Jeffrey Martin

While I was earning an English degree, Josh Ritter came to my college and put on a small solo concert. Watching Ritter on stage was like watching someone trying to make sense of their existence, in real time, with a guitar and words.  It seemed to be less of a performance and more of one man's necessity, which happened to be on public display that night.  I had written songs before then, but certainly all that followed became something else entirely.  I strive to find those songs, to write those songs, that exist in that perfect place perched between my own experience and the common experience that everyone can relate to.  This rarely happens (in fact, I don't even know if it's happened yet.)  I also think that I take myself much too seriously, and I have a lot to learn about writing songs that make people feel good; that make people want to shake around a little bit.

When I'm not playing music I substitute teach high school students.  People love to ask how I balance music and teaching, which one I'm more passionate about; would I leave teaching behind entirely to pursue music?  Does teaching influence my music?  I don't know the answer to any of these things.  I am passionate about music and I am passionate about teaching.  Some days I can't stand music, some days I can't stand teaching.  Both can feel like work, and both can leave me feeling like a crook for getting paid to do what I do.

I grew up a little bit in Texas, and then mostly in Oregon.  My parents read to me at night and took me to the library and flooded my ears with music that meant something.  My mom made me learn the cello at a young age.  My dad took me to see John Gorka and Leo Kotke.  I have a dog, a yellow lab named Ben, who has toured more than 10,000 miles with me over the past few years (human miles.)  I play an old 1970′s Takamine gifted to me by my uncle.

-Jeffrey Martin has released two albums.  Gold in the Water (2009) and Build A Home EP (2012.)  In 2011 he was invited to the Sisters Folk Festival as an emerging artist, and then returned in 2012 as an officially showcased artist.  In fall of 2012 Jeffrey was a finalist in the Mountain Stage / New Song contest in New York City.  And he has earned songwriting mentions in American Songwriter Magazine, as well as the 2009 Kerrville Folk Fest songwriter contest.  

Website:

http://jeffreymartinmusic.com/

Cygne

Alt Girl Rock

After ten years of studying classical violin Cygne found her voice writing and performing original songs in New York City. Upon graduation she embarked on her first solo European tour, boldly embracing the life of a troubadour. When she returned to the US she moved into her car and by summer she was performing on the Telluride Bluegrass and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival main stages.

In the 250,000 miles and 1000+ performances since, Cygne's passion has translated to audiences from small clubs in the Czech Republic to large US & Swiss festivals. Like a friend who alternately comforts, entertains, and probes, she greets us with the ease and authenticity of someone who has spent a lifetime turning strangers into family.

Written in response to her experience in Europe during the refugee crisis and terrorist attacks of 2015 and 2016, Cygne's new album Let It Breathe (February 3, 2017) provides hope and inspiration for challenging times. Cygne worked with producer Steve Rossiter at Axis Sound in New York City to create what has been unanimously declared their finest collaboration. Tune in as she enchants with thought-provoking songs and stories from the road.

"Captivating... spellbinding... her music is filled with imagery of our landscapes, and mirrors into our souls."- Monterey County Weekly

"Illuminating."- Eugene Weekly
"Alternating between folk and blues... with soul to burn"- New Times San Luis Obispo

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/cygnemusic/

Website:

https://www.cygnemusic.com/

Hip Hatchet

Hip Hatchet is the songwriting project of Philippe Bronchtein. Born in Montreal and raised in New Jersey. Bronchtein found his voice as a songwriter while living in Vermont between 2006 and 2010. His first full length album Men Who Share My Name was self released on May 2nd 2010 and later re-released by Gravitation records in August 2011. The blog We Listen For You describes Hip Hatchet as "gorgeous introspective folk...the best new act of 2010."

In April 2012, Hip Hatchet released Joy and Better Days on Gravitation Records. The album chronicles Bronchtein's relocation across the country and features Alex Lewis on guitar, Jake Nussbaum on drums, and Charlie Freundlich on Bass.

Hip Hatchet is currently based in Portland, OR, where Philippe performs as a soloist.

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/HipHatchet

Bandcamp:

http://hiphatchet.bandcamp.com/

Wesley Randolph Eader

The Portland old-time inspired folk/country singer-songwriter Wesley Randolph Eader has family roots all over Tennessee, but he was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Primarily a solo artist and storyteller, a true songwriters-songwriter, Eader's live performances are known to invoke both laughter and tears amongst the audiences who have had the opportunity to hear him play over the past couple of years. An article published on No Depression suggests that Eader is a modern heir to American roots music, claiming "Eader sings each song as if he's been singing them forever, as if they were passed down like precious heirlooms, or discovered on one of A.P. Carter's song expeditions". Eader released his debut album "Of Old It Was Recorded" on Deeper Well Records back in 2012. This album proved that Eader had the voice and folk guitar styling to fit within a more traditional style American roots music, but most importantly it showed that he had the even rarer gift of crafting songs that sounded timeless, not just recycled. In true field recording style, Eader was discovered and approached by Eric Earley (Singer/Songwriter/Producer of Blitzen Trapper & Denver) and a couple weeks later they had a tracking session in Earley's apartment. Those 10 debut songs could have easily been sung and recorded by country or bluegrass gospel legends such as Ralph Stanley, Johnny Cash, Washington Phillips, or The Louvin Brothers.

The four year period between "Of Old It Was Recorded" and Eader's latest album "Highway Winds", which was self-released in August of 2016, were filled with ups and downs and everything in between. Only days after releasing "Of Old It Was Recorded", Eader experienced the first of two spontaneous collapsed lungs, and a few grueling months of recovery that ultimately required emergency surgery. The near death experience and the mystery of whether or not the collapsed lungs were linked to years of playing trumpet as a kid, or too many nights of intense singing, caused Eader to contemplate the fragility of life and question the purpose of the musical gifts he had been given. Eader has continued to maintain a presence around the Portland music scene, sharing stages and living rooms with all sorts of musicians; the highlights being a sold out show at the Aladdin Theatre in support of Josh Garrels, touring with Liz Vice on the Mcmenamin's Great Northwest Tour, playing old-time standards and new tunes with Eric Earley at Al's Den and the album release show at Mississippi Studios.

"Highway Winds" represents a new arrival and a second wind for Eader. The songs give a glimpse into his wide range of classic songwriting influences, from the country ballads of Willie Nelson and Tom T. Hall, to the topical folksongs of Woody Guthrie and John Prine. It was recorded entirely on tape and mastered straight to vinyl and features a host of Portland musicians including Eric Earley, Luke Price (National Old-time Fiddle Champion), Danny O'Hanlon (Studio Engineer and Producer at Bungalow 9 Studios), Rachel Dial (Singer/Guitarist for Mero and SS Bungalow) and more. All these people have helped take Eader's songs, which stand strongly by themselves, to an even higher level of interest to the listener. Nostalgic ridden Americana music lovers are sure to find "Highway Winds" a more than suitable soundtrack for the road.

Website:

http://www.wesleyrandolpheader.com/