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| The 2008 NFF Band List |
Avi & Celia - Avi & Celia are both 22-year-old native New Englanders and filled with spirit, vision, and
ambition. Avi Salloway and Celia Woods-Smith were brought together while studying at the University of
Vermont in 2003. Since then they have released their debut CD, ‘Off the Floor’. Their original album
prompted famed Vermont music venue Higher Ground to award them Artist of the Month in March
2007. Their energetic and inspired nature has made Avi & Celia a popular act on the summer festival
circuit. They have performed at celebrated venues and festivals such as Club Passim, The Iron Horse
Music Hall, Higher Ground, The Paradise, Champlain Valley Folk Festival, and Discover Jazz Festival.
ambition. Avi Salloway and Celia Woods-Smith were brought together while studying at the University of
Vermont in 2003. Since then they have released their debut CD, ‘Off the Floor’. Their original album
prompted famed Vermont music venue Higher Ground to award them Artist of the Month in March
2007. Their energetic and inspired nature has made Avi & Celia a popular act on the summer festival
circuit. They have performed at celebrated venues and festivals such as Club Passim, The Iron Horse
Music Hall, Higher Ground, The Paradise, Champlain Valley Folk Festival, and Discover Jazz Festival.
Christopher James - Christopher James is a twenty-three year old singer/songwriter from Litchfield,
NH. Growing up on all genres of music, Chris began to develop a real appreciation for music. With
intriguing lyrics, innovative guitar and a rich, soulful voice, he writes original pop-folk songs that grab
your attention and never seem to let go. The music of Christopher James is often compared to
preeminent artists such as David Gray, John Mayer and Ray LaMontagne. - RETURNING ARTIST
NH. Growing up on all genres of music, Chris began to develop a real appreciation for music. With
intriguing lyrics, innovative guitar and a rich, soulful voice, he writes original pop-folk songs that grab
your attention and never seem to let go. The music of Christopher James is often compared to
preeminent artists such as David Gray, John Mayer and Ray LaMontagne. - RETURNING ARTIST
Danielle Miraglia - A strong steady thumb on an old Gibson guitar is the driving force behind
Danielle Miraglia's delta blues influenced guitar style. Add a raw, powerful, whiskey tinged voice and
one might be tempted to label her a blues artist. But while Miraglia's style pays homage to these
blues traditions, her classic rock verve, catchy melodies and eclectic array of song subjects that
range from deeply personal to socially relevant give it an original twist that is all her own. A fresh
sound along with a sharp wit and a captivating stage presence is gaining her fans all over the map. "It
won't be long before the rest of the country takes notice." - Performing Songwriter.
Danielle Miraglia's delta blues influenced guitar style. Add a raw, powerful, whiskey tinged voice and
one might be tempted to label her a blues artist. But while Miraglia's style pays homage to these
blues traditions, her classic rock verve, catchy melodies and eclectic array of song subjects that
range from deeply personal to socially relevant give it an original twist that is all her own. A fresh
sound along with a sharp wit and a captivating stage presence is gaining her fans all over the map. "It
won't be long before the rest of the country takes notice." - Performing Songwriter.
Duty Free - Forming in late 2002 in a small town in southern New Hampshire, Duty Free serves up a
steady blend of jazz/jam influenced songs with inviting melodies to match. Over the past few years the
found itself playing more shows than ever before as they continue to make fans in smokey bars,
packed clubs, campus coffee houses and festivals all over the Northeast. In 2006, the band's
"dedication to quality live performances" and "contagious energy" (Hippo Press, 06)
steady blend of jazz/jam influenced songs with inviting melodies to match. Over the past few years the
found itself playing more shows than ever before as they continue to make fans in smokey bars,
packed clubs, campus coffee houses and festivals all over the Northeast. In 2006, the band's
"dedication to quality live performances" and "contagious energy" (Hippo Press, 06)
Larry Zarella - Larry formed the band 'Denali Cooks' and developed a very large and loyal following
playing all the major festivals and venues around Alaska. In 2006, Larry returned to the east coast
with his latest release, No Place Special. His songs have been used on television, compilation cd's
and featured on Boston's WUMB folk radio. Since his return, Larry is quickly becoming recognized as
a top notch performing songwriter, often sharing the stage with the legendary Bill Staines.
playing all the major festivals and venues around Alaska. In 2006, Larry returned to the east coast
with his latest release, No Place Special. His songs have been used on television, compilation cd's
and featured on Boston's WUMB folk radio. Since his return, Larry is quickly becoming recognized as
a top notch performing songwriter, often sharing the stage with the legendary Bill Staines.
