The 502s - Just A Little Run in Nashville

The 502s are an American indie folk band from Maitland, Florida, formed by Eddie Isola. Their sound is a blend of roots, rock, and bluegrass, and has been called a "folk orchestra". The band refer to themselves as "the happiest band on Earth.

" Their music is often compared to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, The Avett Brothers, and Old Crow Medicine Show, and is noted for eclectic instrumental arrangements involving banjo, piano, and horns. Cowboys & Indians praised their live show for "rambunctious energy, stomping sounds... and charismatic personalities".

The band began as Eddie Isola and his cousins with a rotating cast of musicians. Their longest standing consistent lineup includes Joe Capati on saxophones, Sean Froehlich on drums and percussion, and Nicholas Melashenko on bass guitar, with Graci Phillips joining on guitar in 2023. Influenced by bands such as The Head and the Heart and Bear's Den, Ed Isola began writing songs in college with a $100 banjo and a guitar borrowed from his roommate.

After graduating and returning home, he recruited his cousins Jonathan Ruiz on guitar and vocals and Jacob Isola on bass. The band's name came from the street number of Isola's childhood home address. Shortly after forming in 2016, The 502s won a contest to perform at Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival alongside Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers, and Kendrick Lamar, beating out over 800 contest entrants, and performed there before releasing any recorded material.

They released a self-titled EP in 2016. The single "Olivia" was highlighted by local NPR radio station WMFE on their "Hold on to Summer" playlist, and the band performed headlining slots at Florida Music Festival and Winter Garden Music Festival. In 2016 they were also invited to perform at Communion Records' NYC showcase.

In 2017 the band recruited Matthew Tonner to produce their debut album Because We Had To, which was recorded in thirty-six hours. Tonner joined on piano and electric guitar, along with trumpeter Kaleigh LeBeau. The lead single "What To Do" was released in March 2018.

In 2018, The 502s toured the US and Europe and performed at festivals alongside Jason Isbell and Old Crow Medicine Show, and headlined WMNF's Americana Fest in Tampa, FL. In 2019 their touring included performances at Americanafest in Nashville, a live session with Jam in the Van, and headlining Steppin' Out Festival in Blacksburg, Virginia. Before Americanafest, the touring lineup featured Joe Capati on horns, Sean Froehlich on drums, and Nick Melashenko on bass guitar.