thu dec 27
8:00 pm

thu dec 20
8:00 pm

tue dec 11
6:00 - 8:00 pm

the daisy dillman band - unplugged
pat frederick and steve solmonson
violinist, singer songwriter and friends warm up the holidays.

eleven dollars

the floorbirds + tom feldmann

singer/songwriter/guitarist tom feldmann may have been musically weaned on the dirty, back-woods moans and hollers of blues legends like son house, mississippi fred mcdowell, and john lee hooker, but over the years the inventive young man delved into a plethora of styles, including folk, soul, country, americana, and gospel - a practice that eventually helped inform the confident, driven performer he is today. carrying on in the raucous gospel twang tradition of the louvin brothers, gram parsons, and uncle tupelo, tom feldmann & the get-rites (feldmann on vocals and his infamous resonator guitar, long-time ben weaver/jack norton side-man paul liebenow on upright bass, and drummer jed staack) present a fresh, inspirational batch of country-blues-tinged material that melds, molds, and mixes all of those various influences with their own inimitable flair for lyrical intelligence, musical complexity, and soulful experimentation.

three bucks!

open mic night

• sign-up is from 7:30-8:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

minnetonka high school carolers

minnetonka high school chamber singers sing christmas carols
donations accepted: proceeds will help defray costs of a performance tour in chicago

billy mclaughlin with simple gifts--early evening holiday show

if you don't know billy's music or the inspiring story of what he has had to do to keep playing his extraordinary guitar-style, then you should not miss this show...acoustic guitar unaffected by gravity.

sixteen dollars

the wars of 1812 + andy ulseth

wikipedia cites at least five wars taking place in 1812, leaving this bellicose quartet one member shy of being fully representative, but you'll quickly forgive them for any historical inaccuracies after they take the stage. their introspective song-writing shows maturity beyond their years while revealing a musical tradition firmly rooted in the beatles, nods to the alt-country sounds of ryan adams and t. rex, and a modern pop finish that's all their own."  -joe ritchie

andy ulseth is a songwriter from minneapolis whose indie-folk songs are reminiscent of wilco, the decemberists, and sufjan stevens.

seven dollars

aimee fischer and the snazzy band

this veteran singer is a musical chameleon whose voice evokes emotion from the listener whether performing blues, country, rock or jazz. thoughtfully emotional yet gutsy, this expressive singer moves within a single phrase from pensive to powerhouse.

seven snazzy dollars

pickin' up steam with joe cruz

pickin' up steam is a versatile acoustic band that performs contemporary as well as traditional bluegrass styles.  you'll also hear a sprinkling of jazz, blues, rock and reggae.

seven dollars

inspirado: hombres of the noche

two and one half years in the fashioning, this 'eclectric' band of brethren puts forth an unwavering attempt at exponentially impossible melodious pastiche...whilst in the same breath, leaving nary a single musical genre lay fallow. in essence, they strive for imperfect perfection. scottie devlin, park evans, cody mckinney, daryk narum & greg schutte.

six dollaros

318 music volume one. cd release party

brandon sampson of six mile grove
conver watts
billy johnson

no cover--just come buy a cd!
click here to buy the cd from cd baby

alex goldfarb + paula carley

"his words are magnificent. he is clever. he should be heard... "    ~ pulse
singer songwriter alex goldfarb croons about love, death, bruce lee, the muses that haunt him, creating joy, angst ridden dreams, popsicles, trees shaped like women, faces in clouds, wars in a matchbox, the fibonacci series, gilligan's island re-runs and so much more only a song could capture it.   if it were possible for nick drake, nina simone, bob marley, paul simon, and bjork to be blended up into some sort of audible smoothie, it might taste a bit like alex.

paula carley is songwriter who creates with sincerity. she has a voice so organic and pure. her music is gentle and endearing, and she loves to perform live so as to celebrate the beauty of art in song with all who come to see her. you'll leave feeling energized and taken aback...check out the show, you'll be glad you did.

six dollars

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

boyd lee, joe cruz and noah hoehn

sophistication, refinement, blazing guitar/mandolin and one hell of a voice combine to form one of the best acoustic groups around known simply by their names, boyd lee and joe cruz. the two weave a gorgeous musical tapestry from folk, latin, pop, jazz and rock, complementing each other intuitively - boyd's voice soaring overhead and his rhythms acting like a drummer while joe's lead guitar/mandolin blazes a trail that leaves the audience exhausted and spent.

eleven dollars

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

vicky emerson cd release party

singer/songwriter, vicky emerson, celebrates the release of her newest self-titled album at the 318. joining her on stage is minneapolis favorite, william michael (bill mike), on guitar. this is an evening of americana music at its best!

nine dollars

paul rader + matt muller

paul rader spent the nineties playing lead guitar for various songwriters in the san francisco bay area. as part of of his relocation to minnesota, paul has renewed his focus on performing his own songs in a solo setting. paul's heroes in this genre are currently kristin hersh, richard thompson and robyn hitchcock.

matt muller, a 318 favorite and now a proud father, writes soulful songs but not bios.  so, in the words of his six month old daughter, “my daddy sings me songs all the time and he's really good. he even writes songs just for me (that's so cool!)  sometimes when i'm in a bad mood or a little crabby he'll sing to me and that always makes me smile.” 

six dollars

martin zellar

no matter where you sit you'll be just a few feet away from geardaddy martin zellar performing a solo acoustic set.  call now to reserve a table, this show will fill up!

twenty dollars. 

the tex pistols

tex (brian c. peters), angus (dik shopteau), mr. greenjeans (boyd lee) & cletus ( scooter nelson) started playing together in rochester after they all met at the stillwater correctional facility in the 60s. music became a way to "qualify" for work release status. soon, the awards came...the grammy (best dressed / western), the cma ( worst dressed) and of course the mn. music award ( heavy metal / country). then, after they had made enough money, they all went their separate ways...raised a family, got "real" jobs and settled down in later life, only to meet up again when by a stroke of fate...they all were back in prison? "weapons charges mostly," said tex. soon the band was back in action, (parole) and you will hear the result when they fire up their guns one more time. their motto lives on..."we're loud, loose, & a little cranky" or the familiar "turn it up & go git us some beers!”

ten bucks, no guns

amy angeline

this local singer singwriter moves audiences to tears and laughter with her passionate performances. she sings from the depths of her soul with a voice that's powerful, pure, soothing, and resonant, while accompanying herself effortlessly on acoustic guitar and piano. she bravely blends folky-pop with traces of blues, jazz and country, and will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired!

eight dollars

open mic night ! free !

• sign-up is from 7:30-8:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

lauren knapp + ellery

as a singer/songwriter lauren knapp has been influenced by the likes of ani difranco, gillian welch and patty griffin forming a full sound that is a little bit folk, a little bit bluegrass and a little bit country.

justin roth + john ostby (of kentucky air)

john ostby is a twin cities singer-songwriter. best known as lead singer of power pop band spymob, john also toured with pharrell williams’ band n.e.r.d. and plays keyboards on their critically acclaimed album, “in search of …”. these days, john is exploring a quieter sound with his band kentucky air. he plays acoustic guitar and sings working-man songs about farmtowns, highways, long winters and broken hearts. he cites his current inspirations as steve earle, willie nelson and “the andy griffith show.”

seeing justin perform live, you better be prepared to write your own song too.  he is well known for involving his audiences by having them write their own song during his set.  after having the audience pick subjects to write the song about, a piece of paper is passed around the room for each person to write a line to the song.  when the lyrics are completed, the audience votes between two guitar parts made up on the spot and then the lyrics and music are improvised into a full song at the end of the show...

eight bucks

tom feldmann

singer/songwriter/guitarist tom feldmann may have been musically weaned on the dirty, back-woods moans and hollers of blues legends like son house, mississippi fred mcdowell, and john lee hooker, but over the years the inventive young man delved into a plethora of styles, including folk, soul, country, americana, and gospel - a practice that eventually helped inform the confident, driven performer he is today. carrying on in the raucous gospel twang tradition of the louvin brothers, gram parsons, and uncle tupelo, tom feldmann presents a fresh, inspirational batch of country-blues-tinged material that melds, molds, and mixes all of those various influences with their own inimitable flair for lyrical intelligence, musical complexity, and soulful experimentation.

three bucks!

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

the high 48's bluegrass band

the high 48s are a traditionally minded bluegrass band whose music combines the soulful sound of the first-generation bluegrass pioneers with a country swagger that shows their roots in the americana/alternative country scene.

six dollars

joe demko quartet

joe demko is a longtime twin cities musician, songwriter and guitarist with jane henderson on piano, andy lacasse on bass, and dave hansel on drums.  inspired by jazz singers of the 50’s, joe has put together a collection of originals, jazz standards and swing love songs. from “ice cream jazz” to the romantic songs in a meg ryan comedy, the quartet will bring the love in swingtime. have a glass of wine and relax…….

seven dollars

sat oct 20
8:00 pm

boyd lee, joe cruz and noah hoehn

sophistication, refinement, blazing guitar/mandolin and one hell of a voice combine to form one of the best acoustic groups around known simply by their names, boyd lee and joe cruz. the two weave a gorgeous musical tapestry from folk, latin, pop, jazz and rock, complementing each other intuitively - boyd's voice soaring overhead and his rhythms acting like a drummer while joe's lead guitar/mandolin blazes a trail that leaves the audience exhausted and spent.

