Save the date!!!
Nor-east'r Music & Art Festival June 13th-15th, 2025
Our 2025 Performers!
First, you’ll hear Amy Petty’s voice. At the same time overwhelmingly powerful and impossibly delicate, she sails between lullaby and seduction, pleading and rebuke, bringing the you to the edge of your seat. Then you’ll hear her songs, playing out in the head like short films, thoughtful and unconventional yet somehow familiar. Steady, percussive guitar lays a foundation for her vulnerable lyrics and their heartfelt delivery, bringing you back to her haunting and unforgettable voice.
After releasing two critically acclaimed folk/pop records on the Red Pill Entertainment label, Petty embraced the independent path, funding her third release through a crowdfunding campaign with an overwhelming response. The fruit of this labor is her finest collection yet, The Darkness of Birds. The record flows like a dark prose anthology, pulling from multiple writing disciplines and themes, though never losing its cohesion of tone. Anthemic secular meta-spirituals (Undertow & The Dreams that are Waiting for Us) feel right at home alongside character-centric narratives (Moses & Murder Ballad) and heart-rending love laments (You Never Came & Pull). Co-produced by Petty and multi-instrumentalist/engineer Andy Reed, The Darkness of Birds is sonically lush and expansive, ornamented with warm guitar tones, eclectic percussion, and hazy ethereal background vocals. The record’s broad palette offers new discoveries on repeat listens, but never takes focus away from the bones of the songs. The result is a mesmerizing, compelling and original sonic experience.
A veteran performer, Amy has appeared on prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Club Passim in Cambridge MA, The Bitter End in NYC, Uncommon Ground in Chicago IL and Berklee College of Music, among others. She has shared the main stage with artists like Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Suzanne Vega and Steve Van Zandt.
Amy Petty
Michigan singer/songwriter Andy Baker has spent a lifetime peering through microscopes. As a veterinarian, it’s a necessary skill…searching for small clues in order to grasp the bigger picture. Pretty handy tool for a songwriter too. In fact, Andy has spent a great deal of his life with his own lens turned inward…and outward…resulting in a pondering writing style that moves with a purposeful stride, a playful heart, and a hopeful eye to the horizon.
Three decades of crafting songs have resulted in four studio albums, with nods to his many influences including Counting Crows, James Taylor, Ryan Adams, and the Indigo Girls. His 2010 release “Down” garnered multiple awards from the Great Lakes Songwriting Competition, and songs from his 2017 album “One Fine Day” landed him a coveted finalist spot at the Kerrville Newfolk Songwriting Competition.
On the heals of his 2020 release “North Country Sky”, Andy came back to win the Kerrville Newfolk Songwriting Competition, and was also featured as an Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York. The album spent a number of weeks on the national Folk DJ Chart, and the opening song “Second Wind” hit #18 in July. Jon Stein of Hootenanny Cafe writes “From the first note of the first song to the last note of the last song, North Country Sky is nothing less than brilliant. His tunes will compel the listener to keep listening...and then after the last note of the last song, wanting more! I can't wait for Andy Baker's next album.”
Andy’s love for his day job and family life keep him deeply rooted in his tiny rural town of Gobles, Mi…but when he gets to hit the road he does so with a glint in his eye, a tap in his step, and a trunk full of instruments. A long time multi-instrumentalist, Andy’s live shows feature a mesmerizing rotation of songs played on guitar, bouzouki, dobro, and even bass. Jim Bizer of MAMA’S Coffee House says “Andy’s an engaging performer…well crafted tunes, slices of life from touching story songs to hilarious sends, performed on a variety of stringed instruments. A real pleasure!”
Andy Baker
Over the years, Annie and Rod have done it all; from hard rock to musical theater. The 80’s and 90’s found them dividing their time between original projects and cover bands. “Foolish Mortals” (their longest-running and hardest-working cover band with a set list that included everything from The Pretenders and Sheryl Crow to Led Zepplin & Aerosmith) performed nearly every weekend in bars and pubs around the Detroit area. In the later 90’s, Annie picked up the guitar again and started writing.
The transition to “folk” was gradual but eventually they shifted to acoustic instruments, away from the bars and into the coffee shops. It was through the open mic scene they found a new community and discovered a world of listening rooms. At this point they were already seasoned performers and before long they developed a new fan base of people who WANTED to hear their original songs.
Their first album (no you can’t buy it) was recorded in a small bedroom at their home in Ann Arbor on a second-hand version of ProTools™. Just the two of them playing a mix of electric and acoustic instruments but no drums save for the sampled drums on two tracks. For their second attempt at making an album they went into a professional recording studio with a full band and a slew of guest back up singers and players. It’s fair to say they went overboard on the overdubs. Another album no longer in print. By 2003, they found a home at Big Sky Recording in Ann Arbor where they would record 6 of their next 7 albums. (2009’s My Blue Garden was recorded and co-produced by Glenn Brown in East Lansing.)
