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

jon herchert (of dark pony) + conver watts

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.

conver watts is a trio that wants to be an orchestra. a shape shifter in a sense. they often rehearse as a trio and perform as a multi-headed monster. this is by choice of course. on any given night they may be joined by a world class cellist and or violinist, drummers of heavy talents and grooves, percussionists, pianists of the organic type, but also those of the blips and beeps, and singers and songwriters that inspire them to go back home after the show and work on their song-craft in order to do it all again the next time.

seven dollars

kentucky air + 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.

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.

six dollars

alison scott

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.

eight dollars

pamela mcneill

pamela mcneill is a story teller;  a songwriter of lost truths and forgotten dreams. over the years, she has created an ever-widening circle of fans with her distinctive voice that one reviewer describes as "the voice of a fiery angel."  her leather-and-lace vocals combine with lush, smart arrangements to deliver her fantastic original material.  her latest cd, “nightingale” is a rock’n’roll gem with hints of alt-country.

“country-rock siren pamela mcneill cooks like grease on the griddle.”  -mpls./st.paul magazine

ten dollars

molly maher + tom lieberman

rising from the snowdrifts and frozen lakes of st. paul comes molly maher & her disbelievers. carving out a place for themselves with cinamatic visions of love lost and found, landscapes filled with real timeless roots music.  using molly's plaintiff vocals and honest writting, she makes the highway seem lonesome at first, but armed with lush guitar hooks and driving rhythms, she'll never let you lose your way.  born with the affliction of being left handed she's adapted her playing style by flipping a right handed guitar upside down; ala elizabeth cotton.

those of you with good memories may recall tom lieberman as the tallest member of the seminal jazz trio rio nido… those of you who are fans of a prairie home companion may remember tom as the voice of “el muchacho allegre (happy boy) ajua-brand hot sauce... those of you who have (or are) children, may have heard tom’s songs being sung by sesame street’s elmo… and, those of you who watch movies may have heard tom performing his own composition, “eskimo kisses,” on the soundtrack to the breakout indie-sensation sweet land.  tom’s live appearances have been few and far between over the last 20 years, so if you remember tom from the good old days, come on down and relive the magic of your own misspent youth. and, if you’re too young to have been there, just come on down to get an earful of roots, chestnuts and originals from an artist of uncommon scope and talent.

eleven dollars

dan rowles + pat frederick (of the daisy dillman band)

mr. rowles (rolz) contains the likes of dan rowles (explodo boys, honorary wallet,) on keyboards vocals; rich lewis (explodo boys, the sweaters and red snappers) on guitar and vocals;  dan schoenbauer (rich lewis band, red snappers and so many more) on fretless bass.

this combo has a distinct louisiana flavor, with a touch of voodoo; rich has written some classic tunes and they get around pretty good on new orleans rock and roll. the occasional tune by van rounds out the list for this handsome, likeable bunch.

ten dollars

caleb hawley

here are three quotes about caleb hawley.  i bet you can’t guess which two are made up. "between his complex, yet very accessible sense of melody, and wacky sense of humor, caleb hawley has a completely unique musical perspective."   ---exterminating angel

“… anything but cliché, caleb’s songs will take the entire world to a new level. that is why i’m pretty sure that he’s an alien…”  --- grommit rasputin (writer for “do aliens exist”)

“… the first time i saw him tears filled my eyes. that’s probably because i was in a lot of pain though.”  --- vicki hawley (writer for “mag for moms”)

yeah sure, a couple of these quotes aren’t from real sources, however they may as well be, ‘cause caleb hawley is something else – and you’re gonna have to see it to believe it.  ladies and gents, have we got a show for you!

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

jeff arundel

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.

nine dollars

james seem + paula carley

“i have always had a very low tolerance for filler,” jim says.  he expects the same thing from himself the same thing he learned to expect from the singers and songwriters he grew up listening to:  sam cooke, d’angelo, and john prine.  jim’s obsession to detail is apparent in each of his songs.  he says, “i need every melody, every phrase, every word to sound perfect.  the result is jim’s attitude is a strong body of seductive songs with unbelievably catchy melodies.  once you hear a jim seem song, it stays with you.  jim’s explosive performances are already being embraced by audiences in the southeast as he embarks on a national tour in support of his new self titled release.  having already shared stages with tim reynolds, jimmie robbins and too sorry for apologies, jim is quickly making a name for himself.

