From working with orphans in Uganda, to social work on the streets of Melbourne, Levi McGrath demonstrates a passionate commitment to changing the world for the better that goes beyond his years. He is passionately committed to the belief that music is one of the most powerful influences in the world. That's why he aims to for his music to motivate and inspire a new generation of people who are willing to stand up and make a difference.
The day before his senior year as a playwright student at the University of North Carolina, Joe Pug sat down for a cup of coffee and had the clearest thought of his life: I am profoundly unhappy here. Then came the second clearest. Pug packed up his belongings and drove the longest route possible to Chicago. Working as a carpenter by day, the 23 year-old Pug spent nights playing the guitar he hadn't picked up since his teenage years.
Martin Carthy MBE is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and later artists such as Richard Thompson since he emerged as a young musician in the early days of the folk revival.
Dave Swarbrick is an English folk musician, best known for his fiddle playing. Swarbrick joined the The Ian Campbell Folk Group in 1960.
Donovan is a Scottish singer-songwriter who emerged as part of the mid-1960s folk music scene. He was born Donovan Leitch on 10th May 1946 in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland; the family moved to Hatfield, England in 1956. Donovan came to fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with a series of live performances on the television pop series, Ready Steady Go! Donovan first hit the pop charts in 1965 with his single "Catch The Wind". He produced hit after hit throughout the sixties and his Sunshine Superman album was considered an innovative breakthrough to a new pyschedelic pop sound.
The Boy Who Trapped The Sun, funnily enough, is not his real name. Colin MacLeod - for it is he- was discovered swinging round the rafters of an Aberdeen bar, dishing out Deep Purple covers and, he says, “generally acting like an arse.” Having smashed his guitar and knocked himself unconscious on stage, he set to cleaning up both the broken instrument and his act. Thus The Boy moved to London; to become a solo artist and an adult. And so emerged a record - due out this summer - full of strange, sometimes sinister stories: equally inspired by home, Hemingway, ghosts and ex-girlfriends.
Old Man River is one of Australia’s most unique artists. An incredible, inspiring artist who’s live show - a mix of western and eastern infuences - includes a blend of sitars, guitars and grooving rhythms. In 2008 Old Man River toured his show to India, Japan, Italy, Germany, Israel, UK and the US - as well as sharing stages in Australia with THE VIOLENT FEMMES, IRON AND WINE, JOSH PYKE, THE SLEEPY JACKSON, DAMIEN RICE AND NEWTON FAULKNER.
Tim Barry is a solo folk singer who sings in melodic hardcore band Avail. He released an album titled "Rivanna Junction" on the label Suburban Home Records in the fourth quarter of 2006. In 2008, Tim recorded a album titled Manchester. Recently he has recorded 28th & Stonewall, again on Suburban Home Records.
Maori singer/songwriter Maisey Rika, has one of Aotearoa's (New Zealand's) most impressive lead vocal style, fused with her honest and thought invoking messages. Some have described her sound similar to Tracey Chapman or Sade, with a splash of India Arie. Her spine tingling vocals and fusion of English and Maori (Te Reo) lyrics is capturing the hearts of soul seekers both in New Zealand and abroad.
Joey Cape is the lead vocalist for the melodic punk rock band Lagwagon. He is also lead vocalist for the indie experimental band Bad Astronaut. Other projects include being vocalists for both Afterburner and The Playing Favorites. On top of that, he is a guitarist in the cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. In addition, Joey Cape released a split CD with Tony Sly of No Use for a Name, featuring acoustic versions of Lagwagon favorites and one original song (Violet), which would later appear on Bad Astronaut's final album, Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment.
Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician who has been a longtime favourite on campus radio charts throughout the country. He was a member of the Halifax based alternative rock band Thrush Hermit from its founding in 1992 until its breakup in late 1999. Joel was the lead singer and guitar player for the group. He was also the band's primary songwriter. After the breakup of Thrush Hermit, Plaskett embarked on a solo career.