eleven dollars

mary jane alm

mary jane alm is one of today’s most remarkable and best known performers on the midwest music scene. she has toured internationally, been featured on national network t.v. and advertising and has performed on stage for some of america’s largest corporations. honored with fifteen minnesota music awards including “best female vocalist” and “artist of the year," mary jane’s performances have been called “music for singers.” her artistry has won her a celebrated reputation among musicians, critics and public alike. she has opened for or performed on the concert stage with such nationally known artists as the judds, michael johnson, charlie daniels, willie nelson, marie osmond, david byrne of the talking heads, and countless others. locally, she has performed with her own band, “the mary jane alm band,” the ruperts orchestra, women who cook, and continues a busy schedule with her band as well as “synergy," a show band which also tours the world for corporate clients.

mary jane’s first album, “prisoner of the heart” was recorded in mpls. under the guidance of tom tucker. two more c.d.’s, “blue earth” and “too true” were recorded in nashville and in various studios in the twin cities, including paisley park. she also has 5 children’s c.d.’s with the music workshop for kids. the latter has won parents choice awards, an emmy award and was nominated for a grammy award.

eleven dollars

dana cooper / brandon sampson of six mile grove

out of the heartland of america, stomping grounds of truman and twain, dana cooper was playing his music in kansas city clubs by the age of 16. leaving behind a college art scholarship dana toured the country and landed in los angeles. in 1973, elektra records released his self-titled debut solo album featuring luminary players russ kunkel, leland sklar and jim horn. cooper later moved to texas to join forces with long- time friend shake russell. their collaborations produced five highly successful folk-rock albums, including one on mca in 1981. the two became one of the most popular acts throughout texas and the southwest appearing together on austin city limits.

six mile grove yield the energy of american rock and the simplicity of classic country music, delivered with pure farm boy charm. the soulful story-telling and no frills style of their music lend well to their americana / alt-country / roots-rock sound. miles of music aptly described their latest album bumper crop as "humble, organic country-infused rock with regular joe heart & down home soul." they have shared the stage with the kentucky headhunters, the nitty gritty dirt band, slobberbone, the gear daddies and charlie robison.

ten dollars and a bargain at that. seriously.

blue feelin's tom koch, andrew heinemann, jim koch and steve paulson have been performing together in the twin cities and greater minnesota for years.  experience the energy as these musicians perform music that  folds vocal harmony into acoustic instrumentation.  blue feelin' performs acoustic blues oriented music with a rhythmic jazz influence, including covers.

stacy k

...her songwriting has matured with catchy hooks, her voice mesmerizes the listener, and her live performances engage audiences with emotion and charm; not to forget to mention she's a bit witty too. 

jammer reagan and friends

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

kathy mueller

even if you have not heard of the name - you've heard her voice! kathy has sung on hundreds of television commercials. she has sung on countless cd projects. she is a founding member (writer, vocalist) of "music workshop for kids" whose seven cd projects have won many prestigious awards for their commitment to quality entertainment for children and also won a telly award for their pbs broadcast concert at the guthrie theatre. she has sung in concert with david byrne (talking heads,) michael johnson, david bromberg and has appeared five times on garrison keillor's show "a prairie home companion." part of kathy's success comes from the versatility of her vocal ability...she can sing all styles - pop, rock, swing, jazz, blues and country. she particularly loves lyrics - songs that sing about life - about feelings and experiences that everyone can relate to. her repertoire at the 318 will be eclectic - going from norah jones (tender and sweet) to stevie wonder (powerful and soulful.) come out for an evening of great music, fun and laughter. we're looking forward to seeing you there!

eleven dollars

lehto & wright

lehto and wright have a sound that is a unique blend of traditional and modern styles. by taking cues from the irish, english and american folk traditions and interpreting them with contemporary guitar-based arrangements, lehto and wright have taken fresh approach to the world of folk and folk rock.

jason shannon + the wars of 1812

wikipedia cites at least five wars taking place in 1812, leaving this bellicose quartet one member shy of being fully representative, but you'll quickly forgive them for any historical inaccuracies after they take the stage. their introspective song-writing shows maturity beyond their years while revealing a musical tradition firmly rooted in the beatles, nods to the alt-country sounds of ryan adams and t. rex, and a modern pop finish that's all their own."  -joe ritchie

following in the footsteps of the modern american troubadour, jason shannon builds his songs around the lyrical idea-- in the vein of bob dylan, townes van zandt, johnny cash, and randy newman.  his unique sense of humor, warmth, and heart gives us a fresh perspective on the world today. this texas- born musician will grab your ears with his powerful voice and keep you wanting a little something more......

seven bills. dollar bills.

dave babb (of the front porch swingin'liquor pigs) + tom feldmann

singer/songwriter/guitarist tom feldmann may have been musically weaned on the dirty, back-woods moans and hollers of blues legends like son house, mississippi fred mcdowell, and john lee hooker, but over the years the inventive young man delved into a plethora of styles, including folk, soul, country, americana, and gospel - a practice that eventually helped inform the confident, driven performer he is today. carrying on in the raucous gospel twang tradition of the louvin brothers, gram parsons, and uncle tupelo, tom feldmann & the get-rites (feldmann on vocals and his infamous resonator guitar, long-time ben weaver/jack norton side-man paul liebenow on upright bass, and drummer jed staack) present a fresh, inspirational batch of country-blues-tinged material that melds, molds, and mixes all of those various influences with their own inimitable flair for lyrical intelligence, musical complexity, and soulful experimentation.

three bucks!

open mic night ! free !

• sign-up is from 7:30 to 8:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening (first come, first served)
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

kenni holmen jazz trio

they call themselves the kenni holmen jazz trio. usually there are between five and nine of them onstage...you can always plan to see mark mueller on keyboards, kenni playing the sax, scooter nelson on drums, and the irresistible kathy mueller singing. kenni is a widely acclaimed saxophone player who tours with lorie line. he has recorded with the likes of janet jackson, rod stewart, prince, gladys knight, chaka khan....you get the idea. we really recommend that you only come to a kenni holmen show if you like to have a LOT of fun and appreciate incredibly talented musicians.

andy ulseth

andy ulseth is a songwriter from minneapolis whose indie-folk songs are reminiscent of wilco, the decemberists, and sufjan stevens.

seven dollars

chris frederick

chris frederick is a 26 year old singer songwriter from minnetonka mn.  son of pat frederick (daisy dillman band), chris grew up around music and picked up the guitar ten years ago.  chris has played in a number of bands localy and currently is working on a new project with todd douglas (blonde on blonde, defacto policy) and is also performing solo acoustic gigs.   his show will treat you to a wide range of his influences including dave matthews, john mayer, jack johnson, incubus, alice in chains, tool, lynard skynard, allman brothers, james taylor, david grey just to name a few.  as well as his original music. chris' show promises enjoyment for people of all ages.

six dollars

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

boyd lee, joe cruz and gwen matthews

sophistication, refinement, blazing guitar/mandolin and one hell of a voice combine to form one of the best acoustic groups around known simply by their names, boyd lee and joe cruz. the two weave a gorgeous musical tapestry from folk, latin, pop, jazz and rock, complementing each other intuitively - boyd's voice soaring overhead and his rhythms acting like a drummer while joe's lead guitar/mandolin blazes a trail that leaves the audience exhausted and spent.

eleven dollars

davina & the vagabonds

powerhouse davina sowers, hit the midwest scene in february, 2005 and she hasn't looked back since. it didn't take her long after moving here from key west, fl to start making a name for herself. as she puts it, "i have a fan base already that doesn't realize they're fans yet!" with great vocals and piano, she commands attention on stage and leaves everyone smiling. she can belt it out with grit of joplin, or bring down the house with melodic phrasing that reminds one of bonnie raitt. davina has been performing since the age of 5, with support of an extremely musically involved family.      sowers is a classically trained pianist with years of experience in piano performance. davina has already shared the stage with little feet, buddy guy, elvin bishop, the lamont cranston band, and the blues brothers, among others...

six dollars

leslie rich

jonathan earl

no cover!!!

conver watts + the wars of 1812

conver watts...he walks out in the garden now he's got a fountain in his hand / blue skies birds of paradise on a sea of baby's breath/ come outside your house tonight, love wonder-stars glow with early light/ time to rise the best girls come on slow/ a million good reasons and she want to hear them all starting now/ the season got off a brand new start up to the sounds of our breaking hearts/ now i found out i found faith in god and i'm up all night now she told me she said all night long i'm not sleeping meet me downtown show me romantic what romance is/ return to earth space riders rename the unexplainable intelligent design of crop circles drawn by ufo's/ who ever said to love it is divine i don't think i understand and whoever said seek and then you too shall find cause i've seen all that i can/ so long to history the future never seems to fail/ i would say i know real or imagined that a man does what he can not always what he should/ please stand by you're cleared for flight...

wikipedia cites at least five wars taking place in 1812, leaving this bellicose quartet one member shy of being fully representative, but you'll quickly forgive them for any historical inaccuracies after they take the stage. their introspective song-writing shows maturity beyond their years while revealing a musical tradition firmly rooted in the beatles, nods to the alt-country sounds of ryan adams and t. rex, and a modern pop finish that's all their own."  -joe ritchie

six dollars

EXCELSIOR CITY LIMITS

a showcase of excellent musicians who rock the 318 regularly . . . sharing the stage for the first time, playing all original music together in a round-robin style performance.

the lineup tonight:

boyd lee
tom feldmann
jimmy kennedy

ten dollars

thu sep 13
8:00 pm

ben woolman / dan schwartz

drawing on wide ranging musical influences, ben woolman's composition focuses on “instrumental story songs” meant to evoke images and experiences for the listener; whether wandering through the hills of scotland, exploring the jungles of belize, sitting still, or just playing the guitar for the pure joy of it. he is often described as having a melodic gift with composition that fuses elements of both roots oriented and contemporary finger-style playing with a pop songwriter’s crafty sensibility.

after growing up surrounded by a wonderful variety of musical inspirations including the grand ole opry, keith jarrett, tower of power and devo, the metaphysical beauty of american finger-style guitar drew dan schwartz to milwaukee, wisconsin. here, studying with the eminent educator of this style, john stropes, dan was one of only six students to receive a bachelor of fine arts degree in performance in american finger-style guitar from the university of wisconsin-milwaukee (the only university in the world that has offered such a degree.)

six dollars

billy johnson / andra suchy / andrew pierzina / george mckelvey

billy johnson's roadshow is the creation of singer/songwriter billy johnson and drummer/producer david j. russ. it is an ensemble of some of the twin cities finest musicians playing something you might call "organic funk and roll."

nine bucks

brent floren / justin roth / jared mason

brent, justin & jared performed together for excelsior city limits not long ago, and it was such a great show they're going to do it again.  three great musicians together on stage doing an in-the-round performance that should NOT be missed!

seven dollars

open mic night ! free !

