Concerts
Free Daily Music Stages
2012 Schedule available soon; check back for details.
For 2012 evening concert series, please visit:
http://www.lcmfestival.com/concert-tickets/
Last year’s bands:
Sunday Morning Gettin’ Down with Joshua Panda Band & Friends
Don’t miss this Panda Party with surprise guests!
Joshua Panda Band: www.joshuapanda.com
Joshua Panda, a twenty-five year-old singer/songwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina, is an exceptional combination of country and soul, George Jones and Otis Redding, and has traveled with this unique sound to a unique place: Vermont. After three years in Burlington, Joshua had his first real breakthrough in February 2011, when he played with Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, Dave Grippo and many other well-known Vermont artists at a sold-out benefit concert at Higher Ground. From this show, he has gained respect as one of Vermont’s favorite frontmen.
Joshua channels the wacky energy and soul of legendary performers such as Joe Cocker and Janice Joplin, and has solidified his band to include up and coming electric guitar prodigy, Bob Wagner, as well as Ed Grasmeyer, Brett Lanier, and Steve Hadeka. He is opening for both Delbert McClinton and Martin Sexton in April, and he is finalizing his first European tour for the fall where he’ll hit Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. He’ll return to the U.S. in mid-October with a third album recorded live at Powerplay Studios in Zurich where national acts such as Lady Gaga have recently recorded.
Amida Bourbon Project: www.theamidabourbonproject.com
with guest Adam Frehm of Smoking Grass and Ringbone
During the summer of 2007, Aya Inoue (a well known music collaborator in Burlington who has performed/recorded with such acts as Jen Crowell, Lowell Thompson, RAQ, Blues and Lasers, Brett Hughes, Marie Claire, and Mike Gordon) and Matt Harpster (The Bohemian Blues Quartet), who had been performing together as a duo, joined forces with Cory Beard (Hollywood Farm, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals) and Steve Sharon (Blues and Lasers, The Way) and The Leaves were formed. The Leaves featured Matt Harpster on electric guitar, Cory on electric bass, and Steve Sharon on drums. While Aya continued to write and perform songs on the acoustic guitar, the majority of songs that were written in an acoustic fashion were transformed into electric versions with The Leaves.
The Amida Bourbon Project was formed in summer 2010 following the departure of Steve Sharon from The Leaves, and after the decision was made by Inoue, Harpster, and Beard to temporarily abandon the electric/rock sound in favor of a softer, acoustic approach. In order to do this, the three decided to become a trio, and to collaborate with the many talented musicians available in Vermont for live shows, recordings, etc.
As of spring 2011, The Amida Bourbon Project features singer/songwriter Aya Inoue on rhythm guitar and vocals, Matt Harpster on lead guitar and an ever evolving cast of characters on instruments. Aya and Matt are often joined by Adam Frehm on lapsteel, Sean Cartney on electric bass, Jason Corbiere on drums, and Jackie Buttolph on vocal harmonies. The songs featured in The Amida Bourbon Project blend americana and folk, showcasing Inoue’s penchant for moody melodies. They are steeped in rich lyrical expressions that combine the surreal with the tangible experiences of everday life. Matt Harpster’s nimble guitar lines embellish this Vermont band’s rootsy sound.
2nd Agenda: www.myspace.com/2ndagenda
2nd Agenda is a talented four-piece band that plays honest, soulful rock. From catchy melodies to tight grooves and conscious lyrics, 2nd Agenda is honored to represent Vermont’s underground music culture. 2nd Agenda has been working for over three years now to create a passionate, aggressive, and conscious brand of music. The members of our band, all veterans of the Burlington, VT music scene, have joined forces one by one over the past few years, culminating in what is now a four-piece band consisting of guitar, bass, drums, turntables and vocals (in a variety of forms). Our collaboration is based not solely on musical taste, but more importantly upon ethics, opinions, and a shared aesthetic. We guarantee that our music is unlike anything you have ever heard. The band is ready to hit the road this summer in support of the release of their 3rd EP Hope Is A Must, with shows to be announced throughout the Northeast.
