Cafe Carpe

You Know What Them All Say: The Films of Merle Mitchell
2020-02-06 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Come enjoy an evening of short films by CHARLES JOHANNSEN.
Chuck Johannsen (same guy) has been making films and videos for 50 years. He’s made lots of videos for other people, documenting events and performances, and producing promotional/fundraising videos for non-profits. Out of personal interest, and paid from his own pocket, he’s made environmental documentaries including “Aldo Leopold at Faville Grove” (about the beginnings of prairie preservation – near Lake Mills) and “Bracelets for Birds” (about an an all-volunteer bird banding station west of Beloit).

In addition, he’s made a bunch of projects under the umbrella of Dada-loco… a loose group of artists and musicians that formed as a band around Watertown and Madison in 1971. Dada-loco continued as a film group, with Chuck Johannsen and Dal Lazlo as the main perpetrators, along with many long-time contributors. Besides the dozen or so projects that include the Mitchell twins, there are notable videos like “Poetry in Watertown”, “Wayne’s Art Shorts”, “Dr. Trondant’s UFO Report” and more.
Currently, he is working on videos for conservation and nature education organizations, as well as putting together a number of short (20 second) video bits of Dal Lazlo artwork that Mr. Lazlo keeps changing and painting over, making for interesting dissolves. He has a Youtube channel under the name Charles Johannsen and a Facebook page, called Dada-loco, that has some videos and over 2000 photos of Dal Lazlo artwork.
You Know What Them All Say is a 38 minute chronicle of the 40-year film career of “outsider artist” Merle Mitchell.
Merle and his twin brother, Marvin, lived at Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown during the 1960s and early 70s, then spent time in Fort Atkinson before moving to Illinois. Over the years, they acted in numerous Dada-loco Productions (originally a Watertown-based film group) – the first in 1974, the final one in 2016, months before Merle’s death. Merle appeared in around 12 films, with Marvin joining him in nine of them.
Another Dada-loco documentary, Bill and Art, with epilogue, about 25 minutes, will round out the evening. Bill Sweeney became quadriplegic in 1998 as the result of an auto accident near Lake Mills. The film focuses on Bill’s interest in art as a way to deal with being paralyzed. After this film was made, Bill started doing remarkable Photoshop work, inserting his image into painting masterworks. At Bill’s request, this video is not on Youtube. (Bill is a private guy, and is afraid people will steal his artwork or use it without permission). So, this is the only chance to see this film.
On one level, these are art therapy films, and the projects are infused with compassion. But the approach is 100% Dada-loco…irony, surrealism, and humor.

ALICE HOWE with special guest FREEBO
2020-02-04 19:30 - 21:30
A rare Tuesday night booking as these performers pass through between other gigs.
ALICE HOWE‘S path to “up-and-coming” artist seems both fated and winding. She grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, in a home filled with music and art. Long outdoor walks were encouraged, and Howe would often disappear to wander through her grandmother’s garden next door or to journal and turn experiences into songs. “I can’t remember not singing,” she says with a laugh. While music was always her companion, it didn’t become her profession until she decided to attend the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference in 2016.

Luminous alto voice full of warmth; smart and affecting lyrics flavored with wit and irreverence.

“A gem… at once of the moment and personal, timeless and universal.” -Americana UK/Mark Walton

FREEBO

From world-renowned bassist (Bonnie Raitt 10 years, CSN, John Mayall, Maria Muldaur, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Dr. John, Loudon Wainwright) to award winning singer/songwriter, FREEBO‘s music touches your heart with songs of life, love, dogs, and the human condition. He is well regarded for his high level of musicality coupled with his thoughtful and powerful use of words in song lyrics as well as in prose and narrative.

“Freebo is more than one of LA’s best players, he’s also a richly gifted and distinctive songwriter, as expressive in his writing as on a bass. “- Paul Zollo, Songwriters On Songwriting
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.

THE HONEY PIES
2020-02-01 20:30 - 22:30
Well-known area musicians TOM WASELCHUK, DOUG BROWN, MATT RODGERS and fabulous vocalist JODI JEAN AMBLE mix in a little jazz, folk, pop, country and Americana to create a unique sound. With originals and covers by people like Sting, Tom Waits and The Beatles, their eclectic musical mix leads to an outstanding melange.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.

ELLIS PAUL
2020-01-31 20:30 - 23:00
Use the Buy Tickets link to get yourself some:

ELLIS PAUL A troubadour, a singer/songwriter, a folky, and a storyteller — all are fair labels for this artist, but they do not quite suffice. However, the tattoo of Woody Guthrie worn proudly on his arm is a good starting place from which to grasp Ellis Paul, for it is from the Woody Guthrie tradition that he hails, and Maine as well. Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and James Taylor are also listed among his influences, and their spirits seem to occasionally grace his work. With an acoustic guitar in hand, he weaves intimate, provocative, and romantic tales of lives that were obviously witnessed by a most-talented voyeur.
Based in Massachusetts, Paul has been called the quintessential Boston songwriter more than a few times and has garnered the recognition and awards to back up that claim, including a shelf full of Boston Music Awards. Since coming onto the scene in 1993 with his independent debut, Say Something, Paul hasn’t slowed or weakened as a performer or a writer. Spending two-thirds of most years on the road has helped him perfect both crafts, with a lot of practice on-stage and a lot of people whose stories he retells in song. In fact, his 1994 album Stories proved enchanting enough to secure him a deal with Rounder Records and a national following of dedicated fans.
Over the years and albums, his songs have gotten more personal. He purposely turned the looking glass onto his own life for 1998’s aptly titled Translucent Soul as he publicly worked through the pain of his divorce. Following hot on the heels of 1999’s double-CD Live, the new millennium saw Paul’s song “The World Ain’t
Slowing Down” featured in Me, Myself and Irene starring Jim Carrey. His eighth studio release, a collection of previously unreleased tracks called Sweet Mistakes, arrived in 2001, followed by Speed of Trees (2002), a two-disc career retrospective (2006), a children’s record inspired by the birth of his second daughter called The Dragonfly Races (2008), and, finally, an all-new studio album, The Day After Everything Changed, in January 2010. In 2012, Paul released his second children’s record, The Hero in You, which featured songs about Benjamin Franklin, Georgia O’ Keefe, Rosa Parks, and Thomas Edison, and other notable Americans that Paul deemed heroic.
Chasing Beauty was released in 2014 and his 20th studio album, The Storyteller’s Suitcase, in 2019.
— Kelly McCartney for AllMusic

