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"The Minnesota songwriter showcase", a Twin Cities tradition since 2005, is curated by Nick Hensley of Love songs for angry men and features 12 up-and-coming and veteran songwriters every Wednesday from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Sept-May... and it's a FREE show! For more information message us at: facebook.com/MNsongwritershowcase Jim Walsh (music critic and author) called: “The Minnesota Songwriter Showcase is the piece de resistance of the area’s songwriter’s, as hosted by songwriters/musicians Nick Hensley and backed by a two- and sometimes three-piece band. The talent level is always solid.”

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Over the past two years, singer-songwriter Thomas Sticha has blazed his own trail in the Midwest country and folk music scene. A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, his style of songwriting is thoughtful and clever, often paired with beautiful storytelling and/or a sense of humor. His music draws inspiration from classic country songwriting legends (ie, John Prine, Dean Dillon) and combines them with the refreshing sounds of new country songwriters (ie, Tyler Childers, Hayes Carll, Colter Wall). “Experiencing Thomas on stage is like being part of an intimate conversation with a friend who just happens to have a guitar and an incredible voice. His vibe is infectious, and his connection with the audience is genuine. If you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and dive into his music. You won't be disappointed.” — Brandon Backstrom (Host, BOB FM Total Country Radio) For more information about Thomas Sticha, please visit thomassticha.com. $20 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

Patty and The Buttons preach the gospel of hot rhythm and happy feet. The band is similar to what you would find in a dance hall, cafe or nightclub anywhere around the world between 1920-1940. Despite being an ensemble firmly rooted in tradition, the band presents their music without being shackled to history. They play their own compositions as well as takes on music of the era. Patty’s eclectic taste gives the band diverse influences including New Orleans Traditional Jazz, Western Swing, Gypsy Melodies, Ragtime Piano Blues, Jug Music and 1930′s Popular Song. Music 11am - 2pm

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DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm The Way Back Yard benefit show for our Minneapolis undocumented neighbors! The Way Back Yard will be playing their signature brand of harmony driven standards and originals. Lots of blues, folk and even some Spanish guitar. This will be a benefit show where 100% of the proceeds will be going to help our undocumented neighbors whose work and business was impacted by ice raids this winter. Minneapolis-based indie-folk artist James Kennedy writes songs that feel both hopeful and haunted. His music pairs the unassuming charm and nonchalance of 2000s indie rock with a deeper strain of earnest vulnerability reminiscent of the Laurel Canyon songwriters of the 1970s. The resulting sound feels sonically laid back yet emotionally urgent—warm acoustic textures, simple melodies, and lyrics that wrestle with the joys and pains of love gained and lost. $12 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm It’s all about the songs, really. Those familiar with Bob’s work recognize him as a smart, literate songwriter as he continues to add to his impressive repertoire, debuting new songs at just about every show! Americana / Folk musician Bob Frey hails from Cleveland, OH but is based in Minneapolis. Since 1993, Bob has shared his stories and songs with a loyal band of supporters at small clubs throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. Whether playing solo or with his band- Bob Frey & the Adaptors- Bob delivers wry, intelligent lyrics in well-crafted songs with a voice uniquely his own. Bob Frey & the Adaptors features Gavin Haskin (mandolin, violin), Marc Conklin (electric guitar) and Corey Hess (percussion), all stellar Twin Cities musicians who create a warm and melodic base for Bob’s lyrics. Bob has released five solo records- "Tape From Minnesota" (2004), "Like A Train" (2007), "Nothing Hid" (2013), "LongShot Deal" (2017) and "Ghost" (2022), the latter receiving an 8.5/10 rating from the well-regarded Maximum Volume Music. bobfreymusic.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Alice Wallace grew up in a musical family, where voices like Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton were on heavy rotation on the family turntable and were huge influences on her as a budding singer and songwriter. Nowadays, Wallace tours full-time, bringing her personal songs and soaring vocals to venues across the country. She’s also one of the few modern singer/songwriters keeping the art of the country yodel alive alicewallacemusic.com In 2023, Leslie, a songwriter known for high energy acoustic rock, faced a series of profound losses. Starting with his mother on Christmas Eve, he lost his father in January, a nephew in May, and another in August. In the span of months, in-laws, close friends, and figures integral to his music career also passed away. But amidst the heartbreak of 2024, moments of levity surfaced, as time spent with family, close friends, and bandmates reignited his creative spark. The result was a wave of songwriting, which became his new six-track EP. leslierichmusic.com $20 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm MNAKED RETURNS! (A storyteller night w/ two of MN’s best songwriters! ALL • STRIPPED • DOWN) Act One: Sam Zoost Act Two: Jeff Ray & Mikkel Bee become Ice Horse Curated by the good people at the Minnesota Songwriter Showcase lovesongsforangrymen.com $12 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Gentlemen Dreadnought is an exciting acoustic duo composed of Derek Johnson (Monroe Crossing) and Clint Birtzer (The High 48s). Started as a side project in 2018, Gentlemen Dreadnought has been steadily refining their act as they play shows throughout the upper midwest. As Gentlemen Dreadnought, Derek & Clint enjoy the simplicity of a duet. They have fun exchanging guitar licks but what they enjoy most is how their vocals merge together in 'brother duet' like harmony. Whether picking out blazing bluegrass numbers, singing heartbreaking classic country songs, harmonizing on folk ballads, or even tampering with the occasional pop song, these two established and seasoned musicians put on a great show in any setting. $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Billy Johnson is a singer/songwriter from Minneapolis. Vocalist. Guitarist. Acoustic roots soul. 12 Albums of original material. Frontman for The Hillcats, BJ’s Roadshow, and B-TEAM. Billy has played with The Bodeans, Bob Schneider, Five For Fighting, Train, Navarro, and others. Billy has played, and continues to play, bars, clubs, theaters, backyard hangs, hospital bedsides, breweries, wineries, birthday parties, and everything in between. Billy likes to play. billyboymusic.com $20 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