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

vicky emerson + dean magraw

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.

as one reviewer stated, "with approximately six billion people on this planet trying to make a living playing the guitar, it can be tough to stand out, but dean magraw does." with one foot in celtic and traditional and the other firmly planted in the world of jazz, the sounds he is able to extract from wood are absolutely amazing... every track surges with magic and energy... soulfully deep..." -red house records

nine 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

wolves & ravens

wolves & ravens is a quartet of grizzled vets from the twin cities folk rock scene. tim gadban (guitar, lead vocals, songwriter) headlined the popular gadband in the 1980's and also played in montreal and london.  terry storhaug (percussion) plays with both w&r and trio tipo, a popular gypsy guitar instrumental trio. chuck campbell (bass, harmony vocals) has played across southern minnesota and the twin cities. pete rivard (banjo, accordion) is best known for his previous work with the rivertown rats, and has also played professionally around philadelphia
and houston.

six dollars

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!”

eleven dollars

matt muller + michael nelson

called by critics “minneapolis’ marshall crenshaw”, singer/songwriter/multi instrumentalist, michael nelson knew music was his calling when he picked up the drum sticks at the early age of 10. he spent his high school years behind the trap kit in various local rock bands including the first avenue darlings a-few.  the guitar became his passion in college where he also began writing songs and he formed the acoustic duo, the sundogs, with fellow songwriter chris larson.  michael broke out on his own in the early 90’s fronting the self titled michael nelson group, headlining local clubs and opening for national acts.

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

michael young + sandor szabo

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.

sandor szabo is a true magician of the acoustic guitar, conveying fresh and inventive ideas through the medium and influences of haunting hungarian folk music. when you listen to his music you hear a new guitar sound. what else might you expect from an acoustic with 16 strings! sandor szabo is a true original.  he blends the classical forms with meditative mood of the eastern music, hungarian folk musical elements, and improvisation that he inherited from jazz. the athmosphere of his concerts is intimate and personal. he approaches each concert with a sense of mission and uses many kinds of acoustic guitars in his concerts.  besides the different tuned and stringed 16 string guitars, he uses an 8 string fretless guitar sounding somewhere between the indian sarod and the arabic ud.  recently he has started playing 6 string baritone guitars.

nine dollars

andrew brown + cate fierro

cate fierro is one of the freshest new voices to hit the twin cities music scene. she has been captivating audiences for 25 years in various twin cities restaurants and venues, community concerts, musical theatre, and worship conferences. whether it is singing to her three daughters, filled auditoriums, or an intimate club setting, cate provides a soulful vibe with a charming and inviting stage presence. making her debut at the 318, this promises to be a very inviting night you won’t want to miss!

seven dollars

4th of july

...go down to the excelsior commons park and check out the bands playing at the 318 stage

druscilla abernathy & the bks vine

the best kept secret is out! continuing in the tradition of the celebrated soulful family sound is druscilla abernathy & the bks vine featuring kathleen johnson,( vocalist for billy mclaughlin, keri noble and soul tight) michelle carter(soul tight), brandon hess of (said method) & shayde,(synergy and  formerly of the high & mighty), jordan carlson(drums), blair krivanek(guitar), todd burrell(piano) and art haynes(bass)  ever-evolving, the long time labor of love is a seasoned music project that delivers on every level. the bks vine tastefully weaves classic r & b, jazz, gospel, and funk with the contemporary flavor of neo soul, pop, latin, and original compositions. the result is a spiritually-driven, genuine sound that is food for the soul.

seven dollars

grayson + oneside

hailing from boston, ma, oneside uses drums, bass, banjo, and guitar to create their own unique, organic variety of rock. in an age where banjo is often used for extended jamming, oneside uses it to give a distinctive texture in their well-crafted, concise songs. oneside's music has been likened to that of early r.e.m, wilco, and even big star. their genre-infusing sound has had a crossover effect, allowing them to comfortably fit in on bills with a range of different sounding bands. oneside has appeared with such bands as southern rockers lucero, nyc pop band the damnwells, and newgrass sensation railroad earth.

