Playful, fun, and somewhat irreverent, Anna Wang and the Oh Boys! rock out to good old fashioned pop/rock, with clever lyrics and catchy hooks, drawing influences from sex, emo kids, Phil Spector, 60s pop, 70s pop, soda pop, lollipops, gumdrops, flip flops, sock hops, and many other wonderful things.

Ida Jo began setting herself apart long ago. A violinist since the age of 7, her childhood was filled with countless performances on three continents and awards such as the prestigious Emerson Scholarship to Interlochen Arts Camp. Now, at the young age of 23, Ida Jo has added a music performance degree to her resume along with performances at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, SummerFest, and SXSW.

Ida Jo is pioneering a seldom-heard violin technique called “chopping”. She uses the bow rhythmically to create a percussive sound when playing. Rooted in the folk fiddle tradition, the chopping is “original and unexpected” (Rich Albertoni, Isthmus Daily Page). Influenced by The Band and Van Morrison since she was young, Ida Jo’s solo debut Providence “combines soulful rhythm and blues with a folk sensibility and jazz elements to create something uniquely her own.” (Rick Tvedt, Local Sounds Magazine).

“Perhaps most surprising is not Ida Jo’s violin playing, which is stellar, but her vocals.” (Tvedt). She “shows herself to be a soulful vocalist,” (Albertoni) and with the support of her band, The Show, “it is Ida Jo’s personality that shines through on Providence, and that may be its biggest accomplishment.” (Albertoni). idajo.com

The music of The Mascot Theory has been called “a full-fat, high-energy dose of Americana-tinged, folk-country rock” with lyrics and melodies laced with “passion, depth, reflection and accusation working across a spread of influences.”

Beth Kille is a 15-time Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) award winning artist from Madison, WI who has been cranking out her unique blend of rock, country, folk and blues since 2000. From house concerts and coffee houses to headlining spots at festivals, her love for the stage and genuine passion for performance shine through in all settings. She fronted the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) award-winning band, Clear Blue Betty from 2002-2008 before launching her solo career. Heralded by the Americana Gazette (2008) as a “Master Songwriter,” Kille has penned hundreds of tunes and was recognized on a national level for her writing when she won the Nashville Songwriters Association International Song Showdown in 2009.

Staunchly committed to the advancement of young musicians and songwriters of all ages, Kille works as the Music Director for Girls and Ladies Rock Camp Madison, hosts Madison’s Chick Singer Night and sits on the Board of Directors for the Madison Area Music Association. She is sought out for her songwriting knowledge from both private students and in the workshop setting.

Madison's very own Pop/Rock/Americana sensation Lucas Cates has won over 15 Madison Area Music Awards including 'Artist of the Year' in 2011 and sold over 8000+ records in his travels across country. His band was nominated this last year at the greater Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards for 'Artist of the Year' and 'Album of the Year'! Find "Good Folks" and other albums at Itunes and cdbaby.com! www.lucascates.com

Sky Road Fly is a four-piece rock band from Madison, WI. They combine the groove consciousness of 1972, the musical curiosity of the mid-80's underground, and the fierce sounds and energy of the early 90's, to create a unique sound that commands attention.

Formed in late 2008 by long-time musical conspirators, Robert Halstead (guitar/vox) and Kyle Sturtevant (drums), with musician Ben Jarosh (guitar/vox), Sky Road Fly has been a jamming, writing, and recording machine. Dustin Harmon (bass/vox) took notice and enlisted himself to end the band's cycle of short-term bass players.

David Payne took Kyle's spot behind the kit in August of 2010. Since then Sky Road Fly has been hard at work bringing all of their influences to gel as one common theme, ROCK!

Sky Road Fly is ready to set the stage on fire and send a clear message through the smoke signals. Originality is not dead for rock music. Not for this band. Not for you. Get swept away in their guitar fury, pounded by their rhythm section, and then soothed as the band harnesses magical dynamics to heal you, only to tear you apart again to remind you that you're alive.

