| Acoustic | Bluegrass | Blues | Country | DJ | Electronica | Folk | Hip-Hop | Jazz | Karaoke | Latin | Punk | Reggae, dub, and related forms | Rock (0-9) | Rock (A-F) | Rock (G-K) | Rock (L-P) | Rock (Q-Z) | Swing & Gypsy Swing |
Folk Bands and Singers
44 band(s). add a band| .357 String Band Steeped in old-school punk, outlaw country, Irish and mountain madness. The .357 String Band are here to break-open the mold of a genre vastly overlooked. The .357 String Band have built a following in and around Wisconsin at a break-neck pace. It's the unique blend of fans that shocks people at first. Not many groups can bring tie-dyed hippies, streetpunks, bikers and cowboys to the same venue for one frenzied show. View Website - |
| Aaron Scholz Singer/songwriter Aaron Sholz writes tunes that are a cross of pop hooks and country twang. View Website - |
| Athas After finding one another amongst the many local Irish sessions and then forging fast friendships, Heather Lewin-Tiarks, Amy Richter, and Jeff Ksiazek have joined together as Milwaukee's latest Irish Trad band, áthas. The name áthas (Irish for joy and gladness) suits them perfectly--it's nearly impossible to not catch them laughing, joking, or spreading joy through their music. View Website - |
| Bill Allen |
| Bill O'Brian |
| Borderlands An acoustic mix of folk, rock and whatever comes around. View Website - |
| Calico Drifters Their songs cut a broad swath through the American musical landscape. Whether it be the raw sound of the delta blues; the distinctive longing of an old-time-styled folk song; the optimism of a snappy, World War II era, jazz standard; or the whimsy of an energetic, pop song, calicoDrifters plays with passion, conviction, and an authenticity that makes each song their own. View Website - |
| Dakota Dave Hull Hailed by everyone from Dave Van Ronk to Doc Watson, from the Washington Post to downbeat, Dakota Dave Hull’s guitar style spans a wide musical geography to create an infectious, uniquely personal blend of jazz, ragtime, folk, blues, Western swing, and vintage pop. Dakota Dave is a restlessly curious, adventurous traveler along the broad highway of America’s music. In his playing the masters speak, but in a vocabulary that is Dave’s alone: alternatively mirthful and moving, always melodic. View Website - |
| David Francey "Francey has made a reputation for himself as one of Canada's most revered folk poets and singers… [His songs] are small and beautifully crafted pieces of work that have made Francey both a folk festival favourite and something of a latter-day Canadian poet laureate." View Website - |
| deadhorse* Mike Bleck and friends View Website - |
| Dreams & Train Smoke Alt-folk, Americana and acoustic blues View Website - |
| Elf Lettuce Elf Lettuce is a hard-touring band whose music is as true to its early rock and blues roots as the band members are to their roots in the Midwest. Upon moving to Madison in 2006, the group quickly garnered the respect of their musical peers. This respect was perhaps most evident when Clyde Stubblefield, the original “funky” drummer for James Brown (and a myriad of other legendary artists), took notice of the group. The band now enjoys tenure as Clyde’s supporting act every Monday in addition to maintaining an average of 12-14 scheduled performances per month. Since their first show in 2004, Elf Lettuce has quickly established itself as a live music staple of the Upper Midwest. Fans that’ve experienced their concerts at the Feel Good Festival, Steel Bridge Songfest, Madison Harvest Festivals, The Copper Fountain Festival, and several other major Midwestern events will agree that the group’s sound is constantly evolving and the energy in their live shows is sonically contagious. Since the release of their eponymous debut EP in 2006, the band has distributed over 1,000 copies independently, and will commence work on their first full-length album in the winter of 2009. Elf Lettuce plays a wide variety of music. In their improvisationally-friendly performances, their rapidly growing fan base can detect a strong roots-rock and blues presence with overtones of bluegrass, country, folk, jazz, and funk-laden melodies. Guitarist Jacob Lison’s virtuosic playing can recall “slow hand” style picking, and in a split second, it can boil over into a tempest of fiery psychedelia. Bassist Eli Reichenberger and drummer Joe Murray weave a tapestry of inter-locking rhythm that set the perfect tone for second guitarist Alex White’s country-blues style. With a strong Midwestern work ethic and a persistent, positive attitude toward the road, it’s no surprise that Elf Lettuce is expanding it sights beyond its well-established touring radius in the Midwest. Expect to see the band performing at more festivals and venues in the Rocky Mountain and West Coast regions in the near future. After sharing the stage with amazing artists like Clyde Stubblefield, Greg Brown, Dr. Didg, Down Lo, Reverend Eddie Danger, and many others, the band members continue to diversify their musical styles through the influence