Alex Pastewski: www.reverbnation.com/alexpastewski
Beautiful melodies, catchy rhythms and delicate harmonies are what makes Alex P. shine. A singer/songwriter who has worked on his own music for more than twenty years after a career as a soloist at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills Gardens, NY, Alex P. is sure to blend well with a refined music lover’s tastes. His love and passion for music come across in every soulful note he sings. Mixing a love for social justice and environmental advocacy with unbelievable passion into a unique sound is what sets him apart from his peers. A true poet, he blends spoken word into his songs in a refreshing mix that few performers match. After many years spent honing his skills in a number of touring groups, Alex P. has decided to put himself in the spotlight as a soloist, coming across with a refreshing honesty and raw passion bound to intoxicate your senses.
Mike Colbourn and the John Tower Project: http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Tower-Project/163882150347032
Americana / Alt Country Blues
The John Tower Project (Mike Colbourn/Arty Lavigne/Mark Christensen/Mike Scott) plays a mixture of songs from the two John Tower Group releases, a few brand new songs and an assortment of obscure cover songs from their Texas, blues and alt-country influences. The JTP offers up a style of music referred to as Americana, or “a mix of jam based rock and blues with a little [alternative] country on the side.”
The band has previously opened or appeared with Dickey Betts and Great Southern, Joe Bonomossa, Ian Moore, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Jeff Healy, John Mayall, Cory Stevens, Pork Tornado (feat. Jon Fishman from Phish), Jim Cuddy Band (of Blue Rodeo), Eric Gales and has played various regional music festivals and club dates.
Captain Radical (Kids’ Interactive Music): www.captainradical.com
Captain Radical and his crew of Pirates will have the audience and children participating in a world of fun and adventure with dynamic, musical and interactive performances!
Steve Hartmann: www.myspace.com/stevehartmann
Where it takes some musicians numerous types of tricks, bells and whistles in order to create their musical message, singer/songwriter Steve Hartmann needs nothing more than his voice and guitar. After years as the front man for Acoustic/Rock band SIMON, he has now ventured forth as a solo artist with the impending release of his full-length debut album, Waking Up the Echoes. Hartmann started at age 12, taking classical piano lessons. After picking up a hand-me-down guitar from his mother at age 15, he finally gave in to all the requests for him to get a “real” show. Since then, it’s been a passion bordering on addiction. Sharing the stage with artists such as Jeffrey Gaines and Dispatch, playing venues such as The House of Blues, The Elbow Room, The Tin Angel, Club Passim, and Higher Ground, Hartmann has captured audiences of various sizes bringing groove and grace and a playful banter to every stage he steps on to.
Drawing upon the influences of his favorite performers (U2, Dave Matthews, The Counting Crows, Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, Shawn Colvin, and more), he crafts acoustic songs about his life and friendships in a variety of tones.
“I mostly write to help make sense of things,” he admits, “to give me some sense of resolution. Its part therapy and part counter-weight to help me balance out the insanity of normality. Plus, it’s just fun! As a singer/songwriter,” Hartmann notes, “It’s a bit tough making a ‘real’ living, but I have a great support system and have grown a lot as a person and a musician over the years. I’m ready to take the chance on myself that we, as musicians at least, sometimes wait for others to take on us. The reasons I play have changed, I’ve changed. I’m in no rush, but why wait? – I’m helping myself …waking up the echoes so to speak. I’m excited to be back!”
10 years after the release of Simon’s “Sweet Angel” album, Hartmann is now in the process of recording is debut solo album, entitled “Waking Up the Echoes”, and is returning to stages everywhere in preparation for its release.
Waylon Speed: www.waylonspeed.com
Reverend Chitwood Hammaker-Guitars and Vocals | Noah Crowther-Bass and Vocals | Justin Crowther-Drums, Vocals and Harmo | Kelly Ravin-Guitars, Vocals and Lap Steel
Waylon Speed is the convergence of four musicians from Burlington, Vermont, bringing their unstoppable no frills country-metal blend of rock to a rapidly growing horde of devoted fans nationwide. The formation of this band could not have come at a better time. Seemingly overnight, they have become a staple in the music community, equipped with a full pallet of all original music. Since their formation in April 2009, Waylon Speed has been touring extensively and picking up new fans like truck tires pick up mud. In support of their debut release, Georgia Overdrive, Waylon Speed toured the east coast of the US two times over. They have a nationwide tour planned for 2011 in support of their sophomore release ‘Between the Ditches’. Members have shared bills with national touring acts such as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Blues Traveler, Little Feat, My Morning Jacket, Junior Brown, Del McCoury, and Les Claypool. With relentless determination and positive driven attitudes, Waylon Speed is setting the bar for originality and genre-stepping with a firm rooted belief that live music has been, still is, and will always remain alive and well worldwide. “Gas on the fire of the current music scene,”It’s heavy, fiery country rock, for those who like their punk rock with some twang in it — but also appreciate high quality, intelligent songwriting” “Waylon Speed is not all that different from metal, punk or any other style of music that’s got a knife-in-the-boot attitude” to name just a few things being said in the press to describe this perfectly formulated foundation of true brotherhood known as Waylon Speed.