six dollars

backstories + tom lieberman

backstories...so...we really like to tell stories. there is something timeless and endearing about a simple narrative that takes someone from where they were...to where they are. we're in the business of sharing those stories.  we never want to sound pretentious, but we're also really tired of being fake. there is such a "show" that goes along with being in a band...we just want to get together with friends (that's you), sing some songs, share some laughs, and make some memories.  we say we sound like:  summer, fall, winter, and spring...with friends sitting around a campfire, wine in hand, happy hearts, full gas tanks, two weeks late for a haircut.

those of you with good memories may recall tom lieberman as the tallest member of the seminal jazz trio rio nido… those of you who are fans of a prairie home companion may remember tom as the voice of “el muchacho allegre (happy boy) ajua-brand hot sauce... those of you who have (or are) children, may have heard tom’s songs being sung by sesame street’s elmo… and, those of you who watch movies may have heard tom performing his own composition, “eskimo kisses,” on the soundtrack to the breakout indie-sensation sweet land.  tom’s live appearances have been few and far between over the last 20 years, so if you remember tom from the good old days, come on down and relive the magic of your own misspent youth. and, if you’re too young to have been there, just come on down to get an earful of roots, chestnuts and originals from an artist of uncommon scope and talent.

ten 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.

ten dollars

molly maher, matt novachis, eric koskinen

rising from the snowdrifts and frozen lakes of st. paul comes molly maher & her disbelievers. carving out a place for themselves with cinamatic visions of love lost and found, landscapes filled with real timeless roots music.  using molly's plaintiff vocals and honest writting, she makes the highway seem lonesome at first, but armed with lush guitar hooks and driving rhythms, she'll never let you lose your way.  born with the affliction of being left handed she's adapted her playing style by flipping a right handed guitar upside down; ala elizabeth cotton.

six dollars

andy ulseth + sally barris

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

sally barris is a singer/songwriter from nashville, tn...progressive folk sensibility with a storytellers command, a strong backbone, and a confectioners dusting of country blues...barris is somehow able to wield a highly individualized sense of melody and song shape into tunes you can imagine other top vocalists covering. in a sea of fair to middling singer/songwriter albums, this comes highly recommended.  -craig havighurst, the tennessean

eight dollars

bojono....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.

fourteen 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

suede baby

led by the singer/songwriter team of kristen solberg & nick hall, the 'suede baby sound' is comprised of a multitude of influences. in a nights performance of original music you'll find a little blues, a funky groove, a touch of jazz, occasional swing, a bit of rock, hints of r&b & soulful folk, even a pinch of old fashioned country.

six dollars

paul mayasich with joe cruz

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.

joe cruz is regarded as one of the most versatile and energetic multi-stringed instrumentalists on the twin cities music scene today. throughout his 30-year career, this passionate musician has been involved with numerous groups and recording projects, developing a vast array of styles. on any given night he can be found playing anything from solo acoustic guitar to screaming electric, swinging with a jazz combo, picking mandolin or banjo in a bluegrass band or exploring latin music on cuban trés, puerto rican cuatro and guitarrone. also a composer, joe has an extensive repertoire of original song and instrumental compositions. in addition to his musical talents, joe is an accomplished wood turner and furniture builder. he currently performs with, acoustic trio bojono, guitar/vocal jazz duo cruz with roxy, and bluegrass band pickin’ up steam. 

eight 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.

joanna jahn ...with troy norton (guitar/vocals) and trent norton (bass)

country music for people who don't think they like country music.....in a voice shot through with late-day sun and late-night stories, joanna jahn makes her eponymous debut. both singer and songwriter, she evokes people and places you've known all your life—even if they haven't quite found you yet. country, pop and even jazz flirt across the album, making the rounds of the honky tonk, the front porch and the kitchen table.  the real-life regrets of loves that could have been, rum & cokes that shouldn't have been, and the friends you can call either way come alive in warm melodies. produced with elegance and restraint, enveloping melodies let that voice—equal parts velvet and dirt road—stand alone.

