December 2009

David Todd Rawlings is a professional guitarist and harmony singer. He is best known as the longtime musical partner of bluegrass singer-songwriter Gillian Welch.

The Dave Rawlings Machine debut album A Friend of a Friend was released in November 2009. Rawlings recorded the album in Nashville, and produced it himself. Co-writers and musicians on the album include Welch, members of Old Crow Medicine Show, Bright Eyes, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

John Sebastian (born John Benson Sebastian on 17 March 1944, in Greenwich Village, New York City) is an American songwriter and harmonica player. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. His tie-dyed denim jacket is prominently displayed there.

The Books are an American music duo, formed in New York City in 1999, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Nick Zammuto and cellist Paul de Jong. Their releases contain a combination of electronic music and folk, typically incorporating samples of obscure sounds and speech. They have released three critically-acclaimed albums on the German label Tomlab, and are currently preparing for the release of their latest studio album, The Way Out.

Mountain Heart is the band that has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played. The band's name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in acoustic music circles since the group's creation in 1999. Widely known throughout the music industry for continually redefining the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has gained legions of loyal fans both as a result of their superlative musicianship, and more notably, their incomparably exciting live performances.

Roma di Luna is a 6-piece soulful folk-rock band from Minneapolis, led by Alexei and Channy Moon Casselle. They have emerged quickly as one of The Twin Cities’ most dynamic and exciting bands, known for powerful live performances and songs that deeply move. Last year, they celebrated the release of their 3rd full-length record, Then The Morning Came, named “...the most anticipated local release of the fall” (Mpls Star Tribune Sept 2010).

“...hushed, strummy tunes that recall Cat Power.” - Rolling Stone Oct 6, 2010

“Roma’s cathartic sunrise is achieved courtesy of Channy Moon Casselle’s effortlessly beautiful vocals...as well as a backing band that sounds more fleshed out than ever before.” (Reviler, Sep 16, 2010)

The Honeydogs play indie/rock-music. Some of their songs have a touch of country in them.

The last thing The Honeydogs' lead singer songwriter, Adam Levy, wants his band to be is a Sunshine Committee. You know, the cloying co-workers who attempt to bring a little Trojan Horse happiness to the dysfunctional corporation on the eve of mass layoffs with flowers, pizza, ribbons, lace, and cupcakes? No, the Honeydogs have chosen a tough path, singing about serious subject matter always avoiding the maudlin and producing some music of great emotional intensity, complexity and beauty.

Dosh grew up in the Twin Cities. At a young age he also took piano lessons and then discovered FM radio in the early '80s. Dosh began drumming at age 15. By the time he left home for Simon's Rock College at age 16, he had decided music would likely be his profession, however, he subsequently got a degree in creative writing.