MAD TOAST LIVE!

Though their influences hail from much further south, the Oak Street Ramblers call home the East Side of Madison, WI. A bluegrass band in the tradition of Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, and Hazel Dickens, the Oak Street Ramblers specialize in bluegrass stompers, classic country weepers, and originals that, lyrical content aside, wouldn't sound out of place at a barn dance circa 1954. http://www.reverbnation.com/theoakstreetramblers Video  http://youtu.be/Sha-oQHGAl4

They play all original music from their heart and souls. An acoustic groove. A modern sound on old instruments. High energy banjo and guitar with deep, thought-provoking lyrics with a conscience. http://www.reverbnation.com/themelonheads Video  http://youtu.be/cmUGVaouL1c

Sparkling acoustic sounds and powerful contagious chemistry, Patchouli’s down-to-earth, hopeful songwriting is “New American Folk” blending elements of folk, pop, flamenco and jazz with world beat rhythms. Their sound has been described as “the harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel meet the guitar brilliance of the Gipsy Kings. After 12 years of non-stop touring and the release of their 15th CD, "Terra Guitarra: Dragonfly", Patchouli has truly earned the title, “the hardest working folk duo in America”. http://www.patchouli.net/ Video http://youtu.be/c82GX-EpyxY

Thomas Kivi and Sarah Pray are Wisconsin-raised songwriters who met in the Minneapolis springtime. A Hank Williams song sung on the back porch turned into a folk/country duo eager to travel. Kivi & Pray covered 10,000 miles over the next two years as they toured in Europe and the U.S. Their new duo live EP, "Winter in Decatur" is available as a digital download. kivipray.bandcamp.com/ Video http://youtu.be/aP3eqFG7x7c

Born into the age of rock & roll but influenced by live performances of Doc Watson and Bill Monroe and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's seminal "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" in the early 1970's, they put away the electric amps and guitars and developed a unique acoustic/bluegrass style. A truly iconic Wisconsin band for almost four decades, we're thrilled to finally have them on MTL!

http://piperroad.com/

Video http://youtu.be/smgF5IFvDOA

"Jamie-Sue Seal and John Latini put together musical shows that go way beyond hipster folk. Exceptional musicianship com- bined with enormous wit and engaging showmanship, they are the real deal." Michael Curths concert Pro- moter, Ann Arbor Michigan

smokinsleddogrecords.com/_latini__seal__duo/

video http://youtu.be/8DBn2BCcLMI

The UW Russian Folk Orchestra, now in its 15th season, is a unique ensemble performing Russian and other East-European folk music on authentic Russian instruments, balalaikas and domras. The orchestra was founded and is directed by Victor Gorodinsky. The RFO is made up of two groups of authentic Russian stringed instruments: balalaikas and domras, it uses accordions, bayans (button accordions), as well as various woodwind and percussion instruments. http://www.russorch.wisc.edu/ Video  http://youtu.be/wDUup7EHzFI

Yuriy Kolosovskiy was born in Rostov-on-Don Russia and started playing the Prima Domra at age 9. He spent 6 years in public music school after which he attended Rostov State College of Music (from 2000-2004) studying music composition, conducting and orchestration. While in College, he received numerous awards for his outstanding talent and technique. After Graduation, Kolosovskiy had the honor of being a soloist in the Rostov State Folk Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he played for two and a half years. In 2006, he moved to Madison, Wisconsin where he now resides. Since moving here, Kolosovskiy has played with the University of Wisconsin Russian Folk Orchestra where his talent has been showcased (most recently in the piece "Woolen Boots" this last season). He has also a member of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) since 2007 and has performed in various venues around the Madison area, including numerous Russian folk festivals. He has just finished recording his first solo CD "Sounds of the Domra". www.russorch.wisc.edu/ Video http://youtu.be/jyvXbO3fb-Q

The New York Times says that “hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz.” Ms. Crispell returns to Madison to perform solo and with a trio that includes Chicago-based “free jazz” stalwarts Harrison Bankhead and Avreeayl Ra and Madison-based multi-instrumentalist JoAnne Pow!ers. http://marilyncrispell.com/

Dietrich Gosser is one of Madison's premier songwriters.  We are excited to finally have him on the show. http://dietrichgosser.bandcamp.com/ video  http://youtu.be/WkCTP6BwsfU