Liz Longley - Voted the #1 all-time female vocalist in Garageband's acoustic category in May of
2006, Liz Longley's textured voice evokes unconventional reactions from music lovers.
"The voice of a goddess" writes seasoned musician Jason Canary. It's rare that a voice
can arouse the listener to such levels, but this songstress does it...from the sweet velvet-ness of her
voice to the passion in which she sings". Canary nicely sums up how people respond to Liz. Even
influential artist Ani DiFranco, known for her starkly frank lyrics, has praised Liz's music as
"Gorgeous", adding, "I love it".
2006, Liz Longley's textured voice evokes unconventional reactions from music lovers.
"The voice of a goddess" writes seasoned musician Jason Canary. It's rare that a voice
can arouse the listener to such levels, but this songstress does it...from the sweet velvet-ness of her
voice to the passion in which she sings". Canary nicely sums up how people respond to Liz. Even
influential artist Ani DiFranco, known for her starkly frank lyrics, has praised Liz's music as
"Gorgeous", adding, "I love it".
Will Knox - Will Knox is an export from London, UK. An alternative-folk, singer/songwriter with
influences from Ryan Adams, Nick Drake, Damien Rice and Jose Gonzalez. Will and the 6-piece,
acoustic band behind the EP (consisting of banjo, cello, violin, guitar, drums and vocals) have been
turning many heads over the last year with their trans-Atlantic twist on contemporary folk songwriting,
instrumentation, and arranging. Early in 2008 they returned from a tour to the UK, and can now be
found promoting their new record up and down the East Coast. - RETURNING ARTIST
influences from Ryan Adams, Nick Drake, Damien Rice and Jose Gonzalez. Will and the 6-piece,
acoustic band behind the EP (consisting of banjo, cello, violin, guitar, drums and vocals) have been
turning many heads over the last year with their trans-Atlantic twist on contemporary folk songwriting,
instrumentation, and arranging. Early in 2008 they returned from a tour to the UK, and can now be
found promoting their new record up and down the East Coast. - RETURNING ARTIST
Building James - Building James is a power-pop band hailing from Southern New Hampshire /
Northern Mass. Having played as a duo for almost 3 years, in late 2007 Ben and Dan were feeling the
power of Building James was starting to fade. Complacent in their routines, the needed an infusion of
energy to take Building James to the proverbial 'next level'. An unlikely hero came to their rescue in the
form of Andrew Watson. Watson, a guitar virtuoso hailing from Amesbury, Mass., came to Building
James as a friend of Ben. Andrew has since been contributing to, and enhancing the sound of, Building
James' music and developing the sound of the band into a new and better act. - RETURNING ARTIST
Northern Mass. Having played as a duo for almost 3 years, in late 2007 Ben and Dan were feeling the
power of Building James was starting to fade. Complacent in their routines, the needed an infusion of
energy to take Building James to the proverbial 'next level'. An unlikely hero came to their rescue in the
form of Andrew Watson. Watson, a guitar virtuoso hailing from Amesbury, Mass., came to Building
James as a friend of Ben. Andrew has since been contributing to, and enhancing the sound of, Building
James' music and developing the sound of the band into a new and better act. - RETURNING ARTIST
Paul Sylvain & The Rockin' Road Dogs - It has only been within the past few years that Nashua-
born lead guitarist and vocalist Paul Sylvain has developed the confidence to write, record and
perform his own original music. "The greatest thrill for me as an old dog still making music at 59," Paul
said, "is to hear people say they connect with my lyrics and songs." In a January 2008 review of
“Mustang Driving Mama”, Guitar Player magazine described Paul’s playing as being “as tasty as hot
chocolate”. Paul is joined by David Green (bass), Doug Mugford (blues harp), and Joe Lepore and
Kris Richardson (drums/percussion).
born lead guitarist and vocalist Paul Sylvain has developed the confidence to write, record and
perform his own original music. "The greatest thrill for me as an old dog still making music at 59," Paul
said, "is to hear people say they connect with my lyrics and songs." In a January 2008 review of
“Mustang Driving Mama”, Guitar Player magazine described Paul’s playing as being “as tasty as hot
chocolate”. Paul is joined by David Green (bass), Doug Mugford (blues harp), and Joe Lepore and
Kris Richardson (drums/percussion).
Brian Bergeron & The Late Greats - An acoustic singer-songwriter based out of Boston.