SONG CIRCLE w/ TRICIA ALEXANDER
2020-01-30 18:30 - 21:00
Round robin song circle led by TRICIA ALEXANDER– (performer, poet, healer, “with a voice, music and lyrics that resonate the heart”) done informally, not from the stage, no microphones. This is a lovely gathering of singers, songwriters, musicians and music appreciators, poets, and storytellers held regularly on the last Thursday of each month.

Traditional Round Robin protocol applies – everyone is part of the circle and has an opportunity to: play, pass or request a song from someone in particular or from anyone in the circle.
Everyone is welcome to attend. $5 cover for musicians and audience. Come early and have a bite to eat- therein lies our sustenance.

JEREMY CLYDE of Chad & Jeremy
2020-01-27 19:00 - 21:00
We will open at 5, and are serving food.
Click on Buy tickets to get yourself some. Can also buy in person at the Carpe.

JEREMY CLYDE of Chad & Jeremy apparently enjoyed his visit here in August. He and his Bottom Drawer Band are back with a new show for 2020, presenting 1960s Chad & Jeremy classics, deep cuts from the psychedelic years, and songs from Jeremy’s ‘Bottom Drawer’ project. Featuring Emeen Zarookian on lead guitar, Sage Etters on cello, and Kaitlin Wolfberg on violin.

Clyde celebrates the release of his new CD, “The Bottom Drawer Sessions No. 5” with a special concert event highlighting songs from all five volumes of “The Bottom Drawer Sessions”. The first of Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde’s 14 U.S. chart hits was “Yesterday’s Gone”, followed by “A Summer Song”, “Willow Weep for Me”, “If I Loved You”, and “Before and After”. TV appearances included “Shindig”, “Hullabaloo”, “The Patty Duke Show”, “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Batman”. Their musical adventure-and evolution-continued with the hits “Distant Shores” and “You Are She”, from late 1966, but they turned a corner with the September 25, 1966 LP release ‘of cabbages and kings”. Looking back at the classic album, AllMusic guide says “Stuart and Clyde were gifted songwriters who could work outside the standard pop framework of the day, and Stuart (who orchestrated the album) was a talented and imaginative arranger who gives the material a sound that’s both rich and intimate. “That songwriting gift never left Jeremy Clyde, through decades of off and on touring with Chad & Jeremy and on and on acting on British television, including “Downton Abbey”, and the stages of London’s West End. With the 2014 release of “The Bottom Drawer Sessions No. 1”, 2016’s “The Bottom Drawer Sessions No. 2”, spring 2017’s, “The Bottom Drawer Sessions No. 3”, spring 2018’s “The Bottom Drawer Sessions No. 4”, spring 2019’s “The Bottom Drawer Sessions No. 5”, , Jeremy Clyde has –with more than 50 sweeping, evocative, inspired recordings- officially reclaimed the songwriter’s title.
http://www.bottomdrawersessions.com

“Business As Usual”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSHk8w4yUdk

Live Recording: PETER MULVEY w/ SistaStrings and Nathan Kilen
2020-01-25 20:30 - 23:00
Buy tickets using the Brown Paper Tickets link below, or purchase in person at the Cafe Carpe.

PETER MULVEY has been a songwriter, road-dog, raconteur and almost-poet since before he can remember. Raised working-class Catholic on the Northwest side of Milwaukee, he took a semester in Ireland, and immediately began cutting classes to busk on Grafton Street in Dublin and hitchhike through the country, finding whatever gigs he could. Back stateside, he spent a couple years gigging in the Midwest before lighting out for Boston, where he returned to busking (this time in the subway) and coffeehouses. Small shows led to larger shows, which eventually led to regional and then national and international touring. The wheels have not stopped since.
Eighteen records, one illustrated book, thousands of live performances, a TEDx talk, a decades-long association with the National Youth Science Camp, opening for luminaries such as Ani DiFranco, Emmylou Harris, and Chuck Prophet, appearances on NPR, an annual autumn tour by bicycle, emceeing festivals, hosting his own boutique festival (the Lamplighter Sessions, in Boston and Wisconsin)… Mulvey never stops. He has built his life’s work on collaboration and on an instinct for the eclectic and the vital. He folds everything he encounters into his work: poetry, social justice, scientific literacy, and a deeply abiding humanism are all on plain display in his art.
SISTA STRINGS
The sound of SistaStrings can’t be described in one word. The Milwaukee-based sister duo combines their classical background with R&B with a touch of gospel influence that culminates in a vibey, lush sound. With thick string harmonies between violin and cello and soulful voices, SistaStrings takes you on a journey. Formed in 2014 after the sisters graduated from college, Chauntee (violin) moved back from her studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Monique from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the sisters began doing string arrangements for local hip-hop artists and the rest is history. Slowly but surely, SistaStrings built a following and began playing more shows with collaboration being one of their strongest points.
The sisters not only write and arrange but find pleasure sitting in with musicians and exploring what sounds come from improvisation and spontaneity. Outside of being their own act, SistaStrings can often be found playing alongside singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey. Having been raised in church, SistaStrings was able to build their improv skills and ear training. The classical background that the two sisters have had allows them to command their instrument at will. Between the two of them, they have performed in some of the most reputable halls, including Carnegie Hall and in their classical career they have soloed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
SistaStrings has performed with Malik Yusef, opened for Black Violin, Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony, Lupe Fiasco, BJ The Chicago Kid, and The Roots. Outside of playing music venues, SistaStrings goes into schools and conducts assemblies, encouraging young people to pursue the arts and to not be afraid of hard work. Outreach and representation are important to these two young ladies as African American string players. The ladies are advocates for diversity in the arts and promote social justice in all that they do musically. SistaStrings will be releasing their debut EP in 2019.
Vocals, Violin / Chauntee Ross
Vocals, Cello / Monique Ros
NATHAN KILEN proficiently plays songs while hitting things with sticks and brushes.