From $20 / person

DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm "the humming room" is a minimalist instrumental project designed specifically for those who find traditional soundtracks too distracting for deep work. Born from the need for "background music that doesn't demand center stage," the project serves as a sonic sanctuary for students, writers, and thinkers. By stripping away lyrics and aggressive arrangements, it creates a steady, unobtrusive environment that encourages cognitive flow rather than competing with it. Jeremy Elijah writes songs born out of a longing for the eternal by exploring the coexistence of joy and sorrow within day to day life. His lyricism bears likeness to the work of Rich Mullins, Josh Garrels, and Andrew Peterson, while borrowing production styles from artist like Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers. In his free time he enjoys going on drives, watching movies, wrestling his dog, and having meaningful conversation with those around him. At 27, Minnesota-based artist Ben has spent more than two decades immersed in music. From his first drum lessons at age four to studying piano performance and production at McNally Smith by sixteen, his journey has been one of constant evolution. After years of producing for others and contributing to various bands, Ben has transitioned into his own work, crafting a sound as expansive as the landscapes he calls home. $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Wilkinson James got started way back in 2008, when singer-songwriters Liz Wilkinson and AJ Scheiber met up and put their songs and voices together to produce a sound that one fan described as “the bastard offspring of June Carter Cash and Townes Van Zandt.” Over the years, the duo slowly evolved into a full band, with saxophone, violin, and pedal steel adding new flavors and colors to Liz and AJ’s acoustic roots. Abandon, the first record to feature the full-band version of Wilkinson James, is 10 years old in 2026, and the group is celebrating this anniversary with a show at the Aster (where the record’s release party was held back in 2016). The band will perform the entire Abandon album, along with a generous sprinkling of fan-favorite originals and curated covers. wilkinsonjames.net $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Max Mercy is the alter ego of Minneapolis songwriter Paul Frantzich. A back-alley troubadour somewhere between a country crooner, a heartbroken ballad singer, and a survivor of the 1980s Minneapolis punk clubs. In MAX MERCY: Undercover, Max plays only cover songs. The ones that shaped him, saved him, and followed him through long nights and open roads. With a guitar, a little bourbon, and a lot of heart, he delivers a jukebox confession built on one simple truth: the right song at the right moment can still change everything $20 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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Dark Pony is the rootsy soul-pop project of Minneapolis songwriter and producer Jonny Herchert, joined by an all-star band featuring John Fields, JT Bates, and George McKelvey. Expect original songs and uniquely reimagined covers delivered with groove, feel, and some wild improvisation. It’s the year of the Fire Horse… time to fire up the pony! Join the party on the river decknight.com/dark-pony

