Webb who invited us to play, it's the elder Webb who crafted the space that welcomed us and cultivated that love of music in his children and grandchildren.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 13/02/2026

His musical instrument shop in Martin County was once his family's general store. Now, it's run by his son, James L. Webb. For five decades, the Webbs have made music (instruments, lessons, and community heritage) accessible to their neighbors.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 04/01/2026

TONIGHT at girlsgirlsgirls Burritos THE UNFLINCHING at 9:00 CEDAR GIRL at 10:00 VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM at 11:00

neon sign with pink letters reading GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS

chalkboard wall. says: LIVE MUSIC CEDAR GIRL THE UNFLINCHING VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM (newsroom.band)

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 25/12/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thanks for making this year a special one - we're so grateful for you. ❤️🎄

youtu.be

Silent Night

YouTube video by Violet and the Newsroom

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 24/12/2025

we lied x2! unfortunately, this performance has been canceled due to (minor) injury. we'll be back and at 'em in january!

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 20/12/2025

we lied! one last show before the year's out! catch us in tomahawk, our favorite place to fiddle around!

yellow orange gradient overlays a background showing a wall of banjos on display behind a counter. text reads: VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM DECEMBER 27 SATURDAY 5 PM, JAMES WEBB MUSICAL REPAIR AND SALES 1213 MILO RD, TOMAHAWK, KY 41262
OLD TIME FIDDLE + ACOUSTIC FOLK + ORIGINALS

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 11/12/2025

This Saturday! Two acts, four sets, no cover! Come party?

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 27/11/2025

Thanks to everybody who came out to Tunes for Toys last night. It was a dream come true to get to play at The Burl - see you next time!! 😘

Violet and the Newsroom playing at The Burl. Three performers onstage: Clay, left, sitting on a high chair with a dulcimer in his lap, Violet, middle, standing with a fiddle, and Anabel, right, playing an upright bass. The stage is has instruments for other performers on it, including electric guitars and drumsets. The wall behind them is vertical slats of wood, with a central stained glass window lit from behind. The stained glass is a tree with knotty roots wider than its leaves ringed by a double-headed snake.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/11/2025

Violet and the Newsroom Concert! Sunday, November 9 from 4pm-6pm at the Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe in Frankfort!

Square image. Background is digitally manipulated photo (orange and purple rather than natural full colors) of a pirate skeleton sitting at a bar. Behind the skeleton, a guitar and a banjo hang on the wall. Interior is a photo of the Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe. Text reads:
VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM
SUNDAY, 4PM - 6PM
KENTUCKY COFFEETREE CAFE
235 W BROADWAY ST, FRANKFORT, KY 40601
NO COVER & RECORDING LIVE!
ACOUSTIC FOLK STRING BAND
NOV 09

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/11/2025

Last week, we played a wedding at Pine Mountain Settlement School. Thank you Corri for the pictures, and congratulations!

Black and white photo of Clay, Violet, and Anabel sitting on a church pew and playing music. The wall behind them is stone, with a central angular window with square panes.

A color photo close up of Anabel’s arm supporting the bass. She holds it with a light grasp, her fingers loose on its neck.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/11/2025

Woolly worm forecast a mild winter!

Violet holds her fiddle out, smiling as if caught mid laugh. A woolly worm has been placed on one of her tuning pegs, where it sits.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 22/10/2025

What are you doing November 9th? We’ll be (god willing!) recording a live show with a focus on originals and old-time faves. No cover, just pop in and grab a drink at the Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe in Frankfort between 4 and 6!

A poster on a corkboard with other posters. It’s brown and sepia, with text over a photo of the band sitting in a radio studio (WMKY). Clay and Anabel sit as if working, looking up from their papers and microphones at Violet. Violet sits on the central desk and plays her fiddle.

The text reads: VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM - COUNTRY & FOLK COVERS - OLD TIME FIDDLE TUNES - ORIGINAL MUSIC - NOV 09 4-6 PM - KENTUCKY COFFEETREE CAFE - 235 WEST BROADWAY STREET, FRANKFORT, KY 40601 - NO COVER, RECORDING LIVE

Business cards on a business card corkboard. A hand (Clay’s) holds a card reading “VIOLET AND THE NEWSROOM” in white over a monochromatic green background of violet flowers. The reverse side (pinned to the corkboard behind his hand) reads “VIOLET & THE NEWSROOM - VIOLET - ANABEL - CLAY - ACOUSTIC FOLK STRING BAND - KY, USA - newsroom.band” there is also a QR code that leads to the same website. Handwritten on the card is: “BOOK US FOR YOUR PARTY, WEDDING, BACKGROUND TUNES”

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 17/10/2025

Tomorrow (Friday!) night! Catch us in Berea with our friend Lucy Becker!

Band concert flyer. Two bands pictured, each with three members. Top picture is a color photo - Lucy and the Love Letters - and bottom picture is a grayscale tintype portrait - Violet and the Newsroom. October 17th, Friday, @ Rebel Rebel, Berea KY.
$10 cover | $5 student. Doors at 6, music 7:30. 440 Chestnut St Berea KY

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 05/10/2025

The Cuckoo -> Ain’t No Grave (switch over at about 2:15) Thanks to Violet’s mom for the video!

youtube.com

The Cuckoo & Ain't No Grave

YouTube video by Violet and the Newsroom

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 04/10/2025

Thanks again to Walt from Chasers in Lebanon - we’re going to find every excuse to use this, lol!

A picture of a sidewalk in downtown Lebanon, Kentucky. There’s a fence with a few big vinyl (2x8’, if I had to guess) signs on it. One reads “DJ AARON BROCK” and hangs on the fence. On the ground is one for our band, with a large picture of the three of us holding our instruments.

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/10/2025

Oh! And mark your calendars! - Lucy and the Love Letters + Violet and the Newsroom concert at Rebel Rebel in Berea on Friday, 10/17, doors @ 6, music @ 7, tix $10 - Violet and the Newsroom at Appa-Latch-Uh Hippie Festival at Bell County Fairgrounds. Festival from noon-10pm, we play from 7-9!

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/10/2025

(Someday we’ll make an album and you’ll be able to stream and ✨whatever✨, but isn’t it soooo much cooler to just download live recordings directly from our blog post? It don’t cost a cent. You have our blessing!)

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/10/2025

Another one at Liberty Hall in the books! This is our third show in the gardens behind the historic home - and maybe it’s a good time of year to mention it’s super haunted? We captured some live audio from the set that turned out (imho!) pretty clean, so click on through and give us a listen!

newsroom.band

In some lady’s fine brick house, in some lady’s garden…

Violet and the Newsroom playing at Liberty Hall’s Garden Gathering. (Let me out or I’ll break out, fare ye well my darlin’!) Clay here! We’re all a bit busy this week (work!…

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 13/09/2025

Heading on out to Whitesburg now! See you there!

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Violet and the Newsroom @newsroom.band · 02/09/2025

Sadly, this year’s Barefoot has been canceled. We hope to see everyone next year!

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