Live recording: Peter MULVEY w/ SistaStrings & Nathan Kilen
2020-01-24 20:30 - 23:00
Buy tickets below using the Brown Paper Ticket link, or purchase in person at the Cafe Carpe.

PETER MULVEY has been a songwriter, road-dog, raconteur and almost-poet since before he can remember. Raised working-class Catholic on the Northwest side of Milwaukee, he took a semester in Ireland, and immediately began cutting classes to busk on Grafton Street in Dublin and hitchhike through the country, finding whatever gigs he could. Back stateside, he spent a couple years gigging in the Midwest before lighting out for Boston, where he returned to busking (this time in the subway) and coffeehouses. Small shows led to larger shows, which eventually led to regional and then national and international touring. The wheels have not stopped since.
Eighteen records, one illustrated book, thousands of live performances, a TEDx talk, a decades-long association with the National Youth Science Camp, opening for luminaries such as Ani DiFranco, Emmylou Harris, and Chuck Prophet, appearances on NPR, an annual autumn tour by bicycle, emceeing festivals, hosting his own boutique festival (the Lamplighter Sessions, in Boston and Wisconsin)… Mulvey never stops. He has built his life’s work on collaboration and on an instinct for the eclectic and the vital. He folds everything he encounters into his work: poetry, social justice, scientific literacy, and a deeply abiding humanism are all on plain display in his art.
SISTA STRINGS
The sound of SistaStrings can’t be described in one word. The Milwaukee-based sister duo combines their classical background with R&B with a touch of gospel influence that culminates in a vibey, lush sound. With thick string harmonies between violin and cello and soulful voices, SistaStrings takes you on a journey. Formed in 2014 after the sisters graduated from college, Chauntee (violin) moved back from her studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Monique from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the sisters began doing string arrangements for local hip-hop artists and the rest is history. Slowly but surely, SistaStrings built a following and began playing more shows with collaboration being one of their strongest points.
The sisters not only write and arrange but find pleasure sitting in with musicians and exploring what sounds come from improvisation and spontaneity. Outside of being their own act, SistaStrings can often be found playing alongside singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey. Having been raised in church, SistaStrings was able to build their improv skills and ear training. The classical background that the two sisters have had allows them to command their instrument at will. Between the two of them, they have performed in some of the most reputable halls, including Carnegie Hall and in their classical career they have soloed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
SistaStrings has performed with Malik Yusef, opened for Black Violin, Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony, Lupe Fiasco, BJ The Chicago Kid, and The Roots. Outside of playing music venues, SistaStrings goes into schools and conducts assemblies, encouraging young people to pursue the arts and to not be afraid of hard work. Outreach and representation are important to these two young ladies as African American string players. The ladies are advocates for diversity in the arts and promote social justice in all that they do musically. SistaStrings will be releasing their debut EP in 2019.
Vocals, Violin / Chauntee Ross
Vocals, Cello / Monique Ros
NATHAN KILEN proficiently plays songs while hitting things with sticks and brushes.

RACHAEL KILGOUR
2020-01-17 20:30 - 22:30
RACHAEL KILGOUR is a Minnesotan songwriter and performing artist whose sincere, lyric-driven work has been called both brave and humane. The 2015 grand prize winner of the esteemed international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition and winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest, Kilgour has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and by the ASCAP Music Cafe at the Sundance Film Festival.
“Kilgour’s unapologetic lyrics are a real treat” Rolling Stone
“A Heartfelt slice of master-crafted Indie Folk” Billboard
Rabbit in the Road Live at Millennium Stage: https://youtu.be/X_9lShVaIyQ​
We will be closed for a couple of weeks before this show. Please e-mail info@cafecarpe.com to reserve seats instead of calling, the usual method.

NEW PIONEERS
2020-01-16 19:00 - 21:30
This five piece bluegrass ball of fire featuring vocals, banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and mandolin appears here regularly on the 2nd Thursday of the month- except when they don’t, like this month when it is the 3rd Thursday, because the Carpe was closed on the 2nd Thursday.

Its various members have been involved with traditional music locally, regionally, and nationally for many years.

