FAR-West 2016: Saturday Showcase

FAR-West 2016 Conference LogoKC Cafe Radio’s live coverage from the Folk Alliance Region West conference concluded with an outstanding evening of original music representing Washington State, California, Iowa, and Oregon.  Performances featured the talents of Jaspar LepakRita Hosking and Sean Feder, Melanie Devaney,Claudia Russell & Bruce Kaplan, Nathan & Jessie, and Otter Creek.  Here are the archived recordings of the performances:

Jaspar Lepak

Jaspar LepakSinger-songwriter Jaspar Lepak is best known for her bell-like voice and introspective storytelling. Sweeping across landscapes with an emotional depth that is extraordinary, her lyrics expose a brave vulnerability while her clear, pure voice touches the heart.

Listen to the performance here:

Download the performance here: Jaspar Lepak

Rita Hosking and Sean Feder

Rita Hosking & Sean FederHosking’s fierce and captivating country-folk voice narrates a working class legacy in songs and stories that span forest fires, culture clash, dishes, black holes and hope. Feder accompanies artfully on dobro and banjo. Their performances transform audiences and deliver authentic American folk music to stir the soul, awaken the senses and inspire action.

Listen to the performance here:

Download the performance here: Rita Hosking & Sean Feder

Melanie Devaney

Melanie DevaneyClassical training in piano and guitar, a degree in creative writing, and limitless curiosity combine to craft elegant, yet accessible, songs from personal experience and/or keen observations of the world and characters she encounters. Unapologetically, this rural-Iowa-bred singer-songwriter’s gentle mission is to create beauty and change the world one song at a time with compassion and understanding.

Listen to the performance here:

Download the performance here: Malanie Devaney

Claudia Russell & Bruce Kaplan

Claudia Russell & Bruce KaplanThis duo has traversed a wide Americana landscape, tipping their hats to bluegrass bands, Village folkies, blues divas, jazz cats and singing cowboys. Claudia’s expressive voice and distinctive guitar style lend an unassailable authenticity to each genre. Bruce’s accompaniment, on mandolin and guitar, is the perfect polish. Their shows are warm and comfortable with a side of funny.

Listen to the performance here:

Download the performance here: Claudia Russell & Bruce Kaplan

Nathan & Jessie

Nathan & JessieDelightful trilingual performances are a synchronous fusion of jazzy folk and blues on National Reso-Phonic guitars and accordion, with an interesting interplay between female and male vocals that always feels fresh and spontaneous. Often joined by Trevor Mulvey on upright bass, their shows are uplifting, fun, and bridge all ages and cultures. The duo travels worldwide.

Listen to the performance here:

Download the performance here: Nathan & Jessie

Otter Creek

Otter CreekThe alchemy of patience, skill, artistry and humor presented by this charming duo with 10 instruments and 53 strings delights audiences who clamor for more. Touring coast to coast these married folkies spread their musical joy from house concerts to school assemblies to concert halls to folk radio and also license their music for TV shows.

Listen to the performance here:

Download the performance here: Otter Creek