americana

Comprised of Micah Schnabel (vocals, guitar), Shane Sweeney (bass, vocals), Andy Schell (keyboards), and Cody Smith (drums), the outfit, which plays more than 200 shows a year (and has for the past six years), has made their darkest, yet most rewarding record to date, writing songs that deal with the problems and dilemmas of growing up, coming to terms with ones dreams versus reality, as well as songs about substance abuse...

Producer Lloyd Maines recalls hearing The Stairwell Sisters for the first time: “I happened upon this tribe of women musicians, playing old-time string music, with the power and excitement of a great rock band.” Tribe of women indeed. Evie Ladin explains what holds sway with the sisters, themes similarly found in one of their early influences, Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard: “not exactly the sweet and tender ladies, but the stand up for yourself and face the world kind of women.”

Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers is a rock band from Tempe, Arizona, USA. The band is typically referred to by fans by the abbreviation "RCPM". The Peacemakers' music is known to cross genres, with some songs showing a more Country influence, and others sounding more like a modern pop song. Roger Clyne's lyrics frequently showcase his Southwestern roots, and frequently imply images of cowboys, Federales, and references to Mexico and places in Arizona, amongst other Southwestern references.

Kate Campbell is a New Orleans-born singer-songwriter. She melds the Southern writing tradition of Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty and William Faulkner, with the folk-country-blues musical traditions of Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith with a touch of Lucinda Williams keeping it honest. Kate left a secure career with a Nashville university to pursue music full-time. Her 1994 debut album Songs From The Levee was re-released in 2004. Her latest album, Blues and Lamentations, was released in 2005 and includes guest vocals from Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson, Maura O'Connell, and Mac McAnally.