• sign-up is from 7:30-8:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening (first come, first served)
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

davis jones + paula carley + matt muller

using the nashville tradition of singer/songwriter circles in which artists share their songs and the stories or moments that inspired them, these three local musicians are sure to make you think, smile and leave your worries behind. 
matt muller, a 318 favorite and now a proud father, writes soulful songs but not bios.  so, in the words of his six month old daughter, “my daddy sings me songs all the time and he's really good. he even writes songs just for me (that's so cool!). sometimes when i'm in a bad mood or a little crabby he'll sing to me and that always makes me smile.” 
paula carley has a voice so organic and pure...you just have no choice but to be captivated by her charm and sincerity.  you'll leave feeling energized and taken aback...sure that you've discovered something really important.  it has been said (by no stranger to music) that paula is one who really doesn't have a choice but to be a musician...it's just what she is. check out the show, you'll be glad you did. 
davis jones, originally from akron, ohio, moved to the twin cities from san francisco five months ago.  davis’s style is characterized by revelations and shared experience, not showboating and has drawn comparisons to ben harper, elliott smith and john mayer. you’ll feel right at home listening to his smoky, soulful voice—and you don’t have to be from ohio to appreciate it.

six bucks

corey carlson & andy dee

singer/songwriter/guitarist corey carlson hails from the chequamegon bay of washburn and bayfield, wisconsin, where he is well known as one of the area's biggest talents. lately, corey has been touring with pat macdonald of timbuk 3 fame, and other nationally known singer/songwriters, including hanging out and sharing the stage with jackson browne, who too has become a big fan of corey's music. a prolific songwriter and dynamic performer, corey's songs are a fusion of modern and old school folk & blues, delivered with passion and high energy. 

after a decade with the band he co-founded--warner recording artists molly & the heymakers--andy dee moved from hayward, wisconsin, to the twin cities, and began to build a career as an in-demand session musician, multi-instrumentalist, writer, producer and performer, doing session work for national artists such as soul asylum, jonny lang, the proclaimers, joey molland (badfinger), and performing locally with mick sterling, kevin bowe, robby vee, and gb leighton. 

six dollars

kenni holmen jazz trio

they call themselves the kenni holmen jazz trio. usually there are between five and nine of them onstage...you can always plan to see mark mueller on keyboards, kenni playing the sax, scooter nelson on drums, and the irresistible kathy mueller singing. kenni is a widely acclaimed saxophone player who tours with lorie line. he has recorded with the likes of janet jackson, rod stewart, prince, gladys knight, chaka khan....you get the idea. we really recommend that you only come to a kenni holmen show if you like to have a LOT of fun and appreciate incredibly talented musicians.

jon herchert + justin ploof

local singer/songwriter/producer jon herchert (mango jam, keri noble, divorcee) spends an evening sharing songs of love, loss, hope and pancakes.  good times to be had.

for the last seven years justin ploof has been the singer/co-songwriter/rhythm guitarist and frontman of the hit minnesota band roGer, who released two independent records. justin recently decided to step out as a solo artist as well. although different from roger, it's still pop/rock. he writes and records with minneapolis producer jon herchert.

eleven dollars

michael young+ mark kreitzer

michael young is a fingerstyle guitarist who plays both the six and twelve string guitar with driving rhythm and groove, and he carries that bouncy and energetic groove from powerful and compelling compositions to soulful ballads. moving from daunting and alarming to lighthearted and idiosyncratic instrumentals, michael takes advantage of the guitar's possibilities by combining standard and alternate tunings with a mix of slide guitar into his playing.

mark is nearing his fourth decade on stages around the midwest and the world, including appearances at folk and bluegrass festivals, concerts, on television and radio, including the prairie home companion. he has recorded with such bands as the clearwater hot club, the middle spunk creek boys, the wisconsin river bluegrass boys, harmonious wail and numerous others. he has shared the stage with tom paxton, alan munde, joe carr, don stiernberg and tony trishka, becky schlegel, brian wicklund and chris silver. mark's songs have been recorded by joe carr and alan munde, the middle spunk creek boys, becky schlegel and the sparetime bluegrass band.

seven bucks

sat aug 18
8:00 pm

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

aimee fischer and the snazzy band

this veteran singer is a musical chameleon whose voice evokes emotion from the listener whether performing blues, country, rock or jazz. thoughtfully emotional yet gutsy, this expressive singer moves within a single phrase from pensive to powerhouse.

seven snazzy dollars

EXCELSIOR CITY LIMITS

a showcase of excellent musicians who rock the 318 regularly . . . sharing the stage for the first time, playing all original music together in a round-robin style performance.

the lineup tonight:

andy dee
alicia wiley
paul rader

eight dollars

thu aug 9
9:00 pm

druscilla abernathy & the bks vine

kathleen johnson... lead vocalist for best kept secret and tko. former paisley park studio artist. back up vocalist for alexander oneal. featured back up studio & live performance vocalist for billy mclaughlin, keri noble & john gorka. featured artist for lori line. lead vocalist for the famous tc jammers. vocalist for the soultight committee. ‘nuf said?

the artists featured for this show are michelle carter, vocals; shayde, vocals; todd burrell, piano; blair krevanek, guitar; jordan carlson, drums

five dollars

the tex pistols

tex (brian c. peters), angus (dik shopteau), mr. greenjeans (boyd lee) & cletus ( scooter nelson) started playing together in rochester after they all met at the stillwater correctional facility in the 60s. music became a way to "qualify" for work release status. soon, the awards came...the grammy (best dressed / western), the cma ( worst dressed) and of course the mn. music award ( heavy metal / country). then, after they had made enough money, they all went their separate ways...raised a family, got "real" jobs and settled down in later life, only to meet up again when by a stroke of fate...they all were back in prison? "weapons charges mostly," said tex. soon the band was back in action, (parole) and you will hear the result when they fire up their guns one more time. their motto lives on..."we're loud, loose, & a little cranky" or the familiar "turn it up & go git us some beers!”

ten bucks, no guns

fri aug 3
9:00 pm

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

timothy berry and soul drums

timothy berry is the lead vocalist, percussionist, and director of praise groove, a gospel group based in the twin cities (minneapolis/st. paul). in addition he is the artistic director of the waconia creative arts institute. mr. berry has played hand drums for over 20 years including performances with paula mann dance, minnesota state university repertory dance theater, the heart of the city band, master classes, and school presentations that emphasize african american music and history. he has performed nationally as a singer, actor, and instrumentalist with theater, orchestral, and opera companies, including plays such as august wilson's "fences" with penumbra theater, and “la boheme” with the minnesota opera. he has also performed with grammy award winner, larnelle harris. mr. berry has recorded music on a variety of cds, from gospel to caribbean including his “soul drums” album which stems from west african, caribbean and african american music traditions.

five bucks

open mic night ! free ! with guest host paula carley

• sign-up is from 8:30 to 9:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening (first come, first served)
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

kenni holmen jazz trio

they call themselves the kenni holmen jazz trio. usually there are between five and nine of them onstage...you can always plan to see mark mueller on keyboards, kenni playing the sax, scooter nelson on drums, and the irresistible kathy mueller singing. kenni is a widely acclaimed saxophone player who tours with lorie line. he has recorded with the likes of janet jackson, rod stewart, prince, gladys knight, chaka khan....you get the idea. we really recommend that you only come to a kenni holmen show if you like to have a LOT of fun and appreciate incredibly talented musicians.

paul mayasich & the benderheads

paul mayasich took excelsior city limits by storm when he took the stage with mick sterling, boyd lee and kevin bowe. for reals, you don't want to miss this show. learn about them now, because you will be hearing about them. this is not a typical band. it draws from influences from all musical styles; blues, rock, country, funk, jazz, though most fans don’t know how to describe their sound. although most of the playlist is original material by paul mayasich and john wright, the scattering of covers they do perform, you won’t find on any other band’s playlist.

six bucks

steve kaul & the brass kings

the brass kings play old-time instruments in very unconventional ways. metal-bodied resophonic guitar, washtub bass & scrubboard chart the bermuda triangle of old-time, latin and experimental music from jug-band swing to improvisational ragas.

six ! dollars !

steele arundel + rob arthur

a little bit pop, a little bit singer-songwriter, steele arundel is an earnest tunesmith on a constant quest to find the beautiful balance that lies between big-city melodies and good-old honest lyrics. drawing on a diverse set of musical influences ranging from dylan to the clientele, steele listens, thinks, feels and then mashes it all up to create a sound of his own.

rob arthur is a new york based musician, producer and painter. he currently plays with peter frampton, was in five for fighting for two years, and he is in the rock and roll hall of fame gala house band. he has produced cd's for local favorites keri noble and jeff arundel ... check out his website, check out his music, check out the show.
oh...and incidentally, the other people in his band are jim anton, noah levy, and jon herchert. basically, you can't miss this show.

eleven dollars

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

joanna james+ vicky emerson

made up of equal parts soul, folk and blues, joanna james is a gifted singer/songwriter from st. paul, minnesota whose live performances leave her audiences longing for more. the way she wails would make motown proud. her delicate phrasings would have made nina simone grin. her heartfelt performances would elicit a knowing wink from bonnie raitt. whether singing in a sultry whisper or a gale-force wail, joanna james was born with "a voice guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up" --pulse of the twin cities

perhaps it is the humble beginnings of growing up in a small midwestern town that has instilled a certain charm in vicky, but the warmth and quiet confidence that exudes from her during a live performance is extremely rare. many say that even though initially she is a stranger on stage, upon leaving the show, there is a sensation that you just saw an old friend. with a rich, crystal-clear voice, accomplished musicianship on the piano and guitar, she sings her songs powerfully and filled with passion guaranteed to stir your soul.

nine dollars

open mic night ! free !

