Jeremy MessersmithDrawing from classic songsters like Brian Wilson to basement recording mavericks like Elliot Smith, Jeremy Messersmith writes small, thoughtfully crafted songs. Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jeremy's latest record, The Alcatraz Kid, features memorable lyrics and irresistible melodies in a bargain basement wrapper.

Originally hailing from the deserts of southern Washington State, Jeremy moved to Minneapolis in 1999 and studied music at North Central University, eventually graduating in 2002. An audit of a songwriting course sparked Jeremy's interest in songwriting and soon he began to experiment with styles and genres.

After playing in a few local bands, Messersmith started playing solo shows in the fall of 2004 and handing out free copies of his music: intriguingly packaged in a brown paper bag.

The Paper Bag soon caught the attention of Minneapolis based Princess Records, who released the long awaited full length record in Fall 2006.

Jeremy is currently touring to support The Alcatraz Kid as well as working on a follow up record with local producer Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Trip Shakespeare).

John Hermanson is most well known to Cedar audiences as one half of Storyhill. Storyhill was recently signed by national label, Red House Records, with the February 2007 release of Chris and John's self-titled CD being their first CD with Red House. In 2007, the duo won the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, and in Feb. of 2008, Storyhill appeared on Mountain Stage, a nationally broadcast radio program from West Virginia Public Radio. John works as a producer for St. Paul's Fiction studio and continues to play with Alva Star and rock band The Hopefuls.

Tickets on sale noon Fri 5/2 from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.

$12 advance / $15 day of show