7:30 — Jake Klar

Jake Klar is an artist based in Turners Falls, MA. His songs showcase an ongoing collection of life’s lyric moments, both the eccentric and the daily. Klar rides on the Americana tradition of storytelling in his work, while bringing in the edge of modern folk/rock-inspired arrangements. Whether Jake is playing solo or with his band - made up of western MA musicians Joel Helander, Garret Salazar, Aaron Okrasinski, and Andy Cass - you will leave his shows with his crooning voice and the poetry of his lyrics ringing through your head.

Klar is a veteran of Northeast Festivals such as Otis Mountain Get Down and FreshGrass. His latest release, Witness, is a follow-up to his acclaimed 2020 collection of songs, Masquerade.

8:15 — If You Must Know

While firmly rooted in the fertile ground of Scottish traditional music, harpist Rachel Clemente and piper Dan Houghton’s gritty, avant-garde musical interpretations put them at the forefront of Celtic folk musicians in New England. They are both avid tunesmiths and their repertoire reflects this as it features many original compositions as well as traditional melodies.

Vermont-based pedal and traditional Scottish harpist Rachel Clemente has had a passion for music from the early age of five. She began her harp training as a student of the Suzuki method. In addition, she discovered her love of Scottish music through events and competitions held by the Scottish Harp Society of America and the Ohio Scottish Arts School. Her musical education then continued at renowned arts boarding high school Interlochen Arts Academy. In July of 2018, Rachel graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow with a bachelors degree in traditional Scottish music. She also won the title of U.S National Scottish Harp Champion in 2016.

Dan Houghton is a Scottish piper, flautist and DADGAD guitarist currently residing in southwestern Vermont. Winner of numerous competitions, including the Scottish Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society “Open Borderpipes” and “New Composition” events and the St. Chartier “Mâitre de Cornemuse,” he has toured and taught extensively throughout Britain, Europe, Ireland, America, Asia and the Antipodes. He performs as a soloist as well as in various ensembles, not least amongst which may be counted the Scottish power-trad band, Cantrip, the Salsa fusion band Salsa Celtica, the more RSCDS based Parcel of Rogues, the “Celtic” Rock band Prydein and, more recently, Piper’s Den.

9:00 — Green Heron

The music of Green Heron stretches across the entire folk landscape. Old-time, folk, bluegrass, country, Irish, and blues music are all represented as the band brings the back porch to the stage. Featuring Betsy Heron (formerly Green) on fiddle, banjo, and vocals, and Scott Heron on guitar, banjo, and vocals, the duo has been sharing New England stages since 2016. The two songwriters weave the contemporary with the traditional and deliver high-energy performances.

7:30 — Effy Marella

Effy Marella is an up-and-coming indie artist bringing a biting honesty and distinct sound into the modern music scene. Borrowing sonically from a plethora of genres, including indie folk, 90s alternative/grunge, and bedroom pop, Marella wears her heart on her tongue. She has a unique ability to capture a variety of intense emotions, drawing in listeners through her personal lyrics and captivating melodies. Her songs are equally heartbreaking and anthemic, making them perfect for blasting in the car with your friends or crying alone in your bedroom.

8:15 — Hiroya Tsukamoto

Eclectic, immersive and mesmerizing; International acclaimed guitarist and songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto takes us on an innovative, impressionistic journey filled with earthy, organic soundscapes that impart a mood of peace and tranquility.

9:00 — The Hot Skillet Club

Hot Skillet Club performs a blend of Hot Vintage Jazz with three part harmonies.   Liza Constable on guitar and strong alto vocals carries the band right into the vintage jazz era.  Val Blachly on the upright stick bass finds those high harmonies and Ellen Carlson brings her resonant alto voice along with some diverse violin licks for a toe tapping’ time!

5:45 — Green Room Gathering

Hosted by singer-songwriter Tommy Crawford!

7:30 — Rupert Wates

Rupert Wates was born in London and studied at Oxford University. He has been a full-time songwriter since the late 1990s when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited. In London, he worked with some of the best performers in the city. Moving in 2001 to Paris, Wates formed his own quartet and began playing live regularly. In fall 2006 he came to the US. He is now based in New York City and Colorado. Since coming to the US, he has won more than 40 songwriting and performing awards.

8:15 — Moonfruits

Moonfruits—led by Ottawa-based partners Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy—craft contemporary folk, organically alternating between French and English, that addresses our collective humanity with heart, wit, and wonder. This Stingray Rising Star, SOCAN, and Trille Or award-winning group has toured their transportive live show across Canada, the US, France, Belgium, and Germany. 

