BIG BANG STRING THING It’s rare when the word acoustic conjures thoughts of music that can electrify the jump in your feet. Then again, BBST is a rare group, and an impressive collective of musical might. Energetic, contagious, and flat out fun, BBST weaves a sizzling thread through multiple genres to deliver a tapestry of […]

Born in the wonderful Wisconsin city that matches her name, MADISON MALONE was immersed into an obsession with music immediately in her childhood. She traces back her love of music since the days of dancing and singing to The Beatles in her backyard of rolling hills in Portage, WI. Madison started learning the piano at the […]

Back at the Carpe after a sold-out Lamplighter Session with Peter Mulvey and Count This Penny in December, SIMON BALTO returns to offer an exclusive listen to the songs from his forthcoming album, Murmurations. National and international critics alike have compared his songcraft to many of the greats: Dylan, Prine, Baez, Guthrie, and others. Wisconsin Public […]

THE SUITCASE JUNKET is a one-man tour de force out of Western Massachusetts. Matt Lorenz -- aka Suitcase Junket -- has been road dogging for three years, solo and with his band Rusty Belle, touring with Chris Smithers, David Wax Museum, and Peter Mulvey. He's got a powerful new CD out called Make Time. Matt plays a collection of […]

Colin is joining up with some Milwaukee friends to provide you with a lively evening. Banjo, fiddle, guitar, footboard playin’ COLIN O’BRIEN, recently released his CD, “After a Song”, recorded in Nashville with some of music city’s best pickers: Larry Perkins, Matt Combs, Mark Howard and Dennis Crouch. Those boys were so enthralled with Colin […]

The regular second Thursday date of May 14 did not work, so the group chose this as the May date. 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. Its various members have been involved with traditional music locally, regionally, and nationally for many […]

THE HEARTLAND'S SPRING TOUR 2015 Vintage folk, heartfelt country balladry, and a side of accordion- you don’t want to miss songwriters Awna Teixeira (of Po girl), Huck Notari, (from Portland, OR), & Jenn Rawling (Midwest born) as they croon their way across the Midwest for just 3 weeks this May. It’s a rare songbird migrating […]

JIM BARNARD is a singer-songwriter with strong contemporary folk and blues roots. His alluring melodies and engaging lyrics are wrapped in expressive vocals and a soulful, distinctive, finger-style guitar. Jim's warmth and humor on stage make an instant connection with any adult audience. His smooth-textured vocals and vibrant acoustic guitar artistry often draw comparisons from listeners […]

JEFFREY will be appearing with BILLY CONWAY on this special Memorial Day show.  Close out your holiday with some food and fine music. THE NEW YORKER: “Jeffrey Foucault, sings stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest.” MOJO: “Songwriting brilliance.” THE IRISH TIMES: “Quietly brilliant…” UNCUT: “The music of […]

Thoughtful indie folk music (Americana doom pop) by people young, hungry & in the area so why not come give them a listen? STRANGLED DARLINGS brings a punk intensity to their live show. Taking a cello and making it a hip hop bass. Taking mandolin and slapping it like a stubborn mule. The Portland-based duo has […]

KAREN JOHNSON Sweet-voiced Fort folksinger Karen loves Nancy Griffith, Allison Kraus, and others of that genre. Give her another listen here.

More than 4 decades as a touring professional have found Michigan native  CLAUDIA SCHMIDT traversing North America as well as Europe in venues ranging from intimate clubs to 4,000 seat theatres, and festival stages in front of 25,000 rapt listeners. She has recorded nineteen albums of mostly original songs, exploring folk, blues, and jazz idioms […]