NEW YEARS EVE SHOW

adrianne lenker

adrianne lenker plays the guitar, sings, and writes songs that blend poetry and pop into an original musical event.  adrianne can weave shadows into music and music into sunlight.  she will be performing this final show in the twin cities before she heads off to berklee college of music in january.  don't miss this show, and stay tuned for the special new years eve menu.

five 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.

twelve dollars

caleb hawley + daniel ellsworth & the great lakes

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!

influenced by the writing of artists ranging from the likes of jeff tweedy and josh ritter to elton john and neil young, yet with a definite style all his own, ellsworth writes with a heartfelt honesty about love, religion, culture, and everything in between.  hailing from nashville, tennessee, daniel ellsworth makes americana, folk, jazz, and soul-influenced pop music.  from the toe-tapping catchiness of electric in love to the dark yet hopeful track, signal, they create a sound that is as unique as it is accessible, as dynamic as it is simple, and as timeless as it is contemporary.

six dollars

brandon sampson & sally barris +  blake yeager & eric struve

brandon sampson is a farm boy from lyle, mn with a guitar and a story to tell.  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

blake (guitar, mandolin, and vocals) and eric (upright bass) performed together for many years in tampa, fl with middle rhythm session and various other projects. they will be performing songs written by blake as well as other contemporary and traditional songwriters.    eric and blake both attended mcnally smith college of music in st paul, where they met and studied with some of minneapolis's most seasoned players, exposing them to many different styles and genres.   blake is currently performing regularly in the tampa bay area with tribal style and  swamp logic.  eric is living in minneapolis and performing with the poor nobodys and jaspar lepak.

seven dollars

vicky emerson + dean magraw - SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOW!!!!

dean magraw and vicky emerson pair up for an unforgettable evening of holiday music. guitar, piano and the sweet sounds of the season will be the perfect addition to your festivities.

eleven dollars

laura mackenzie + andrea stern:  willow brae

celtic holiday - a yuletide celebration of timeless holiday classics delightfully arranged with traditional irish and scottish music.  presented on celtic harp, flutes, pipes, concertina, voice and percussion.  featuring andrea stern (celtic harp), laura mackenzie (various winds and voice) and michael bissonnette (percussion).

eleven dollars

bill isles

bill isles’ songs are down-to-earth poetic reflections of life experiences and often explore adventurous metaphorical worlds. these worlds vary greatly in scope and texture such as the differences between the clever honky-tonk ambiguity of "the hole in our town" and the enchanting feel of "sistine chapel", both from his 2003 release "the threshold.” each of his compositions provides a spectrum of interpretation opportunities, as well, as demonstrated by "sistine chapel."  he has drawn fans to listen over and over again, and to describe his live performances as "mesmerizing.”

ten dollars

the wilryans (featuring michael nelson) cd release + anna schulze

called by critics “minneapolis’ marshall crenshaw”, singer, songwriter, multi instrument-alist, 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.

six 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!”

'leven bucks

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

third annual excelsior city limits series, featuring:

jeff arundel
alicia wiley
kevin bowe

ten dollars

trivia night with magic wendy

calling all news junkies, wikipedia wizards and cliff clavins: add a little magic to your mondays with the 318 cafe's monthly trivia night. teams of up to six compete for cool prizes and status starting at 7:30 p.m.  join us for wine, snacks and plenty of “ooh, i knew that!” facts.  it even has its own theme song! 

this event is free    

billy mclaughlin & simple gifts - holiday show

combining both an old world touch with a modern flair, founding members billy mclaughlin (acoustic guitar), carin vagle (voice), jeni-lyn starr (celtic whistles/piano), and billy oehrlein (percussion) share their expertly arranged carols and christmas favorites.

twenty dollars

kevin steinman + jenny dalton

kevin steinman has performed lots of big shows, lots of small shows, and hundreds in between.  whether he’s on stage at the philadelphia folk festival, or playing at a house concert five minutes from his home, kevin loves singing his songs, and infects his audiences with this same passion.  kevin finds inspiration in: artists ranging from james taylor to ben folds; the transcendent beauty of the coastline of norway; and in the healing power of crunchy peanut butter and jam.

