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2015
ARTISTS
BALTIMORE
FOLK FEST
This years lineup includes some new bands, but also a number of artists BFF has worked with and supported for years. Baltimore band Haint Blue played their debut show at the 2nd annual Folk Fest, and find themselves on this years main stage. Artists like The Bumper Jacksons, Letitia VanSant, and Philadelphia’s The End of America, all started working with Baltimore Folk Fest organizer Alex Champagne early on when looking to book shows in the city. They will feel right at home on stage at Ottobar on October 24th. Joined by more artists from around Baltimore, Annapolis, DC and surrounding areas, helping to bring the focus of the Baltimore Folk Festival back to the artists that play and bring something unique to this city’s artistic heritage.
 BUMPER JACKSONS(Washington, DC) The Bumper Jacksons are hot and sweet, painting America's story from New Orleans' brothels to Appalachian hollers.Bursting at the seams with some of the richest threads of old America, Bumper Jacksons bring you into the center of a party where everyone's invited and the dance floor never sleeps. |  HAINT BLUE(Baltimore, MD) Hailed "not just a successful folk band but a welcome addition to the scene as a whole" [BMOREhush.com], Haint Blue's powerful live performance has made them a sleeper hit. "This band’s sound is alive with bluegrass fiddle and banjo, powerful harmonies, and melancholy lyrics... promises energy, passion, and musical finesse." [The Deli Magazine] |  LETITIA VANSANT(Baltimore, MD) Folkstress Letitia VanSant's distinctly intimate voice and poignant songwriting deliver simple truths and ask provocative questions about human nature. VanSant accompanies herself on the guitar, banjo, and ukulele. |
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 BIG HOAX(Frederick, MD) Sharing the stage with many notable, nationally-touring artists like The Steel Wheels, The Streets of Laredo, and Driftwood; Big Hoax is known for its big live sound, dancy alt-folk ballads, and ability to turn a room full of strangers into a space full of friends that simply haven’t met yet. |  THE MANLY DEEDS(Baltimore, MD) A staple in the Baltimore folk community, The Manly Deeds invoke the true spirit of folk music by creating timeless songs for anyone looking for a good melody, a story to relate to, and a reason to get up and dance. |  THE END OF AMERICA(Philadelphia, PA) The End of America is a band of friends, singers, and travelers. Blending three part harmony with rock/americana, the Philadelphia based trio achieves a style that resonates with fans of Ryan Adams as well as Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. |
 LURAY(Washington, DC) Based in Washington, DC and Richmond, Virginia, Luray is banjo-led indie folk with a unique sound that combines folk, bluegrass, and ambient genres. |  Katie Powderly(Frederick, MD) Katie’s put together quite a hot little back up band, The Unconditional Lovers, in her new home of Frederick, MD, where they have sold out every show they have played in their home town in the last year, and are currently playing and headlining festivals. Her singing and harmonies have been likened to Gillian Welch (Isthmus, Madison, WI) and Gram Parsons (City Paper, Rochester, NY.) |  AMPERSAND STRINGBAND(Annapolis, MD) Ampersand Stringband (Cory Chubb - guitar, Nate Lanzino - mandolin, Jason Zeckowski - banjo, Dave Zelonka - bass) is an Annapolis based quartet focused on mixing old traditions with a youthful energy. Playing a mix of bluegrass standards and original songs, the boys are sure to get your boots stomping with the bouncing rhythms, driving solos, and tight vocal harmonies they bring to the modern roots music scene. |
 THE PLATE SCRAPERS(Hagerstown, MD) The Plate Scrapers are an energetic string band out of Western Maryland performing their own intriguing and captivating originals as well as a tasteful selection of covers and bluegrass favorites. This passion-driven quartet consisting of Evan Bell (upright bass), Brett Kretzer (Mandolin, Vocals) Derek Kretzer (Banjo, Vocals) and Andrew Jordan (Guitar, Vocals) draws influence from their wide background in music including folk, jam, jazz, blues, americana and bluegrass. |  SWEET SARO(Baltimore, MD) |
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