Though he is only twenty-two, he has built quite a reputation for himself, playing over 200
shows in the last two years up-and-down the east coast. In early 2007, he unveiled his new
band, The Late Greats, which rounds out a sound that has often been compared to
pre-eminent artists such as Damien Rice, Ryan Adams, and Josh Ritter. . A summer spent
street performing at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston have planted the seeds for Bergeron to
become one of the most accomplished songwriters in the area.
Though he is only twenty-two, he has built quite a reputation for himself, playing over 200
shows in the last two years up-and-down the east coast. In early 2007, he unveiled his new
band, The Late Greats, which rounds out a sound that has often been compared to
pre-eminent artists such as Damien Rice, Ryan Adams, and Josh Ritter. . A summer spent
street performing at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston have planted the seeds for Bergeron to
become one of the most accomplished songwriters in the area.
Erin McNally - Cursed with a far less than perfect memory, and tired of trying to remember the words
to other people’s songs, Erin began writing songs of her own so that nobody would notice if she
suddenly forgot them and was forced to make some up on the spot. What she soon was surprised to
realize however, was that over time, people began to know the words to her own songs. Determined to
beat her unexpected fans at their own game, she continues to write as much and as often as she can.
A notebook always in her pocket, her guitar close at hand- she’s always working on something new.
to other people’s songs, Erin began writing songs of her own so that nobody would notice if she
suddenly forgot them and was forced to make some up on the spot. What she soon was surprised to
realize however, was that over time, people began to know the words to her own songs. Determined to
beat her unexpected fans at their own game, she continues to write as much and as often as she can.
A notebook always in her pocket, her guitar close at hand- she’s always working on something new.
Brendan Hogan - If you’ve ever been stopped dead in your tracks by the sound of a voice or
the tone of a guitar you know what it’s like to walk into a room and discover Brendan Hogan. His
voice is sweet and melodic with the rasp of an old soul. His guitar playing is infused with the blues
and folk traditions that have been Brendan's guide since his teenage years. With irresistible
Beatles-esque chord progressions plucked out with the strong thumb of an old Delta blues
picker, listeners can’t help but notice.
the tone of a guitar you know what it’s like to walk into a room and discover Brendan Hogan. His
voice is sweet and melodic with the rasp of an old soul. His guitar playing is infused with the blues
and folk traditions that have been Brendan's guide since his teenage years. With irresistible
Beatles-esque chord progressions plucked out with the strong thumb of an old Delta blues
picker, listeners can’t help but notice.
Chordwood - Take the musical and life experience of Dave Renouf (Joe Mazzari Band, The
Effengees), Tom Duffy (Tom Duffy's Refrigerator Light, The Effengees) and Dan Mathis (Band For
Life, The Classics, The Effengees) and add the fresh vocal stylings of Bill Quigley and you get a nice
stack of CHORDWOOD. We are taking a break from our classic rock roots with some sweet harmonies.
Dave plays bass, Tom sings and plays guitar, Dan sings, plays guitar and harmonica and Bill sings,
plays guitar and dobro. We hope you like it.
Effengees), Tom Duffy (Tom Duffy's Refrigerator Light, The Effengees) and Dan Mathis (Band For
Life, The Classics, The Effengees) and add the fresh vocal stylings of Bill Quigley and you get a nice
stack of CHORDWOOD. We are taking a break from our classic rock roots with some sweet harmonies.
Dave plays bass, Tom sings and plays guitar, Dan sings, plays guitar and harmonica and Bill sings,
plays guitar and dobro. We hope you like it.
Will Kindler - Will Kindler is a young Wilton-(NH USA)-based singer songwriter, whose androgynous
voice and unique stylings are gaining him a strong local following. His music would tend to fall into the
psych-folk or freak-folk genre, but some of his compositions, including the song “Sufi” probably fall
into the world music category. His first demo CD went on sale in October, 2007. Many of the songs he
performs in local coffeehouses are covers with a twist, e.g. “Visions of Johanna," as well as originals.
He has collaborated with Zo Tobi, A.J. Jasper, and James Lemire.
voice and unique stylings are gaining him a strong local following. His music would tend to fall into the
psych-folk or freak-folk genre, but some of his compositions, including the song “Sufi” probably fall
into the world music category. His first demo CD went on sale in October, 2007. Many of the songs he
performs in local coffeehouses are covers with a twist, e.g. “Visions of Johanna," as well as originals.
He has collaborated with Zo Tobi, A.J. Jasper, and James Lemire.
