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 years. The Pioneer’s lead singer and guitarist, Jerry Wicentowski, has been described by country music […]

Comedian Pete Christensen opens. TRICIA ALEXANDER and BILL CAMPLIN will swap songs, and percussionist ALPHA STEWART will accompany them. Joy-filled, uplifting and inspiring are some of the words used to describe Tricia’s music and performance - which ranges from soothing and deeply spiritual to social commentary and humor.  She moves between jazz, blues and folk, spoken word & music, […]

BRETT NEWSKI "I’m Brett Newski. I write heaps of songs and tour my face off in an effort to keep my anxiety under control. There are two people who refer to my style as, “American Folk Armageddon,” which happens to be the name of my new record. Other people tell me I sound like the […]

DARDEN SMITH has long transcended traditional singer-songwriter boundaries, and his varied, fascinating musical legacy continues to evolve. Following unexpected paths has been a constant force in his 28-year career as a musician, and his work of the last 15 years has led him both further afield than ever, and also brought him full circle to […]

Smoldering vocals laced among the jazzy mandolin and guitar; an infectious blend of continental jazz, swing, gypsy music and melodic vocals …how DOES one describe the sound of HARMONIOUS WAIL? The Wail has caught numerous listeners by total surprise during its more than 20-year history. Of all the venues and stages that these ‘NPR regulars’ […]

So excited! After a lifetime of performing and recording, these days SUZZY ROCHE enjoys singing on the road with her daughter LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE (half-sister to Rufus and Marth Wainwright, daughter of Loudon). Lucy & Suzzy recorded their first CD Fairytale and Myth which won the popular vote for best singer/songwriter album of the year […]

Excited we are to have Martha make her first appearance at the Carpe with Jon Neufeld. MARTHA SCANLAN’s long-awaited third release, The Shape Of Things Gone Missing, The Shape Of Things To Come, is already being heralded as her best work yet. Given the beloved status of her first two records, that’s a tall order […]

We are excited to have internationally-known multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, and producer ERIN MCKEOWN play here. With 9 full length albums, 2 EPs, and numerous soundtracks to her credit, she has spent the last 15 years crafting a reputation as an original musical voice and compelling live performer. An active voice on social justice issues and culture, Erin was […]

It's been 15 years since ROD PICOTT laid down his work belt, picked up an acoustic guitar and put a permanent end to his gig as a sheet rock hanger. He'd been writing music in private for years, but it was 2001's Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues — a debut album that bridged the gap between between […]

LIAM O'BRIEN, of Liam O'Brien's Faithless Followers, will be appearing here solo. Liam O'Brien is a Wisconsinite dabbling in an eclectic blend of styles for various venues from street corner to concert hall. Throughout a variety of approaches, his lyrical integrity is ever-present, penning original musings on the inner-workings of the human psyche. His songs […]

Kaia Fowler’s music is a cross-blend of folk, blues, rock and Americana. Through supple, strong vocals and guitar work that ranges from delicate finger style to rhythmic strumming, Kaia shares songs that explore life’s longings, struggles and celebrations. Rooted in nature, Kaia’s songs resonate with strength and vulnerability, seeking to bring light even when approaching […]