Jaspar Lepak, Avery Hill, and Mandy Troxel

Jaspar Lepak is a folk/Americana songwriter whose remarkable gift for melody is only surpassed by her poetry. A child of the Sonoran Desert, her songs are deeply influenced by the many places she has called home: Tucson, Minneapolis, Durban (South Africa), and currently Seattle. Sweeping across landscapes with an emotional depth that is extraordinary, her lyrics expose a brave vulnerability while her clear, pure voice touches the heart. “You’ll find more than enough beauty and original charm to make you a fan.” ~ Rolling Stone South Africa

Avery Hill has developed a singular style of “story-singing”, integrating her understanding of the past into observations of life today. Her musical style is hard to pin down, as she borrows from several styles and genres from the vast history of folk music, but the stories and images of her lyrics ring true. After releasing her first full-length album Dreams & Ghosts: A Family Album in 2015, she went on to open Song by Song (www.learnsongbysong.com), a school of ukulele and music classes, to help people discover the musician within them. These days, she is a full-time mom to her first child born in 2018 and part-time everything else, planning to release her next album The One Who Remembers sometime in 2019. “This emerging singer-songwriter has a memorable, lilting voice and is already penning songs that could someday be classics. She is an extraordinary young talent.” ~ Tom May, River City Folk

Fans of Mandy Troxel’s music often share the similar story of being swung around by the clear bell of her voice and then rooted to the spot by her lyrics. Juxtaposing the beauty of her home in the San Juan Islands with the connection and humor of small town living, her songs acknowledge the dark moments in life, while also underlying a certain optimism. “Mandy Troxel’s songs have the feel of an old friend, pulling the listener into heartfelt conversation with lyrics both wistful and wise.” ~ Jan Krist