six dollars

conver watts + kangaroo

conver watts is a trio that wants to be an orchestra. a shape shifter in a sense. they often rehearse as a trio and perform as a multi-headed monster. this is by choice of course. on any given night they may be joined by a world class cellist and or violinist, drummers of heavy talents and grooves, percussionists, pianists of the organic type, but also those of the blips and beeps, and singers and songwriters that inspire them to go back home after the show and work on their song-craft in order to do it all again the next time.

kangaroo aims to make melodies that you'll sing along with and smile. the newest album, songs(french), was produced by the incomparable dan wilson.

seven dollars

willie august project

ever since guitarist-composer ben siems and drummer jeremy hauer formed the willie august project in the late 1990s, the group has been garnering accolades from all over the world. the project's current cd, surrender to the wind, charted as the #1 new addition on xm satellite radio's real jazz 70 in january 2006. writing for cadence magazine, one of the world's most respected publications on improvisational music, critic larry nai raved that "the willie august project, so named for siems' late grandfather, plays durable music that expertly straddles the line between easy groove, and challenging absorption. ... siems himself is a fountain of muted melody, with a masterful grasp of the guitaristic art" (cadence, april 2004). clifford allen of city pages adds, "the rhythmic interplay between siems and hauer is at times rather astounding" (city pages, august 2004).  the thoughtful blending of accessible, even folkish, melodies with subtly sophisticated harmonic and rhythmic structures forms the core of ben siems' compositions and the willie august project sound as a whole. nowhere is that approach more evident than in the hauntingly compelling "andean fire circle," winner of a runner-up award in the 2006 song of the year international song contest.

six 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.

ten snazzy dollars

mike mangione + roma di luna

roma di luna is an acoustic duo whose music recalls early 20th century folk and country set to modern times. as husband and wife, alexei and channy casselle co-write songs that are plaintive, sometimes dark yet “hauntingly soothing” noted for “simple instrumentation along with piercing, emotively beautiful vocals.” the songs are presented in a stark manner, keeping them true to the influence of americana roots. lyrics soaked with confessions and hard truths pay homage to the storytellers and spiritual revelations of the folk and gospel tradition.

born in illinois, and now residing in milwaukee, mike mangione is quickly becoming a familiar name throughout the city's growing music scene. bringing an organically subtle, yet expressive sound, mangione has drawn comparisons to such songwriting heavyweights as ryan adams and elliott smith. now touring behind his new opus "tenebrae," mangione feels ready to spread that following to even greater amounts with much-deserved confidence in the album. "tenebrae" is a classic-sounding piece full of beautifully arranged acoustics and mangione's vocals can be heart-breakingly delicate at times, comparable to how james blunt only wishes he could sound. standout tracks include "it's me not you," and "the killing floor." --chris krekling onlinemilwaukee

seven dollars

bojono....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.

fourteen dollars

tony zobeck + dev jana

blues-tinged acoustic rock is in its peak form when written and performed by such talent as tony zobeck. this brilliant musician has mastered the quiet but compelling power of acoustic music, drawing on the classic power of blues as well as his own soul’s internal fire.

dev jana has been playing and teaching music for over a decade. while living in pennsylvania, he started his performing career in venues which spanned everywhere from new york to ohio to north carolina. some of the many acts he has shared the stage with include the grammy award winning rock band train, baltimore’s avant-garde lake trout, new york jam act schleigho & ithaca’s jazz kings wingnut. as exciting as being a touring musician was, dev wanted to give back to the community by focusing his time on teaching. private lessons, clinics & high school guitar instruction were the avenues pursued.  dev jana currently lives in the twin cities area where he is a professor of computer programming & game design while still remaining faithful to his inner voice that says, “don’t stop playing music.” after 5 released cds and hundreds of live shows, things keep moving forward.