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Mark Ross & the Three-Nineteen deliver gritty americana, rock and country with vivid storytelling and hard learned experience. Drawn from the highways, dive bars and quiet moments in between Ross writes songs about love, loss and the road ahead. Known for their live shows and thoughtful songwriting the band has made a name for themselves in the Midwest music scene with a sound that’s both classic and new. On stage or in the studio Mark Ross & the Three-Nineteen keep making music for the restless in all of us. markrossandthethreenineteen.com $12 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm The Long Goodbyes hit a sweet spot someplace within the eclectic constellation of Power Pop, Classic Country, Americana, and Rock & Roll. TLGs will get and keep your attention via smart originals laced with gripping melodies, tight harmonies, and quirky lyrics. They also like to put their own twist on a few, nicely curated covers. By the end of the night, you’ll be echoing the words of one smitten club owner, “Best show of the year!” $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm Solo fingerstyle guitarist The Daily Norm graces us with virtuosic abilities that sound like 4 guitars conceived from10-fingers. https://www.instagram.com/thedailynorm1586/?hl=en A songwriter since childhood, Jeff’s music is deeply personal and intuitive, showing a spiritual connection with the natural world - often overruling structure in favor of improvisation. When he was seventeen, Ray left Minnesota for Memphis, absorbing the city’s gritty lessons in timing and tone, ultimately returning north with a quiverful of alternate tunings and a disciplined practice that treats composition as discovery. Across more than two decades, he has released eight albums and shaped solo performances that unfold like intimate masterclasses. jeffraymusic.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Pat Frederick aka “Papa Fred,” joins local music luminaries Donnie La Marca, Dr. Dave Schmalenberger and Nick Salisbury for the highly anticipated Aster debut of The New Entangled Particles. The New Entangled Particles bring a sharply curated bag of musical tricks, hand picked for beauty, brains & humor. (Think Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science” as a Cuban montuno… or “On The Street Where You Live,” with a slightly dark Danny Elfman Beetlejuice lilt.) It is a decidedly joyful outré musical romp through the back alleys of world-beat, post-pop, jazz, exotica, Broadway and funk. Frederick’s vocals and humorous storytelling ring with lived experience, while his electric violin playing rides a muscular rhythm section consisting of some of MN’s finest veteran musicians: Donnie La Marca - world class jazz pianist with the Blenders, Mick Sterling and TC Jammers. Nick Salisbury - first call MPLS bassist with Mike Munson Trio, the Neighborhood Quartet has toured internationally with Ryan Bingham and Ryan Fallon. Dr. Dave Schmalenberger - first call percussionist holds a PHD in music, teaches at several prestigious Twin Cities colleges and has performed internationally with numerous jazz greats, including Marilyn May. Pat Frederick is a MN Music Award recipient for best violinist. He is in the MN Music Hall of Fame as well as the MN Rock and Country Hall of Fame. He has received the National Parents Choice Award, an ISES Award, a Telly and the MN Music Award for Best Band. Touring nationally behind; “The Daisy Dillman Band” (David Z, Producer / Sound 80, Mpls MN.) and “Loving the Night Away,” (Rick Hall, Producer / Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals Al.), he cowrote the single “Loving the Night Away,” charting 46 in the Billboard Hot 100. Pat has performed across the US and has been back up musician for the likes of David Byrne, Kenny Loggins, Michael Johns patfrederickmusic.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm The Scarlet Goodbye is the creative collaboration between two established Minnesota musicians, Daniel Murphy and Jeff Arundel. Their partnership began by chance, with Murphy—known for his foundational roles in Soul Asylum and Golden Smog—crossing paths with the accomplished singer-songwriter-producer Arundel. This meeting sparked a new musical journey in an attic studio in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the duo began matching musical wits and blending these distinct perspectives. thescarletgoodbye.com $20 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm MNAKED RETURNS! (A storyteller night w/ two of MN’s best songwriters! ALL • STRIPPED • DOWN) Act One: Will Durie Act Two: Mary Cutrefello Curated by the good people at the Minnesota Songwriter Showcase lovesongsforangrymen.com $12 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