As with many singer/songwriters whose instrumentation is primarily acoustic the word “folk” covers a broad sonic range of genres and influences – what comes out is a hybrid sound all their own. Genuine and playful; effortless and endearing; this duo has been delighting audiences in quality music venues, house concerts, coffeehouses, and festivals throughout their home state of Michigan and beyond.
Annie & Rod Capps
What began as an outlet for Annie Capps’ solo project (“How Can I Say This?”) to be celebrated and performed live with some exceptionally talented women, at a handful of venues around Michigan, grew into a concept that caught a bit of a buzz and before long, there were requests to book the band and keep this train rolling. Capps, however, was just one of several songwriters in the group so with a strong desire to spotlight the others, the Badass Women Band (BWB) was formed to do just that.
This band of powerhouse female artists fuses each member’s individual rockin’, folky, funky, sensibilities for an unforgettable and dynamic collaboration. Featuring Annie Bacon (vocals, guitar, bass), Annie Capps (vocals, guitar, banjo), Sara Gibson (cell0), Anne Heaton (vocals, piano), Carolyn Koebel (vocals, drums/percussion), Cori Somers (violin) and Julianna Wilson (vocals/bass), the Badass Women Band is a force to be reckoned with. Experience a variety show filled with soulful tunes and empowering performances that will keep you grooving, thinking, and feeling deeply.
Folksinger, balladeer, educator, songwriter, and Earthwork Music Collective member Ben Traverse commands a wide array of instruments in their mission to bring the finest traditional folk music into the 21st century. With deep roots in the Great Lakes State, they travel Michigan and beyond telling stories and truths as old as the hills.
With deep roots in Michigan, Traverse finds themselves in good company as a member of the Earthwork Music Collective, using traditional music as a vehicle for education, equity, and environmental action.
Despite not coming from a musical family, Traverse has been drawn to live music since they held their first guitar – a gift from their grandfather – at two years old. Ben’s musical journey truly began nearly a decade ago at an after-school program presented by Earthwork Music and SEEDS celebrating Alan Lomax’s 1938 ethnomusicological expedition to Michigan and Wisconsin.
Always having a keen interest in history, especially from a cultural perspective, traditional music quickly became Traverse’s biggest passion. After moving to Grand Rapids and getting a degree in audio engineering, they quickly became heavily involved working behind the scenes with many West Michigan acts. If you frequent local concerts, you’ve probably seen Ben slinging merch or a poster they hung up!
Since then, Traverse has spent the better part of a decade cutting their teeth playing listening rooms, festivals, and bars. He’s found his passion steeping himself in the rich history of traditional folk music and using folk music as a vehicle for community, collaboration, education, and environmental and social activism.
Ben Traverse
Billy Brandt is a multiple-award-winning Detroit ares singer-songwriter, whose rootsy, folky, psychedelic alt-country background underpins strong songwriting and an adventurous spirit. A mainstay of the local Detroit scene, Billy's collaborations with other artists are near-legendary - and you're as likely to find him out playing with duo partner, Sarana VerLin, or his roots rock combo the Sugarees, as you are to find him solo. His excellent solo album 'The Mission Band' showcases both his songwriting and his performance collaborations, and won the Detroit Music Award for best Americana Album. Billy's love for music is infectious, and his embrace of different genres brings a richness and an expanse to his shows. Be prepared for a genial, convivial, and musically rewarding evening with songs you know, songs you might know, and songs you will discover and treasure. And will earworm you unmercifully.
Emily and Billy (billykingdom.com) mix eclectic and vibrant covers of songs by the likes of Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and the Beatles, with their own original songs, blending beautiful harmonies and sharing solos on several instruments, including guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin.
Billy King &
Emily Slomovits
Bleau Otis grew up in a musical family and is the son of legendary bluesman Larry McCray. At the age of six he started playing music, with his first instrument being drums. He later switched to guitar which came natural to him. He has progressed to be one of best young guitarist around as he moves effortlessly around the fretboard. Bleau is talented as a guitar player, vocalist and songwriter and is currently writing and recording for his debut album. Bleau also plays guitar for Billy Gunther and The Midwest Riders when not working on his own projects.
Bluea was the 2021 Signal Boost Music Award Winner
Bleau Otis
The Blue Water Ramblers, est. 2002, write their own songs and take turns harmonizing with each other to create a colorful tapestry of sounds. “Banjo-Jim” Foerch on his acoustic and electric banjos and R.H. “Bear” Berends on his big Martin guitar are the core of the Rambler vocal and writing team. Then add “California Dan” Lynn laying down the steady rhythm on his doghouse,
But wait, there's more! Nate Myers adding mandolin leads and fills. Julia Kent of blazing fiddle licks on soaring melodies. The unique Blue Water Rambler sound. In our performances you will hear songs expressing our unique take on life both present and past in styles folky to bluegrass, Americana and roots.