• sign-up is from 8:30 to 9:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening (first come, first served)
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

the triumphant return of ...
boyd lee, joe cruz and noah hoehn

sophistication, refinement, blazing guitar/mandolin and one hell of a voice combine to form one of the best acoustic groups around known simply by their names, boyd lee and joe cruz. the two weave a gorgeous musical tapestry from folk, latin, pop, jazz and rock, complementing each other intuitively - boyd's voice soaring overhead and his rhythms acting like a drummer while joe's lead guitar/mandolin blazes a trail that leaves the audience exhausted and spent.

eleven dollars

EXCELSIOR CITY LIMITS

a showcase of excellent musicians who rock the 318 regularly . . . sharing the stage for the first time, playing all original music together in a round-robin style performance.

the lineup tonight:

kevin bowe
becky schlegel w/brian fesler
dan israel

jeff james

jeff james' last 2 albums have ranged in lyrical content ranging from desperate desolation and domestic violence to guiding words of hope and optimism. through 6 years of touring and cover bands in mn, almost 7 years in nashville as a songwriter and performer, and the last three years as a solo artist here in mn, jeff has acquired many stories to tell through finger-style and driving rhythm guitar in regular and open tuning. influences of taylor, wilcox, and gorka, occasionally peek out through various tunes. as a live looper, jeff sometimes incorporates as many as 4 guitars and percussion at a given time and is prone to live experimentation.

six bucks

songwriting workshop with andrea stolpe

topics such as how to:
effectively present songs to publishing companies and artists
market songs to TV
m arket and promote your career in the area where you live
self-pitch vs. relying on a publisher
market your new CD  

approach the creative side and talk about:
the anatomy of good song hooks
gathering song-worthy ideas
demo quality
how to decide which song ideas to take to completion
learning to critique our own songs and others’ effectively

payment and registration for the workshop must be in by june 29th. please contact andrea stolpe to register, not the 318 cafe.

for registration information, email: education@andreastolpe.com

j.d. valerio / andrea stolpe

j.d. valerio is a minneapolis based singer-songwriter.  his original songs focus on fresh starts, dreams, and a variety of fictional characters.  acoustic guitar / vocals.

andrea stolpe is a performing artist, songwriter and educator. throughout her career, she has worked as a staff writer for emi, almo-irving, and universal music publishing, and her songs have been recorded by faith hill, josh gracin, jimmy wayne, daniel lee martin, and others. she is the author of the online course commercial songwriting techniques, part of berkleemusic’s songwriting program. a native minnesotan, andrea continues to tour with her debut release “breaking even,” and lead songwriting workshops around the country. she currently lives in los angeles with her husband, producer and recording engineer jan stolpe.

six bucks

tangled roots

tangled roots is one of the most energetic and entertaining bands to hit the bustling minnesota bluegrass music scene. with a broad spectrum of material ranging from songs and tunes by bill monroe and elvis presley to more recent songs penned by bruce hornsby, john prine, kevin welch and bruce cockburn, tangled roots has become a favorite with bluegrass music fans. the members of tangled roots consist of some of the best known bluegrass performers in the upper midwest and combined, they bring to the stage over 100 years of musical experience.

seven dollars

40 watt bulb

forty watt bulb hails from beautiful silver creek, minnesota, an oft-neglected unincorporated municipality situated a just far enough away from everything so as to have remained relatively undisturbed for some time. the trio appeals to a wide range of fans with a stripped-down style that features often quirky but always thought-provoking song writing. forty watt bulb have developed a raw and off-the-cuff style that draws on influences such as tom waits, van morrison, and the "old dogs of country."

six dollars

matty o'reilly & david j. russ / conver watts

matty o'reilly....you would think that a guy who was born and raised in north minneapolis wouldn't play and sound like he was a total hillbilly. it's not country music, but his influences tend to get classified in there, steve earle, john prine, jeff tweedy, lyle lovett.

it has been a while since conver watts packed themselves and their guitars onto the 318 stage...we know you missed them, so just make a reservation right now. they have some surprises you aren't going to want to miss.

six. dollars. please.

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

bjork ostrom / alicia wiley

although at age 5, bjork was set on the path to becoming a professional dancer (dancing to ray boltz's "churches on fire" ...please inquire for home video footage,) fate had a different plan for his life. bjork's dad taught him the chords to "love hurts" on his harmony sovereign guitar. and ever since then, bjork was hooked! reigning from the backyard of cambridge, minnesota, bjork ostrom is pursuing his dream of becoming a musician. bjork has found inspiration in other artists' music, including: john mayer, jason mraz, james taylor, and bob dylan to name a few.

...although she's gathering comparisons to the likes of fiona apple and diana krall, alicia has a sound all her own. one moment she's banging out piano riffs that get jazz aficionados bopping their heads and the next, she's belting out choruses that leave pop music fans delighted. somewhere in the middle of this seamless blend she slows down just enough to make everyone lean in and hang on to her delicate lyrics and rich, textural voice.

nine dollars

billy johnson & angie gislason cd release party

billy johnson (hillcats, roadshow and b-team) and angie gislason are a brother and sister duo who grew up singing around the home piano and in church.   they are releasing their second cd, “blood harmony on the gospel ranch”.  the cd is a mix of original music and traditional gospel music sung from the heart. 

ten bucks

billy johnson & angie gislason cd release party

billy johnson (hillcats, roadshow and b-team) and angie gislason are a brother and sister duo who grew up singing around the home piano and in church.   they are releasing their second cd, “blood harmony on the gospel ranch”.  the cd is a mix of original music and traditional gospel music sung from the heart. 

ten bucks

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

EXCELSIOR CITY LIMITS

a showcase of excellent musicians who rock the 318 regularly . . . sharing the stage for the first time, playing all original music together in a round-robin style performance.

the lineup tonight:

brandon sampson (six mile grove)
steve kaul (the brass kings)
paul mayasich (paul mayasich & the benderheads)

triplicate

triplicate is an improvisational jazz trio, formed in 1996, that blends an eclectic variety of musical influences and experiences together to produce a personal repertoire of music defined by their collective group sound. triplicate is joel shapira on electric guitars, bruce "pooch" heine on acoustic and electric basses and david stanoch on trapset.

six dollars

paul christian / andy ulseth

paul christian is always compared to chris isaak and roy orbison and after playing hundreds of shows across the country paul receives great reviews saying "... his tone is absolutely authentic, and the recording itself is golden smooth" -perfect porridge magazine
"christian’s voice echoes true sorrow and the instrument play backs up his feelings swimmingly." -celebrity cafe magazine

andy ulseth is a songwriter from minneapolis whose indie-folk songs are reminiscent of wilco, the decemberists, and sufjan stevens.

five dollars

kentucky air / dana cooper

kentucky air is a vibrant group of country-rock musicians who have come together, each bringing a strong sense of self and their individual talent. their harmonies are contagious, and their lyrics will sink into your soul like memories of childhood days. you'll be singing KA tunes in the shower after hearing one show.

out of the heartland of america, stomping grounds of truman and twain, dana cooper was playing his music in kansas city clubs by the age of 16. leaving behind a college art scholarship dana toured the country and landed in los angeles. in 1973, elektra records released his self-titled debut solo album featuring luminary players russ kunkel, leland sklar and jim horn. cooper later moved to texas to join forces with long- time friend shake russell. their collaborations produced five highly successful folk-rock albums, including one on mca in 1981. the two became one of the most popular acts throughout texas and the southwest appearing together on austin city limits.

ten dollars

mary jane alm

mary jane alm is one of today’s most remarkable and best known performers on the midwest music scene. she has toured internationally, been featured on national network t.v. and advertising and has performed on stage for some of america’s largest corporations. honored with fifteen minnesota music awards including “best female vocalist” and “artist of the year," mary jane’s performances have been called “music for singers.” her artistry has won her a celebrated reputation among musicians, critics and public alike. she has opened for or performed on the concert stage with such nationally known artists as the judds, michael johnson, charlie daniels, willie nelson, marie osmond, david byrne of the talking heads, and countless others. locally, she has performed with her own band, “the mary jane alm band,” the ruperts orchestra, women who cook, and continues a busy schedule with her band as well as “synergy," a show band which also tours the world for corporate clients.

mary jane’s first album, “prisoner of the heart” was recorded in mpls. under the guidance of tom tucker. two more c.d.’s, “blue earth” and “too true” were recorded in nashville and in various studios in the twin cities, including paisley park. she also has 5 children’s c.d.’s with the music workshop for kids. the latter has won parents choice awards, an emmy award and was nominated for a grammy award.

eleven dollars

gypsy mania

gypsy swing 'hot club' jazz played by four of the twin cities 'most jammin' hot club artists, gypsy mania captures the hot club sound that has become very popular with audiences in the usa and europe. the music of gypsy mania is based on the hot club of france sound featuring the music of gypsy swing artists, django reinhart and stephanne grappelli.  