Patrick Fitzsimmons Trio, featuring Rob Meehan: www.patrickfitzsimmons.net 
Patrick writes songs that have that rare combination of strong lyrics and strong melody. Relix Magazine called him “one of the most captivating songwriters around today.” And, Seven Days wrote, ““Fitzsimmons is an immensely talented singer. With a shimmering, silken delivery, he is effortlessly emotive.” He is a three time Ploughshares songwriting contest finalist and a finalist in this year’s Solarfest Songwriting Competition. He has had his songs placed in several independent films. Patrick’s last CD, So Beautiful So Blue, made several Best of 2008 lists and was played on radio stations all over the country. He is currently working on a new CD he hopes to release this fall. Fitzsimmons continues to tour throughout the northeast building his large and loyal following with soulful, captivating performances. In high school in Sparta New Jersey, he and two classmates formed a band that would ultimately become From Good Homes, a New Jersey based folk/rock band signed to RCA Records in the mid ‘90’s. FGH recorded three CDs with RCA & toured the country sharing the stage with Bob Dylan, Dave Mathews Band, Joan Osborne and many others. In 2000 the band broke up and Patrick moved to Vermont and began his solo career.
The Beerworth Sisters: www.reverbnation.com/thebeerworthsisters 
Anna and Julia Beerworth share a passion for acoustic guitar, songwriting and live performances. They have recently collaborated on some casual, homemade recording projects on garage band. Stylistically, they tend toward an eclectic mix of folk, country and classic rock with an earthy and whimsical flare. Although they are both on the cusp of entering teaching careers, they have decided to work together in producing a homegrown album featuring their original material and are saving their pennies to do so-So stay tuned for some organic Vermont music!
Toni Caitlin and Brett Hughes: www.Tonicatlin.com
Equal parts Rootsy folk-rock with integrity, Americana, and Country, singer-songwriter Toni Catlin weaves tales of heartache, acceptance, and redemption and delivers them in a soulful, mellifluous voice that suggests she’s lived more than a few of her lyrics. Her debut album Heartache on the Run released in 2001 featured many of Nashville’s top session musicians, and conjured a band vibe. Heartache on the Run received rave reviews here and in the UK, and attracted fans within the industry. The title track “Me and My Heartache on the Run” won best song at the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest held at Merlefest in North Carolina. A Vermont native, Toni spent ten years in Nashville honing her craft and traveling the U.S. and abroad as a touring singer/songwriter. She’s opened shows in London for Tift Merritt, Allison Moorer and Steve Forbert, and in the states for America, Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle and others. She’s been a featured artist at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, at Tin Pan South and Fan Fair in Nashville, and on the BBC and NPR. Toni released a second CD in 2006 entitled Uncovered, produced by Grammy winning producer and musician, Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, Mathew Ryan, Nanci Griffith) and Thomm Jutz. Toni currently writes for Matt Lindsey Music in Nashville who also represents Tony Arata, Lee Roy Parnell and Tim O’Brien. Toni’s had several independent cuts and continues to write and tour from her new home base of Burlington, Vermont. Toni is joined today by stellar local musician, Brett Hughes on guitar.
“She’s an uncommonly gifted vocalist. Catlin possesses a clean, full-bodied timbre and has remarkable control of her abilities. She is always in command, never overestimating her range or technical prowess, which are both considerable. A talent such as hers could be excused for indulging in stylized histrionics on occasion. But she rarely does, instead relying on her natural tone and an innate knack for phrasing. Given that artists such as Paula Cole have sold a gajilion records, there’s obviously a healthy market for airbrushed folk-pop confections. But on her best day, Cole can’t match Catlin’s nuanced wordsmithing.~Dan Bolles (Seven Days, Burlington, VT)
Andrea Nardello: http://www.reverbnation.com/andreanardello
Andrea Nardello’s music can be described with one word: power. Power in the studio; power onstage; power in her lyrics; and, power in her soaring melodies.
