MAD TOAST LIVE!

Episode 111 - Lojo Russo

Due to nasty weather, Lojo's last MTL appearance never happened, so we're excited to finally try it again! Her band history reflects her style of music--a little bit of everything. From psychedelic jam bands to Celtic and every kind of funk, folk, jazz, and jam combination you can imagine. Through it all she combines her sense of music with her sense of humor - sometimes outrageous, sometimes intense, always original. www.lojorusso.com

Episode 110 - Tret Fure

A major force in the Women's Music movement, Tret returns to MTL with new songs from her up-and-coming CD, "The Horizon". Her award-winning music career spans four decades and includes work with Lowell George and recording at Carnegie Hall. We're honored to have her back on MTL! www.tretfure.com

Episode 109 - Fermata

Combining the intimacy of Chamber Music with the boldness of Rock, Fermata brings power and honesty to each piece they perform. This union of traditional string instruments with new songwriting structures creates a sound that can best be described as Chamber Rock, or "Chamber pop for goths-who-smile." www.myspace.com/fermata

Episode 108 - Everett Thomas

Hailing from St. Louis, MO, the soft-spoken Thomas finds his place in the stories and words he finds in music, film, literature and life. His influences range from Tom Waits, Dylan, and Gram Parsons, Ralph Stanley, Cash, Paul Simon, and Otis Redding, to Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, Ryan Adams, and the Velvet Underground. www.myspace.com/everettthomasmusic

Episode 107 - Marty Finkel

Marty's new CD, "The Good Life", is now available! Marty conjures the best of the 70s folk-pop-rock songwriters in his own tunes--a touch of Nilsson in the night, a little T-Rex, and bit o' Graham Parker for good measure.

Episode 106 - Andrew Belle & Allen Stone

ANDREW BELLE www.myspace.com/andrewbelle A Chicago native and recent Nashville transplant, Belle was the 2009 MTV VMA award recipient for 'Chicago Breakout Artist of the Year'. His song "I'll Be Your Breeze" has garnered nationwide radio airplay and placement on several major network TV shows. ALLEN STONE www.myspace.com/allenstone Currently on a major college tour with Belle, Stone's album, "Last to Speak" speaks for itself. His self-expressed influences (Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, EW&F) are soulfully apparent.

Episode 105 - The Stellanovas

THESTELLANOVAS, featuring Mad Toast Live hosts Gaines & Wagoner, will be performing in a rare Madison quartet appearance with Ed Fila on guitar (Ed is also a member of Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble), and Mr. "Groovy" Jim Huwe on drums. www.thestellanovas

Episode 104 - Alison Margaret Quartet

The ALISON MARGARET JAZZ QUARTET returns to MTL to perform songs from her brand new CD, "Shades of Morning", available soon at alisonmargaret.com. Expect riveting interplay between Margaret's vocal scatting, vibraphone, drums, and upright bass.

Episode 103 - Sweetgrass

Certainly Madison's freshest bluegrass band--these boys just won honors in the Twin Cities that sealed a spot in the MN Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival--one of the country's finest. Due to bad weather, we had to cancel their show last month, so we're thrilled to be able to book em back so soon! www.myspace.com/sweetgrasspickin

Episode 102 - Colin O'Brien

Three-time WI Area Music Industry Award-winner, Colin has been honing his craft at folk festivals, workshops and venues all over the country for many years, including a feature on NPR's "World Cafe". One of the founders of Milwaukee's favorite progressive bluegrass band, "Salt Creek", O'Brien will join us solo--just a man, a guitar, a banjo, and a pair of dancing shoes.

www.colingobrien.com