The Pioneer’s lead singer and guitarist, Jerry Wicentowski, has been described by country music historian Bill Malone as “One of the finest singers in bluegrass music”. Jerry has also performed and recorded with such bluegrass greats as Tim O’Brien, Andy Statman, Byron Berline, Tony Trischka and others. Mike Schmidt of Spring Green, Wisconsin, is the group’s banjo player. This former French horn player has been a Nashville session musician and member of the popular Wisconsin-based bluegrass bands, Alive ‘n’ Pickin’ and the Piper Road Spring Band. He also performs occasionally with his wife Lori. Bruce King of Art Stevenson and High Water – also formerly of Alive ‘n’ Pickin’ – is on mandolin. Bruce and Mike are veterans of the Great Northern Bluegrass Festival in Mole Lake, WI – performing there every year from 1977 to 1982. Fiddle player Paul Kienitz is a member in good standing of regional bluegrass favorites, The Nob Hill Boys. Bass player John Jirak also has played banjo with various folks in the northeastern WI and Madison areas, most notably with the Green Bay based Fox River Flyer. As a bass player, he’s performed shows with the Chicago Bluegrass Band, Miltown Ramblers, Krause Family, Old Cool, Spare Time Bluegrass Band, Bob Steeno and The Old Truck, and Down From the Hills, and currently Madison’s newest, Kettle Moraine.
Like them on Facebook.

CARPE CLOSED FROM Jan. 1 to Jan. 16- open evening Jan. 16
2020-01-01 08:00 - 2020-01-16 16:30
We are taking advantage of a slow business period to go out East to visit relatives and friends.
Reopening the evening of Thursday January 16 at 4:30. We will not be open for lunch on Friday January 17- will open for the evening at 4:30.
Normal hours resume Saturday January 18.

NEW YEAR'S EVE: Chris HANSON BAND featuring Robin PLUER
2019-12-31 21:30 - 23:59
Reserve seats for this SHOW by clicking on Buy tickets below:

Come ring in the New Year with enough goodness and warmth to sustain us through the upcoming year. Purchasing by late December 29 helps us to properly plan for the evening, though space may be available after that.
We cannot take any more dinner reservations.
For the last many years the CHRIS HANSON BAND and audience have had such a lovely time that it only made sense to schedule them again. Some of Milwaukee’s finest will be serving up their best for you, performing an eclectic repertoire of jazz and other genres, featuring musician and composer Chris Hanson, and enchanting chanteuse Robin Pluer.
So come ring in the New Year with enough goodness and warmth to sustain us through the upcoming year.
CHRIS HANSON BAND features:

Robin Pluer-Vocals
Chris Hanson-Guitar,Vocals
Glenn Asch-Violin
John Parrott-Guitar, Vocals
John Babbitt-Bass

Call 920-563-9391 if you have any questions.

FOOD PANTRY BENEFIT w/ THE MERRY HORDE and guests Jill and the Jax
2019-12-28 20:15 - 23:00
Hark the Herald Horde sings! Loads of Fun, good music, great harmonies are the thoughts that come to mind whenever The Merry Horde performs. The oft repeated phrase following each performance is “…and a good time was had by all”. So join us for a historic romp through a medley of bluegrass, and selected tunes from the 60’s & 70’s with one of Fort’s own, locally harvested, bands. These guys may be getting up there, but they can still bash out the chords and belt out the harmonies that will make the hair on your arms stand straight up!?!
And to boot, this performance is for a good cause- all proceeds will go to the FORT ATKINSON FOOD PANTRY. The music and the fun are free. So bring some canned or packaged goods, or stop by your favorite ATM on the way down so you can make a cash donation of your choosing to the Food Pantry. Last year’s event was cancelled due to bitterly cold weather so donate twice as much.
Please call the Cafe Carpe 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.

SYD HARTHA & the MONKEYMINDS- SOLD OUT
2019-12-27 20:30 - 23:00
Use the Buy tickets link to get yourself a seat, except there aren’t any at the moment.

SYD HARTHA & THE MONKEYMINDS (previously known as Devil in the Outhouse and What’s His Name & the Other Guys) are Greg, Looper, Eric & Blaine. They will be offering their 13th annual traditional holiday concert – which is unlikely to include much holiday music. However, there will be folk, blues, swing, comedy and group therapy services available.
Guitars, harmonica, vocals, fiddle, bass, shaker egg, and more!!
“Sure it’s juvenile and irreverent, but if you drink enough it’s not that bad.”
(anonymous satisfied customer)

SONG CIRCLE w/ TRICIA ALEXANDER
2019-12-26 18:30 - 21:00
Round robin song circle led by TRICIA ALEXANDER– (performer, poet, healer, “with a voice, music and lyrics that resonate the heart”) done informally, not from the stage, no microphones. This is a lovely gathering of singers, songwriters, musicians and music appreciators, poets, and storytellers held regularly on the last Thursday of each month (except sometimes, like this time, when Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday).

Traditional Round Robin protocol applies – everyone is part of the circle and has an opportunity to: play, pass or request a song from someone in particular or from anyone in the circle.
Everyone is welcome to attend. $5 cover for musicians and audience. Come early and have a bite to eat- therein lies our sustenance.

Lamplighter-Peter MULVEY/ Katie DAHL/ Paul CEBAR- SOLD OUT
2019-12-22 19:30 - 22:00
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
Singer-songwriter KATIE DAHL has performed her original songs everywhere from the dusty cliffs of Mali, to the winding canals of southern France, to the cedar forests of the American northwoods. Particularly well-respected on her home turf of Door County, Wisconsin, Katie tours regularly and has earned accolades nationwide for the depth and power of her alto voice, the literate candor of her songs, and the easy humor of her live performances. In 2015, Katie’s song “Crowns” hit #1 on the folk radio charts. Her musical play “Victory Farm” premiered to high acclaim in 2012 and has since been made into a live cast album. Karen Impola of Iowa Public Radio says, “Katie Dahl’s music combines a love for her rural midwestern roots, a droll wit, and a clear-eyed appraisal of modern life, all served up in a voice as rich as cream.” Katie’s latest album, “Wildwood” (September 2019) was recorded in Nashville and features Birds of Chicago’s JT Nero (producer) and Allison Russell (harmony vocals).
“Katie Dahl’s songs aren’t just melodies and words, they’re journeys that are firmly grounded in a sense of place—beautiful, real landscapes that help you feel places that you may have never been before. That’s the very best kind of songwriting.”
-Dar Williams
PAUL CEBAR Some idea of what Paul is about: “Milwaukee native Paul Cebar is a singing, strumming, and dancing museum of musical culture and a self-styled historian of myriad musical forms. Countless sounds pour forth when Cebar and his Milwaukeeans take the stage. New Orleans, Chicago, New york, Africa, Brazil, Cuba, jump-blues, gospel, jazz, reggae, calypso, soul and vintage R&B are sterting points for something that becomes uniquely Cebar. This mishmash helps reimagine and liven up obscure classics, and the band’s originals present new viewpoints on established styles.” The Onion AV Club

