2012 Northwest Folklife Festival: Full Schedule

Aaron Zig

Emerging Seattle songwriter

Sunday May 27, 2012 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Folklife Cafe 47.62383, -122.35084

Genre SS -- Singer-Songwriter
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Biography Formerly of the Seattle band Weightless, Aaron Zig has rebirthed his solo career in 2011 with the release of his first E.P. in 4 years, Heaven Never Left Us. Landing slots at The Bushwick Book Club, Conor Byrne, and a monthly showcase at The Benbow Room, 2012 promises to be a bright year for an artist devoted to the craft of songwriting. Often compared to Devendra Banhart, Iron & Wine, Paul Simon and Elliot Smith, Aaron Zig carries an audience with just his voice and the guitar, weaving intricate melodies with big choruses. Most importantly, every song is honest and direct, allowing audience and performer to engage in a true musical moment.

Led to Sea

Viola Driven Indie-Pop

Sunday May 27, 2012 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Folklife Cafe 47.62383, -122.35084

Genre CFMI -- Contemporary Folk Music - Indie
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Biography Led to Sea is the solo project of Seattle-based violist Alex Guy, who has toured as a string player and solo act throughout the U.S. and Europe with musicians such as Mirah, Laura Veirs, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down and Jason Webley. Alex has also composed for and collaborated with numerous theater and dance groups in Seattle, including 5 years with the Degenerate Art Ensemble. Her viola driven songs merge classical, pop and experimental worlds, and her most recent record 'Into the Darkening Sky' has been described as ' one of the records that local music critics will mention in their top lists at the end of the year.'' (Seattle Show Gal). She is honored to be joined by some of Seattle's most talented string players including Jherek Bischoff, Paris Hurley and Maria Scherer-Wilson.

Tai Shan

Seamstress of Melodies

Sunday May 27, 2012 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Folklife Cafe 47.62383, -122.35084

Genre SS -- Singer-Songwriter
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Biography Tai’s clear, Joni Mitchell-like voice has been featured in international film series such as Tales from Patchwork Farms, TV shows like ArtZone, and has performed at regional venues such as the Triple Door, the Moore, Folklife Festival, Benaroya Hall and has toured throughout the US. Seattle City Arts magazine describes Tai Shan’s music is like “hugging a total stranger—kind of awkward and totally wonderful.” Grammy Nominee Jovino Santos-Neto calls her a “Seamstress of Melodies,” and Earshot Jazz winner Randy Halberstat states “She will ambush you with her compositions and unique guitar voicing.” Tai Shan has shared the stage with Washington’s Governor Gregoire when Tai performed her environmental song, “Tiny Planet.” The song was later featured in the HBO documentary The Search for Turtle Island. . Lately she as been working with the National Wildlife Federation to protect migrating wildlife in Yellowstone National Park by donating the proceeds of her next EP 1000 Miles to Yellowstone. Visit www.TaishanMusic.com for details.

Vince Mtz. & The Great Blue Yonder

A Seattle-based Americana Band

Sunday May 27, 2012 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Folklife Cafe 47.62383, -122.35084

Genre CFMA -- Contemporary Folk Music - Americana
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Biography Vince Martinez is a Seattle-based americana singer/songwriter originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Vince and his band, The Great Blue Yonder, have been performing in and around Seattle for the past two years and have increasingly been receiving recognition for their engaging live performances and honest, straightforward music. Vince and the band’s latest album, Northwest by Southwest, features original music inspired by Martinez’s New Mexican roots, as well as his recent Pacific Northwest experiences. Vince is also a member of the Seattle chapter of the Bushwick Book Club, a group of musicians that read books and perform original music based on the reading. The Bushwick Book Club has been celebrated in the Seattle Times and the Stranger. Vince has released two full length albums: the debut, self-titled Vince Mtz. & The Great Blue Yonder in 2008 and the more recent Northwest by Southwest in 2010. Both albums have received glowing reviews from the Northwest’s acoustic music society, Victory Music, calling the first album “a record to be experienced and absorbed, not just listened to.” After the latest recording Victory stated that “Martinez and his band show a lot of promise” and to “go see Vince when he passes through”.

Wes Weddell

Singer, Songwriter, Citizen

Sunday May 27, 2012 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Folklife Cafe 47.62383, -122.35084

Genre SS -- Singer-Songwriter
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Biography Seattle singer/singwriter Wes Weddell has toured the Northwest and points beyond for the last ten years. He also founded and runs Puget's Sound Productions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to creating community live-music spaces. His latest release is "By the Side of the Lake."