MALINGO

 Malingo - the Midwest’s darling folk & jamgrass band - has a single goal in mind: to move you in one way or another. Their music blends folk, bluegrass, jamband, and psychedelic blues for a sound that is often nostalgic, often melancholy, often intense, but always emotional. This 5-piece band takes pride in crafting unique live sets that are sure to steal your heart and leave you smiling. If that’s not enough, they release multiple albums of new music every year. Try your best to keep up!

Guitar/Vocals: Jonny Gerber
Mandolin/Vocals: John Boyle
Banjo/Vocals: Sam Mcguire
Bass: LJ Aucker
Drums: Josh Faudree

RYAN NECCI & THE BUFFALO GOSPEL

 At the heart of great music is a story, and for that matter, a storyteller. The story of Ryan Necci & The Buffalo Gospel begins with Ryan's introduction to the songwriting greats through his family's record collection. Growing up in a small, lower-middle-class farm town in Wisconsin, the sounds of classic country music intertwined with the songwriting of John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and Townes Van Zandt formed the backdrop of his childhood. The themes of love, loss, and unfulfilled dreams seeped into his soul, shaping his distinctive Country/Americana style as a songwriter.

Ryan's debut album, We Can Be Horses, released in 2013, garnered praise for its "musically arresting" and "minimalist and masterful" qualities. The band's follow-up, On the First Bell, continued to earn acclaim, solidifying their place in the genre. In 2021, Ryan signed a recording and publishing deal with BMG Music in Nashville, TN, marking a significant step in his career as an artist and writer.

Ryan has since written with and for notable artists like Stephen Wilson Jr., Lori McKenna, Jim Lauderdale and Flatland Cavalry, bringing his storytelling craft to wider audiences. Recently, he signed a new global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, further solidifying his presence in the songwriting community and expanding his reach as a writer.

Ryan Necci and the Buffalo Gospel recently released their highly anticipated return with The Letting Go: Part 1. The six-song EP is a heartfelt exploration of healing, hope, and the enduring spirit of a storyteller reclaiming his voice.

MAYGEN & THE BIRDWATCHER

Maygen & The Birdwatcher weave a rich tapestry of Americana, blending folk and country with an eclectic twist. Lead singer-songwriters Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann began as a duo and quickly realized their sonic vision needed more. At the heart of their sound is a collective of talented musicians. Multi-instrumentalist Nik Pellinen adds depth with his banjo, lap steel, electric guitar, and harmonies while Jesse Moravec brings a vibrant touch with mandolin and harmonies and Evin Haukos soars on fiddle. Bassist Joe Barron and drummer-percussionist Peter Anderson round out the ensemble, crafting a fresh take on bluegrass-infused folk. It’s a hyphenated hybrid that can come only from a seasoned—and tightly knit—band.

The Americana Dream (expected fall 2025) is a journey of a record that finds Maygen & The Birdwatcher expanding their horizons in multiple ways. The second record from the Minnesota-based group is a sonic travelogue that charts where they have been and where their collective gaze is headed. The record follows the group’s 2021 debut Moonshine, as well as festival opportunities to share stages with fellow genre luminaries like Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Grace Potter and being awarded Album of the Year from the Midwest Country Music Organization. Along with co-producer John Fields (Brandi Carlile, Soul Asylum, Miley Cyrus), Maygen & The Birdwatcher’s new album represents a full embrace of the literal definition of Americana, as well as a deep love for the ground we walk on and the future of the planet itself. On The Americana Dream, the group continues to push themselves while making it sound easy and effortless through the pure strength of their creations.

GOOD MORNING BEDLAM

Good Morning Bedlam is a folk-rock duo from Minneapolis, MN. Their shows are known for their wild energy and stunning harmonies. Winners of first-place title at the John Hartford Memorial Festival Band Competition, and finalists at the NWSS Band Competition. GMB has played at festivals alongside artists such as Shakey Graves, Sam Bush, Jason Isbell, The Infamous Stringdusters, Trampled By Turtles and others. In 2021 GMB ran a successful Kickstarter for their much anticipated third full-length record ‘Lulu’ where fans from around the world pledged a total of $34,000. GMB has been featured on Bluegrass Today, Relix Magazine, Glide Magazine, and Paste Magazine. Now in 2023 the band is touring their brand new EP Dear Day Dear Darling.

SAMMIE JEAN COHEN

Sammie Jean is a genre blending artist known for her soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting. Blending country, blues, and folk, her music captures real moments and raw emotions—often pulled straight from her own stories of love, heartbreak, and healing.

She keeps things honest and easy, with songs that feel lived-in and true. Whether she's playing a stripped-down acoustic set or backed by a full band, Sammie brings warmth, charm, and sincerity to every stage. And when she strips it back, that's when her sultry, powerhouse voice really takes over—pulling you in and holding you there.

Sammie Jean's music is for anyone who loves songs that feel personal, relatable, and full of heart.

JON MILLER

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jon Miller is a dynamic guitarist known for his intricate flatpicking and genre blending style. With over a decade of touring the United States and sharing stages with bands such as Billy Strings, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Yonder Mountain String band his musical journey continues to grow. 

A staple of the Midwest music scene, Jon is the lead guitar player for several standout bands, including the bluegrass Americana group Ginstrings, the boundary-pushing jamgrass band Feed the Dog, and the Twin Cities based jam band TWINE, who hold a popular Wednesday night residency at Bunkers Music Bar. 

Jon also brings his love of bluegrass to the community as the host of Bluegrass Bingo, a unique blend of live music and interactive fun every Saturday morning at The Cabooze in Minneapolis. Whether on stage or in a more intimate setting, Jon's playing reflects a deep respect for tradition while venturing into the unknown. His acoustic flat picking and improvisational skills craft his staple sound.