Eli Lev

Award-winning singer-songwriter and global citizen Eli Lev's empathic writing and infectious folk-based sensibility has been his universal passport into our collective hearts.

Over the last five years, the Maryland-based artist released his epic debut, Four Directions, which compiles four conceptual EPs (All Roads East 2017, Way Out West 2018, Deep South 2019, True North 2021) into one 20-song statement. The indigenous traditions he learned during his time as an eighth grade English teacher on the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona were his inspiration for the critically-acclaimed tune tome. Together, the series imaginatively and intrepidly connects spheres and generations within a body of work that is irresistibly uplifting, emotionally resonant, and down-to-earth authentic.

Eli grew up in the diverse suburb of Silver Spring, Maryland, where a blending of incongruous backgrounds made an indelible impact on his pan-culture perspective. Prior to music calling Eli, he studied in Bloomington, Indiana, taught in the US, and lived in Tel Aviv and Andorra, before returning to the US to get a Master's Degree in English Education.

Now, Eli is setting out on new adventures. His latest release, Walk. Talk. Dance. Sing., is an inner travel monologue from the pandemic and beyond. It vibrantly blends Eli's classic acoustic guitar and upfront vocal aesthetic with refreshingly diverse sounds, spanning pop, lo-fi rock, electronic, indie, folk, and Caribbean-kissed musicality. The refreshing five-song collection compiles his songwriting during the pandemic, capturing the highs, lows, and all the emotions in between during our global crisis. The new EP's eclectic flair is also an homage to the life-changing power of classic mixtapes, and how a broad array of exposure to new sounds can send someone on a lifelong journey.

Martin Decato

Martin Decato started playing music in 5th grade when he decided to try his hand at the violin. He played in the school orchestra until 9th grade when he started taking fiddle lessons, and started playing guitar at age 13. In 1987 while playing in Cross Country Bluegrass; they won the Florida State Bluegrass Championship. He and the bands he played in were members of the Florida Country Music Association and earned such titles as Band of the Year in 2001 for Polk County, Instrumentalist of the year in 2001 for Polk county, Band of the Year runner up for the State of Florida in 2001, and Instrumentalist of the Year runner up for the State of Florida, and in 2002 earned Band of the year for Polk County, and Male Vocalist runner up for Polk County. In the summer of 2001, he toured with Grand Ole Opry Legend Charlie Louvin. Martin moved from Florida to New Hampshire in 2003, and has found his niche with the Stovepipe Mountain Band, and is also available for solo work.

 

Andrew Brozek

Andrew Brozek is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist currently based in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Andrew has been playing guitar for over half of his life — starting at the age of 11 — and he's been singing for even longer. Andrew's currently studying music at Dartmouth College, with a focus on songwriting and performance.

Although he was raised on classic rock and pop-country, he eventually found his passion for Folk, Americana, and Bluegrass. He loves the elegance and simplicity of acoustic music, and is dedicated to making his instruments an extension of himself. Though he no longer identifies with the genres of his youth, this past exposure has resulted in his unique perspective on music. And while he is only beginning to establish himself as a songwriter, the fingerprints of songwriters who came before him can be found all throughout his music.

Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards

Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards are clearly inheritors of a timeless legacy, creating music that is both original and evocative of a rich tradition. Blending distinctive voices and a wide range of accompaniment (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, clarinet, penny whistle, electric bass), their songs have been well-received by audiences around the eastern United States and Canada since 2010. Transcending the genre of folk Americana, their music echoes inspiration from traditional folk duos and singer/songwriters like Ian & Sylvia, Kate Wolf and Neil Young – combining beautiful harmonies and a lyrical intensity, while establishing a unique sound of their own.

“The best part of their performance is the undeniable chemistry Mark and Raianne have together; they play with a comfortability and trust that can only come with years of partnership. They allow enough space in their musical bond to for us to settle in and witness some serious songwriting and playing.” – Fred Knittel, WXPN (Philadelphia)

Jake McKelvie

"McKelvie has carved himself a niche as a songwriter, combining a rapid delivery with stream-of-self-consciousness writing in a manner so singular that it is never in question whose songs are being played." — Impose

"McKelvie very clearly knows how to write a pop song and has decided to fill his with all sorts of unexpected magic." — Independent Clauses

NO COFFEEHOUSE

Happy

Thanksgiving

(early)

Holiday Open Mic

Come sing and play with us for a musical magical night

All songs welcome

Holiday and secular alike

Play what moves you

We really love original songs but covers are fine, and if you'd care to lead us in a singalong that's terrific too.

