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 […]

Every now and then, you run across someone with a library’s worth of stories to tell. But unlike the raconteurs who regale friends with well-embellished versions of their exploits, these storytellers have lived so much, they reveal chapters of their hard-won wisdom slowly, carefully, like layers peeled from an onion. RAY BONNEVILLE didn’t even open […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Chicago based folk duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso say it has taken them years of careful indecision to develop a repertoire they describe as "Celtic to Cowboy." Superb musicianship and showmanship, award-winning songwriting, and a strong sense of tradition has made them, as Dirty Linen Magazine once said, "one of the most […]

Upon arriving in Austin, TX in 1990 from New York City, MICHAEL FRACASSO was promptly voted Best New Artist in Music City Texas ‘Insiders’ poll and was able to record his first CD, Love & Trust which features a duet with Lucinda Williams. He has made two albums with producer/ guitarist Charlie Sexton (World in a […]

SAM LLANAS (formerly of the BoDeans) is an iconic American singer, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter. Best known for his unique and distinctively soulful voice, It was Llanas’ voice that supplied the trademark vocal on Robbie Robertson’s “Somewhere Down the Crazy River.” He will be appearing solo. In 1997 Llanas founded the band Absinthe. As Absinthe Sam […]

CLAUDIA RUSSELL is an outstanding singer and songwriter who has shared stages with Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Loudon Wainwright III, Steve Forbert, Tish Hinojosa, Kris Kristoffersen, Willie Nelson, Darryl Purpose, Peter Rowan, Rosalie Sorrels and Bill Staines, among many others. She is accompanied by husband BRUCE KAPLAN on mandolin, guitar and vocals. Besides writing evocative songs, […]

It’s been half a decade since TALL HEIGHTS kicked off their career in Boston’s Faneuil Hall, busking for more than 100 days to help fund their very first EP. Paul Wright would play cello, Tim Harrington would strum the acoustic guitar, and both bandmates would sing, their voices cutting through the noise of shoppers and tourists. […]

After a five-year absence from Cafe Carpe, they’re coming home to roost! For The Buzzards—a trio made up of Madison’s Mike and Patty McDougal and Fort Atkinson’s Perry Baird—it all began at Cafe Carpe in August 1995. As solo acts, Mike and Perry split sets on a couple of Carpe shows, but on one fateful […]

JP CYR & HIS RADIO WRANGLERS hail from Wisconsin and are heavily influenced by the Western Swing, Honky Tonk, and Hillbilly sounds of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. They strive to encapsulate the sounds of the Western dance hall era and their Honky Tonk singin’ and Western Swingin’ will keep your toe tappin’ all night […]

It's that spooky time of year again when BILL CAMPLIN and the Spectercles take over the Carpe stage. ZACH PIETRINI dares to step into this, opening for the band. Starting in 2006, Zach’s music career has spanned 9 years, 4 albums, 3 states, multiple band members, countless stages, hopes, and heartache. His first effort, The Broken […]