Ben Livingston with Dan Kaplan

Sunday, January 16th, 5-7 pm

$10 donation

about Ben

Ben Livingston is highly reccomended by Terry Allen. In many respects the two are like minded souls. Although he is not from Lubbock he fits right in the row of specific artists from that city like Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Carl Swinney and the Ledgendary Stardust Cowboy. That means intellectual, opinionated, progressive, looking across borders and at times wacky.             - John Gjaltema, Altcountry.nl (Netherlands)

“Ben Livingston claims the title of story and songmaker. Breaking apart the whole is the territory where Ben is King.”

- Danny McCloskey, The Alternate Root

“Known internationally as a neon-light sculptor, Ben Livingston won a fellowship with the National Endowment for the Arts for his discovery/invention of the infinite phosphorescent color palette. Trust Your Equipment (his debut CD) is almost equally inventive…..Some of his observations are pure Texas poetry.”
—The Austin Chronicle

about Dan Kaplan

“Dan Kaplan tells more compelling stories with his instrument than most singers do with their voices. Kaplan is also a visual artist and by playing in the spillover between his two mediums, he finds an authenic and special creativity.”

-Vivian Nereim – New Haven Advocate

“The triptych Rosella/I Shall Not Be Moved/African postman is made of pure grace.”

- Soul Bag Magazine – Paris, France

Michael Ramos Returns!

Sunday, December 5, 2010, 5 pm

As inventive and imaginative creator of Charanga Cakewalk, Ramos released Lotería de la Cumbia Lounge in 2005 and followed up with Chicano Zen in 2006. With positive reviews and loyal fans, he continues to evolve as a dynamic performer and artist, equally respected by musicians and fans. Join Michael for an intimate evening of music as he performs on a variety of instruments and sampled tracks, accompanied by Jacob Owen on guitar.

Jacob Owen
Owen, a talented guitar player/songwriter is one of Austin’s rising stars. He currently plays with Charanga Cakewalk, Kanko, Sahara Smith, and Gold Spot, among other bands and has written and scored music for various plays and short films.

Charanga Cakewalk Reviews:

From start to finish, (Chicano Zen) delivers a jaw-dropping rhyme of memory, spirit, and clear-eyed reality.
–Austin Chronicle

Whoever called Ramos a multi-instrumentalist sure wasn’t kidding. This is because he’s heard playing a Hammond B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, grand piano, pump organ, percussion, trumpet, accordion and melodica here.
–Dan MacIntosh
Audio Video Revolution

Johann Wagner

Date: Sunday, April 18, 5-7 pm
$10 suggested donation

Johann Wagner’s songs have been recorded by Victoria Williams/Calexico, 3 Penny Acre, Shannon Wurst, Gregory Allen Isakov, Brandi Carlile and many others. He was labeled a numbered one best bet by both The Austin American Statesman and the Dallas Morning News. He has appeared at countless music festivals and was a two time Regional finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Competition.

While still in college he won the KFF Texas Collegiate Songwriter Award and has been touring and crafting songs since. His music has been featured on NPR’s Texas Eclectic radio show and in the  documentary film, The Porch.

“A Texas folk music staple”
The Dallas Morning News

“A wonderful, wonderful, song writer”
Victoria Williams, Calexico

Jonathan Byrd returns to Lydia Street

Date: Sunday, March 28, 2010, 5 pm

Jonathan Byrd has North Carolina roots that go back to 1795, though he’s got a whole lot of heart here in Texas. He won the Kerrville New Folk competition in 2003, and you can expect to find him there all 18 days. Here’s what he says about his recent release:

“Texas is still an incredible place to me. It just knocks me out and has really influenced my writing. The Law and the Lonesome, my latest release … (is) the culmination of Texas’ influence on my writing and my musical heritage from growing up in North Carolina. “

Here’s what others are saying about Jonathan and The Law and the Lonesome:

A guitar picker from North Carolina writing songs about Texas on an album recorded in Toronto—how does that work? Pretty darn well, in this case…”
–Rob Weir
The Valley Advocate

This rootsy North Carolinian may be the most buzzed-about new songwriter in folkdom. He displays John Prine’s gift for stark little songs that tell big, complex stories, Guy Clark’s lean melodicism, Lyle Lovett’s wry mischief, and Bill Morrissey’s knack for the revealing image.
–Scott Alarik
Boston Globe

What a treat to hear someone so deeply rooted in tradition, yet growing in his own beautiful way.
–Tom Paxton

Patricia Vonne

Sunday, February 28, 2010, 5-7 pm

Patricia Vonne rocks the house, proudly displaying her San Antonio roots and her Mexican-American heritage. Come see her play an intimate, accoustic show accompanied by Robert LaRoche on guitar and David Perales on violin. She’s got a large, loyal following, so pre-pay early. Only 40 seats.

A Tex-Mex spitfire with a rock ‘n’ roll heart that’s a Lone Star original
–Austin-American Statesman

Imagine a young Chrissie Hynde fronting the Mavericks with a little help from Calexico
–WORD

The very fine Vonne purveys a powerful, Texas styled rootsy rock ‘n’ roll.
–Time Out London

…superior roots rock from an excellent singer-songwriter …
–Uncut

A bilingual tour -de-force …
–Austin Chronicle

… confident, tuff gal vocals, sharp musicianship and smart lyricism don’t just promise the total package, they deliver the goods from the get-go.
–Texas Monthly Magazine

… hot-blooded mix of Latin rhythm and rattling bar-room rock …
–The Times

A beguiling storyteller …
–Harp

Jon Dee Graham

Saturday, January 9, 2010, 7 pm

Jon Dee Graham’s new album, It’s Not As Bad As it Looks, will be released January 19. For a live preview, come listen in a small intimate setting! Join us as we welcome Jon Dee Graham for a terrific evening of music.

If you’ve ever loved an artist’s music so much that you wanted to grab friends, family and even strangers by the arm and physically force them to listen—not so much for your own validation as for their own good— you’ll understand where (Swept Away) is coming from.
–Richard Skanse
Editor, Texas Music

Michael Ramos with Jacob Owen

Sunday, November 1, 2009, 5 pm

As inventive and imaginative creator of Charanga Cakewalk, Ramos released Lotería de la Cumbia Lounge in 2005 and followed up with Chicano Zen in 2006. With positive reviews and loyal fans, he continues to evolve as a dynamic performer and artist, equally respected by musicians and fans. Join Michael for an intimate evening of music as he performs on a variety of instruments and sampled tracks, accompanied by Jacob Owen on guitar.
Jacob Owen
Owen, a talented guitar player/songwriter is one of Austin’s rising stars. He currently plays with Charanga Cakewalk, Kanko, Sahara Smith, and Gold Spot, among other bands and has written and scored music for various plays and short films.

Charanga Cakewalk Reviews:

From start to finish, (Chicano Zen) delivers a jaw-dropping rhyme of memory, spirit, and clear-eyed reality.
–Austin Chronicle

Whoever called Ramos a multi-instrumentalist sure wasn’t kidding. This is because he’s heard playing a Hammond B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, grand piano, pump organ, percussion, trumpet, accordion and melodica here.
–Dan MacIntosh
Audio Video Revolution