gypsy mania members
master world-beat guitarist, glen helgeson
jazz violinist and prairie home companion veteran, gary schulte
jazz guitar virtuoso, reynold philipsek
jazz bassist extraordinaire, jeff brueske

eleven manic dollars

brent floren / josh aran

“there are dozens of bluesy folk singers on the acoustic circuit, but floren is a special songwriter whose work—which wouldn’t be out of place in a box of joe henry/bruce springsteen/tom waits outtakes—deserves a wider audience.” -pioneer press, jim walsh

with a rare combination of tenderness and outrage, singer/songwriter josh aran awakens the complacent while rejuvenating the weary. his new album water to wash water away draws deep from the wells of inspiration, from the pop sensibility of the beatles to the lyrical subtlety of bob dylan, from the feel-good arena rock of led zeppelin to the disillusioned art rock of radiohead. for josh, songs are like small streams flowing into a mighty river, always moving and ever changing.

six dollars

neale & haberman

rock. blues. pop. country. country-rock. psychedelic. christmas. acoustic. hit parade….and every variation therein, dan neale has played them all on one kind of guitar, mandolin, banjo or another. from the roots rock of bo diddley and ‘60s pop star bobby vee to his critically acclaimed contemporary work with martin zellar and the hardways, slim dunlap and others, neale just might be minnesota’s most valuable guitar player (mvgp.) he’s a consummate studio pro and live performer for whom the often misused term “sideman” might have been invented.

rex haberman has been writing and singing rock songs since he was 13 in hastings, nebraska, in a little known band called the kavaliers. fast forward to the past 10 years in the twin cities: after performing and recording two albums as the rex haberman band, haberman’s new record features his longtime collaborator, guitarist dan neale, in the deceptively titled cd simply called neale and haberman. together the singer-songwriting talents of the latter and the rock guitar incarnations of the former create a center of gravity whose appeal is hard to resist. mixing rock with incendiary traces of folk, country, pop and r&b, the duo similarly explores a variety of subjects and spiraling emotions and heartfelt sentiments, including the pains and comforts of romance and the celebrations of fantasy inspired by movies (lord of the rings) and books (by anne rice.)

ten bucks

matt muller / jason shannon

hi everyone, my name is millie and matt is my daddy. and what a great daddy he is! however, he is kinda shy when it comes to writting things about himself. so i said i'd write something for him if he put my picture on the website. sounds like a fair trade. well, my daddy sings me songs all the time and he's realy good. he even writes songs just for me (that's so cool!). sometimes when i'm in a bad mood or a little crabby he'll sing to me and that always makes me smile. i'm sure he'll do the same for you too. now, 9:00 is way past my bedtime so i won't be there on saturday but for those of you who can stay up late i just know you'll have a great time!

following in the footsteps of the modern american troubadour, jason shannon builds his songs around the lyrical idea-- in the vein of bob dylan, townes van zandt, johnny cash, and randy newman.  his unique sense of humor, warmth, and heart gives us a fresh perspective on the world today. this texas- born musician will grab your ears with his powerful voice and keep you wanting a little something more......

seven bills. dollar bills.

aimee fischer and the snazzy band

this veteran singer is a musical chameleon whose voice evokes emotion from the listener whether performing blues, country, rock or jazz. thoughtfully emotional yet gutsy, this expressive singer moves within a single phrase from pensive to powerhouse.

ten snazzy dollars

open mic night with matt muller ! free !

• sign-up is from 8:30 to 9:00
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening (first come, first served)
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

molly maher / jeff arundel

on molly maher: "her music is a window to the lonely world of a nomadic spirit,  someone who has loved and lost at love, someone who has lived  the existence of a vagabond dreamer...and then there's her voice, the apparent lovechild of ricki lee jones and bonnie raitt."  -richard thomas, reader weekly

jeff arundel sings and plays the guitar. his songs turn from melancholy and nostalgic to modestly up-beat, but for the most part, he is a romantic who, like many people his age, loves the 70's vibe. jeff has been called the "cities 97 favorite" by tom surowicz, perhaps well-earned because he has been on two of the famous "cities samplers," and two of his five cd's of original music have won awards (minnesota music award for best pop album and naird award for indie album of the year). lately he has been producing and music-directing for keri noble. jeff's favorite review of himself was by steve morse of the boston globe, who called him "canny" and "a cross between james taylor and townes van zandt." his favorite color is purple, his favorite drink is diet mountain dew, and he has played music with some great artists, some of whom periodically show up to help him at his (increasingly rare) gigs.

ten dollars

kenni holmen jazz trio

they call themselves the kenni holmen jazz trio. usually there are between five and nine of them onstage...you can always plan to see mark mueller on keyboards, kenni playing the sax, scooter nelson on drums, and the irresistible kathy mueller singing. kenni is a widely acclaimed saxophone player who tours with lorie line. he has recorded with the likes of janet jackson, rod stewart, prince, gladys knight, chaka khan....you get the idea. we really recommend that you only come to a kenni holmen show if you like to have a LOT of fun and appreciate incredibly talented musicians.

sterling waters

sterling waters has earned international recognition as a soulful lyricist and songwriter since 1998, with the release of his first cd, passages. sparked by early influences; shawn colvin, sting, and neil finn, sterling has created an alt-country rock sound highlighted with pop, folk and blues. listeners have compared his style to that of jack johnson, the jayhawks, son volt and as john ziegler of kumd radio says, a mid-70's leo kottke.

seven dollars

diana rose / kirsten melrose

diana rose (murphy) is an up and coming singer/songwriter in the twin cities area. diana comes from a musical family in rockford, il, and has been singing practically since birth. over the past few years she has been able to "find her own voice" via songwriting, and is starting to make waves in the twin cities. she recently won the women in music minnesota (wimmn) songwriting contest for 2006, with the song "someone's gotta change" (co-written by diana rose murphy and teresa peterson.)

kirsten melrose is a minneapolis based singer/songwriter originally coming from maui, hawaii. even from the beginning, during her childhood in the islands, kirsten found expression in writing poetry and eventually picked up a guitar to put music to her words. kirsten shares her experience with honesty and depth, and a voice that can at once convey both confidence and vulnerability. kirsten’s authenticity as a songwriter makes her a meaningful and refreshing addition to the minneapolis music scene.

six dollars

just plain folks music showcase w/ michael monroe & other artists

each year jpf founder brian austin whitney packs up the van and heads out across north america to meet members face to face, bring the local membership together for various events and check out the wide range of music being made in the grassroots community. with few exceptions, these are free events to attend, and the trips are financially supported by a combination of community partner sponsors, member donations and jpf t-shirt and hat sales.

no cover charge

the high 48's

the high 48s are a traditionally minded bluegrass band whose music combines the soulful sound of the first-generation bluegrass pioneers with a country swagger that shows their roots in the americana/alternative country scene.

six dollars

josh harty / tom feldmann & the get-rites

josh harty is a classic example of "made in america." he blends contemporary midwestern sensibility wth traditional gospel and blues to create a rich hybrid unique in the field of acoustic guitar. his poignant lyrics are the product of astute observation and thoughtful introspection. his crisp, emotive guitar couples with warm, smoky vocals that settle comfortably into each listener's ear. his songs are planted in the fertile soil of experience and nourished with the stuff of everyday life.

singer/songwriter/guitarist tom feldmann may have been musically weaned on the dirty, back-woods moans and hollers of blues legends like son house, mississippi fred mcdowell, and john lee hooker, but over the years the inventive young man delved into a plethora of styles, including folk, soul, country, americana, and gospel - a practice that eventually helped inform the confident, driven performer he is today. carrying on in the raucous gospel twang tradition of the louvin brothers, gram parsons, and uncle tupelo, tom feldmann & the get-rites (feldmann on vocals and his infamous resonator guitar, long-time ben weaver/jack norton side-man paul liebenow on upright bass, and drummer jed staack) present a fresh, inspirational batch of country-blues-tinged material that melds, molds, and mixes all of those various influences with their own inimitable flair for lyrical intelligence, musical complexity, and soulful experimentation.

seven dollars, and it's tom's birthday. nudge, nudge. wink, wink.

the copperheads

most alt-country bands mix nashville twang with louder stuff like blues or rock, but local sextet the copperheads have locked into something special - turning instead to southern soul and gospel. their new lp, cold mississippi, is their best yet, anchored by songwriter ray barnard's sweetly sung melodies. lyrically, cold mississippi splits its time between lovin' and the louvin brothers---that is, the worldly (the earthy love song 'sweet & lowdown') and otherworldly (the haunting gospel song, 'psalm #116') --the onion a.v. club

five bucks

davina & the vagabonds

powerhouse davina sowers, hit the midwest scene in february, 2005 and she hasn't looked back since. it didn't take her long after moving here from key west, fl to start making a name for herself. as she puts it, "i have a fan base already that doesn't realize they're fans yet!" with great vocals and piano, she commands attention on stage and leaves everyone smiling. she can belt it out with grit of joplin, or bring down the house with melodic phrasing that reminds one of bonnie raitt. davina has been performing since the age of 5, with support of an extremely musically involved family.      sowers is a classically trained pianist with years of experience in piano performance. davina has already shared the stage with little feet, buddy guy, elvin bishop, the lamont cranston band, and the blues brothers, among others...

six dollars

keri noble

mary jane alm

mary jane alm is one of today’s most remarkable and best known performers on the midwest music scene. she has toured internationally, been featured on national network t.v. and advertising and has performed on stage for some of america’s largest corporations. honored with fifteen minnesota music awards including “best female vocalist” and “artist of the year," mary jane’s performances have been called “music for singers.” her artistry has won her a celebrated reputation among musicians, critics and public alike. she has opened for or performed on the concert stage with such nationally known artists as the judds, michael johnson, charlie daniels, willie nelson, marie osmond, david byrne of the talking heads, and countless others. locally, she has performed with her own band, “the mary jane alm band,” the ruperts orchestra, women who cook, and continues a busy schedule with her band as well as “synergy," a show band which also tours the world for corporate clients.