From $12 / person

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Clover and the Bee brings together acclaimed Minnesota songwriters Becky Schlegel, Anthony Ihrig, Eric Christopher, and Kevin Rowe, blending their bluegrass pedigree with indie-folk sensibilities to craft American roots music as free and expansive as the Upper Midwest. The project began as a semi-regular song swap among three friends, songwriters and musical co-conspirators (Becky, Anthony and Eric) at Christopher’s house in the West 7th neighborhood of Saint Paul. The three dug into their songwriting back catalogs to show off songs that were either not bluegrass enough (in the case of Ihrig and Christopher’s band The High 48s), not country enough (in the case of Becky Schlegel’s solo project) or just plan too weird or idiosyncratic for any other project. It was at this open house for misfit songs that the three got the idea to start a new band, one whose sound showed Christopher, Ihrig and Schlegel’s country and bluegrass roots but wasn’t bound by tradition. With the addition of bassist and songwriter Kevin Rowe (Buffalo Gospel, Adam Greuel), who had recently moved to the Twin Cities from Madison, WI, Clover the Bee was born. cloverandthebeemusic.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Anna Houston is an independent singer-songwriter based in Minneapolis. Her music is all about connection and storytelling. Whether it’s the playfulness of “THIN SKIN,” or the raw emotion in “Jones,” she writes songs to express what she’s feeling and to connect with others who might be feeling the same way. There's something so powerful about sharing a moment or emotion through a song, and she’s grateful to be able to do that through her music. linktr.ee/AnnaHouston Aly Meier is a singer/songwriter based in the Minneapolis area and has been paving her own path into the Mpls music scene. Her music can be described as a mix between folk and pop, with hints of indie influences inspired by Joni Mitchell, Sara Bareilles, and Fleetwood Mac. Her storytelling and honesty are her desired portrayals through her songwriting. Her love for performing stems from her childhood, and her deep love for connecting with her audience is clear through her shows. linktr.ee/alymeier $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

Side.Door is a 5-piece fusion jazz band that brings a fresh, accessible taste to the contemporary sounds of jazz fusion. Longtime friends saxophonist Charlie Skaret, bassist Kai Knudson, and guitarist Isaac Gelfman have shared a passion for music making over the years. Their trio grew in 2024 to include drummer Jared Ammon and pianist John Kuntz, and Side.Door was created. Playing mostly original work, their lineup brings each member’s unique artistry to life. Drawing inspiration from Duke Ellington to Bill Withers, Franz Liszt to Frank Sinatra, and a flair of Troye Sivan, Side.Door fuses an upbeat, unique musical blend of Jazz, Classical, and Pop with their own contemporary take. Side.Door makes an open, accessible and lasting connection with their audience. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Side.Door performs throughout the Twin Cities, including at uptown PorchFest, Urban Forage Winery and Cider House, Driftwood Char Bar, the White Squirrel, Amsterdam Bar and Hall, Aster Cafe, and more. Whether innovating new jazz standard arrangements or debuting original compositions, this band is making waves in the contemporary jazz-fusion landscape.

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Dean Magraw studied at the University of Minnesota and Berklee College of Music in Boston. He spent five years in Beantown, playing professionally and teaching. Since returning to his hometown St. Paul, he has had a life of music—playing, composing, arranging, producing, and recording. Magraw’s music is impossible to pigeonhole. For 15 years, he was half of a duo with Peter Ostroushko (mandolin). He has collaborated with Masahiro Nitta (shamisen), Nigel Kennedy (classical violin), Nirmala Rajasekar (vina); with singers Bruce Henry, Ruth MacKenzie, Claudia Schmidt; and with the Irish supergroup Altan. As a jazz cat, he has been performing with Chris Bates + Jay Epstein as Red Planet since 2002, and more recently formed BluLuna. Suwal Singh has contributed to the Minnesota music scene as part of SitarTabla (Eastern classical), MoMoSauce (Nepali music), Yeti Steady (avant-garde soundscapes) and Jest (pop-rock). He has collaborated with diverse local artists and has appeared at Jazz Central Studios, Icehouse, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, Berlin Jazz Club, KFAI, Dunsmore Jazz Room, etc. deanmagraw.com @MoMoSauce.Official $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

Mae & the Guys is a seasoned Americana outfit led by veteran vocalist Mae Rukavina, whose commanding stage presence and connective vocals have delivered over 23 years of live performance. This new band features original member Spike Stich on guitar/mandolin AND long-time member and acclaimed Minneapolis drummer Bob Johnston to forge a new chapter with fresh momentum. The band welcomes new bassist Christian Twigg into the fold, whose international touring experience brings depth and drive to this energetic group. Local keyboard/accordion legend Jason Craft rounds out the band with years of collaborative history, adding dynamic to their evolving sound. Together, they deliver a high-caliber Americana Rock sound that’s road-tested, soulful and timeless. maeandtheguys.com