six dollars

katie schwartz +  reed KD + tim mahoney

"take sujan stevens, but discard the religious shell and full orchestra. add a simon, a garfunkel, some joshua radin, and a harmonica for flavor. now let it simmer in your mind for a minute, and if all goes well, it should come out like reed kd... his indie spirit floats through his songs, the sound of which can transport you onto a cross-country greyhound, staring out the window at miles of cornfields, or to a rainy sunday afternoon spent beneath a cozy blanket."  --playgirl magazine

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.

mikel wright + brian david

mikel is a unique, twenty-three year old suburban child.  due to his singing and songwriting, he has abruptly began to flourish onto the local minneapolis music scene.  his rasping voice compliments his rugged acoustic strumming flawlessly.  mikel currently is pursuing a music business degree at mcnally smith college of music in st. paul.  besides his distinctive voice, mikel plays the acoustic and electric guitars as well the keys.  his musical direction is fully credited to his idols, inspirations, and the ever-evolving music industry.  mikel currently resides in south minneapolis innovating his progressive acoustic rock with distinguishing looping elements.  pancho lopez is a perfect compliment for mikel’s strong acoustic style.  pancho is the percussionist extraordinaire who adds danceable latin rhythms and stunning vocals.  his experience is incredible and extensive having played with national acts such as nachito herrera and prince. together they create a soulful, memorable power duo!   

brian david and the s.w. stomp is an acoustic duo with a  blend of hard driven rhythms, thoughtful melodies, passionate lyrics and creative beats to make a signature acoustic stomp sound.

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

joe demko quartet - CD RELEASE PARTY!

joe demko quartet cd release party!   joe demko is a longtime twin cities guitarist and vocalist.  an original member of the wolverines classic jazz orchestra, joe is back with swinging love songs, originals and pop nostalgia from the heyday of radio. with mark mueller on keyboards, dave hansel on drums and andy lacasse on bass. swing into spring!

seven easy dollars, top hats allowed.

carolyn cruso

carolyn cruso is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and composer. she has toured widely in both the united states and europe, as well as producing seven cds during that time. she is equally at home on hammered dulcimer, flute, guitar and vocals and performs a diverse array of original tunes and songs as well as traditional material. her instrumental compositions are mainly for the hammered dulcimer and are inspired by her strong connection to nature as well as her extensive travel and the cultures she's encountered along the way. her unusual and lyrical approach to the dulcimer especially delights audiences and has even won over curmudgeons who swore they hated hammered dulcimer!

seven 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.

eight dollars

ben glaros + mary bue

ben glaros is a longtime member of the twin cities music scene, having contributed his distincive guitar playing to a stunning variety of musical projects since the mid 1980's. he's performed indie pop rock with the wraparounds, second nature, the pedestrians and middle states, melancholy folk pop with fire under water, blues with the cooker john band, and jazz with your neighborhood trio and bent quartet.

a tree-climbing, knee-scraping, fingernail-painting youth named mary bue was bribed by her mother to take piano lessons. from this early parental trickery grew a passion for music. from this music appreciation grew a desire to create. now 25 year old bue has written hundreds of quirky, melodic, evocative, and frank songs on both piano and guitar and has performed these tunes throughout the united states and the united kingdom. using insight from her bachelor’s degree in psychology, imagery from weird dreams, snippets from conversations and inspiration from heart ache, mary’s songs are far from mundane.
"often compared to sarah mclachlan's. bue's songs have more weight, and more grit mixed in with the ethereal wisps." - michael l. walsh, city pages, april 2007

six dollars

backstories + jeep rosenberg

so...we really like to tell stories. there is something timeless and endearing about a simple narrative that takes someone from where they were...to where they are. we're in the business of sharing those stories.  we never want to sound pretentious, but we're also really tired of being fake. there is such a "show" that goes along with being in a band...we just want to get together with friends (that's you), sing some songs, share some laughs, and make some memories.  we say we sound like:  summer, fall, winter, and spring...with friends sitting around a campfire, wine in hand, happy hearts, full gas tanks, two weeks late for a haircut.