spend an intimate evening with twin cities songstress, jenny dalton.  author helm matthews praised her performance saying, "one word describes her fans. entranced. her set held people like i haven't seen in awhile. like mass hypnosis."  treat yourself, friends and family to her new cd and book this holiday season.

five dollars

jason shannon

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 dollars

rhonda laurie (w/reynold philipsek)

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

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

eleven dollars

adrianne lenker

adrianne lenker plays the guitar, sings, and writes songs that blend poetry and pop into an original musical event.  adrianne can weave shadows into music and music into sunlight, and she will be "in residence" at the 318 in october and november. then she will be returning to the berklee school of music. come now and listen before the cost goes way up and there aren't any tickets available.

no cover

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

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.

twelve dollars

druscilla abernathy & the bks vine

if you are ready to feel every emotion in your body, join "druscilla abernathy & the bks vine" for an evening that spotlights vocalist druscilla abernathy, aka kathleen johnson. the evening will also showcase musicians of the project, todd burrell on piano, blair krivanek on guitar and jordan carlson on drums.

eight dollars

matty o'reilly & band + brad senne / kevin steinman

matty o'reilly will be performing with tom peterson, john schjolberg and matt novachis.

hopping on the solo train in 2003 brad senne recorded and released his first self-titled album that year. the sparse acoustic album garnered local and national press including the splendid magazine review that said “senne is a talented songwriter whose richly textured acoustic ballads might someday work their way into space alongside elliott smith’s early recordings."  on the follow-up to brad’s first album he decided to record it under the moniker Beight.  heading into flowers studio (the replacements, golden smog, the jayhawks) senne was looking for a more polished, fuller sound than his first album.  recorded over the span of a few months the album file in rhythm by Beight came out in june 2005.  receiving many accolades from press all over the country the illinois entertainer said “senne could give beck a run for his money.” brad’s latest release was once again titled under brad senne and recorded at his home studio with additional mixing and instrumentation added at crazy beast studio (andrew bird).   brad is working on his next album slated for release in the spring of 2009 and currently plays around minneapolis a few times a month.

kevin steinman has performed lots of big shows, lots of small shows, and hundreds in between.  whether he’s on stage at the philadelphia folk festival, or playing at a house concert five minutes from his home, kevin loves singing his songs, and infects his audiences with this same passion.  kevin finds inspiration in: artists ranging from james taylor to ben folds; the transcendent beauty of the coastline of norway; and in the healing power of crunchy peanut butter and jam.

five dollars

third annual excelsior city limits series, featuring:

boyd lee
brandon sampson
matt larson

ten dollars

conver watts + brian david

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.

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

the mark kreitzer band

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.

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!”

eleven dollars

atlantis quartet

one of the premier original, modern creative jazz projects in the twin cities, atlantis quartet features four of minnesota's brightest young voices in jazz.  brandon wozniak on saxophones, zacc harris on guitar, chris bates on bass, and pete hennig on drums.  the music spans many facets of jazz, offering something with which every listener, old school and new school, can identify.  "what is abundantly clear is that each of the members of the atlantis quartet are highly skilled musicians who have invested themselves heavily to develop their individual approaches...together, they sound genuinely inspired."  clive griffin - jazz improv magazine 2008

they will be premiering their rendition of john coltrane's legendary album, a love supreme, in its entirety on oct 30, along with their own original material.

six dollars

dana thompson

dana thompson sang jazz in a band called the strawdogs for much of the 1990's . . . that band shortly became the hothead fiasco, but that's another story.  these two bands released about 4 albums. during this time she also started playing and writing with the incredible multi-instrumentalist eric christopher who is now of the bluegrass fame the high 48's. they had a band called marina glass, and then became the minor planets, which released an album in the year 2000. in 2004 she released her first solo record, ox.

six dollars

adrianne lenker

adrianne lenker plays the guitar, sings, and writes songs that blend poetry and pop into an original musical event.  adrianne can weave shadows into music and music into sunlight, and she will be "in residence" at the 318 in october and november. then she will be returning to the berklee school of music. come now and listen before the cost goes way up and there aren't any tickets available.

