KATIE SCULLIN SOLO
2017-08-18 20:30 - 23:00 (America/Chicago)
Fort born and raised KATIE has been making quite a splash in the Madison area music scene.
“She can sing you to the depths of your longing or shake you alive with her beats. Since 2008 Katie Scullin has been that little engine—chugging up the hill and gaining momentum with her lyrics, lights and loveliness. From quiet listening rooms to high-energy festivals she easily conjures sublime melodies and moody sensations with a tap of the toe and a strum of her guitar. We want to be there with her. In the light. In the darkness. She makes it look so easy, and we immediately feel like a confidante. Scullin continues to challenge herself and her sound by diving into new projects and producing impressive works as an independent artist.
In 2009 Scullin’s rock group Rivalry played Wisconsin’s largest music festival Summerfest in the Emerging Artist Series. A couple years later she took the stage as front woman with techno-soul group Star Persons who reached great heights in the Madison area being nominated and winning multiple Madison Area Music Awards. The accolades kept coming. Scullin nabbed a nomination for “Best Alternative Artist” at the Madison Area Music Awards in 2011. In 2013 she released her first solo project EP “She Smiled” and a year later was crowned Best Singer/Songwriter by 105.5 Triple M’s Project M Competition as well as Best Local Musician in the Jefferson County Daily Poll.
Her style shifts and changes and it’s all inspired. In 2016 The Walrus (An Experimental Project), produced with help from producer Hunter Connors Herm, showcased Scullin’s amazing range and acute collaborative instincts. In the dream-like rock lullaby sequence, our vocal dynamo is backed by Darren Marabelli on guitar, D.J. Scullin on guitar, Travis Drumm on drums, and Nate Wiswall on bass.
Whether peddling a razor-sharp ballad or an energetic pop track Scullin commands attention. And now—finally—she’s bringing it all home in a full-length album called Pieces. This collection of tunes which highlights Scullin’s trademark soothing cadence and innocent curiosity brings all the feels. From catchy “You and I” to the rolling jam “Dream Awake” it’s easy to see why she’s the musical darling of backwoods pubs, celebratory stages and your own hallowed living room. She’s a master at her craft and has got energy and emotion to spare.”
PLEASE CALL 920-563-9391 to reserve.

JOHN STANO w/ Dennis Waltman
2017-08-19 20:30 - 23:00
JOHN STANO is an award winning singer songwriter and performer of Americana, Blues, Folk and Contemporary Acoustic music. The trademark of his sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic and slide guitar, harmonica and expressive vocals, developed over many years of performance and study. He sometimes adds a little mandolin, cigar box guitar or banjo to the mix as well. His style could be described as acoustic folk-blues or Americana.
Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. ‘Sing Out’ compared John’s music to early Bob Dylan while ‘Dirty Linen’ was reminded of Country Joe McDonald. John studied English and creative writing at U.W. Madison. A skillful use of language adds an original spark to his lyrics. Besides his own songs, John also performs his own arrangements of urban and country blues classics, instrumentals and contemporary songs, covering music by artists such as; John Prine, Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, Little Walter, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, John Fahey, Gillian Welch, Leo Kottke and Tom Waits.
John is a flexible and engaging performer who works regularly at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. He also teaches guitar, harmonica, banjo and other acoustic instruments privately and has received numerous arts grants to present blues history, harmonica performance, ukulele and song writing classes in the Milwaukee public schools and private institutions such as Mount Mary College and Waukesha County Technical College.
Dennis Waltman joins him on dobro.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

IRISH SESSION
2017-08-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-09-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-09-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-10-11 19:00 - 21:00
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Unless it’s not. Irish music players and listeners welcome.