9:00 — Trifolium

Drawing musical influence from New England, Ireland, Appalachia, Quebec and the vast diversity of popular acoustic (and not so acoustic) music, Trifolium (Chloe Powell, Andy Mueller, and Justin Park) have been playing for local events, concert series, private parties, and weddings around central Vermont for seven years. They are known and loved for their instrumental diversity, powerful singing, and close harmonies.

5:45 — The Living Room Studio

Special event hosted by Dorothy Rose England

7:30 — Brison, Billiau, & Davis

Vocalist Susan Brison has been performing her distinctive blend of jazz, blues, folk, and original compositions in the Upper Valley for the past fifteen years. She is joined by well-known local jazz guitarists, Chris Billiau and Tom Horton Davis, for a set of jazz standards inflected with Celtic, Russian, and Caribbean folk traditions.

8:15 — Joel Cage

Joel Cage is an award-winning veteran singer/songwriter from Boston. Once a member of the internationally acclaimed rock & roll group Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Joel has been performing regionally and nationally as a soloist for the past 2 decades. He has performed at some of the most prestigious folk & acoustic venues & festivals in the country, including the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas where he was awarded top prize in the Kerrville New Folk Competition.

9:00 — Reckless Breakfast

Reckless Breakfast is the product of years of evolution in the Upper Valley Bluegrass scene. Their playful antics, creative arrangements of many different genres (hip hop, rock, pop, folk) into bluegrass and stock of classic flatpicking numbers are sure to delight any listener. Their soaring harmonies and boisterous instrumentals appeal to many different audiences.

Jen Freise, fiddle, Steve Hennig, Banjo, Ford Daley, Dobro and Dave Lloyd, guitar, provide virtuosic instrumental leads, while Duff Cummings' bass holds it all together. Rory Gawler sings lead, and chunks on the mandolin, while Laura Jean Binkley provides the basis of the beautiful harmonies. These tunes will appeal to the most hardened bluegrass fan, and the good-old fashioned string band sound is accessible to all.

10:00 — Anonymous After Hours

After the show, head on over to Salt Hill Pub to enjoy more live music!

7:30 — Grayson Ty

Western Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter Grayson Ty has mastered the art of vulnerability. Entirely unpretentious, his stage presence is easy, genuine, and unguarded. In an era of so much disconnection and artifice, Grayson brings audiences together with his honest, heartfelt lyrics, and soulful, soothing voice.

8:15 — Derek Burkins

The Derek Burkins Trio continues to capture praise and new listeners each time they take the stage.  Derek’s fluid guitar and banjo are coupled with an authentic and rich voice, his songs are thoughtful stories about powerful moments in life such as love, family, and coming home.  Add in the bass and backing vocals of Mitch Barron and fiddle of Tim Berry to round out an infectious mix of bluegrassy folk.  Derek's solo album is called “Ten Years and 29 Days."

 
“Burkins combines an emotionally measured, straightforward songwriting style with polished instrumental chops and a powerful, emotive voice.” “He also happens to be blessed with tone and timbre that would be compelling even if he were singing the instruction manual for a smartphone.” – Seven Days VT

9:00 — Christian Beck

Christian Beck is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter born in Louisville, Kentucky. He is inspired by the country, blues, and folk sounds of artists like Jason Isbell, Ray La Montagne, and Noah Kahan. Following an appearance on Season 20 of American Idol, Christian has released three singles as a solo artist, and a six-song debut indie-rock EP with his band The Stripers. He can be found on all social media @christianbeckmusic

7:30 — Phil Henry

Vermont singer-songwriter Phil Henry exudes the skill of a craftsman and the authenticity of an artist. His songs have brought him to the lauded stages of the Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals as well as the intimacy of coffeehouses and house concerts. "Thanks to years of formal training, his arrangements and melodies are works of real craftsmanship,” says Sarah Craig, director at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY. Combine that with his playful and compassionate nature, and it's no surprise that Phil is finding his way onto the best folk stages."

8:15 — Timothy Eriksen

Tim Eriksen is a singer, composer, and ethnomusicologist living in Amherst, Massachusetts. A multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, banjo, guitar, fretless bajo sexto) and “one of the best singers in music” according to producer T Bone Burnett, he is known for combining mastery of American and world folk music with innovative arrangement, original and experimental music, in collaborations ranging from his twice Grammy-nominated collaboration with Afro-Cuban pianist Omar Sosa to the Oscar-winning filmCold Mountain.