Rich Lavigne recently moved to Madison after more than ten years of playing local venues and festivals in Wisconsin's Lake Superior area communities. He backs strong vocals with heavy, riff-laden acoustic guitar performing songs that cover retro folk and jam rock, alt-country, and indie rock originals.

Four musicians who have "payed their dues" have joined forces to create a fused rockin’ blues and boogie sound that will keep you drinkin', dancing and having a great time all night long! They have spent years around the Madison music scene in Falcon, Blue Like That, Black Rose, and Big Eddy Springs. Now creating a dynamic quartet of rockin’ blues and boogie... bluetrain: we’ll play the blues for you!

Mudroom from Madison, Wisconsin, plays a combination of improvisational and progressive styles known as "Improg". We bring an energetic blend of originals and rocking covers that excite our fans. Our sound is sculpted by Tyler Ricker's soaring, frenetic guitar with bassist Matty Douglas and drummer Michael Sherry laying down a high-energy groove, and the final textures added by keyboardist Ryan Dohse.

Originally formed in 2009, we have played at a number of local venues, including the High Noon Saloon and The Frequency, and Mudroom was featured on Live at 5 in the NBC 15 studio in support of the NAMI benefit. themudroomband.com

My name is Scott Wilcox, I am an Americana blues singer songwriter and I'm looking for opportunities to get my name out in Madison. You can check out my website at www.bearcreekrecording.com There you can check out my music and some of my experiences. Did I mention I played on the Oprah Winfrey Show?

"What you give is what you get" "bullshit is bullshit it just goes by different names" statements Burning Sky believe in passionately..... "We wanted to be a bit different from the other dross out there, we wanted to stand out, mean what we did, not just musical prostitution" said vocalist Beeva.. Taking their inspiration from the classic British bands of yesteryear..... The Jam, Who, Clash ,Specials, Oasis etc. Burning Sky just want to mean something different to the vast majority of music lovers out there that are fed up with the mainstream, lifeless, souless performances of many of the bands you watch each weekend. With a classic Mod look & Punk attitude, Burning Sky gigs rarely fail to inspire. New ivory tinkler Gav recalls his 1st Burning Sky gig " I saw this band playing pure fucking soul music man all they needed was some Hammond to complete.

My name is Max Dvorak, and I’m a singer/songwriter based out of Verona, Wisconsin. I started writing music in the spring of 2010, and began to perform for the audiences of Southern Wisconsin the following Fall. I perform original acoustic music that is deeply influenced by artists such as Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, Tyler Hilton, Bruce Cockburn, Into it Over It, Koji, & many more. You can trace elements of my music back to each and every one of these artists, and if it weren’t for the music they’ve created, I wouldn’t be writing and performing the music I am today.

Many who are involved in our local music scene have acclaimed my live performances, and the support of these people have helped me get to where I am today. I strive to make all of my live shows an experience that audience members will never forget. No one leaves a Max Dvorak show without having something on their mind.

Some of my more notable accomplishments include the opportunity to perform at the famous 12 Bar Club in the Soho District of London, playing on the main stage of the world’s largest brat fest in Madison Wisconsin, and sharing the stage with national acts such as: American Idol contestant Josiah Lemning, One Tree Hill’s Tyler Hilton, The Dangerous Summer, Koji, Into It Over It, Jeff Pianki, Kiernan McMullan, Mark Croft, the world’s only touring double-neck guitarist Mark Kroos, and many more.

Set to be released is my debut full-length record with Inner Voice Music Productions entitled “Home.” This ten-track release features a variety of different musical stylings that were written over the last two years. The songs on this record were all written about important times in my life that were significant in shaping the person I am today. From heartbreak to new beginnings, this record reflects all of the experiences I’ve had as a young adult. Bringing the album to a close is the song “Home,” which inspired the title of the record because it is a song about this chapter of my life coming to a close and the common struggle of finding one’s place in the universe.