ROBINSON & ROHE
2017-08-24 20:00 - 22:30
JEAN ROHE and LIAM ROBINSON met a decade ago through their love of American folk song. Their co-written songs are inspired by the traditions they hold dear and shine with elegant vocal harmonies and detailed arrangements for guitar, banjo, and accordion. Whether in small clubs or on festival stages, Robinson & Rohe’s performances are intimate gatherings in which listeners are invited to share in the music-making. Their forthcoming record, Hunger,is a collection of songs about love and the land. Acclaimed songwriters and performers in their own rights, they bring with them a wealth of creative experience.
Liam was a cast member in the Tony Award-winning play, “Warhorse” and recently music-directed the hit Off-Broadway folk opera “Hadestown” by songwriter Anaïs Mitchell. He routinely tours and records with the Becca Stevens Band.
Jean Rohe’s songwriting has won accolades from the Independent Music Awards, ASCAP, the TellurideBluegrass Festival, and the Montreux Jazz Festival vocal contest. She has been the recipient of numerous fellowships for her songwriting. Her song, “National Anthem: Arise ! Arise!” has been performed and recorded by artists across the country and was published in the latest edition of the popular songbook Rise Up Singing.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

ANNIE & ROD CAPPS
2017-08-25 08:30 - 23:00
Songs about broken things and poignant little ponderings are delivered with a rootsy vibe, a touch of twang and a soulful groove. ANNIE & ROD are on a musical journey that began in 1982, culminating into a symbiotic sound that reflects their deep and intuitive understanding of each other. Annie’s disarming, earthy voice and solid command of her guitar are punctuated by Rod’s effortless, accompaniment and beautiful solo work. Together they weave unforgettable melodies that are at once intricate and sparse – musically completing each others’ sentences.
“The audience is drawn in right from the beginning with Annie’s amazing voice and the power of her songs. She has a way of making everyone in the venue feel like she is his or her personal friend.” – Dave Rutkofske, Blue Water Folk Society (Thumbfest)
Over the years, Annie and Rod have done it all; from rock to musical theater and while they continue to draw from a wide range of genres and influences, what comes out is a hybrid sound all their own. Genuine and playful; effortless and endearing; this duo has been enchanting audiences in quality music venues, house concerts, coffeehouses and festivals throughout their home state of Michigan and beyond.
“When I look around the room at an Annie and Rod Capps performance, I see a lot of smiling faces with eyes riveted to the stage…there is a magic that energizes an audience. I can’t wait to bring them back to our concert series!” – Tim Piazza, Concerts at the Cabin, Evansville, Indiana
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

REGGIE HARRIS
2017-08-26 08:30 - 23:00
A well-traveled performer, lecturer and cultural ambassador, REGGIE HARRIS has earned wide acclaimed and respect from peers and audiences alike throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and around the world. He combines spirituals and roots music, historic inspiration, and moving original songs, often in the themes of unity and social justice. Knowing this, audiences have bestowed upon him a fitting slogan: “Songs of Joy, Hope, and Freedom.”
A songwriter of great depth and passion, Reggie writes from a personal sense of mission that merges a world wise point of view with a singularly hopeful stance that life, though often challenging, is filled with possibility and hope. His songs reveal thoughts about life and love and some of the deep aspects of the human experience and cover topics from his own personal journey to world issues and history.
His performances showcase a fluid vocalist, arranger, and guitarist whose open spirit and wide smile create an atmosphere that rewards the ears, opens the heart, and consistently earns trust and joyful admiration from audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
A committed educator, Reggie is an engaging lecturer with a remarkable gift for creating good “session energy” with diverse groups, with a particular skill for leading effective and inspirational educational exchanges. Reggie has also led songwriting workshops at music camps including Summersongs, Boston’s Summer Acoustic Music Week (SAMW), People’s Music Network, and The Swannanoa Gathering.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

SONG CIRCLE w/ TRICIA ALEXANDER
2017-08-31 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-09-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2017-10-12 19:00 - 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!
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-