no cover

michael bissonnette / dean magraw

dean’s passion transcends all perceived musical boundaries, yet the vital essence of his distinctive style is ever present, whether he’s performing and recording as a solo artist, leading his own ensembles such as the experimental jam band eight head, or collaborating with such notables as japanese shamisen prodigy nitta masahiro, classical violinist nigel kennedy, south indian vocalist and vina virtuoso nirmala rajasheker, epic songstress and storyteller ruth mackenzie, irish supergroup altan, radio and film celebrity garrison keillor, jazz bassist anthony cox, and countless others.

eleven dollars

karen paurus + courtney yasmineh

courtney writes gritty, flirty, honest, sometimes sad sometimes mad songs, that embrace the universal tug of war between love and independence.

singer/songwriter/pianist karen vieno paurus has performed locally, nationally and internationally since 1986 and has fronted such local bands as holiday ranch and bug!. she's also known as the "sultry chanteuse" with lili's burlesque revue and recently performed in the show "the best of midwest burleske" which sold-out two nights at the ritz theatre in minneapolis.  paurus performed regularly as the featured musical guest in the fitzgerald theater's productions of "stage sessions" in 2006-07 with host heather mcelhatton and guests including robert bly, bill holm, dan buettner, kevin kling, colleen kruse and many more.  she was also the featured musical guest during the fitzgerald theater's "talking volumes" series using her original music to accompany readings by authors jonathan safran foer and jean harfenist.

seven dollars

adrianne lenker

adrianne lenker plays the guitar, sings, and writes songs that blend poetry and pop into an original musical event.  adrianne can weave shadows into music and music into sunlight, and she will be "in residence" at the 318 in october and november. then she will be returning to the berklee school of music. come now and listen before the cost goes way up and there aren't any tickets available.

no cover

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.

twelve dollars

the abdomen (acoustic) +  pat frederick of the daisy dillman band

mari (18), matt (21) and jake (22) are the pop-rock sibling trio the abdomen. writing and recording since their early teens, they have also performed at major festivals and venues including summerfest and first ave. openings include hanson, jordan pruitt, ingrid michaelson and cowboy mouth.

pat brings vocalist cookie coleman and pianist chris lomheim to the 318 for “love and all that jazz.”
“hey, we've put together a nifty little cabaret show threading songs from the great american songbook into a take on our eternally favorite topic. please come join us for the fun!!”

ten dollars

chuck suchy

chuck suchy (pronounced soo-key) is the real thing--one of the foremost musical voices of the american great plains. a working farmer, born and raised and at home in the blue hills along the missouri river south of mandan, north dakota, chuck suchy has a love for making music that goes back to his childhood. throughout his youth and young adult life, he found time to perform in the area's halls, clubs and lounges, singing and playing guitar and accordian. in 1982 a major event occurred when an acquaintance gave him a tape of canadian troubadour stan rogers singing his classic field behind the plow. "it was at that moment" suchy says "that i realized that the life i was immersed in was worthy of song." he began writing his own ballads and songs, slipping them into his performances and it was soon obvious that he was on to something quite unique -sensitive and honest portrayals of contemporary american farm life, but from an insider's point of view.

eight dollars

third annual excelsior city limits series, featuring:

matt novachis
joe cruz
paul rader
mother banjo

ten 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

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!

nine 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

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.

twelve dollars

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.

six dollars

reynold philipsek 40th anniversary show

a special edition "best of" cd (called anthology) will be given with each admission fee. this cd will have 20 tracks. 15 remastered tracks from reynold's back catalog, 3 new studio tracks and 2 live cuts from the may 17 radio broadcast on wfmu in brooklyn, new york.

ten dollars

third annual excelsior city limits series, featuring:

jon herchert (dark pony, mango jam, divorcee)
tom lieberman (rio nido)
willie west (the meters)

ten 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

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.