when looking at the life and career of jeep rosenberg, what comes to mind is the johnny cash song “i’ve been everywhere.” many people have sung that song – but jeep has lived it, and with it has come the wisdom and knowledge that informs his music, most recently on his new album, silver bluff estates. the album is a summation of accrued experience in a life of continual musical and personal exploration all over the world, from folk dens to the u.n., from the army to austin city limits.

seven dollars

mother banjo + lucy wainwright roche

nyc-based lucy wainwright roche might be the daughter of loudon wainwright iii and suzzy roche (the roches), but she has a crystalline voice all her own.  getting rave reviews from npr and the new york times, lucy is coming up fast on the music scene and returns to the twin cities to celebrate the release of her new cd "8 more."  joining her will be minneapolis songwriter mother banjo, whose debut album  "swing low" has garnered high praise from national and local press and was named one of the top local releases of 2007 by st. paul pioneer press pop music critic ross raihala.

make sure to catch these two up-and-coming musicians as they share the stage and sing some harmonies together in a great intimate concert space!

five dollars

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

jason shannon + alicia wiley

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......

...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.

six dollars

reynold d. philipsek cd release event for tempus fugit

reynold was asked to provide some music for a jazz guitar podcast in tribute.  to the late jazz great joe pass. reynold's past recordings have been in the gypsy jazz vein but this new cd is straight ahead jazz in a trio format (acoustic bass, percussion and guitar). the recording for the podcast went so well that reynold decided to release the material in album form.  joe pass was an early influence on reynold. they met in los angeles in the late 1970's. reynold has recorded over 25 albums. he regularly performs with the twin cities hot club, sidewalk café, gypsy mania and rhonda laurie. he has also performed with dean brewington, maud hixson, connie evingson and parisota hot club.  reynold will be joined by matt senjem on bass and michael bissonette on percussion.

five dollars

jon vezner + michael monroe

grammy award-winning songwriter jon vezner is a tunesmith of rare sensitivity and dry wit. his catalogue of recorded songs, topped by the poignant “where’ve you been,” reflects his straight-to-the heart sensibility and sensitivity. vezner weaves the particulars of his own feelings with the lives of people he has known, creating universal themes that deeply touch listeners’ emotions.

michael monroe has travelled many miles since his first public performance in new jersey for 4000 people ...and since his first demo was recorded at paul stookey's (of peter paul and mary) "chicken coop" studio in south blue hill, maine....   his first solar powered cd in 1997, "as far as i can see", was a top ten mn star tribune recording , "a work of art straight from the heart." and nominated "best indie" recording by the minnesota music academy . “this guy could sell a million records...” said dirty linen magazine about his 1992 "twice in one day" recording which blends expressive lyrics with an "island sound” as his two month u.s. virgin island gig led to a two year stay and connection to the reggae music.  monroe’s “summer rain,” originally recorded on lp/vinyl in 1980 was featured may 2003 in the japanese “music magazine” and it will be released in japan august 16, 2006 on the vivid sound inc recording label. "fully at peace with his subtle, yet expressively powerful, delivery", said the feature duluth news tribune article about his solar powered music and life in the woods. "with heartfelt sincerity and a poetic touch in both the lyrics and music, monroe explores subtle, quiet places that spark the imagination," --city pages rick mason of his 8th wintersong album.

sixteen 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

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

boyd lee & aimee fischer

an evening of duets with aimee and boyd . . . how could you resist?

ten dollars

justin roth + john hermanson (storyhill)

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...

ten dollars

the floorbirds + tom lieberman

those of you with good memories may recall tom lieberman as the tallest member of the seminal jazz trio rio nido… those of you who are fans of a prairie home companion may remember tom as the voice of “el muchacho allegre (happy boy) ajua-brand hot sauce... those of you who have (or are) children, may have heard tom’s songs being sung by sesame street’s elmo… and, those of you who watch movies may have heard tom performing his own composition, “eskimo kisses,” on the soundtrack to the breakout indie-sensation sweet land.  tom’s live appearances have been few and far between over the last 20 years, so if you remember tom from the good old days, come on down and relive the magic of your own misspent youth. and, if you’re too young to have been there, just come on down to get an earful of roots, chestnuts and originals from an artist of uncommon scope and talent.

eight 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 &