Temple Mountain

Temple Mountain, a soulful Long Island singer-songwriter, blends the introspective depth of Elliott Smith with the dynamic sounds of John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, and Ed Sheeran. His journey has taken him from the vibrant music scenes of NYC and Austin to a reflective hiatus in New Hampshire, where he rediscovered his passion for music.

With a background in psychology, Temple Mountain weaves human complexities into his songwriting, creating a captivating exploration of the human condition. His performances promise a profound connection with audiences, whether in intimate listening rooms or lively bars throughout New England.

Hubby Jenkins

Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. Born and raised in Brooklyn he delved into his Southern roots, following the thread of African American history that wove itself through country blues, ragtime, fiddle and banjo, and traditional jazz. Hubby got his higher musical education started as a busker. He developed his guitar and vocal craft on the sidewalks and subway platforms of New York City, performing material by those venerable artists whose work he was quickly absorbing. An ambitiously itinerant musician, he took his show on the road, playing the streets, coffee shops, bars, and house parties of cities around the U.S.

After years of busking around the country and making a name for himself, Hubby became acquainted with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. He was an integral part of the Grammy award winning Carolina Chocolate Drops (2010 - 2016), as well as a member of Rhiannon Giddens band. Today he spreads his knowledge and love of old-time American music and history through his dynamic solo performances.

Click Horning

The Lake Sunapee, NH region has always had more than its share of musicians. Maybe it's the mountain air or maybe it's the scenery, but something keeps them coming back. Just ask Click Horning, New London's singer songwriter who left when he was seventeen for the Big Apple. Twelve years, a record contract and an album later it was time to come back. Early influences were Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Peter Paul & Mary, as well as rock and roll and R&B that he listened to growing up.

Click's music has taken him across the country several times, to the Rockies and to the deep south . Click has produced two more solo albums and two albums with his band Night Kitchen , a "get up and dance" band composed of Click on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Gerry Putnam on lead guitar, Dinty Child on electric rhythm guitar and keyboards, Dana Flewelling on drums and Dave Doran on bass.

Click began playing guitar at boarding school, influenced by other guitar playing students, one in particular being Gram Parsons. Click persuaded his grandmother to finance a bottom-of-the-line Gibson guitar (a combination birthday and Christmas gift). "I had been spending all my spare time practicing on a friends guitar, but soon found I had to have my own."

He began playing folk songs, but after hearing Gram and writers like Bob Dylan, he decided to try his hand at writing songs. "It was the perfect blending of poems and music that intrigued me. I've always loved lyrics that tell a story."

Tommy Crawford

“My music weaves americana and roots of all kinds - traditional folk, neo-folk, rock n roll, blues, country, jazz, bluegrass, and more. I hope my tunes, from the silly to the gut-punching, surprise you and move you. As a composer I write music for plays, musicals, and more. I'm very interested in experimental musicals that push the boundaries of form and blend concert performance and theatrical storytelling.”

"Composer Tommy Crawford supplies arresting music, as moody and unpredictable as the story." (Heisenberg at Northern Stage) — Seven Days VT

Nate Goyette

Nate Goyette's wistful, folk-tinged indie-rock turns even the most banal experiences into poignant vignettes of modern American life. Through his earnest yet restrained delivery, Nate's wry storytelling dissects these common occurrences without ever devolving into complete ironic detachment. Instead, he invites listeners into his world- the creeping dread of high school reunions, the nauseous optimism of a night out, the shifting emotions attached to family photos and home movies- and encourages them to find the bigger truths in even the littlest things.

Nate has performed around the northeast and has shared the stage with a diverse range of artists including Peter Lehndorff, Belle-Skinner, Ian Galipeau, and Perch Hapland. He is one of two multi-instrumentalists in Dylan Patrick Ward’s backing band and plays drums in Emma’s Secrets.