Lamplighter- Peter MULVEY/ NICKEL & ROSE/ Tommi ZENDER
2019-12-21 20:30 - 23:00
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
This is part of the annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about.
NICKEL AND ROSE is an American folk-music duo made up of upright bassist Johanna Rose and guitarist Carl Nichols. They formed in the summer of 2016 and spent their first winter and the following spring traveling Europe, playing dozens of shows in France, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania, Poland, and Ukraine. While in Berlin they recorded their EP, Oh Sweet Love, released in April 2017. Oh Sweet Love, is a sweet-sounding auditory souvenir of Nichols’ and Rose’s four month European journey and a recorded testament to the two-piece’s ability to turn tough times into something vibrant with help from a traveling companion. Try a taste.
N & R have influences that span the spectrum of American music. Carl’s background brings elements of West African music and blues while Johanna brings her experience playing bluegrass, folk and jazz. From loss to heart break to love, they address the human experience with gentle harmonies and soul stirring cries. With a shared appreciation for traditional music and a desire to break rules, the two have have created a unique sound that embodies Americana’s past and future.
“‘Americana’ reminds me of the true power of songs: while I could write pages and pages about the issues this song raises, Nickel and Rose distill the story to such a fine point that it truly takes my breath away and makes the hairs on my arms rise whenever I listen to it.” —Rachel Cholst, Wide Open Country”
TOMMI ZENDER is a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer/arranger, and teacher with over 30 years experience. As a guitarist, Zender is well versed in most electric and acoustic styles (finger styles ranging from Nick Drake to The Beatles, hybrid picking, funk/R&B, all hard and soft types of rock & roll). He has released three albums of original music, and played on numerous others, including music tributes LP’s paying homage to Roxy Music/Brian Eno, Squeeze, Jellyfish, Aimee Mann, & Michael Penn. Zender performs regularly as a solo artist, with Phil Angotti Band (guitars, vocals, drums), the art-rock group Razorhouse (guitars, vocals, effects) and he often accompanies many singer-songwriters in Chicago.

KRAUSE FAMILY BAND
2019-12-20 20:00 - 22:30
KRAUSE FAMILY BAND
Original music and cover tunes ranging from Bob Wills to the Reverend Al Green sung in close family harmony- talent in abundance.

The Krause family, Katie, Ruthie, and their father Rick, sing together and play a variety of instruments, forming the core of the Krause Family Band. They perform originals and some traditional roots music, and are known for their distinctive close harmonies. They have been featured many times on the live radio show A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.

Katie Krause – vocals, piano; Ruthie Emily Krause – vocals, fiddle; Rick Ernest Krause – guitar, vocals

Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

Lamplighter- PETER MULVEY/ ERIK KOSKINEN/ DAVID HUCKFELT
2019-12-19 20:00 - 22:30
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
Musically sprouted from the blend of American folk, country, rock-n-roll, and blues, opening act ERIK KOSKINEN realizes a sound that is distinctive and fresh while familiar and classic. Koskinen’s albums are a lyrical and musical metaphor of American’s theaters of war, of history, of relationships, and of the reflections in the mirror. Knowing but not didactic, Koskinen channels the ways of Whitman and reverently enters the anthology of uniquely crafted wry songs with the likes of Woody Guthrie and Ry Cooder while speaking as plainly as your neighbor.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls Koskinen “the real deal” and “the best country songwriter in Minnesota.”
DAVID HUCKFELT, one of the founders of The Pines, is out with a solo album, Stranger Angels. If you’ve listened to The Pines you know his talents. The album covers the natural world, love, and the human connection.
In the fall of 2017, David left behind the familiar and relocated to Isle Royale, America’s most remote and least visited national park in mighty Lake Superior. Six hours by boat off the Michigan coast, Isle Royale is the largest island in the world’s largest freshwater lake, an isolated stretch of wilderness seemingly forgotten by the 20th century (to say nothing of the 21st). There, as an Artist In Residence selected by the National Park Service, Huckfelt spent ten hours a day for two straight weeks writing in solitude, channeling the mysterious and lonesome island’s spirits into this stunning debut solo album.

Lamplighter- Peter MULVEY/ Bill CAMPLIN/ SISTASTRINGS
2019-12-18 20:00 - 22:30
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about. Very close to selling out.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
The Milwaukee-based sister duo SISTASTRINGS combines their classical background with R&B with a touch of gospel influence that culminates in a unique sound. With thick string harmonies between violin (Chauntee Ross) and cello (Monique Ross) and soulful voices, SistaStrings takes you on a journey. The sisters not only write and arrange but find pleasure sitting in with musicians and exploring what sounds come from improvisation and spontaneity.use R&B and classical string arrangements into something entirely new to the Milwaukee music scene.
Outside of playing music venues, SistaStrings goes into schools and conducts assemblies, encouraging young people to pursue the arts and to not be afraid of hard work. Outreach and representation are important to them as African American string players. They are advocates for diversity in the arts and promote social justice in all that they do musically. SistaStrings released their debut EP this summer.
BILL CAMPLIN is an extremely local singer-songwriter with a nice set of vocal pipes.