eight dollars

andra & ben suchy

andra suchy (ann-drah soo-key) has been performing, writing and recording in minneapolis since 1996. her recording credits include soul asylum's "the silver lining," the honeydogs' "10,000 years" and "amygdala" among others. she has shared the stage with such artists as the honeydogs, dave pirner, jonny lang, chuck suchy (her father), ben suchy (her brother), tina schlieske, peter ostroushko, and jeff healy to name a few. she was nominated for the minnesota music academy "female vocalist of the year" in 2004, 2005, and 2006. her solo album, "patchwork story" boasts a world class cast of musicians as well as heartfelt and sincere songwriting.

ben suchy performs solo, duo, or as ben suchy bandwith.  he is not only an accomplished songwriter, but has built and invented many of his instruments including a 9 string lap-slide banjitar. one of his drummers even helped to build a drumset out of a vintage samsonite suitcase!  his solo music is folk & blues along the lines of mason jennings, xavier rudd, and john prine.  his band adds danceable grooves and rhythms comparable to g love, ben harper, and jack johnson.

eight dollars

michael johnson

his name is michael johnson. he has no plans to put on a cowboy hat, affect an accent, wear one glove or be anyone but himself.  moreover, he is "the" michael johnson, and he has performed and lived more music and recorded more hits than you would imagine.

his voice immediately identifies him as the man who sings "bluer than blue", "give me wings", "that's that", "this night won't last forever" and other landmark songs. his music shows a diversity, depth and heart that only come from years of dedication to a labor of love.

twenty two dollars

matty o'reilly + pancake breakfast (from white salmon, washington)

foot-stomping indy-folk music from the hills of rural washington. this one-person outfit delivers a jackrabbit set of songs, stories and tall tales that blurs the line between city mouse and country mouse, front-porch picking and a rent-party hootenanny.

five dollars

the tex pistols - cd release party for "fully loaded"

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!”

'leven bucks

michael bissonnette / dean magraw

dean’s passion transcends all perceived musical boundaries, yet the vital essence of his distinctive style is ever present, whether he’s performing and recording as a solo artist, leading his own ensembles such as the experimental jam band eight head, or collaborating with such notables as japanese shamisen prodigy nitta masahiro, classical violinist nigel kennedy, south indian vocalist and vina virtuoso nirmala rajasheker, epic songstress and storyteller ruth mackenzie, irish supergroup altan, radio and film celebrity garrison keillor, jazz bassist anthony cox, and countless others.

eleven dollars

the maeflies

what do you get when five long-time friends chronicle the passage from here to there? you get the maeflies - music-rich harmonies, hot guitars and songs about love and life to savor on that long stretch of prairie road between where you've been and where you're going.

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

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 sufjan 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 "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!”

'leven 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

arthur lee land

arthur lee land combines diverse influences to create a fresh new musical vibe: afrograss flavored folk rock. during a tour of nigeria and ghana, west africa in 2001, arthur spawned the concept of afrograss: a synthesis of west african percussion and bluegrass in a folk rock context with a touch of funk, jazz, reggae, latin and world beat. touring as a multi-instrumental solo act arthur calls “a one-man afrograss folk rock ensemble,” he utilizes “loop” (live recording) technology to create a full band sound by layering african percussion, bass, acoustic & electric guitars, guitar synth, vocals and talk box.

eight 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

tim mahoney

do we really have to explain to you who tim mahoney is?  call for seats.  hurry up.

eleven 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 (nov 07)

ten dollars

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!

nine lovely 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!”

eleven dollars

keri noble - reservations still available.  if you'd like to see this show, call right away.

twenty 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

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.

eight snazzy dollars

valentine's day show: brandon sampson + sally barris
click here for the menu & details

an acoustic evening with sally barris from nashville, tn and brandon sampson of six mile grove.  the two artists will be sharing the stage "nashville style" swapping songs and stories, and perhaps singing together from time to time.

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

brandon sampson is a farm boy from lyle, mn with a guitar and a story to tell.

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.

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!

druscilla abernathy & the bks vine --MARDI GRAS SHOW!

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?

six dollars

keri noble - reservations still available, for about five more minutes
twenty dollars

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!