Performers Bios 2021

For longer than they care to admit, Tania Opland and Mike Freeman have been touring the world together from home bases half a world apart, with a unique and eclectic mix of songs in several languages and acoustic music played on more instruments than any sane duo would travel with: hammered dulcimer, guitar, recorders, cittern (SIT-tern), violin, Native American flute, ocarina, hurdy-gurdy, percussion . . . .

Before the pandemic, they were dividing their time between Suquamish, Washington and Inistioge, Ireland (because anyplace else would be too easy to spell) and hope one day to get back to that.

Sun Shakers are a multi-genre band from Ireland who coin their music “psychedelic soul”.  They combine genres, and write colourful melodies embodied with soul.  They have released 2 records together.  Their debut single “Back to Us” reached over 100,000 streams across all major platforms.  The full EP, audio and visual, is available now on Spotify and YouTube.

Steve and Kristi Nebel bring passion, finesse, and beauty to their audiences with their songs of social justice, knife-edge observations, stories they have picked up in their travels, and pure, simple love.

They have traveled extensively, having done nine tours in UK folk clubs and festivals and toured the Midwest and East coast.  They have recorded more than ten CDs, mostly of their own songs.

Kristi’s solo CD, for which she was nominated “western swing female performer of the year” in 2014, is a combination of traditional western swing and Steve’s Americana songs.

The Nebel’s style is informed by a wealth of experience playing their instruments and lending their voices to the other for a blend that exceeds the sum of two parts.  They are known for their working portrayals of fishermen and common people in Steve’s songwriting.

“Raven Speaks” is a collaboration with Native American poet Duane Niatum.  It is a commentary on global climate change using “Raven” of Native American mythology as a main character in some of the songs, and certainly in Niatum’s poetry.

About the songs in this project came the following quote:  “I think some of the songs are really quite extraordinary . . .” –Bob Sherman, producer of “Woody’s Children” WFUV, New York, who also included it in his top ten album picks of the year for 2010.

Their most recent production, “Tandem”, is the most sparse of their recordings and features only the bass guitar, and guitar along with their two voices.

About“Tandem”:  “‘Angels of the Road’ has held me captive since I first heard it. . . the intensity of this song sung live puts it over the top.  ‘It’s only faith, something that you know. When the world has given up on you there’s a place where you can go…’  Kristi’s beautiful voice is powerful on this haunting poem.”  — J.W. McClure, Victory Review

“It isn’t often one can hear people connected to their music. . .So many folks want to have a sound or image or be popular or all the whatever reasons people make music, and they’re so into . . . It’s easy to get caught up and lose touch with the source, the heart and soul place where music comes from.  You touched my heart.  I haven’t felt like that in awhile.  Thank you much.” — Roy Douglas, Tacoma, WA

They also work with a third musician as the Americana trio, Cosmo’s Dream ensemble which has toured the UK, and Midwestern US.  They currently reside in Tacoma, WA.

=== Craftsmanship === Precision === Groove ===

Steff Kayser earned 2nd place in the 2010 Tumbleweed Songwriting Contest & was a Finalist multiple other years.  He completed his studio CD (“The Roads that Cross the Great Divide”) in 2012, and his solo sampler CD (“Prime Cuts”) in 2017.   Currently, he’s working on his 3rd CD!

An insightful composer and brilliant interpreter of others’ material, Steff offers unique and diverse performances with a soulful soaring voice and musical talents that delight the most discerning of audiences.

Silver Lining is a husband and wife duo (Kathe Davis and Paul Sandoval) that writes songs from their experiences.  They call themselves “Silver Lining” with both a sense of optimism and with a sense of our years (as in “Silver” hair).

One genre is not enough to describe what they perform, so let’s just call it “NeoRetro” . . . lots of styles with a lot of style, because they believe there is still plenty of music to be written from all those past genres.  Yet, they don’t try to copy them, they just write from their hearts about their experiences.

Over the last 14 years, SeaStar has played in bars, coffeehouses, train stations, hardware stores, video arcades, house concerts, colorful festivals, and big auditoriums while touring in eight countries!  They are honest, hardworking folks from the Seattle area who love a good gathering of people, real stories, and any opportunity to create something beautiful within the community.

Rylei Franks is a Wenatchee transplant from the glorious town of Soap Lake.  Rylei is an acoustic solo artist who sings an array of cover songs along with an eclectic set of originals.  Give him a look over on his website, www.ryleifranks.com.