The May North // Bon Bon Fire Fire
Friday, May 3rd @8pm
The May North are a progressive alt-grass string band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN who started writing and performing music locally in 2010. They employ the time-honored instruments of acoustic guitar, upright bass, banjo, dobro and fiddle in writing original music and blurring the lines between bluegrass, folk, Americana, and blues. The May North has performed at MidWest Music Festival, locally in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and regionally around Minnesota and Wisconsin. They recently released their second full-length album, “Interstate Lives” (2012). Buy their newest album on CDbaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/themaynorth2) and iTunes. You can download or stream their recent live show from April 5th at The Nomad in Minneapolis at http://archive.org/details/mn2013-04-05
AND THIS: Your favorite La Crosse folk duo Bon Bon Fire Fire are acting as openers for this all-free, all-fun extravaganza. So get yer butts down here!
Andra Suchy
Saturday, May 4th @8pm
A regular performer on the national radio show A Prairie Home Companion, Andra has performed around the world, singing with such artists as Brad Paisley, Mindy Smith, Emmylou Harris, Chris Thile and soprano Renee Fleming. She has recorded with a wide range of indie, rock, blues and folk acts, including The Honeydogs, Jonny Lang, Peter Ostroushko and Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner.
Although mainly known as a vocalist, Andra has been quietly honing her songwriting craft, self-releasing a solo album in 2006 called Patchwork Story. Just signed to Grammy-winning label
Red House Records, she releases her new album Little Heart on March 27, 2012. Full of infectious originals, the album is a twang-tinged mix of country, rock, folk and blues, which is sure to be a favorite on Americana and AAA radio. Already generating a lot of buzz and media interest, this album shows that Andra is poised to become the next big voice in country, Americana and roots music.
Throughout 2012 Andra will be touring in support of the new album and showcasing at various festivals, including South By Southwest (SXSW) and the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. For her full schedule, please visit www.andrasuchy.com or www.redhouserecords.com.
Hard Roots Rock Reggae & Dub–this is the unique blend of music that is Natty Nation.
2012 marks their 17th anniversary of keeping the positive messages of their unique indigenous Wisconsin reggae beats throbbing through the heartland. Their messages of peace, love, community, & spreading positive vibrations have been ringing out since Natty’s inception.
Natty has backed up reggae legends Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Chaka Demus & Pliers, and shared the stage with Ziggy, Damian, & Stephen Marley, Sister Carol, Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Wailing Souls, Culture with Joseph Hill, Beenie Man, & countless others.
JAH Boogie and his backing band’s tight but fluid, rootsy but funky, beautiful but gritty, righteous but real vibration is clear to anyone listening to their music, either at a show or on their stereo.
It’s almost impossible not to dance at a Natty live performance. Every Natty Nation concert is a different experience. Their energy is infections & their dubtastic jams are complex, yet their message is simple–spread the positive vibration.