Occidental Gypsy is pioneering the sound of World Gypsy Pop. Their mélange of uptempo, high-energy rhythms of Gypsy, melded with the catchy melodic hooks of Pop delivers a thrilling auditory experience to listeners.
After Rolling Stone and Spin hailed his 1992 release, “Can You Fly” a masterpiece, its success led to a major label deal with Elektra (produced by Butch Vig), for whom Johnston released “This Perfect World in 1994, which included his breakthrough hit, “Bad Reputation”. Other critically acclaimed albums followed and critics have continue to praise Johnston effusively, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest and most singular voices in the singer-songwriter genre. Splitting his time between NYC and Madison, you may have caught Freedy in past years in rare Madison shows with Garbage alums, Butch Vig and Doug Erikson and Madison main-stays James “Pie Cown, Bill “Stick” Bielefeld and Jay Moran in their clandestine cover-band, The Know-It-All-Boyfriends.
Returning to his native home, Chicago, was the catalyst for his newly released sol debut, “Midwest”, which features a highly seasoned group of musicians including violist Eyvind Kant (Bill Frisell, Beck), multi-instrumentalist Mark Spencer (Son Volt), cellist Christopher Hoffman (Henry Threadgill), Seattle singer-songwriter Rachel Harrington and mandolin legend Don Stiernberg.
Hendrickson's new record, "Walking With Angels", produced by Bo Ramsey (Greg Brown, Lucinda Williams) spent 25 weeks in the Top 20 on Roots Music Report's Folk charts and is in regular rotation at nearly 100 stations across the country including Nashville's award-winning WSM-AM "The Legend".
They play all original music from their heart and souls. An acoustic groove. A modern sound on old instruments. High energy banjo and guitar with deep, thought-provoking lyrics with a conscience.
Thomas Kivi and Sarah Pray are Wisconsin-raised songwriters who met in the Minneapolis springtime. A Hank Williams song sung on the back porch turned into a folk/country duo eager to travel. Kivi & Pray covered 10,000 miles over the next two years as they toured in Europe and the U.S. Their new duo live EP, "Winter in Decatur" is available as a digital download.
"Jamie-Sue Seal and John Latini put together musical shows that go way beyond hipster folk. Exceptional musicianship com- bined with enormous wit and engaging showmanship, they are the real deal." Michael Curths concert Pro- moter, Ann Arbor Michigan
Her music combines the haunting sounds of traditional folk and gospel with contemporary alt-country and Americana hooks. Poetic and rich, her songs are sad, sweet and full of the stories that inhabit the wide open prairies of the Midwest.
Jessi Lynn (Nashville, TN) has been nominated for 13 Grammy's since 2002. She has independently released six Cd's and has been compared to artists such as Jennifer Nettles, Melissa Etheridge & Sheryl Crow. She has won many awards in her career including "Song of The Year", "Artist of the Year", "Album of the Year," and "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the MAMA's in 2005-2008. Jessi Lynn has shared the stage with The Wreckers, Bomshel, Emerson Drive and The Bodeans and has graced the stage of the highly coveted music festival, Summerfest (over one million in attendance every year, Milwaukee, WI). In 2005, Jessi agreed to be filmed by Emmy award winning producer, Marv Turner (Yellow Dog Productions) for a full length documentary meant to capture the struggles of an artist climbing to the top of the "impossible" music industry mountain (yet to be released). Lynn's music has been on national radio stations, as well as FOX TV, WGN & many local television programs. Most recently, Lynn had her song "A Little Bit Of You" featured in the popular online Soap Opera "Venice, The Series" (a spin off of Guiding Light) and she was also featured on the cover of the magazine, "The Isthmus". Lynn has co-written songs for the NFL, NASCAR, NHRA & MLB (with Jake Johnson) that you will soon be hearing at select games/races (Banshee Music Publishing).
Jessi Lynn (Nashville, TN) has been nominated for 13 Grammy's since 2002. She has independently released six Cd's and has been compared to artists such as Jennifer Nettles, Melissa Etheridge & Sheryl Crow. She has won many awards in her career including "Song of The Year", "Artist of the Year", "Album of the Year," and "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the MAMA's in 2005-2008. Jessi Lynn has shared the stage with The Wreckers, Bomshel, Emerson Drive and The Bodeans and has graced the stage of the highly coveted music festival, Summerfest (over one million in attendance every year, Milwaukee, WI). In 2005, Jessi agreed to be filmed by Emmy award winning producer, Marv Turner (Yellow Dog Productions) for a full length documentary meant to capture the struggles of an artist climbing to the top of the "impossible" music industry mountain (yet to be released). Lynn's music has been on national radio stations, as well as FOX TV, WGN & many local television programs. Most recently, Lynn had her song "A Little Bit Of You" featured in the popular online Soap Opera "Venice, The Series" (a spin off of Guiding Light) and she was also featured on the cover of the magazine, "The Isthmus". Lynn has co-written songs for the NFL, NASCAR, NHRA & MLB (with Jake Johnson) that you will soon be hearing at select games/races (Banshee Music Publishing).
Considered a 'songwriter's songwriter', his songs have been covered by artists such as k.d. lang and many others. In addition to his writing prowess, his skills as a performer and storyteller are unmatched. He holds audiences rapt with nothing more than a single guitar, thoroughly written songs, a fearless ability to mine the depths of human emotions of joy, sorrow and everything in between, and all tempered by a quick and wry wit.
Friday, October 4, 2013 at 3:24PM 