of the amazing talent they’re privileged to work with. It’s a sure-fire formula for keeping their original sound evolving for their avidly dedicated fan base. View Website - Elf Lettuce @ High Noon Saloon  Date:01/28/2009 | Time:9pm | Cover:$5 w/ The Station (Chicago) (608) 268-1122 701 E Washington Ave, Madison,WI 53703 Elf Lettuce @ The Frequency Date:02/05/2009 | Time:9pm | Cover:$5 w/ Strange Arrangement (Chicago) The Frequency is Madison's newest 99 capacity live music venue and tavern. We are open 7 days a week @ 5 PM for Happy Hour ($1 off everything - $1.50 PBR / High Life), with live music scheduled Thursday through Saturday until the fall, when we will host a slew of different acts from everywhere nightly. We have a fast, friendly staff that will serve you a variety of tasty drinks. Snacks will also be made available. If you enjoy pool and darts we have those too, and our jukebox will feature all kinds of great music. (608) 819-8777 121 W. Main St., Madison,WI 53703 Elf Lettuce @ Mr Roberts Date:02/14/2009 | Time:10pm | Cover Unknown Umphrey's McGee After-Show! Ages: 21+ (608) 249-1660 2116 Atwood Ave, Madison,WI 53704 Funky Monday (Elf Lettuce @ Madison's )Date:09/28/2009 | Time:9pm | Cover:$8 Funky Monday supporting the Clyde Stubblefield Show! NO COVER before 9pm! Madison's is the only place to be in Downtown Madison. From out nightlife infused martinis to our amazing lunches, happy hours and dinners, we are the premier bar and restaurant of Madison. 608-229-0900 119 N King St, Madison,WI 53703 |
| Eric Hester Eric Hester performs original alternative acoustic music with an upbeat attitude and an offbeat edge. Eric, a New Mexico native, writes songs on a variety of topics, always with a slightly serious, slightly humorous take on the situation. View Website - |
| Flip City |
| Geary Smith Band |
| Harmonious Wail Harmonious Wail draws from the rich influence of the European gypsy musicians, most notably Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli who created and developed what came to be known as Gypsy Swing. What sets the Wail apart from other wonderful talent in this growing genre is the vocal excellence of Maggie Delaney-Potthoff. The intoxicating arrangements and the shear joy the Wail brings to every performance is downright addictive. "In the United States the most avid and talented champions of this style have to be Madison, Wisconsin's Harmonious Wail, whose latest CD appropriately titled Gypsy Swing, provides a soulful overview of the genre..." - Dirty Linen. Specializing in the style of Django Reinhardt, The Wail is made of mandolin, guitar, bass, and killer female vocals with snare percussion. The Wail consistently receives an excellent response from audience members, and reengagements from presenters. The band has toured throughout the United States and Europe over the past 17 years and in October '04 they travelled to Taiwan for a 2-week tour. View Website - |
| J Owen Smith and the Free Buffet Band |
| Jarrett Bender Bobby Rowe View Website - |
| Jayme Dawicki Jayme Dawicki considers herself to be a musical storyteller - her songs are written with a passion and a purpose. Each piece evokes an energy that pulls you in and wraps you around its powerful image. STANDING ON A BRIDGE, her first full length self-release, is a collection of some of Jayme's favorite original works. The feel of the album ranges from introspective, delicate ballads about love and relationships to up-tempo pop/rock songs addressing inner struggles and life changing decisions. Jayme's lyrics are like an open diary exposing her own trials and those she has witnessed of others. Her melodies form a close companion with the words, creating an emotional atmosphere. Performing live, Jayme sets the stage a flame with her strong voice and musical talents at the piano, guitar, and other assorted instruments. So set aside an hour or two, kick back, and enjoy the sounds of Jayme Dawicki. View Website - |
| Joey Swanson Viola Bailey View Website - |
| John Eddie On the roller coaster of his career so far, John Eddie has had enough big breaks, hard luck, new beginnings, false starts, serious adventure and big fun to inspire a boxed set's worth of country songs. He's had the sort of life - often hard-scrabble, occasionally charmed -- that other artists only imagine, or have someone else write about for them. John has managed to document a lot of this on Who The Hell Is John Eddie?, his debut disc for Lost Highway, along with details of assorted dreams, wishes, romances, and regrets. He really has spent endless days and nights on the road, playing the "shit-hole bars" he so hilariously and accurately recalls. And he's endured the heckling of alcohol-fueled patrons wanting to hear Skynyrd and Petty and demanding to know, Who The Hell Is John Eddie?. View Website - |
| Johnny Phillips Band |