9:00 — Pointe Noir

Pointe Noir finds its rhythm deeply seated in Southwest Louisiana, where many of its members have studied and learned Cajun music. Katie Trautz is a seasoned fiddle player, who drifted south to the Bayou after many years of playing Old-time music. Chris Hollis, the Montpelier-based old-time guitar player, also found an interest in Cajun music, and together he and Katie traveled to Louisiana to learn the musical traditions there. Cannon Labrie is a long-time Cajun and Zydeco accordion player, playing with well-known New England bands Yankee Chank, Jeannie and the High Tops and Planet Zydeco. Helen Doyle is a multi-intrumentalist and grew up playing traditional music. Helen plays the ‘flaming bass’ with Pointe Noir. Walker Blackwell is a percussionist and fine art printmaker who has been surrounded by cajun music his entire life and has been performing percussion in several local bands - including the Clayfoot Strutters - on and off since he was 4 years old. Christiana Athena-Blackwell is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator. She started singing and drumming in bands in Vermont when she was 14 years old, and continued her performing career for the past 2 decades. Pointe Noir plays an uplifting combination of exciting dance music, country songs, and Cajun tunes from Lafayette and beyond.

7:30 — Footworks

Inspired by the high-energy Celtic music of Cape Breton Island, Footworks is a dynamic band that brings audiences the powerful rhythm and beautiful melodies of Celtic music. Footworks' traditional songs, rollicking fiddle, lovely Irish whistle, and strong guitar rhythm make for a delightful and unforgettable musical experience.

8:15 — Fifth Business

Fifth Business has been sharing songs about rural living and problematic behaviors for nearly twenty years, bringing their blend of original music and traditional tunes to the farmers’ markets and town halls of the NEK. Featuring Nick Anzalone’s genre-defying fiddle, Stuart Corso’s lively button accordion, Steve Davie’s expressive guitar and octave mandolin, and vocals and random percussion from Heather Alger and Kate Davie, they will be sharing some Welsh tunes, some tear-jerking Irish music, and the one and only happy Scottish love song in captivity.

9:00 — Jeremiah McLane & Eric Boodman

Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano, vocals) and Eric Boodman (fiddle, feet, vocals) present an evening of traditional songs and tunes from Quebec and the British isles as well as original compositions. Eric’s intricate fiddling, singing, and foot percussion has been a joyful presence on the New England traditional music scene since 2015. In 2016, Montpelier Times-Argus music critic Art Edelstein named Jeremiah Vermont’s musician of the year, citing his contributions in teaching, recording, and performing in his various configurations. 

7:30 — Dean Stevens

For over four decades, Dean Stevens has delighted audiences of all ages throughout the Americas. An exuberant performer of distinctive style and wit, he combines an intricate, self-taught guitar style with a versatile and expressive singing voice. He has established himself as a formidable creator and interpreter of a wide spectrum of songs in English and Spanish. His own material explores a variety of personal and social topics, paints sketches of people and places, celebrates the Earth, and annoys the narrow-minded.

8:15 — Küf Knotz & Christine Elise

Named Philadelphia Magazine Best Rapper of 2022 and 1 of 10 New Jersey Artists, Küf Knotz (Producer/MC) and Christine Elise (Harpist/Vocalist) have brought their unique blend of hip-hop, soul, and classical traditions to various communities. The unlikely pair connected and built a similar bond to creating positive, forward-thinking music fusing hip-hop with the boom-bap era and lo-fi-inspired beats supported by the harp. Their performance takes you on an era-fusing, genre-bending journey. And, you can dance to it. The duo has opened for Wyclef Jean, Yellowman, Rising Appalachia, Slick Rick, Say She She, Afroman, Wax Tailor (US Tour Support), Liniker, G-Love, Talib Kweli, Ozomatli, Raging Fya, Eubanks & Evans Experience, Digable Planets and have been featured on NPR Music and WHYY.