Lamplighter- Peter MULVEY/ Chris PORTERFIELD/ Jon LANGFORD
2019-12-17 20:00 - 22:30
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
CHRIS PORTERFIELD says he is “midwestern to the core” and we find no fault with that kind of core. Chris’ Milwaukee-based band, Field Report (an anagram of his surname) will release their third album soon. Field Report was culled together in the studio while recording their 2012 self-titled debut. They suddenly found themselves championed by their former idols: offered support tours by Counting Crows and Aimee Mann, lauded by the likes of Mark Eitzel and Richard Thompson, and covered by Blind Boys Of Alabama.
Chicago-based Welsh exile singer-guitarist JON LANGFORD of the Mekons has an extensive catalog of songs-folk-country-punk- from all the eras, genres, bands and projects that have made up his (not so) sorry career in unpopular music. He is also a talented artist and teller of tall tales.

Lamplighter- Peter MULVEY/ SISTASTRINGS/ Jeff STEHR- SOLD OUT
2019-12-15 19:30 - 22:00
We will open at 5:00 this night to serve people coming for the show.
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on that link to learn what Lamplighter is all about.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
The Milwaukee-based sister duo SISTASTRINGS combines their classical background with R&B with a touch of gospel influence that culminates in a unique sound. With thick string harmonies between violin (Chauntee Ross) and cello (Monique Ross) and soulful voices, SistaStrings takes you on a journey. The sisters not only write and arrange but find pleasure sitting in with musicians and exploring what sounds come from improvisation and spontaneity.use R&B and classical string arrangements into something entirely new to the Milwaukee music scene.
Outside of playing music venues, SistaStrings goes into schools and conducts assemblies, encouraging young people to pursue the arts and to not be afraid of hard work. Outreach and representation are important to them as African American string players. They are advocates for diversity in the arts and promote social justice in all that they do musically. SistaStrings released their debut EP this summer.
JEFF STEHR is a singer songwriter based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His primary project is The Tritonics, a six piece ensemble performing rock steady, ska and roots-reggae – inspired original music as well as classic covers from those genres (Alton Ellis, Lee Scratch Perry, Junior Murvin, The Skatalites, etc.) The Tritonics latest recording, Dance Crasher, was released in January 2016. Jeff also plays piano in The Best Westerns, a delightfully danceable six piece, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys – focused project. When appearing in his solo singer songwriter form, Jeff crafts playful, genre-hopping pop music that reflects an eclectic range of influences.
Jeff is grateful for the experience gained and friendships made while playing in ensembles like World Roots, Brave New Groove, Mark Truesdell and The Lost Pioneers, C- Food Buffet, The Al Pike Blues Band, Mt. Zion Sound System,The Subcontinentals and The Cow Ponies.

CORKY SIEGEL/ HOWARD LEVY SOLD OUT
2019-12-14 20:30 - 23:00
Click on the Buy tickets link to buy tickets! at the Brown Paper Tickets website. If only there were any left.

POP THE CORK! HO-HO HOWARD!
Back by Pop-ular demand, the maestros of musical mirth and merriment Corky Siegel and Howard Levy return. Blues legend CORKY SIEGEL teams with jazz giant, multi-Grammy winner HOWARD LEVY for a holiday evening of pure dazzlement and delight. Be sure to purchase your tickets early as this not-to-be-missed very special Holiday Show is sure to sell out.

“Siegel is a national treasure.” – Downbeat Magazine

“A memorable musical joy ride…Siegel plays wonderfully on harmonica as well as piano and combines it with a grand sense of humor and showmanship.” – San Francisco Examiner

“Howard Levy has almost single-handedly developed the full jazz potential of the diatonic harmonica….although he cites McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock as influences, Levy, the pianist has a sunnier more ebullient style than either, enlivened by an unfailing upward momentum.” – Jazz Times Magazine

Lamplighter- P. MULVEY/ J. FOUCAULT/P. BROWN/ SOLD OUT
2019-12-13 20:30 - 23:00
This is part of the now semi- annual Lamplighter Sessions curated by PETER MULVEY. Click on the link to learn what this is all about.
Ticket sales are through Brown Paper Tickets: Click on Buy tickets and get yourself some. Except that this show sold out as of Tuesday November 11.

To PETER MULVEY, there is no such thing as a straight and narrow path. At least, not one that he has any interest in taking.
A live-wire on any stage, Peter is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist who, in fact, defies this categorization. His ferocious guitar playing whisks him through more tunings than he has fingers in the course of an evening, as he winds his way from full-throated rockers to deceptively plain-spoken musings. Whether solo or accompanied, Mulvey is someone who just naturally commands a stage:
“Peter Mulvey is one of the most accomplished guitarists you’re ever likely to hear… utterly original… it is nigh on impossible to explain him to the uninitiated… his intelligent and sometimes complex songs engage both hemispheres of the listener’s brain… one of the finest, most complete entertainers… stunning.” – The Irish Examiner
In two decades on the road JEFFREY FOUCAULT has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power, a decidedly Midwestern amalgam of blues, country, rock’n’roll, and folk. He’s built a brick-and-mortar international touring career on multiple studio albums, countless miles, and general critical acclaim, being lauded for “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), and described as “Quietly brilliant” (The Irish Times), while catching the ear of everyone from Van Dyke Parks to Greil Marcus, to Don Henley, who regularly covers Foucault in his live set.
PIETA BROWN Hailed as a self-styled poetess, folk goddess and country waif by the BBC, Pieta Brown first came to international attention with her 2002 self-titled debut. The daughter of Grammy-nominated folk musician Greg Brown, Pieta has since been recognized by NPR for her moody, ethereal songwriting, applauded by The Boston Globe for her mercurial voice, and has continued to gain widespread critical attention for both her singing and songwriting with each release. She has shared stages with artists from Emmylou Harris and JJ Cale to Neko Case and Richard Thompson, in addition to performing at major festivals like Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam. Continually revealing new layers as both a songwriter and performer, Pieta is being recognized as one of modern Americana’s true gems.

