Contemporary

Sharon Jones, move over. With fiery singer Black Wolf leading the attack, the fine debut from Milwaukee's ten-man Kings Go Forth echoes the high-flying vibe of Superfly-era Curtis Mayfield and other '70s greats, yet feels utterly fresh. On spine-tinglers like "High on Your Love" and "You're the One," the sweet, pleading vocals encompass both ecstasy and desperation, while the blazing beats boast the urgency of ska or punk. (Jon Young, SPIN Magazine, 4 stars)

KIngs Go Forth are a 10-piece Milwaukee soul/funk combo featuring 3 lead vocalists with great harmony vocals. The band signed to Luaka Bop in mid-2009, and their debut album “The Outsiders Are Back” was released on April 20, 2010. The album release was preceded by a 12-inch single of “Don’t Take My Shadow”, containing multiple mixes and edits created by the legendary Tom Moulton, a pioneering remixer of the early disco era.

A homecoming celebration for chamber folk sextet Dark Dark Dark as they make the last stop on a national tour (including SXSW) in conjunction with the release of their EP Bright Bright Bright. The choir that accompanied the group on the EP will even be on hand to add their touch, making this an extra bright, and unique, occasion.

Spirits of the Red City will open, and Brett Bullion (of Tarlton) will provide interlude music.

Spirits of the Red City is a nine-member collective of friends and wandering musicians led by Will Garrison. Members call home places as close as Minneapolis and as far as Alaska and New York City. Call the music time-weathered folk or strewn remnants of Americana or something else entirely. Here is what you will hear: Opaque lyrics, at once lonely and longing and hopeful and weary and love-strewn, given breath with explorative structure and melody, and supported by an ensemble featuring cello, violas, trumpet, drums, banjo, accordion, ukulele, layered vocal harmonies and more.

Mitch Walking Elk officially came on the music scene in the mid eighties with the release of his first recording, Dreamer, Originally from Oklahoma, now residing in St. Paul, Minnesota, Mitch has released a total of five recordings, toured Europe fourteen times, performed in Japan, Colombia, South America, Mexico City, Canada and through out the United States. He has appeared in one yet to be released movie titled Come And Get Your Love, and is currently writing his autobiography. He now works at an inner city alternative school in St.

With an angelic voice and songs full of faith, grace and vulnerability, Mindy Smith has been embraced by critics and fans alike with each recording she unveils. With her fourth release, Stupid Love (Vanguard Records), Mindy takes another step forward both lyrically and musically. Written over a two year period, each of the fourteen tracks on the record delves into the various stages of relationships: the highs, the lows, the emotional investments made, how they can change us and move us forward. For Mindy, Stupid Love is a statement of where she is now as well as where she has been. Read more »

As a young working musician in London, England in the 1970s, Laurence Juber got an extraordinary, life-changing break when Paul McCartney picked him to become Wings’ lead guitarist. Juber spent three years recording and touring with the band. During that time he won a Best Rock Instrumental GRAMMY® for the track "Rockestra" from the Wings album, "Back To The Egg." Read more »

The Infamous Stringdusters represent the cream of the crop of young bluegrass musicians. With Andy Hall on Resonator Guitar, Travis Book on bass, Chris Pandolfi on banjo, Jesse Cobb on mandolin, Jeremy Garrett on fiddle and Andy Falco on guitar, the band pulls together skill and experience well beyond their years. They boast a combined resume that includes collaborations with artists like Dolly Parton, Leftover Salmon, Earl Scruggs, Bering Strait, Ronnie Bowman and Levon Helm. Catch the 'Dusters on fire at The Cedar, just two days after their third Read more »

Jóhann Jóhannsson has been called by critics “Iceland's foremost genre-crossing multi-instrumentalist” (Irish Times), “one of the bright lights in the already talent rich Icelandic underground music scene” (Aquarius Records), “the most compelling composer working today”, and “An important figure in Iceland’s new music scene at the turn of the millennium”. (All Music Guide). Read more »

Dear Companion (Feb 16 2010, Sub Pop) is a collaboration between three Kentucky musicians; the songs were written and performed by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, produced by and featuring Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk. Recorded in the first half of 2009 in their home state, Dear Companion explores their ties to the place they love and aims to draw attention to the problem of Mountaintop Removal coal mining (MTR) and its impact on the people and heritage of central Appalachia. Read more »

Taj Weekes’ music is more than just entertainment. The St Lucian roots reggae artist’s music stirs thought, provokes discussion and inspires people to think for themselves, free from the constraints of the corporate media. On his beautiful  album Deidem, released on his independent label, Jatta Records, Weekes sings assuredly and soulfully for the voiceless and the oppressed, taking his music to a new level of commitment and universal appeal. Read more »