White Mountain Ceili Band

White Mountain Ceilí Band is Dexter Harding on the tenor banjo, Fiona Howell on the flute, Siena Kaplan-Thompson on the fiddle, and Mike Levine on the guitar and occasional concertina. They play Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton instrumental music with warmth and joy, as well as the occasional song.

Dexter first came to Irish music when he played for contra dances around the valley, and the session at May Kelly’s deepened his focus on the Irish tradition.

Fiona grew up playing flute through Mountain Top Music Center, and went on to study music at Loyola University. While in New Orleans she began playing at Irish sessions, and now plays and sings with a few groups around New England.

Siena grew up playing classical violin and viola and switched to fiddle in college when she discovered the Boston Scottish and Cape Breton music scene.

Mike has played a wide range of musical styles, from classical to rock, and more recently bebop. He and Siena have both enjoyed branching out into Irish music with the White Mountain Ceilí Band.

E J Tretter

E J Tretter, a volunteer with the Sunapee Coffeehouse team for six or seven years, is also a gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist.

He has been playing the guitar for fifty years, has played numerous styles in different bands, and has performed as a solo artist.

He has crafted many original songs, displaying a somewhat unique perspective on the individual's journey through life's challenges and rewards.

As a finger picking guitarist he's also written instrumental pieces in the style of John Fahey and Leo Kottke.

As someone who learned to play guitar in the 1960's and 1970's, there's lots of nostalgia in his playlist of cover songs.

Halley Neal Group

Halley Neal is an award winning folk singer and songwriter whose live shows center on themes of positivity and peace. The formerly-Nashville-currently-Boston-based artist is often joined by her backing band of upright bass and fiddle. Halley’s lyrical folk-Americana songs are met with her soaring vocals and an upbeat bluegrass inspired instrumentation. Halley has gained national recognition from touring across the country to listening rooms and folk music venues and from her performances at festivals, notably the Kerrville Folk Fest, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Halley released her most recent solo record “Beautiful and Blue” to critical acclaim on September 30th, 2022. Her live shows are remembered for her effortless vocals and honest lyrics.

The Co-Conspirators

The Co-Conspirators is a Hemmingford, QC based duo playing folk/singer-songwriter music with elements of country, rock, blues, gospel, bluegrass, spiritual, and general roots music. With heavy emphasis on vocal harmonies, this duo had been compared to The Weavers, Ian and Sylvia Tyson and Richard and Linda Thompson. They perform mostly original music along with some traditional and contemporary covers.

Founded in 2012 by singer/songwriter/guitarist Will Richards, The Co-Conspirators really took off when Richards met Katherine Simons and they began performing together. Simons comes from a very musical family and is a classically trained french horn player and percussionist. Her pure, angelic voice stands in contrast to the more raw style of Richards'.

"Whether about social injustice, tales of travel, or love lost or found, The Co-Conspirators' original songs always bring life and light to a room." — Alberni Valley News

"Training a modern-day lens on folk’s deeply rooted tradition of storytelling through songs that orbit around hardscrabble characters, troubled lives, social injustices, personal struggle, and more." — Find Your Sound

Kray Van Kirk

A fine finger-style guitarist with a precise baritone, Kray Van Kirk has a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, but he set science aside to write songs, tell stories and summon heroes.

"We are driven by myth and the seasons of the heart," he says, "and the stories are all true. There is a dark cave inside each of us, and monsters of all kinds lurk there, all the more lethal for being hidden. The quest is to journey inside, render the monsters powerless, find whatever it is that burns at the core of your soul and bring it back into the light. In a world divided it is critical to write songs and tell stories that show absolutely everyone they get to be the hero. Nobody is left behind."

Thus his songs: Thunderbird resurrects the Phoenix in an empty desert diner in the American Southwest (yes, the Phoenix drives a Thunderbird), The Queen of Elfland plucks Thomas the Rhymer from the English-Scottish border in 1250 and drops him and the Queen into a subway car, The Library Song has Superman moonlighting among the stacks, Rosa and Hector ride through Sherwood Forest on canes and a wheelchair, and The Midnight Commander celebrates an insane old man leading the city of New York to take up arms (and underwear) against hatred.

Of this charming, Quixotic, and decidedly eclectic performer, the Borderline Folk Club in New York wrote “it is what every singer-songwriter should aspire to.