NEW PIONEERS
2019-12-12 19:00 - 21:30
This five piece bluegrass ball of fire featuring vocals, banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and mandolin appears here regularly on the 2nd Thursday of the month- except when they don’t. Its various members have been involved with traditional music locally, regionally, and nationally for many years.

The Pioneer’s lead singer and guitarist, Jerry Wicentowski, has been described by country music historian Bill Malone as “One of the finest singers in bluegrass music”. Jerry has also performed and recorded with such bluegrass greats as Tim O’Brien, Andy Statman, Byron Berline, Tony Trischka and others. Mike Schmidt of Spring Green, Wisconsin, is the group’s banjo player. This former French horn player has been a Nashville session musician and member of the popular Wisconsin-based bluegrass bands, Alive ‘n’ Pickin’ and the Piper Road Spring Band. He also performs occasionally with his wife Lori. Bruce King of Art Stevenson and High Water – also formerly of Alive ‘n’ Pickin’ – is on mandolin. Bruce and Mike are veterans of the Great Northern Bluegrass Festival in Mole Lake, WI – performing there every year from 1977 to 1982. Fiddle player Paul Kienitz is a member in good standing of regional bluegrass favorites, The Nob Hill Boys. Bass player John Jirak also has played banjo with various folks in the northeastern WI and Madison areas, most notably with the Green Bay based Fox River Flyer. As a bass player, he’s performed shows with the Chicago Bluegrass Band, Miltown Ramblers, Krause Family, Old Cool, Spare Time Bluegrass Band, Bob Steeno and The Old Truck, and Down From the Hills, and currently Madison’s newest, Kettle Moraine.
Like them on Facebook.

BO RAMSEY
2019-12-07 20:30 - 23:00
Take advantage of this rare Carpe performance by one of the country’s best guitarists. Get your tickets below:

“Sometimes the music chooses an artist. It can arrive in the form of a sound heard in the middle of silence, or maybe a certain guitar is ready to share its secrets. Either way, the spirit world is involved and there is no way to stop it.
BO RAMSEY is used to an outside world invading his inner world with deep messages and mesmerizing songs. As it came time for Ramsey to record again, an idea that had been hanging around would not be denied: an instrumental album. Of course, it has to be a little more convoluted than that. “We have a big kitchen in our house, and I’m always playing guitar in there,” Ramsey says. “There always seems to be two or three amps in there too. One day last fall I was on the road and swung into a guitar store in the Twin Cities and on a stand sitting on top of an amplifier was an old Harmony electric guitar. Just yelling on me.”
That Harmony “yelling” was the birth of Bo Ramsey’s irresistible new album WILDWOOD CALLING. The musician, who was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa, and has lived in Iowa City the past few decades, has carved out a unique career for 40 years. And it shows not one sign of slowing down. He has been involved in enough high-profile and low-down endeavors to have become somewhat of a legend, but a legend who still hides from the spotlights and leans away from stardom. Maybe that’s because Ramsey has mystifyingly maintained a devotion to the music side of the music business, and lets everything else fall by the side. Naturally, an all-instrumental album was just a matter of time.
After buying the Harmony guitar, a series of inspirations began to land. First were some musical ideas that got recorded on Ramsey’s phone, and then a band of like-minded musicians began to converge, and get mixed and matched. Finally drummer JT Bates and bassist Marty Christensen found themselves together in Bo Ramsey’s kitchen with engineer Adam Krinsky. Of course, it had to be in the kitchen because that’s where the idea was born and that’s where it had to come to life. Still, the emotional side of the music had to emerge before “the keepers” started being recorded. That is exactly what happened in the two days the players were together in that Iowa kitchen. With Alex Ramsey chiming in on three tracks by way of Minnesota, adding lush living-room piano and perfectly hushed basement keyboards.
It only takes a few seconds of listening to realize something completely off the grid has been captured on WILDWOOD CALLING. Maybe that’s because there’s as much silence as there is sound. Musical guru Miles Davis once famously said that it is “what isn’t played” that is really at the heart of so much timeless music, and that is the secret to Ramsey’s new opus. It is a sound that could probably only hail from the vast heartland of America, a place that hasn’t been completely cluttered with buildings, cars and people. There is so much breathing room on these songs that it feels just like a new life has just been born.
For those who might recognize Bo Ramsey by his association with artists like Lucinda Williams, Greg Brown, Kevin Gordon, Pieta Brown, Charlie Parr and others, his new music is the perfect introduction to someone who always listens and plays with his own sonic vision in full motion. So not surprisingly, the list of Ramsey’s accolades is long: including Grammy-Award Winning Guitar Player, 2 Time Grammy Nominated Producer, Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Iowa Blues Hall of Famer. And if there were other Iowa halls of fame he would no doubt be in them too. But above all, Ramsey is a proud card-carrying member of his own hall of fame, which is the one where he chases the sounds in his head and his heart. He is always looking for a way to wrestle them into a recording so he can share that love of music with friends and strangers alike. WILDWOOD CALLING is an album for the ages, and the perfect calling card for anyone with an interest in hearing the past, the present and the future rolled into one. Long may Bo Ramsey run.”
– Bill Bentley. July 2016
Bo will be appearing with another yet-to-be-named guitar player.