mary jane’s first album, “prisoner of the heart” was recorded in mpls. under the guidance of tom tucker. two more c.d.’s, “blue earth” and “too true” were recorded in nashville and in various studios in the twin cities, including paisley park. she also has 5 children’s c.d.’s with the music workshop for kids. the latter has won parents choice awards, an emmy award and was nominated for a grammy award.

eleven dollars

mick sterling

"...the artistic make-up he revealed...was more of a john hiatt/bruce springsteen/rockpile kind of guy; a writer and performer with a darker side, a funnier side, sometimes clowning around onstage and other times sinking down into the deepest part of the blues, snarling and moaning like a dog with his paw caught in a trap..." --kevin bowe

eleven dollars.

the tex pistols

tex (brian c. peters), angus (dik shopteau), mr. greenjeans (boyd lee) & cletus ( scooter nelson) started playing together in rochester after they all met at the stillwater correctional facility in the 60s. music became a way to "qualify" for work release status. soon, the awards came...the grammy (best dressed / western), the cma ( worst dressed) and of course the mn. music award ( heavy metal / country). then, after they had made enough money, they all went their separate ways...raised a family, got "real" jobs and settled down in later life, only to meet up again when by a stroke of fate...they all were back in prison? "weapons charges mostly," said tex. soon the band was back in action, (parole) and you will hear the result when they fire up their guns one more time. their motto lives on..."we're loud, loose, & a little cranky" or the familiar "turn it up & go git us some beers!”

seven bucks, no guns

hole in the day

hole in the day, previously known as east of keep, began in 2004 as a group of friends having fun playing music. creative minds collaborated and great music was born but as time passed things began to change. finally, what we have been waiting for, hole in the day broke through and it was our escape to a new beginning, to a fresh outlook on life and music as a whole. just as fast as our minds and fingers can move new songs are begining to form and we are looking forward to sharing hole in the day with the world.

five bucks

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

matty o'reilly / jon herchert

matty o'reilly....you would think that a guy who was born and raised in north minneapolis wouldn't play and sound like he was a total hillbilly. it's not country music, but his influences tend to get classified in there, steve earle, john prine, jeff tweedy, lyle lovett.

local singer/songwriter/producer jon herchert (mango jam, keri noble, divorcee) spends an evening sharing songs of love, loss, hope and pancakes.  good times to be had.

eleven dollars

justin roth

seeing justin perform live, you better be prepared to write your own song too.  he is well known for involving his audiences by having them write their own song during his set.  after having the audience pick subjects to write the song about, a piece of paper is passed around the room for each person to write a line to the song.  when the lyrics are completed, the audience votes between two guitar parts made up on the spot and then the lyrics and music are improvised into a full song at the end of the show...

eight bucks

greg herriges & troy berg

greg herriges finds redemption in acoustic performance, with various cross-cultural ensembles and as a solo artist, of his catalog: a masala of world, progressive, classical, and avant-garde sounds (with a dash of the psychedelic, jazz, and whatnot), mixed together in a global stew of contagious, soul-stirring songs ~ the niche-defying sound has been dubbed acoustic avant-chamber rock with an eastern pfolkedelic (and classicadelic) aftertaste. hybrid approach to the acoustic guitar combines fingerstyle and schizoid picking with more exotic techniques and tunings (including the use of coins, staples, and a shaving brush.)

five dollars

cafe jazz featuring pat frederick

a mix of eclectic / lite / new orleans french...latin...jazz featuring pat frederick ( of the daisy dillman band )

eleven dollars

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

druscilla abernathy & the bks vine

kathleen johnson... lead vocalist for best kept secret and tko. former paisley park studio artist. back up vocalist for alexander oneal. featured back up studio & live performance vocalist for billy mcglaughlin, keri noble & john gorka. featured artist for lori line. lead vocalist for the famous tc jammers. vocalist for the soultight committee. ‘nuf said?

the artists featured for this show are michelle carter, vocals; shayde, vocals; todd burrell, piano; blair krevanek, guitar; jordan carlson, drums

nine dollars

open mic night with matt muller ! free !

• open mic is from 7:30 until around 10:00.
• sign-up is from 7:00-7:30
• there are a maximum of 10 slots for the evening (first come, first served)
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

kentucky air

kentucky air is a vibrant group of country-rock musicians who have come together, each bringing a strong sense of self and their individual talent. their harmonies are contagious, and their lyrics will sink into your soul like memories of childhood days. you'll be singing KA tunes in the shower after hearing one show.

ten dollars

jane plank

jane plank has been singing and performing all her life. you might recognize her from her starring role in the disney movie the original "mighty ducks.” jane has won numerous singing competitions . . . her original songs express true, heartfelt emotion direct from her soul. the honesty in her lyrics and passion for sharing her experiences through music is what allows her fans to relate the songs to their own life.

six dollars

jaspar loes / jason shannon

jaspar loes is a minneapolis based singer/songwriter full of emotional integrity, sweet country lyricism, and thoughtful words. her voice is startling and beautiful. her melodies will follow you. through her songs, jaspar maintains the line that keeps what is constant on an always changing road.

following in the footsteps of the modern american troubadour, jason shannon builds his songs around the lyrical idea-- in the vein of bob dylan, townes van zandt, johnny cash, and randy newman.  his unique sense of humor, warmth, and heart gives us a fresh perspective on the world today. this texas- born musician will grab your ears with his powerful voice and keep you wanting a little something more......

six dollars

april 26 also happens to be the aliveness project's 13th annual dine out for life day, and 20% of our day's sales will go to the project to help those in the community diagonosed with HIV/Aids.

j.d. (john) valerio

j.d. valerio is a minneapolis based singer-songwriter.  his original songs focus on fresh starts, dreams, and a variety of fictional characters.  acoustic guitar / vocals.

four dollars and a birthday present.

michael monroe

from vinyl to digital, michael monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing his original music blending rich vocals, guitars, bamboo and glass flutes together... music and technology working together powered by creativity... he recycles his music "live" on stage to deliver a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz. his music and compelling energy is as much fun as it is innovative. his baritone and tenor guitars are made by david seaton on the gunflint trail with local woods including the salvaged woods from the bottom of lake superior. they are appropriately named "snow leopard" and "baby snow leopard", from a rare light wood with spots called, "birds eye" poplar. michael monroe lives and records on the north shore of lake superior in his mistree solar powered log cabin studio. his music is across the nation and canada in the documentary, "chased by the light", on pbs about jim brandenburg, internationally known national geographic photographer. he is a mcknight performing artist fellowship finalist and earned a regional emmy for his "soaring on mended wings" for a jason davis "on the road" television documentary about the university of mn raptor center.

eleven dollars

kathy mueller

even if you have not heard of the name - you've heard her voice! kathy has sung on hundreds of television commercials. she has sung on countless cd projects. she is a founding member (writer, vocalist) of "music workshop for kids" whose seven cd projects have won many prestigious awards for their commitment to quality entertainment for children and also won a telly award for their pbs broadcast concert at the guthrie theatre. she has sung in concert with david byrne (talking heads,) michael johnson, david bromberg and has appeared five times on garrison keillor's show "a prairie home companion." part of kathy's success comes from the versatility of her vocal ability...she can sing all styles - pop, rock, swing, jazz, blues and country. she particularly loves lyrics - songs that sing about life - about feelings and experiences that everyone can relate to. her repertoire at the 318 will be eclectic - going from norah jones (tender and sweet) to stevie wonder (powerful and soulful.) come out for an evening of great music, fun and laughter. we're looking forward to seeing you there!

ten dollars

caleb worre / john richards of consolation champ

caleb worre currently lives in excelsior, mn with his wife and two boys.  caleb has always had a passion for music, growing up around it in his family's church.  he plays acoustic guitar and writes his own music and lyrics.  his sound is a little alternative with rock and roll mixed with soul.  his lyrics are heart felt and inspiring, the soundtrack of his life experiences.

consolation champ writes and performs songs that chronicle a journey to victory through the loser’s bracket.  with guitar on shoulder and voice in throat, he’s entertained countless clubs, colleges and coffeehouses for the past six years in both the u.s. and u.k.  his seemingly simple indie-folk/pop songs feature clever lyrics over lasting melodies.  whether it’s a love song or an ode to professional hockey in the 1980’s, consolation champ’s tunes are both catchy and subtly intricate.

six dollars

dana cooper / brandon sampson of six mile grove

out of the heartland of america, stomping grounds of truman and twain, dana cooper was playing his music in kansas city clubs by the age of 16. leaving behind a college art scholarship dana toured the country and landed in los angeles. in 1973, elektra records released his self-titled debut solo album featuring luminary players russ kunkel, leland sklar and jim horn. cooper later moved to texas to join forces with long- time friend shake russell. their collaborations produced five highly successful folk-rock albums, including one on mca in 1981. the two became one of the most popular acts throughout texas and the southwest appearing together on austin city limits.

six mile grove yield the energy of american rock and the simplicity of classic country music, delivered with pure farm boy charm. the soulful story-telling and no frills style of their music lend well to their americana / alt-country / roots-rock sound. miles of music aptly described their latest album bumper crop as "humble, organic country-infused rock with regular joe heart & down home soul." they have shared the stage with the kentucky headhunters, the nitty gritty dirt band, slobberbone, the gear daddies and charlie robison.

ten dollars and a bargain at that. seriously.