Following the release of “Home” I will be performing a series of CD-release shows across the Midwest with my brand new 3-piece band featuring Gabe Burdulis, Joshua Stern, & Cole Dockter.

That’s a bit about me and what my music is all about, now it’s time for you to join the Max Dvorak community. There are a few ways for you to do this. First and foremost, join the Max Dvorak mailing list to find out about upcoming shows, releases, and many other cool things. Also, become a fan of my music on all your favorite social networking sites. Most importantly, if I am ever playing a show near you, try your best to come out and be a part of the fun!

Inconspicuously founded in 2005 by friends and long–time collaborators, Brian Thorpe and Matt Duranceau, A Minute Jack Forum subsisted for nearly two years on a handful of home recordings and wishful thinking. Even after securing the aid of bassist/songwriter David Leemkuil and drummer Ken Hale in the spring of 2007, little was certain about how the assemblage would evolve.

All the same, A Minute Jack Forum forged ahead, triangulating its sound from previous experience—having played such venues as Chicago's Metro and Lounge Axe, along with Madison establishments like O'Cayz Corral and the Memorial Union Terrace with previous ventures. The results run the breadth of alt–rock, touching on common themes of heartbreak and personal regret while offering new contexts for NASA and Bigfoot.

A Minute Jack Forum finally emerged in 2008, sharing the bill with many talented independent artists while peddling their newest expressions on show–goers about Wisconsin and the Midwest. The band debuted their first full–length recording—Traction Blip—in July 2010.

Madison's the Cutouts were recently picked to be a highlighted band at www.raw-tracks.com ! Thanks to Eric Katte for his excellent job of production and for his belief in our music! It's more than an obsession, less than a career... The Cutouts are three guys from Madison, Wisconsin USA that play fast, fun garage-rock-punk-surf-powerpop. The product of a late night jam session after an evening of drinking at the Crystal Corner bar, the Cutouts have been together for over five years with the current line up, playing to crowds big and small all over Wisconsin. Vocalist and main songwriter Scott Olson played bass and sang in Phil Gnarly and the Tough Guys, The Willies, 24 Miles, and countless other esoteric Madison area bands before forming the Cutouts. "Concussionist" Mark Shumway is another veteran of Phil Gnarly and the Tough Guys, and played drums with the Vibrochamps and Nerve Jerk . Dan Bjerke played guitar for a few bands around Madison before eventually ending up with the Cutouts.

The Echelon String Quartet is equally comfortable performing with classical chamber ensembles as they are sharing the stage with rock bands. A large part of their repertoire includes their own arrangements of everything from rock music to jazz standards and audiences are entertained by their fun interpretations of contemporary classical music. All Wisconsin natives, the four musicians met while pursuing degrees in music from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. During their time at UW-Whitewater, the group received a National Undergraduate Research Grant to commission and perform a piece of music by a living composer. The result of the grant was "Seven Sultry Gothic Love Songs", a seven-movement work for string quartet and percussion by New York-based composer Eric Schwartz. Other recent performances include participation in the Madison, Wisconsin Broom Street Theater Sessions and the Wurst Times Music Festival. The Echelon String Quartet was the resident string quartet for the inaugural season of the Taneycomo Festival orchestra and they are excited to return in that role for the 2013 season. www.facebook.com/echelonstringquartet

The Apologists are from Madison Wisconsin and play a unique mixture of musical styles known as "Garage Country". Their originals are generally country flavored sagas of lovable losers, ("We're Only Happy When We're Drinking") reworked ancient gospel or folk tunes, (" The Cuckoo") or surfy instrumentals. They play a wide range of cover tunes from Dolly Parton to PJ Harvey from Johnny Cash to Johnny Thunders from Gram Parsons to The Minutemen. The current lineup is Boyce Johnson on vocals and drums, Jim Merett on lead guitar, Marty Mulhern on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Mark Penner on bass. Over the years The Apologists have played with Exene and the Original Sinners, The Bottle Rockets, The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash and Romi Mayes. Their first album, "Welcome to Garage Country " is a Garage Country classic while their second "Death by Misadventure" lives up to it's name.