“My Aeroplane,” Nardello’s sophomore release, is under consideration for a Grammy Nomination for 2010. Produced by Aaron Levinson and backed by a topnotch studio band, My Aeroplane takes listeners on a ride through clear skies and thunderclouds. On it, Nardello explores romance, family, and friendship with sophistication and simplicity, embracing joy, love, camaraderie, and lusty encounters, punctuated with strong rhythms and surprising instrumentation. Her repertoire of original music includes Irish-flavored romps, classic ballads and quiet songs with an urban feel.
Working within the singer-singer genre with the soul and passion of Janis Joplin and Carole King, and the lyric sensibility of the best poets of rock, pop and hip hop, Nardello rises above the boundaries enclosing folk musicians, ensnaring fans far and wide – up and down both coasts and across the South.
Lovers of her music in Philly, West Virginia and Atlanta have packed her shows for years, and she is making a name for herself on Music Row in Nashville, having been invited onstage at several venues, fronting Jay Brunswick and Craig Curtis, among others. Concert-goers in Seattle, the French Quarter of New Orleans, and Kentucky have also experienced Andrea Nardello’s exquisite music and powerful stage performances.
Whether the audience members come to a gig to see her show or for another act on the bill, when Nardello hits the stage the crowd ends up dancing, cheering and clamoring for more. Her debut album, Until Now, released in 2007, sold over 3,000 copies at her shows and has been described in the music industry press as, ‘beating the Recession, one CD at a time.’
Lila Mae and the Cartwheels: www.lilamaeandjeffhahn.com
Lila Mae & The Cartwheels bring you rockabilly and country music with a twist!
Nuda Veritas
Using an amalgam of loops, tapes, classically-trained vocals, harmonicas, guitar, and synthesizer, Nuda Veritas (aka Rebecca Kopycinski) writes complex songs that are intensely personal while maintaining a universal sensibility. Rebecca self-released her sophomore effort, Verses of Versus, in May of 2011. The album explores dichotomies, opposites, paradox, conflict, contention, and duality. Like the album, the music itself has two sides: the songwriting and the looping. For her set at the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival, Nuda will play what she calls her “song songs.”
Robert Resnik and Gigi Weisman
Robert Resnik and Gigi Weisman have been entertaining children and their families all around Vermont for more than a decade. They have recorded two CDs of sing-a-long music to benefit the Fletcher Free Library, and together have sold more than $25,000 worth of CDs to benefit the library’s programming budget.
Miriam Bernardo and Sara Grace
Miriam Bernardo and Sara Grace have played together for years; First in a small folkloric ensemble called Amapola that played folk music from all over Latin America, in Anais Mitchel’s folk opera Hadestown, and as a duo all over central and northern Vermont. They play originals and choice obscure covers, Their sound is full of soul and sensuality with roots in blues, folk, and reggae.
Aaron Flinn: http://www.aaronflinn.com/about.php
Aaron Flinn plays anything he can get his hands on and writes, engineers, records and performs most of the material that you’ll hear. Elements of folk, indie rock and classic pop combine powerful vocals, poetic lyrics and finger-picking guitar. An eclectic group of rock and folk rock songs, with an emphasis on lyrical substance and intricate guitar performance from the soul….Flinn’s songs and performance defy categorization.
Lisa-Marie Fischer: www.lisamariefischer.com
Lisa-Marie writes and composes her own songs, which can be attributed to the singer-/ songwriter tradition. Lisa-Marie performs her songs on stage with the guitar and a harmonica. Her repertoire includes emotional ballads, which are never cheesy, as well as quick folk songs. Her extraordinary voice and her talent to write songs did not stay undiscovered for a long time: Since July 2010, Lisa-Marie Fischer has been supported and brought forward in the buildup of her career by the promotion company Stevja Promotions from Marburg, and by the Powerplay Studios located in Switzerland. Stevja Promotions and the Powerplay Studios have discovered in Lisa-Marie Fischer an artist who soon will be known and be successful outside the borders of Germany, as well.
Also performing: Lisa-Marie Fischer, Samara Lark, Joe Adler, and more!