kelly haines / julie gribble

kelly haines is a transplant from new york who has been in the twin cites for 2 years. she has been a singer / songwriter as long as she can remember, though she never won any of the contests she entered. using her guitar and her songs as an outlet, she sings songs that are honest and relatable . . . a self proclaimed goofball that likes to share her take on the world through song. as she puts it, life isn’t always a polident smile. but it’s all worth it when someone comes up to her and tells her they related to “that one song” she played.

it just comes naturally for julie gribble, writing, singing, and performing. but what she loves most is to inspire, to reach people with her music. it’s not uncommon for other aspiring artists to admire her style and presence. with her urban folk with a twist of americana and good ole rock and roll, gribble has entranced audiences with her modern stories of life, love and relationships. audiences connect immediately to the unique lyrics. they’re not the same old love clichés.

five bucks

paul christian / andy ulseth

paul christian is always compared to chris isaak and roy orbison and after playing hundreds of shows across the country paul receives great reviews saying "... his tone is absolutely authentic, and the recording itself is golden smooth" -perfect porridge magazine
"christian’s voice echoes true sorrow and the instrument play backs up his feelings swimmingly." -celebrity cafe magazine

andy ulseth is a songwriter from minneapolis whose indie-folk songs are reminiscent of wilco, the decemberists, and sufjan stevens.

six dollars

ben woolman / dan schwartz

drawing on wide ranging musical influences, ben woolman's composition focuses on “instrumental story songs” meant to evoke images and experiences for the listener; whether wandering through the hills of scotland, exploring the jungles of belize, sitting still, or just playing the guitar for the pure joy of it. he is often described as having a melodic gift with composition that fuses elements of both roots oriented and contemporary finger-style playing with a pop songwriter’s crafty sensibility.

after growing up surrounded by a wonderful variety of musical inspirations including the grand ole opry, keith jarrett, tower of power and devo, the metaphysical beauty of american finger-style guitar drew dan schwartz to milwaukee, wisconsin. here, studying with the eminent educator of this style, john stropes, dan was one of only six students to receive a bachelor of fine arts degree in performance in american finger-style guitar from the university of wisconsin-milwaukee (the only university in the world that has offered such a degree.)

six dollars

trio tipo

trio tipo is a unique sound and experience for any audience across the musical spectrum. featuring two amplified classical guitars and exotic percussion the synergy of these three musicians takes the listener on a ride across genres in what has come to be called acoustic fusion.

"music at once familiar and strangely exotic......they're easy to listen to without being easy listening" --pulse

no cover charge

rhonda laurie

rhonda laurie hails from new york city, where she grew up in a family of professional musicians and performers. rhonda began her career as a cabaret singer in manhattan nightclubs. however lyrical her approach to standards her style is firmly rooted in the jazz realm. webzine jazzink says: "...her steady contralto and individual interpretations of both standard and less familiar repertoire are as good as any in town."

eight dollars

mick sterling

"...the artistic make-up he revealed...was more of a john hiatt/bruce springsteen/rockpile kind of guy; a writer and performer with a darker side, a funnier side, sometimes clowning around onstage and other times sinking down into the deepest part of the blues, snarling and moaning like a dog with his paw caught in a trap..." --kevin bowe

eleven dollars. come out tonight and show mick the love.

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

amy angeline

this local singer singwriter moves audiences to tears and laughter with her passionate performances. she sings from the depths of her soul with a voice that's powerful, pure, soothing, and resonant, while accompanying herself effortlessly on acoustic guitar and piano. she bravely blends folky-pop with traces of blues, jazz and country, and will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired!

six lovely dollars

painted saints (paul solo)

painted saints hail from denver/minneapolis and subscribe themselves to a spaghetti western-gypsy-chamber country-sad bastard school of music. they write tin can and twine romances in a color of rust with backdrops of long wind swept open roads framed by tangled barbed wire and naked telephone poles. their songs are of ashtray broken hearts and lansdscapes of beauty and sorrow borrowing harmonies from old eastern europe, the desert southwest and the sentiments of working class rust belt americana. paul fonfara at times plays a solo show making use of guitars, clarinet, bandoneon squeezebox, viola, a fair share of whistling all aided by fancy looping pedals and he even sings. when with the painted saints, they add viola and cello.

five lonely dollar bills blowing in the wind

tom feldmann & the get-rites ...cd release party

singer/songwriter/guitarist tom feldmann may have been musically weaned on the dirty, back-woods moans and hollers of blues legends like son house, mississippi fred mcdowell, and john lee hooker, but over the years the inventive young man delved into a plethora of styles, including folk, soul, country, americana, and gospel - a practice that eventually helped inform the confident, driven performer he is today. carrying on in the raucous gospel twang tradition of the louvin brothers, gram parsons, and uncle tupelo, tom feldmann & the get-rites (feldmann on vocals and his infamous resonator guitar, long-time ben weaver/jack norton side-man paul liebenow on upright bass, and drummer jed staack) present a fresh, inspirational batch of country-blues-tinged material that melds, molds, and mixes all of those various influences with their own inimitable flair for lyrical intelligence, musical complexity, and soulful experimentation.

eight dollars.

randy casey / matthew fox & clint hoover

some have called randy casey a hip-hop hillbilly. influenced by anything that's cool, randy's sound has been shaped by guitar heroes like jimmy page and jeff beck and songwriting heroes like steve earle and neil young.

matthew fox is a guitarist and songwriter whose georgia and texas roots run deep. he has steeped himself in a variety of styles from acoustic blues to swing and his acclaimed originals are rooted in the great texas story-song tradition. matthew has appeared on stages, radio programs and at workshops throughout the us, uk and scandinavia and has recently released his second solo project, the all-original tall tales & plain lies, featuring the stellar playing of peter ostroushko on violin and mandolin, clint hoover on harmonica and gary raynor of "a prairie home companion" on bass. matthew is a proud endorser of langejans guitars, diamond bottlenecks and elixir strings.

seven bucks

corey carlson & andy dee

singer/songwriter/guitarist corey carlson hails from the chequamegon bay of washburn and bayfield, wisconsin, where he is well known as one of the area's biggest talents. lately, corey has been touring with pat macdonald of timbuk 3 fame, and other nationally known singer/songwriters, including hanging out and sharing the stage with jackson browne, who too has become a big fan of corey's music. a prolific songwriter and dynamic performer, corey's songs are a fusion of modern and old school folk & blues, delivered with passion and high energy. 

after a decade with the band he co-founded--warner recording artists molly & the heymakers--andy dee moved from hayward, wisconsin, to the twin cities, and began to build a career as an in-demand session musician, multi-instrumentalist, writer, producer and performer, doing session work for national artists such as soul asylum, jonny lang, the proclaimers, joey molland (badfinger), and performing locally with mick sterling, kevin bowe, robby vee, and gb leighton. 

six dollars

impromptu open mic night with matt muller ! free !
drag it on in here and play a song.

jane plank

jane plank has been singing and performing all her life. you might recognize her from her starring role in the disney movie the original "mighty ducks.” jane has won numerous singing competitions . . . her original songs express true, heartfelt emotion direct from her soul. the honesty in her lyrics and passion for sharing her experiences through music is what allows her fans to relate the songs to their own life.

five mighty bucks

kenni holmen jazz trio

they call themselves the kenni holmen jazz trio. usually there are between five and nine of them onstage...you can always plan to see mark mueller on keyboards, kenni playing the sax, scooter nelson on drums, and the irresistible kathy mueller singing. kenni is a widely acclaimed saxophone player who tours with lorie line. he has recorded with the likes of janet jackson, rod stewart, prince, gladys knight, chaka khan....you get the idea. we really recommend that you only come to a kenni holmen show if you like to have a LOT of fun and appreciate incredibly talented musicians.

mary jane alm

eleven dollars

martin zellar ...music at 8 pm

that's right...martin zellar is returning to the 318 and we may be biased, but we think it's a match made in heaven. you should be here that night because he will be solo, acoustic and totally kick-ass.

twenty dollars

michael monroe

singer/songwriter michael monroe blends vocals, guitar, and bamboo flute with creative technology. his unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized... acoustic purists appreciate michael's clean guitar playing and rich vocals as well as his "tasty" application of technology ...dubbing him the "techno-troubadour." he has found a way to recycle his music, live on stage.

eleven dollars, plus wear something green

steve kaul & the brass kings / michael young

the brass kings play old-time instruments in very unconventional ways. metal-bodied resophonic guitar, washtub bass & scrubboard chart the bermuda triangle of old-time, latin and experimental music from jug-band swing to improvisational ragas.

michael young is a fingerstyle guitarist who plays both the six and twelve string guitar with driving rhythm and groove, and he carries that bouncy and energetic groove from powerful and compelling compositions to soulful ballads. moving from daunting and alarming to lighthearted and idiosyncratic instrumentals, michael takes advantage of the guitar's possibilities by combining standard and alternate tunings with a mix of slide guitar into his playing.

ten bucks

lehto & wright

lehto and wright have a sound that is a unique blend of traditional and modern styles. by taking cues from the irish, english and american folk traditions and interpreting them with contemporary guitar-based arrangements, lehto and wright have taken fresh approach to the world of folk and folk rock.

ned kantar jazz quartet

an instrumental quartet that plays great american standards of sinatra, ellington, gershwin, porter, bennett, kern, jobim. ned kantar has worked with or produced melissa manchester, helen reddy, wayne newton, bobby goldsboro, tony orlando, maynard ferguson, peter duchin, bill haley's comets, hank williams' original drifting cowboys, the guy lombardo orchestra, gene bertoncini, butch thompson, the dallas brass, bettine clemen, and many local/regional acts.