I'm from Minny, moved to Sconsin and try to maintain a laid back Californy state of mind! I work at a rubber hose manufacturing plant during the day, at night I play in the local lounges! Play a few tunes say a few jokes mostly lame ones but to get a smile, its worth the while!

My musical journey began with my Brownie troop when I was seven years old. My troop was going to have a talent show at a local nursing home. I said to my dad, who was co-leader of the troop, “Dad, I don’t have a talent”. He told me that we had an old guitar at home and he would show me a few chords so that I could sing a couple of Christmas carols. After the show, as we were all leaving, the activities director told my dad and me that she enjoyed my performance and asked if I would come back again sometime. My dad said the troop would be happy to come back again the next year, but that, if she would like, I could come back the next month and do a whole show for them by myself. I panicked, grabbing my dad’s arm and saying, “Dad, I can only play two songs”. He assured me that I learned the two songs so fast that I could easily learn twenty by the next month. He was right. We went to a different retirement home each week to develop my confidence. Then for St. Patrick’s Day, I learned some Irish songs and sang at some Irish pubs. From there I began playing, churches, festivals, farmer’s markets, coffee shops, fund raisers, charity events, memorial dedications, or any other place that we could find. I really enjoyed it. I was always telling my dad to find me more gigs. I started playing on the sidewalk after we took my sister to school in Madison. I saw the street musicians on State Street and asked my parents if I could give it a try. The next time we took my sister to school, I went out on State Street with a mandolin and a coffee can under the watchful eye of my brother. I actually made some money. That was also how the nickname “Sidewalk Superstar” got attached to me. From then on, whenever we would visit my sister, I would bring a banjo or guitar and play for a while on State Street. Then I got a gig playing on the UW Student Union Terrace Saturday evenings during the summers. A professor of music became interested in my performances, and suggested that I attend classes at the university. I was too young to live in Madison by myself and my sister lived in a sorority house, so I couldn’t stay with her. We decided that I would enroll at UW Milwaukee. It is within commuting distance of my house. This educational opportunity has allowed me to meet some of the top finger-style players in the world and has markedly improved my skills and technique. I am continuing my education at UWM and performing publicly every chance I get. www.macyntaylor.com

recreationstation.bandcamp.com

Madison's newest and most formidable reggae/rocker outfit, is a talent rich quintet led by four time Grammy nominated lead singer and guitarist Michael Stone.

Michael (Guitar Dread) Stone, who has toured extensively with some of the world's greatest reggae artists, such as Justin Hinds, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Third World's Cat Coore and famed Studio One drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace has put together Madison's hardest reggae rocker outfit.

Peter (Ras Kikit) Johnston, from the original Natty Nation reggae group, drives the Kingtown Rockers train, with his hammer like one drop beat. Johnston, who has earned his chops touring nationally with Natty Nation, also has provided the beat behind local musical groups, such as Supa Ranks & His Rockstone High Power, Tony Brown and Roots Collective, now brings his workmanlike approach to laying the foundation to this new hardworking outfit.

Stefan Truesdell displays his varied array of lead/rythmn guitar stylings with the multi-talented Kingtown Rockers. Truesdell studied at the punk rock guitar altar during his stint as lead ax for the hot Racine, WI based Dead Flyboy. Stefen then carried on his work in lead guitar steering the reggae group Natty Nation from 1998-2006. He also lends his guitar duties to the funk, jazz and neo soul ensemble Weapons of Mass DeFunction. Stefan will be displaying his guitar wizardry as the Kingtown Rockers bring their driving reggae sound to the music lovers.