| Kissers, The The Kissers are known for the frenzied energy of their live shows, their off-kilter humor, and their eclectic instrumentation. Violin, banjo, accordion, and an array of sonic effects combine with diverse musical influences for a unique sound that straddles the gap between indie-rock and Irish music. Audiences and reviewers, trying to describe them, cite bands as varied as the Shins, Pogues, and the Decemberists. The Kissers maintain that they are rock musicians who learned to play Irish music, not vice versa, and so their music sometimes feels more at home in a club than in a pub. View Website - |
| Kristi B |
| Likely Stories A collaborative side project of singer-songwriters Tracy Jane Comer, Nancy Rost, and Dave Schindele. View Website - |
| Mark David |
| New Crew |
| Nordmusikk - Inna Larsen Inna Larsen plays the Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle - a violin with sympathetic strings - see website for further details View Website - |
| O'Neill & Wean Rock/Folk Rock View Website - |
| Outta Toons, The Hello we are The OuttaToons, we are a cover band but we play just cartoon songs. We hope you'll understand so you better jump and shout and scream and give us a big hand because we are The Outta Toons, a cartoon cover band. View Website - |
| Patrick Sweany |
| Rev Raven and the Chain Smokin Altar Boys View Website - |
| Ryan Casey Taking inspiration from soul great Martin Sexton and folk legend James Taylor, Ryan Casey directs his music with a spirit and presence rooted in tradition. This unique brand of folk-soul / adult alternative music aims to unite and inspire listeners. View Website - |
| Sass El Diablo The Artists Formerly Known as Jabberwocky... don't ask. Regardless, we are still the same nice little rock 'n' roll band that hails from south central Wisconsin and yes... we still love you! View Website - |
| Sharp and Harkins Band They play music. View Website - |
| Stellanovas, The The Stellanovas play music they like to call cafe jazz. It's jazz, it's folk, it's original music and stuff you've heard somewhere before. It's happy and sad and whimsical. View Website - |
| Stephen Lee Rich Stephen Lee Rich has been delighting audiences with his mix of traditional, country, and original songs combined with a healthy dose of comedy and yodeling for thirty-five years. View Website - |
| Steve Meisner Band STEVE MEISNERis a multi-talented musician, composer & arranger. He began playing the accordion at the age of 5 and has been earning a living in the music business since the age of 16. Steve's family has a rich musical heritage and he is a second-generation full time working musician. His father, the late Verne Meisner, had a successful music career for over 50 years. Steve’s brand of music is extremely versatile and appealing to a wide audience. He has made a name for himself by taking the music he grew up with from his father and adding his own imagination and feeling. He has brought his brand of traditional American polka into the 21st century with a fresh spark & swing while retaining the roots of this music. View Website - |
| Steve Millar Steve Millar, originally from Toronto, Ca. is a solo musician with a unique sound. He usually performs original recordings, however has been known to add in some Bob Marley, John Mayer and Jason Mraz. Check out his website for recordings and more information or contact Management @ Kevin.R.Morris@krmmanagement.net for booking information, promotional materials and press kits. View Website - |
| Swing Crew Fun is the bottom line with this interactive, acoustic band. The shows feature a wide variety of music, audience participation, jokes, stunts, cornball humor and toasts. View Website - |
| The Reverend Eddie Danger Described as “Cosmic Folk with a Tribal Twist of Jazz” or simply “Feel Good Music”. A One-Man Band playing over 25 instruments. The lyrics are word heavy stories with an underlying message usually about political or environmental justice, Metaphysical epiphanies or frustrations and blowing off the suburban teen angst, bad love, & trashy rap star negative vibe mentality saturating today’s music. “I have bad days like anyone else. I just make a conscious effort in my songwriting to focus on the positive. Even my sad songs tend to see the light through the clouds”. –Ed Danger View Website - |
| Throwbacks, The Guitar players Bruce Anderson and Flynn McGee are long time Madison area musicians. Bob Postel plays percussion instruments. |
| Tracy Jane Comer "Although her music is acoustic-based, the arrangements go much deeper, culling from classical, folk, jazz, pop and rock......Comer's work is diverse and dynamic. Upon each listen more subtle sounds and styles unfold...Tracy Jane Comer is a musical force..." View Website - |
| Yid Vicious Yid Vicious was formed in 1995 in Madison, WI in order to ameliorate the woeful dearth of klezmer in America's otherwise pleasant heartland. Klezmer is Yiddish folk music, music for dancing and celebrating, and no band has caused more dancing and celebrating than Yid Vicious. Except Kool and the Gang, when they had that hit single about celebrating good times, come on; that caused lots of celebrating. But Yid Vicious is next, right after Kool and the Gang. View Website - |
