Robert Ellis is a 24-year-old songwriter from Houston who just made the move to Nashville and recorded his third album, "The Lights from the Chemical Plant." His earlier music was steeped in classic country, and he's toured with such bands as Old Crow Medicine Show. But now he's breaking out in new directions. "Obviously," he told Rolling Stone, classic country is "a part of who I am. But I want them to hear the other stuff." The other stuff includes the line of serious American pop running through Paul Simon and Randy Newman and veers off into R&B, bossa nova, and even fusion jazz. All of it's boiled down into concise songs that reflect this youthful road warrior's experiences in concert halls and clubs around the country. The festival buzz around this new artist is strong, and we're excited to welcome him for his Ark debut as he sets out on a new direction.