9:00 — The Rough & Tumble

The Rough & Tumble are as easy to detect as a stray dog on your doorstep-- and as difficult to send home. The dumpster-folk, thriftstore-Americana duo, consisting of Mallory Graham & Scott Tyler and their menagerie of classic folk and homemade instruments, have been hobbling around the country in their 16ft camper with their two dogs since 2015, taking their songs to the far corners of the US and to the weird little towns they pass along the way. Love Is Gross...but it looks good on you, the newest collection of songs by The Rough & Tumble is a "fun project of kinda, sorta love songs" released February 11th, just in time for Valentine's Day. This comes on the heels of We're Only Family If You Say So, the 2021 album about what it means to be family, and what it means to lose it. With singles debuting on American Songwriter, The Bluegrass Situation and Grateful Web referring to the album as "a must listen," it has been embraced by fans for its stark honesty, unique storytelling, and well-crafted melodies, especially at a time when families are deeply divided. With any luck, The Rough & Tumble will be traveling to a city near you in 2024.

7:30 — Devan Tracy

Devan Tracy is an acoustic-folk/pop singer-songwriter residing in Plainfield, NH. Her two-decade musical journey began with classical piano and morphed into classical percussion, jazz drum set, hand-drumming, and marching tenor drums. Her songwriting often incorporates layered vocal harmonies with keyboard, ukulele, and guitar. Recent musical endeavors include the Washington D.C.-based alternative hip-hop band, "allthebestkids" and D.C. Different Drummers Marching Band. Her newest album, "Root Root to Rise," is the much-anticipated sequel EP.

8:15 — Tommy Crawford

Tommy Crawford is a Vermont-based songwriter and theater artist. He moved with his family to the Upper Valley from New York City in 2021. For him, songwriting is a way to excavate personal relationships and immediately and meaningfully connect with his listeners. His latest solo release, Athena and the Moon, comprises six tracks about change, family, doubts, and resolve, and is noted by 7 Days VT for its “engaging songwriting” and Tommy’s talents as a multi-instrumentalist. As a theater artist, Tommy works nationwide as an actor, composer, musician, and music director. Notable roles include Paul McCartney in Only Yesterday, Feste in Twelfth Night, and Percy in SeaWife. Tommy is co-founder and bandleader of The Lobbyists, with whom he shares a Drama Desk Award nomination for the songs he wrote for SeaWife, which premiered in New York in 2015. Look up his music as a solo artist and with The Lobbyists at tommycrawford.com or wherever you stream your music.

9:00 — Green Heron

The music of Green Heron stretches across the entire folk landscape. Old-time, folk, bluegrass, country, Irish, and blues music are all represented as the band brings the back porch to the stage. Featuring Betsy Heron (formerly Green) on fiddle, banjo, and vocals, and Scott Heron on guitar, banjo, and vocals, the duo has been sharing New England stages since 2016. The two songwriters weave the contemporary with the traditional and deliver high-energy performances.

7:30 — Grace Palmer

Grace Palmer is a 23-year-old folk singer/songwriter from Burlington, Vt. She was raised in Ellington, CT, and grew to love music through performing in her family's Christian rock band. After spending a year in Nashville working as an independent acoustic artist, at the onset of the pandemic, she moved to Burlington, VT, to attend St. Michaels College, where she is currently a senior.

Grace's music is influenced mostly by Jim Croce, Miley Cyrus, and Fleetwood Mac, leading to a unique folk-pop-rock sound. Her released music can be described as heartfelt, and reflective. In addition to solo acoustic shows, she can be found performing along the East Coast in the jazz-funk fusion band Lazy Bird and the pop-disco cover band Small Talk.

8:15 — Slattery & Stewart

Andy Stewart (fiddle) & Mary Jo Slattery (guitar, vocals, 'ti fer) perform music from several roots traditions. They have traveled and studied with master musicians from different cultural backgrounds while pursuing their passion for traditional fiddle styles and songs. Their repertoire includes the exuberant two-steps & soulful waltzes of Cajun Louisiana, the upbeat fiddle tunes of French Canada and New England, along with other traditional musical styles such as early blues, southern old-time, and early country. Recognized by Louisiana's Cajun French Music Association for the authenticity of their style and repertoire, Mary Jo & Andy have performed in festivals, concert halls, schools, and nursing homes from southwest Louisiana to northern New England, from Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Canada. When not performing as a duo, Mary Jo and Andy play with their Cajun band, The Offshore Aces, as well as with the New Hampshire-based trio, the Occasional Jug Band. In addition, for thirty years they played for dances with the NH and VT-based contradance band Northern Spy, selected for inclusion in the Smithsonian Folkways CD on New Hampshire social dancing titled "Choose Your Partner!"

9:00 — Ramblers and Co.

A modern take on traditional music. This trio comes from Virginia, NYC, and Montana to bring you easy acoustic listening that you’re sure to remember.