five dollars

yawo attivor

a native of togo, west africa, yawo started his musical career at the “ecole experimentale de musique” of lome where he studied flute, classical guitar, and electric bass. his multicultural approach to songwriting led to the creation of the mimi-togo (international movement for innovative music-togo branch) which yawo directed until he left togo in 1992 as a result of political turmoil in his motherland. in 1993, yawo joined the international organization up with people, traveling the u.s. and europe, promoting peace and understanding among the citizens of the world. in 2002, after he moved to minneapolis a year earlier, yawo launched a solo career with the album “celebrate” (mia du agbe) followed in october 2004 by “take out the fences”, a “refreshingly upbeat” (minneapolis star-tribune) album that breaks musical barriers with an explosion of afrobeat, afrofunk and reggae. yawo is currently working on an acoustic album in charlottesville, va with dave matthews collaborator and university of virginia professor john d'earth.

six dollars

b team

billy johnson & george mckelvey
billy johnson's roadshow is the creation of singer/songwriter billy johnson and drummer/producer david j. russ. it is an ensemble of some of the twin cities finest musicians playing something you might call "organic funk and roll."

six dollars

becky schlegel

you know who she is already, so what can we possibly say? maybe just that we adore her and her band. and also that you should call really early if you want to get seats for this show.

sixteen dollars

andy ulseth / kirsten melrose

kirsten melrose is a minneapolis based singer/songwriter originally coming from maui, hawaii. even from the beginning, during her childhood in the islands, kirsten found expression in writing poetry and eventually picked up a guitar to put music to her words. kirsten shares her experience with honesty and depth, and a voice that can at once convey both confidence and vulnerability. kirsten’s authenticity as a songwriter makes her a meaningful and refreshing addition to the minneapolis music scene.

six dollars

paula carley / matt muller

paula carley has a voice so organic and pure...you just have no choice but to be captivated by her charm and sincerity.  you'll leave feeling energized and taken aback...sure that you've discovered something really important.  it has been said (by no stranger to music) that paula is one who really doesn't have a choice but to be a musician...it's just what she is.  check out the show, you'll be glad you did.

matt muller is just a really nice guy who happens to know how to play a guitar and thinks he can sing a little bit and tries to write his own songs but also plays odd cover tunes and anything anyone else wants him to play with them or sing harmonies for them and sometimes tells funny stories about himself or his grandmother "granny" but above all else really just wants anyone who may happen to be listening to enjoy an evening they thought was just going to be another run-of-the-mill night and yet leave satisfied that their 6$ cover was well worth it and might even want to know when he'll be playing next.

six bucks

the smarts....smart jazz.

with a collective résumé encompassing everything from the proto-grunge glenrustles, to the retro swing-jazz of the hot heads, the straw dogs, the jaztronauts, and the volare lounge orchestra, to country and bluegrass outfits like the vibrochamps, the becky schlegel band, and reverse cowgirl, to minneapolis pop/rock icons like chan poling, and tina schlieske's lola and the red hots, its hard to believe the smarts band only consists of three players.

jimmy kennedy covers all manner of jazz-influenced keyboards, a smattering of guitar...joe weismann is the bass player, bringing his upright to territories usually reserved for bass guitars...morris engel brings an aerobic quality to the percussion. all three members sing.

zero dollars. that's right!

billy mcLaughlin ...an evening matinee...music at 5 pm

if you don't know billy's music or the inspiring story of what he has had to do to keep playing his extraordinary guitar-style, then you should not miss this show...acoustic guitar unaffected by gravity.

sixteen dollars. the room fills up quickly--call today for reservations!

kentucky air / brianna rhubee

kentucky air is a vibrant group of country-rock musicians who have come together, each bringing a strong sense of self and their individual talent. their harmonies are contagious, and their lyrics will sink into your soul like memories of childhood days. you'll be singing KA tunes in the shower after hearing one show.

"brianna has the total package- the talent, solid work ethic, great hang. it's only a matter of time before she'll be too cool to take my calls!" --kevin bowe (multi-platinum, grammy winning writer/producer)

ten dollars

billy mcLaughlin -- special sunday matinee show added this weekend!!

if you don't know billy's music or the inspiring story of what he has had to do to keep playing his extraordinary guitar-style, then you should not miss this show...acoustic guitar unaffected by gravity.

sixteen dollars. the room fills up quickly--call today for reservations!

art opening: spring hill school / excelsior waldorf students 4 to 7 pm

music: sarah woolever 8 pm

michael monroe

singer/songwriter michael monroe blends vocals, guitar, and bamboo flute with creative technology. his unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized... acoustic purists appreciate michael's clean guitar playing and rich vocals as well as his "tasty" application of technology ...dubbing him the "techno-troubadour." he has found a way to recycle his music, live on stage.

ten dollars

andy ulseth / kubla khan

if you've seen local rock/pop group kubla khan anytime in the past few years in the twin cities, you know them as a high-energy, seven piece, horn infused, wilco meets chicago rock band.  but the original kubla khan was actually a piano-bass-drums trio that formed in march of 2002.

the original trio will play for the first time alone in many years, allowing kubla khan to explore new sounds with old songs, new sounds with new songs, and old sounds with forgotten songs.  this is a chance to see one of minneapolis's most popular bands in a stripped down, vulnerable, and exciting setting.

ten dollars

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

valentine's day pre-fixe menu
music by boyd lee, aimee fischer and mary jane alm

belgian honey goat cheese....roasted grapes....white truffle crostini.....red velvet cupcakes....AND boyd, aimee & mary jane? come on. how perfect is that. click the link for all the details.

forty dollars per person includes cover charge and four course dinner
reservations required -- call today!
two dinner seatings, 5:30 pm and 8 pm

318 gospel & blues brunch w / mick sterling! 10 am to noon
featuring our great new brunch menu

five dollar cover. music and food sold separately, no assembly required.

b team

billy johnson & george mckelvey
billy johnson's roadshow is the creation of singer/songwriter billy johnson and drummer/producer david j. russ. it is an ensemble of some of the twin cities finest musicians playing something you might call "organic funk and roll."

seven dollars

paul mayasich took excelsior city limits by storm when he took the stage with mick sterling, boyd lee and kevin bowe. for reals, you don't want to miss this show.

learn about them now, because you will be hearing about them. this is not a typical band. it draws from influences from all musical styles; blues, rock, country, funk, jazz, though most fans don’t know how to describe their sound. although most of the playlist is original material by paul mayasich and john wright, the scattering of covers they do perform, you won’t find on any other band’s playlist.

kenni holmen jazz trio

they call themselves the kenni holmen jazz trio. usually there are between five and nine of them onstage. kenni is a widely acclaimed saxophone player who tours with lorie line. he has recorded with the likes of janet jackson, rod stewart, prince, gladys knight, chaka khan....you get the idea. we really recommend that you only come to a kenni holmen show if you like to have a LOT of fun and appreciate incredibly talented musicians.

fifteen dollars.

mixing influences like steve earle, the replacements and the byrds, kevin bowe & the okemah prophets have their hearts in what some call americana or alt.country music, but their energy level, their complete disregard for "music politics," their original playing style, gut-wrenching songwriting and diversity of roots influences make this band impossible to pin down.

when alison sits at the piano and sings her songs, from dramatic ballads to sexy funk and r&b, audiences truly resonate right along with her; singers this strong are rare, but those who are true songwriters as well are almost extinct!  alison's remarkable songwriting and drop dead gorgeous vocals channel the same spirits as carole king, patty griffin, bonnie raitt and other keepers of music's true flame. but her unique style is so powerful that once you've heard her, you'll recognize her sound forever, every time you hear it.

keri noble

fifteen dollars.

michael monroe

singer/songwriter michael monroe blends vocals, guitar, and bamboo flute with creative technology. his unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized... acoustic purists appreciate michael's clean guitar playing and rich vocals as well as his "tasty" application of technology ...dubbing him the "techno-troubadour." he has found a way to recycle his music, live on stage.

ten bucks

john swardson

"as a storyteller, swardson takes aim at life's guts and allusive glory. his voice can bleed or plead, and his sense of scene has a focus that brings you right into the room." --jeff barbian

"soul-soothing...dark, devil-may-care ditties, and high lonesome, love-lost-to-the-trail-tales." --tom hallett at the pulse

five dollars

a mere three dollars for this great show

thur jan 11
TWO SHOWS
TONIGHT!

the lovers show

Hailing from the “international percussion sensation” STOMP, this married duo keeps the groove alive through their soulful, catchy blend of songs that have been described as “poptrical” music, pop music with a theatrical edge. Noni’s delicate piano playing, sensual voice, and sexy percussion skills, combined with Jared’s mastery of guitar, piano and astounding vocal agility, will leave you refreshed and elated!
check them out, it's only five bucks. plus, they're totally hot.

andy ulseth / john richards of consolation champ

consolation champ writes and performs songs that chronicle a journey to victory through the loser’s bracket.  with guitar on shoulder and voice in throat, he’s entertained countless clubs, colleges and coffeehouses for the past six years in both the u.s. and u.k.  his seemingly simple indie-folk/pop songs feature clever lyrics over lasting melodies.  whether it’s a love song or an ode to professional hockey in the 1980’s, consolation champ’s tunes are both catchy and subtly intricate.

five bucks

arthur lee land (from boulder, colorado)
live looping master

eight bucks, and bring him a cookie

minnetonka high school chamber singers
sing christmas carols from 5 to 7 pm
donations accepted: proceeds will help defray costs of a performance tour in nyc

minnetonka high school chamber singers
sing christmas carols from 5 to 7 pm
donations accepted: proceeds will help defray costs of a performance tour in nyc

aimee fischer and the snazzy band

this veteran singer is a musical chameleon whose voice evokes emotion from the listener whether performing blues, country, rock or jazz. thoughtfully emotional yet gutsy, this expressive singer moves within a single phrase from pensive to powerhouse.

ten snazzy dollars