January 2010

Canadian turntablist Kid Koala has formed a new musical project called the Slew with guitarist Dylan “Dynomite D” Frombach and Wolfmother’s former rhythm section (Chris Ross and Myles Heskett).

Toronto-based trio The Rural Alberta Advantage (Nils Edenloff, Amy Cole, and Paul Banwatt) play indie-rock songs about hometowns and heartbreak, born out of images from growing up in Central and Northern Alberta.

Take old time music off the back porch, throw out the hillbilly reputation, and put it in the hands of a group of guys that like to work hard and play even harder. Pert Near Sandstone rejuvenates American stringband music with raw energy; they play tightly-crafted original material that lends itself to the modern audience, as well as being stewards of the old-time and bluegrass traditions. They are just as at home playing fully acoustic in the traditional style as they are plugged in at an indie rock venue. From saloons to theaters, hollering into a single microphone and laying thick rhythm on driving fiddle melodies, their sweat-inducing, foot-stomping live performances keep crowds begging for more all night long.

The Plastic Constellations were a twin cities-based indie rock band, formed around 1995 in Hopkins, MN. They were known for their rhythmic intensity, anthemic melodies, and playful sense of humor.

The Sweet Colleens are Jeremy Greenhouse, Pete Sandvik, Dave Bade, Dave Bille, and Wolf Loescher — accomplished multi-instrumentalists who together fuse their diverse musical backgrounds into a high-energy, infectious, and crowd-pleasing mix of “Celtic folk-rock and alt. county/Americana, with Cajun and Caribbean seasonings.” With infectious original songs, warm vocal harmonies, and fiery instrumental arrangements, the Sweet Colleens are winning a loyal local following and fans across the Midwest and beyond.

Julia Nunes (pronounced NOONZ) is a native to upstate NY. She is a talented songwriter, guitarist, and ukulele player. Her talent is just now reaching to the public from internet websites such as YouTube.com and Myspace.com. Her first album, "Left Right Wrong" is being sold in the USA and Europe, as well as other countries throughout the world. Her second album, "I Wrote These" is available now. Her albums consist of all original work, however she does perform quite a few covers on YouTube!

Call it "new-timey," call it "post-bluegrass," call it "string band music for the 21st century"—whatever the name, there's a revolution under way where string band traditions meet youthful creativity; look right to its center, and that's where you'll find Bearfoot.

The quintet, originally formed in Alaska, have already made a mark with four strong releases, including their 2009 Compass Records debut, Doors And Windows which instantly hit the top of Billboard Magazine's Bluegrass Album chart. Now, as they enter their second decade with a new Nashville home and a new lineup, Bearfoot have taken their place among the best and brightest of a new generation of musicians reshaping American roots music.

In a career that has already spanned a half-century, Jorma Kaukonen has been the leading practitioner and teacher of fingerstyle guitar, one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll. He was a founding member of two legendary bands, The Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna, a Grammy nominee, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the most in-demand instructor in the galaxy of stars who teach at the Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp that he and his wife operate in picturesque Southeastern Ohio.