SCOTT AINSLIE
2017-09-01 20:30 - 23:00
SCOTT AINSLIE has studied with elder musicians on both sides of the color line – in the Old-Time Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions, as well as Black Gospel and Blues. He plays this music with affection, authority, and power.
Armed with a variety of instruments – vintage guitars, a fretless gourd banjo, a one-string, homemade diddley bow (aka cigar box guitar) and carefully chosen historical personal anecdotes of his encounters with senior musicians across the South – Ainslie brings the history, roots music, and sounds of America alive.
Ainslie has spent more than 30 years looking for the right story, the right set of facts, the right piece of history, to introduce a song. He offers a personality, a moment in history, a vignette to entice you into a song and to give that song a chance to wake and breathe among us like a living thing.
Ainslie transcribed the original recordings and published a book on Delta blues legend Robert Johnson [Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads (Hal Leonard, 1992)], and has an instructional DVD on Johnson’s guitar work [Robert Johnson’s Guitar Techniques (Hal Leonard, 1997)].
“Durham resident Scott Ainslie led the way, accompanied by his trusty National Steel guitar and a heart full of the best of Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, and Blind Blake. His set was a combination of extremely well-played blues and brief sorties into the history of the music, the musicians, and even his guitar. ” The Spectator, Durham NC
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

OPEN STAGE
2017-09-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2017-09-09 19:30 - 22:00, 2017-09-15 19:30 - 22:00

BILL CAMPLIN BAND
2017-09-08 20:30 - 23:00
The coalition of the william except for those who are busy giving away their daughters.

THE NEW PIONEERS
2017-09-14 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.

JILL & the JAX
2017-09-16 20:30 - 23:00
The JAX feature Jill Kessenich providing lead and harmony vocals, and some more rhythm on mandolin and tambourizta (from her Bohemian roots). Steve (T-bone) Tesmer takes the lead solos on his kick-A Dobro™. Craig (Fizz-neck) Ficenec provides a solid bass line for all of us. He also amuses us with his tales of college garage band antics. Jeff Mason will be impersonating Ben Knowles on guitar and vocals. Their repertoire is cosmic Americana, shamelessly borrowing from Gram Parsons, Gillian Welch, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris…

PETER MULVEY w/ Sista Strings & Nathan Killen/ Brianna Lane
2017-09-22 20:30 - 23:00, 2017-09-23 20:30 - 23:00
The bikes stop here! for 2 nights.

PETER MULVEY? The Washington Post: “The subtle power of his voice, a husky, hushed baritone… understated, at once sophisticated and intimate [singing songs] as cover-worthy as Randy Newman, Elvis Costello.”
Peter will have SISTA STRINGS on violin and cello. SistaStrings are Milwaukee-based sisters who are using their gifts of music to creating social change. As classically trained instrumentalists, Monique and Chauntee Ross are a dynamic, collaborative pair riffing on elements of classic and gospel music to create a unique sound rooted in passion. Their sound is soulful and fresh, a truly unique blend of their eclectic musical background. Their training in classical music paired with a deep love in gospel music has allowed them to cultivate their improvisation skills and use their instruments as their voice. The sound is rounded out by Nathan Killen on drums.
Hailing from the song-rich soil of Minneapolis, BRIANNA LANE is the latest in a deluge of compelling songwriters flooding the region. Lane’s vocals are both confidant and fragile, running parallels to Mindy Smith or Americana veteran Patty Griffin. Behind Lane’s beguiling smile lies a heart that has had its share of heartache where songs like “In My Bones” and “Company” draw their inspiration. Her stories oscillate between a sense of urgency and resolve while seeking a tranquil balance.

LUCY KAPLANSKY
2017-09-29 20:30 - 23:00
Buy tickets using this link to Brown Paper Tickets:

LUCY KAPLANSKY is a rare vocal talent, “a truly gifted performer…full of enchanting songs” (New York Times). Blending country, folk and pop styles, she has the unique ability to make every song sound fresh, whether singing her own sweet originals, covering country classics by June Carter Cash and Gram Parsons or singing pop favorites by Lennon/McCartney and Nick Lowe. Lucy’s iconic voice has has been featured in film and on television, including commercials like Chevrolet’s iconic “Heartbeat of America” jingle. A Billboard-charting singer and one of the top-selling artists on Red House Records, she has topped the folk and Americana radio charts and has been featured on shows throughout the world from NPR’s Weekend and Morning Editions to BBC Radio to CBS Sunday Morning. One of the most in-demand harmony singers, Lucy has sung on countless records, performing with Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.