Jack Whitney is the newest member of Kingtown Rockers. Jack brings his “Rock Steady” style of bass to the Kingtown Rockers after spending over 10 years playing live

I was the 2010 madison song writers guild song of the year contest. Also a founding member of the the Backyard still a local alt country band. I Play mostly alt country and cowpunk. I would probally get a few folks to sit in with me. You can find example of my music at http://backyardstill.bandcamp.com/ the 1st and 3rd songs our mine ( I only sing on older I get ) on that demo or check out the 1st song @ http://youtu.be/6neV9XiE1B8.

Born in the Tundra North and raised under the pretense that Rock & Roll will save the world.

Wisconsin can be a desolate place in winter without a creative outlet and we've used that as our inspiration to compose and perform music that we hope represents our unique slant on the American Midwest style.

Look for new music from the upcoming "SMART" CD to be posted on this site very soon.

Our first recording, "Main Street", was recorded, engineered and co-produced by Butch Vig (Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Garbage) back when Butch still worked daily at Smart Studio in Madison Wisconsin. The release garnered some attention from the press and is still selling copies worldwide.

Our second recording, "Northern Distortion", was recorded, engineered and co-produced by Jeff Murphy (Shoes, Material Issue) at Short Order Recorder in Zion, IL. Jeff is a well respected independent studio engineer and has always been at the forefront of the production and promotion of the Midwest Pop Music scene.

Our next recording, due for release in May of 2010, is being mixed and mastered, once again, at Smart Studio in Madison, WI. Unfortunately for the Midwest (and the American music scene in general), Smart Studio will be closing soon and ours may be one of the last projects to pass through this nationally respected facility.

As somewhat of a tribute and at the very least an acknowledgment of what the presence of a studio of this caliber in this part of the world means to us, we've titled our next release to be named, simply, "SMART".

Thanks you for listening and supporting the independent music scene where ever you are. Come to Wisconsin for a winter and join us in our misery - it's inspirational.

As always, stay well and howl when the mood strikes you. The Guys @ Fun w/ Atoms

Sexy Ester is high energy, New Wave Rock band from Madison, WI. Fronted by honey voiced Lyndsay Evans, who controls the stage like the Divas of old and ably backed by Adam Edar on guitar, Paul Kennedy on drums, Brad Schubert on bass, and Roscoe Evans on keyboards, Sexy Ester is no flash in the pan. They've already payed a lot of dues slugging it out in the smaller clubs and dives all over the Midwest and the clubs are getting bigger and bigger. Their newest CD, "Sequins, Sin, & Appetite" is fast becoming a staple of college radio stations. The band swept the Alternative category at last year's Madison Area Music Awards taking home Performer, Song, and Album of the Year. Lead Singer, Lyndsay Evans, was honored with the Female Vocalist of the Year award.

Filter Free Rodeo is a three piece indie rock band consisting of Phil Hoge, Evan Kotlwoski, and Jash Campbell. Based out of Milwaukee, the 20 year-old trio met in high school, and after several jam sessions, the band had original material, and an 8 track EP (Filter Free Radio EP). Since their start in 2010, the band has changed their name to Filter Free Rodeo (from Filter Free Radio), and has two self-recorded, self-produced, and self-released EP’s. 2012 was a quiet year for Filter Free Rodeo, juggling college with recording and song-writing. However, as the summer of 2013 approaches, Filter Free Rodeo has big plans. With a West Coast and Midwest Tour in the works, as well as upcoming adds on college radio, 2013 is gearing up to be a breakout year for Filter Free Rodeo.

Jimmy Murn + The Heymakers are a Power-Pop-Punk alliance hailing from Madison, Wisconsin. Aiming true to a vision Jimmy had when he was just 9 years old, The Heymakers are set to release their collection of new manic pop gems on their self-released "Hudson River Rookie".

Recorded partially reel to reel @ DNA Studio with Mark Whitcomb the album features songs such as Quicksand with a chorus that imperatively discloses "I will make you love me." The band intends to win you over, each and every one of you. They wish to send you off into the night with a smile on your face, you wondering how it got there, and that melody playing over and over again in your head.