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Matt’s new orchestra has a grassy sound that’s ea;sy to fall into. Most striking to both the eye and ear is the harp mastery of Phala Tracy. The band’s sound is underpinned by the propulsive banjo groove of Quillan Roe. The bright sounds of harp and banjo are sent forth on black road of electric bass paved by Minneapolis guitar wizard Jacques Wait. The group sings together in striking close harmony. Their new album, When I was a Writer, represents not only a new and appealing sound but a 10-track songwriting triumph of melody, rhyme, and pure emotion. minneapolismatt.com $20 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Peter VanDusartz (aka Spike), assembled The Gandy Dancers to help fulfill the latest leg of his songwriter’s quest. In their album release celebration at the Aster Cafe, the ensemble will perform, front to back, “What You Gonna Be?” - a dynamic collection of 11 songs coined, co-produced and released by VanDusartz. Written over the course of many years, the rich mix of songs on “What You Gonna Be?” showcase VanDusartz’s luscious baritone vocals across a style spectrum brimming with pop hooks and epic rock solos alongside acoustic folk and almost cinematic oompah waltz. Co-produced by Minneapolis’ John Munson (Semisonic, The Flops, Trip Shakespeare) the album was recorded by a village of seasoned musicians at Munson’s Minneapolis studio and released at the end of 2025. The Spike and the Gandy Dancers set will begin at 8:30 and perform the entire album. This will be followed by "The Toolmasters", a Trip Shakespeare tribute show to continue the celebration. “What You Gonna Be?” by Spike and The Gandy Dancers is available everywhere you stream and in custom vinyl available at The Aster on the 6th. spikeandthegandydancers.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

Singers, songwriters and sometimes collaborators Mother Banjo & Ben Cook-Feltz return to the Aster -- a rare opportunity to see this dynamic couple perform together with their bands! motherbanjo.com Featuring Ellen Stanley on banjo and vocals, Mother Banjo is a New England-raised, Minneapolis-based songwriter. Called “an outstanding poet” (Inside Bluegrass), she was a Midwest Finalist for the prestigious NewSong Contest and has been featured nationally on SiriusXM Radio, AmericanaUK and CMT.com. Her latest album Eyes on the Sky artfully mixes her signature blend of folk, bluegrass and soulful Americana that has become a hallmark of her live shows. Described by Iowa Public Radio as "Paul Simon singing songs about broken hearts and pants," Ben Cook-Feltz is a singer, songwriter, keyboardist and occasional drummer. Combining observational, subtly quirky lyrics with melodies that hearken back to the classic sounds of the 60′s and 70′s, he has been entertaining audiences throughout the Midwest as a dynamic performer, whether playing solo, with his crackerjack band, or backing up some of the finest regional talent (Mother Banjo, Haley E Rydell, Jaspar Lepak). His most recent record, Cook-Feltz Sings Son of Schmilsson, was released in August 2025 and was hailed as “expertise and precision at its finest; art with a limitless sense of fun” (Adventures in Americana). When not indulging in his rockstar delusions, Cook-Feltz is a devoted father, cycling enthusiast and lifelong Godzilla fan. bencookfeltz.com/music

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist David Harland creates emotive, boundary-pushing acoustic music rooted in introspection and nuance. His songs pair thoughtful lyrics and melodies with intricate guitar work, offering listeners an experience that is innovative, lyrical, and quietly expressive—music meant to slow time and take us a little deeper. This evening is an invitation to come together, share the room, and celebrate the release of David’s brand new EP, Way Back Down davidharlandmusic.com Mother Coyote offers up esoteric alt-pop that balance themes of birth & death, individual & collective healing, & the endless spiral of soul searching that fills the spaces of the human experience, shining a light in the darkness for all to look toward. mothercoyote.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm The Umamies are a Minneapolis based band of Asian American musicians with Filipino and Japanese backgrounds. They uniquely create a dream orchestral pop sound which draws upon their classical roots. Their original songs invoke an intimate environment layered with vulnerable lyrics and heartfelt melodies. Primarily a trio of keyboard, violin, and voice, they also incorporate looped beats, lofi sounds, and ambient synth. They released their first single “Over It” in August 2025 and will be releasing their first album in 2026! Instagram: @the_umamies $12 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