Blue Water Ramblers
Carolyn Striho &
Scott Dailey
Wildly original, melodic and passionate, Carolyn Striho’s music has been described as being written “from the silver edge of midnight” (All-Music Guide, USA). Regarded as one of the city’s best singer/songwriters, Carolyn has gained a strong reputation for charismatic, high-energy stage performances with her singing, vocals, guitar, and keyboards.
Carolyn’s music is born of art rock and soul, with a bit of classical, folk, punk, and cabaret in the mix. She writes stories of desire, longing, activism, mystery, and love, strong, caressing, and dreamy. On piano, Carolyn has an authentic, enchanting, and exciting style with a flamenco mix of jazz and blues. On guitar, she favors a heavy rock and roll percussive rhythm. From her early days in Detroit to her current evocative music, Carolyn’s alluring vocal delivery with a powerful rock and roll folk eclectic sound hypnotizes crowds onstage and on recordings. She is also an educator, teaching high school students.
Dave Boutette &
Kristi Lynn Davis
One time garage rock troubadour Dave Boutette, and former Radio City Rockette Kristi Lynn Davis make what could be considered an odd musical pairing, but they have most certainly found a way to make it work. Since pairing Dave’s celebrated songwriting with Kristi’s natural gift for harmony, the duo has delighted audiences at music festivals, house concerts, and listening rooms from the Porcupine Mountains down to Oberlin, Ohio.
Dave & Kristi’s music is a blend of many schools of American roots and popular music including folk, blues, swing, and old time country. The lyrics testify to the power of true love, rebirth, coffee, and even migrating fish.
Erin Zindle is the songwriter, fiddler, and leader of the nationally-touring folk-rock band Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds. With a genre-bending hybrid of indie-pop melodies, global-infused beats, rock guitar riffs, conscious lyrics and virtuosic fiddling, Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds deliver something that’s hard to define. Their music is equally danceable, intelligent, and vulnerable – a rare combination in an increasingly marketing-driven industry.
At each performance, Erin transforms into a seemingly-mythical creature who dances with graceful arms outstretched, hand-made wings glued to her shoulders, recklessly digging into her fiddle strings with her bow. Her voice is both earthy and ethereal, full of character and texture with lyrics that point to the daily paradox of intentionally cultivating hope in the midst of a crazed and jaded world. She skillfully switches between violin, kalimba, piano, and accordion, never losing her infectious smile.
Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds
Flagship Romance is an unforgettable alternative folk duo known for their breathtaking vocal harmonies, inspired songwriting, dynamic live show, and a remarkable on and off-stage chemistry that will leave you with the feeling that you made two new best friends. Married singers-songwriters Shawn Fisher and Jordyn Jackson effortlessly fuse technical precision in their impeccably tight vocal blend with an invigorating sense of emotional abandon in their energetic live persona. Performing each show as if it could be their last, this duo will have you questioning how their larger-than-life sound can come from just two voices and an acoustic guitar.
Traveling over 200,000 miles since their musical inception, the duo has amassed an engaged grassroots following. A testament to Fisher and Jackson’s close relationship with their supporters, Flagship Romance has released four critically acclaimed full-length albums, 100% funded by their enthusiastic fanbase. To date, their multiple crowdfunding efforts, including the duo’s most recent campaign for their forthcoming self-titled double album, have raised a combined total of over $175,000.
Currently based in Louisville, KY, Flagship Romance has begun releasing a consistent string of singles from the double album, produced by GRAMMY award winning producer Lee Miles.
Flagship Romance
Enjoy songs about prison grave yards, flea market beauty queens, broken hearts, turmoil, and other people's faults? Well, look no further Friends, the Hackwells are exactly what you need! Sun's Memphis, Tootsie's Nashville and a dash of 70's AM Radio, all delivered with a little Detroit swagger!
Remember, they would never try to sell ya a hot dog they wouldn't eat themselves! And That Neighbors, is the Hackwell Promise!
The Hackwells love a song that delivers, is good to the ear, from the heart, and great with friends!
Covering many originals and select “Hack-quefied” tunes from all places, they have been active around many of Michigan’s festivals and venues.
Vocals, Guitar / Brian McCarty
Vocals and Bass / Jeff Schott
Vocals and Harmonica / Larry Everhart
Vocals, guitar and banjo John Dobat
Featuring well crafted-toe tap’n songs written by John and Brian!
The Hackwell's