Raised by a piano-playing mathematician and a homemaker in Chicago, Lucy began singing in bars when she was still a teenager, even traveling to Norway to perform as a country singer. When she was just out of high school, she took off for New York City, where she became part of the renaissance of the Greenwich Village folk scene centered around Folk City and the Fast Folk recordings. Her compatriots included Suzanne Vega, The Roches, Steve Forbert and John Gorka as well as her frequent duo partner Shawn Colvin. The New York Times said it was “easy to predict stardom for her,” but instead, Lucy got a doctorate in psychology and started a private practice.
Eventually Shawn Colvin lured Lucy back to music, producing her debut album The Tide (1994). Red House founder Bob Feldman was blown away by the release and signed her right away. Since then, she has released six solo albums with Red House and released radio-charting albums with the folk supergroups Red Horse (with Eliza Gilkyson and John Gorka) and Cry Cry Cry (with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell).
Lucy continues to perform all over the world. When not performing, she lives in New York City, where she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

ROXANNE NEAT
2017-09-30 20:00 - 22:30
Since 1974, ROXANNE has performed traditional and contemporary folk music and ballads, drawing from Appalachian, Scottish, Irish and English traditions. She also performs original songs and those of her favorite singer-songwriters.
She complements her beautiful clear singing voice with guitar, piano, spoons, and bones.
One of the first performers to be featured on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Simply Folk” program, Roxanne was also a “pioneer” Artist-in-Residence for the Wisconsin Arts Board, teaching folk traditions to hundreds of children in K-12 classrooms.
Roxanne was a regular at the Green Dragon Inn and the early Carpe, but put her music on the back burner for a teaching career. She put that on the back burner to retire. She released a wonderful new CD in 2016.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

PAUL SANCHEZ
2017-10-04 20:00 - 22:30
In his own words, PAUL SANCHEZ is “New Orleans born, New Orleans bred, and when I die, I’ll be New Orleans dead.“

Sanchez is known as a founding member of the rock band Cowboy Mouth, with whom he has 11 albums; for his role in the HBO series TREME where he played himself; and as the creative force behind the musical NINE LIVES, a musical adaptation of the New York Times best-selling novel by Dan Baum.

Like many New Orleanians, Paul was tremendously impacted by Hurricane Katrina. “I lost my home, my possessions, community and, eventually, my job after the flood. I was changed, I’m changed as a person and it couldn’t help but change my music”, confesses Sanchez, who like many struggled to find a new identity after Hurricane Katrina.

After much soul-searching, he left Cowboy MouthNovember 2006. Paul lived on island of Amber-Gris Kaye in Belize for a few months before returning to New Orleans to begin again.

Life Is A Ride, his 15th solo release, is a return to the rock songs Paul played in his 14 years with Cowboy Mouth.
“Life Is a Ride rocks with joy—it’s the best straight-out rock record Sanchez has cut in years” -John Swenson, Offbeat Magazine
Paul was given the Best Of The Beat Award for Best Country/Folk/Singersongwriter of 2016. Sanchez won Songwriter of the year in 2014, he won three Best Of The Beat Awards in 2010: Songwriter Of The Year, Song Of The Year, BestFolk/Rock Album for Stew Called New Orleans, his duet record with friend and collaborator John Boutte. In April of that same year, 2010, Gambit Weekly awarded him best roots rock performer at the Big Easy Awards.
Primarily a songwriter, Sanchez has written songs for Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, two time Tony Award winning Broadway actor Michael Cerveris, had a song in the Billboard Country Music Charts with The Eli Young Band’s remake of Jet Black And Jealous on their debut disc in 2008 and a song covered by Irma Thomas, The Soul Queen of New Orleans.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

CAITLIN CANTY w/ ERIC HEYWOOD
2017-10-05 20:00 - 23:00
Buy tickets using the following link to Brown Paper Tickets:

CAITLIN CANTY delivers her songs with a dusky alto and a 1930’s Recording King guitar. Her breakout record Reckless Skyline features an all-star band on twelve songs that veer nimbly between country ballads and straight-up rockers, dark blues and sparsely arranged folk. Produced by Jeffrey Foucault, Reckless Skyline garnered glowing praise from NPR, among others. The San Francisco Chronicle lauded Canty’s, “casually devastating voice and unshakable poise,” and her “easy way with folk, blues and country motifs.”
Both on the road and on her records, Canty creates a sound that harnesses the grit and spark at the very heart of American music, tempered with a voice both haunting and distinct.
“With quiet grace and a voice that won’t quit, Canty effortlessly travels among folk, rock, country and blues. Finely tuning her haunting alto with the acoustic guitar, the New York City-based songstress gives life to poignant lyrics that resonant long after the last note.” Seven Days
A constant collaborator, Canty writes and performs with several bands including Down Like Silver, her ongoing duo with Peter Bradley Adams. Prior to Reckless Skyline, she independently released the full-length Golden Hour, a gently produced and Western-tinged album tracked live in Maine in the winter of 2012. Her song, “Get Up” received a Song of the Year nomination in the International Folk Music Awards, and she is the winner of the 2015 Telluride Troubadour songwriting contest.
Raised in small-town Vermont, the daughter of a school teacher and a house painter, she spent her early years in New York City as a backup singer and performing her own songs at Lower East Side music halls. Caitlin now lives in East Nashville, Tennessee.
Caitlin will be ably accompanied by pedal steel player extraordinaire ERIC HEYWOOD.

KAREN JOHNSON
2017-10-06 20:00 - 22:30
Karen Johnson started performing at the Café Carpe in 1998. She says she counts herself so very fortunate to have the opportunity to perform at such a wonderful place!
After retiring early from teaching 4th grade, she treasures spending time with her golf-crazed husband, visiting with her two grown boys, taking care of her two cats (one of which she swears is her reincarnated Golden Retriever, Lady), gardening, feeding her fine-feathered friends, and finding every excuse possible to get outside and enjoy nature. So much for housework!
Joan Baez, Nanci Griffith, and Alison Krauss are just a few of her favorite artists. Riding along with her dad in his old Chevy truck sparked her passion for old country songs of which a few find their way onto her song list.
Give her a listen here.

OPEN STAGE
2017-10-07 19:30 - 22:00
Strutting your musical stuff is the order of the day

KIRA HOOKS/ Kaia Fowler
2017-10-13 20:30 - 23:00
KIRA HOOKS Nashville-based Kira is an independent and free-spirited soul that refuses to be put in a box. She was born in Houston, TX in 1993 and raised overseas in The Netherlands, Nigeria, Scotland, and China. Kira’s musical versatility is reflective of her exposure and curiosity to cultural differences and emotional similarities. She is always in search of what, ultimately, brings us together and what feels like honest work. This has lead her to remain conversational and light-hearted in her writing process.
Through the humbling inspiration of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Antonio Carlos Jobim, India.Arie, and Lianne La Haves, she has grown more in love with her path and is in constant development of her musical abilities. After graduating from the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, CA (2013), she’s released one album, three EPs, and four singles. She’s also an active member of Concerts In Your Home and is performing on the road on a frequent basis.
“This self-proclaimed “old soul” managed to create a sound that defies genre limitations, borrowing inspiration from many different eras and performers the likes of Billie Holiday, The Andrew Sisters, Ray Charles and Cole Porter, just to name a few. Kira is an eclectic performer and talented songwriter who refuses to get stuck in a box, while managing to keep her music accessible and easy to relate to.”
“She is solid. A hybrid of pop, contemporary and alternative. Amazing vocals, spectacular production and innovative instrumentation. Harmonies are beautifully constructed. Lyrical content is powerful. This artist is ready for a global invasion. Radio, commercial and abroad opportunities are on her horizon” 360 Magazine
Kira will be appearing with keyboard player Jeff Goodkind.
The soaring vocals of local guest KAIA FOWLER will get things off to a good start.
Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve.

LONESOME BILL CAMPLIN
2017-10-14 20:30 - 23:00

NEW PIONEERS
2017-10-19 19:00 - 21:30
Definitely thought I had listed this, but somehow with the change of date I didn’t. Definitely on for this Thursday, October 19.
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.
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.