Award winning 17 year old singer/writer performer Gabe Burdulis has been entertaining audiences solo and with bands that play everything from Rock & blues, to folk or hip-hop since 2008! playing everywhere from street corners to coffee shops, bars, festivals, benefit shows, to 10 thousand seated amphitheaters.

Indie alternative pop-rocker Gabe Burdulis is a singer/songwriter/performer from Madison, WI and has played in a variety of different venues headlining shows or opening for national acts all across Wisconsin and other states! Gabe adds a lot of different flavors in his music that reach out into blues and jazz routs that support driving rhythms, edgy guitar and strong or gentle vocals!

A great show is ALWAYS guaranteed whether it is a solo or a full band show! Gabe always has a few quirky tricks up his sleeve to keep things interesting! Gabe is a multi-instrumentalist and just released his first album, “The Land of Make Believe” playing most of the parts on the album. It also features a beatboxer, violinist & saxophone player and more!

Formed in 2007 and based in the traditional folk styles of the Balkans, Veseliyka seeks to combine tradtional instrumentation and melodies with a contemporary repertoire. Seeking to break out of the mold of familiar recorded dance tunes, the ensemble works to make longer dance medleys. Supported by the enthusiastic international folk dance community, Veseliyka hopes to expand it’s audience with each appearance.

You may think you can see well, but you actually need Optometri to help you see the true world of reality through the heightened eyeballs of the rock and roll. Optometri is the best band of Russian has-beens ever to vanish from sight at the height of their popularity only to re-emerge unexpectedly more than a decade later in South-Central Wisconsin in a new millennium whose sensibilities they do not fully grasp. Frontman Yuri Mishkin and his merry band of ersatz surgeons will rock you from east to west and back again with their unique brand of pre-post-Soviet musical and lyrical wizardry.

Art Paul Schlosser was born born in Chicago, January 4, 1960. He grew up listening to novelty music like Allen Sherman and Tiny Tim as well as funny songs by The Beatles and The Monkees. When Art was 11, he, his mother, and his sisters moved to Madison, Wisconsin after his parents got a divorce. As a child in Madison, his mother continued to play weird and funny songs for him, sometimes playing strange sound effects on one recorded player to go with the songs. As a teenager, Art Paul joined a work experience play group that encouraged Art to be creative. In this group, there were a couple of fans of The Beatles, one of whom encouraged Art Paul to write lyrics. It was from that time on that Art started to write. Art would listen to the Dr Demento radio show as well as other strange records that he discovered at the local library, and then try to write some lyrics he was inspired to write after listening to the songs.On Art's 19 Birthday Art recieved a guitar and started to write music to go with lyrics.Upon discovering that it is legal to busk on State Street, Art Paul tried it out on a warm day late in February 1986 and received a couple of dollars for his effort. Since then Art Paul has been a street musician and busker as well as an outsider artist on State Street in Madison, Wisconsin.

Baristacide is a four-piece band crafted from the sacred ashes of two other Madison bands (The No and Maybe Game, Penfield Mood Organ).

Members include Educational Davis (Vocals), Poncho Pilot (Guitars), Van Mojo (Basses), and Jonny Sucrose (Drum). By combining powerpop, new wave, goth rock and loads of pop rocks and cola, Baristacide mercilessly delivers intoxicating melodies with mindless lyrics, all wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla of punk amateurism. Being the sonic burrito that it is, Baristacide eventually will spill all of its contents out onto the audience's lap in a show of solidarity which is symbolic of whatever gustatory auto-eroticism the brilliant future might hold. In this way, Baristacide aims to appeal to the lowest common denominator of popular music. In other words, Baristacide is bitchin'.

Madison, Wisconsin's own Tiny Band make mighty music from wee instruments. This is no novelty act, Bub, but real music, really pretty, a really big show. The songs come from our own gooey innards and from our favorites, like the Velvet Underground, Blondie, Motorhead and others from historic left field. Why? We don't know. It doesn't matter. Rock tinily with us.