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DOORS @ 7:00pm SHOW 8:00pm -10:00pm For the better part of four years, the 400 miles between Rochester, Minnesota and Columbia, Missouri symbolized the balance and reflection of Greentop’s Isaac Jahns. The two cities (Jahns’ hometown and college town, respectively) are the two largest cities along the path of U.S. Highway 63, snaking through farmland and small towns along the way. Greentop, Missouri is one such town, linking this Minnesotan to northern Missouri forever and giving him routine seven-hour meditation sessions to create his own sound.  instagram.com/greentopband The Penny Peaches are a family band with an alt-Americana sound. Sister songwriters Hattie and Grace Peach feature lyrical storytelling, blood harmonies, and soaring melodies in their songs. Hattie brings lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and fiddle to the group. Grace adds sweet harmonies and melodic bass lines, while Dad and drummer John keeps tempo on the kit. linktr.ee/thepennypeaches $12 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show

Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Joe Hysell is quickly emerging as one of the Midwest’s most compelling voices in alt-country and Americana. Rooted in Southside Minneapolis, his music blends outlaw grit, heartland rock drive, and deeply personal storytelling. The band’s first official single, “Push On Thru the Pain,” was recorded with Kevin Bowe in South Minneapolis and captures the urgency and spirit of the Twin Cities right now. Channeling the raw edge of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings with the melodic punch of Tom Petty and Dave Matthews, the track is both timeless and immediate. The single debuted on 89.3 The Current earning a spin from Bill DeVille and support on his legendary United States of Americana program, signaling growing momentum beyond Minnesota. Hysell rewrote the lyrics with recent local events - and the names of Alex Pretti and Renee Good - in mind. The song was tracked by the Mercenaries in just two days because it felt too important to sit on. It was recorded January 31, what would have been his brother Brian’s 47th birthday (F*ck cancer), adding a deeply personal layer to a song about resilience, grief, and defiant hope. The Ramblin’ Mercenaries—Dan Neale (co-lead guitar), Metal Joe Anderson (co-lead guitar), Jeremy Johnson (bass), and Jake Anderson (drums)—join Joe Hysell to deliver high-energy live shows that flow effortlessly from intimate, heartfelt moments to full-throttle Americana rock. joehysellmusic.com

Award-winning guitarist Bill Cagley is a talented and versatile musician. With guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and a clear stout-hearted voice Bill delights audiences with folk, country and old-time music. Bill is a full-time musician who bought his first guitar the day he graduated high school. He learned music in Waterloo and Iowa City, Iowa, by listening to recordings and playing with such masters as Al Murphy and Bob Black. He has been a full-time professional musician since 1987, performing at colleges and schools across the United States and many parks, including Yellowstone National Park. Bill has recorded two classic collections of old-time fiddle tunes with fiddler Tom Schaefer, banjo player Bob Black, and bassist Sandy Njoes. He appeared on Greg Brown's recording Down in There. He has also released several outstanding albums with Stu Janis, hammered dulcimer, in Greenwood Tree. billcagleymusic.com Giant Valley String Band is a Twin Cities acoustic group playing an eclectic mix of covers and originals in bluegrass and Americana. We're known for our dynamic harmonies, eclectic instrumentation, and on-stage energy. We have six lead and harmony singers, as well as several songwriters in the group. Our name comes from the place we met - a bluegrass jam at the Giantvalley American Legion in Minneapolis. Born out of a love of music and playing together, we formed our band in the summer of 2024. giantvalleystringband.com

DOORS @ 7:30pm SHOW 8:30pm -10:30pm The Neighborhood Quartet—vibraphonist Steve Roehm, guitarist Dan Schwartz, bassist Nick Salisbury, and drummer Greg Schutte—play music is as varied as its members’ impressive résumés. As improvisers, they’re adept at navigating jazz harmony; as writers they understand the shape of folklike melodies. On their self-titled debut album, they play sticky melodies laid on top of supple funk, ideal for cruising the streets of the group’s native Twin Cities; and ethereal ballads that could soundtrack a drive through nearby prairie. Each member is an in-demand player in and beyond the Twin Cities. Their collective credits include work with the New Standards, Chastity Brown, Ryan Bingham, and Dan Navarro. Together, they play with a sympathy born both of deep listening and true friendship. theneighborhoodtrio.com $15 Cover in Advance and Day Of Show