JOHN GAY
2019-12-06 20:30 - 22:30
Singer-Songwriter, JOHN GAY’s, gritty contemplative sound ripened in prison while he served a nine year sentence for marijuana that started in 2011. During his initial confinement of over five years when he wasn’t on his bunk with his bible, John was in a storage closet at Fox Lake Correctional Institution with his guitar writing music, singing and praying.
After his release from initial confinement in 2017 John started performing his solo acoustic set at various venues around southeastern Wisconsin playing original music he wrote in prison along with covers of his favorite artists such as Jason Isbell, The Lumineers, Chris Stapleton and Zach Williams.
John released his first two singles in 2019, Death Row and Concrete Floor. Grappling with loss and redemption these songs typify much of the music he wrote in that time period. John is raising money to record an album.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.

DAVE COFELL/ MARK DVORAK
2019-11-30 20:30 - 23:00
Rescheduled after some snowy weather in April! Let’s hope for a better scenario this time around. These two will provide a full evening of entertainment.
MARK DVORAK is a modern day troubadour who has never stopped performing, writing and recording. He has been called “a folk singer’s folk singer” with “an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional songs.” His original songs are described as “wondrous” and “profound.” Though Mark often appears in theaters and on festival stages, he is also at home in a more intimate setting. His concerts are a mix of the familiar and the new, traditional folk and standards from the American songbook. He plays authentic country blues guitar and picks great old-time banjo.
Mark enjoys involving his audiences in sing-along songs, just like The Weavers used to do, and mixes in his own well-crafted and infectious originals. Mark has a refreshing, down-to-earth stage presence, and is a very engaging performer. He sings with a clear, signature voice, and he likes to joke around with the folks who attend his shows. Throughout the program he’ll interject personal anecdotes and add a touch of history or social context to the performance.
“Masterful” Chicago Tribune
“The real deal. His show is funny, passionate, intimate & unforgettable” Old Town School of Folk Music
“One of a vanishing breed. Although all of us benefit from the tradition, Dvorak is one of the few who keep it alive.” Utah Phillips
DAVE COFELL‘s songwriting reflects both his rural roots and his life-long musical explorations.
His performances include a crafted mix of folk, blues, jazz, classic country, classic rock, novelty songs, classical guitar, and occasionally clawhammer banjo. You will hear, among others, the influences of John Prine, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Fats Waller, Hank Williams Sr., Howlin’ Wolf, Pete Seeger, Leo Kottke, Stan Rogers, John Denver, and Leadbelly.
“As professional and laid back a musician as I’ve ever had the chance to meet. Totally immersed in the song from the first note he plays. Great songwriter and an intelligent/talented musician. A road warrior that surprises you when he fires off the first note and is gone down that track like he’s out of the starting gate.” – Big Dave Anderson – Big Dave’s Beat Farm, KTWH 99.5 FM Two Harbors Community Radio
“Masterful at connecting to the audience in a very personal way. Simplicity is always the key to engaging an audience… and Dave does it as good or better than anyone.”
– Ronny Cox, Actor, Singer-Songwriter, Storyteller
“Wow. Dave just did on a twelve-string what most people can’t do on a six-string. We are really looking forward to watching that energetic performance again on video, wow!”
– Jennifer Cutting, Folklife Specialist, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
“Dave Cofell gets an A for Authenticity. His songs are insightful and clever, delivered with his rich, baritone voice and nimble fingerstyle guitar. A must for your CD collection!”
– Carl Unbehaun, Minnesota HomeBrew Music Show, Pioneer 90.1 FM, Thief River Falls, MN
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.
+ GOOGLE CALENDAR

COYOTE BROTHER- Hayward WILLIAMS & J. HARDIN
2019-11-29 20:30 - 23:00
COYOTE BROTHER is J. HARDIN and HAYWARD WILLIAMS, two musicians who have been crossing paths for a decade on their separate songwriting journeys. After collaborating on their recent solo releases though, the two troubadours decided to come together as COYOTE BROTHER. Drawn together by the profound impact that mental illness had on their ability to create, Coyote Brother speaks to the collaborative work that can be achieved by taking a step back and re-entering the current with a strong support system.
The duo has been compared to Gillian Welch, Milk Carton Kids and Townes Van Zandt with such close harmonies and intimate atmosphere. Coyote Brother’s songs are steeped in the spirit of traditional country music with rich imagery and poignant melodies that carry the listener through the drama of the modern world.
Hardin is a Madison-based artist. From 2005 to 2013, his music appeared in numerous television spots, and he shared the stage with Gregory Alan Isakov, Over The Rhine, Sara Watkins, Jeffrey Foucault, and more. He released two records during this period, Fools & Thinkers and Visions of the Sea; touring extensively behind both before deciding to take time off to engage with and work on his “personal and mental maladjustments”.
Williams is based in Milwaukee and, like Hardin, he took time off after years of extensive touring to tend to his mental health and gain control of persisting anxieties. As a solo artist, Williams has released seven records, toured across three continents, and has shared the stage with artists such as Jose Gonzalez, Sturgill Simpson, and the Secret Sisters.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.

Bill CAMPLIN, Barry RIESE plus Steve TESMER
2019-11-23 20:30 - 23:00
Bill will be share the evening with guitar player Barry Riese (Blackberry) of Piper Road, plus Steve Tesmer of Three Thin Dimes and Jill and the Jax. They are working on a killer set list (Barry knows a lot of tunes), and it should be a really fun night.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.
