Scott Law embodies the ideal of the American Guitar Master; a brilliant and versatile instrumentalist, Law has connected onstage with many contemporary masters of American music, among them Phil Lesh & Friends, Darol Anger, String Cheese Incident, Melvin Seals, Railroad Earth and many others. Scott’s alternately chiming and grinding melodic concept bears favorable comparison with everyone from the early Telecaster masters to Stevie Ray Vaughan to Jerry Garcia, creating a style that bears his unique stamp yet freely ranges over the entire history of rock, jazz and bluegrass guitar. Scott sings timeless songs that connect easily with listeners, propelled by his rare rhythmic concision and deep groove.

Law has just released a new solo album, "Living Room" in February 2009 and debuted a second studio release, “Love & Repair” with Strings For Industry during summer. Scott collaborates frequently with pioneering violin master Darol Anger (who plays electric 5-string fiddle in S4i) and whose adventurous musicality is universally admired. Law released an album with String Cheese Incident's Bill Nershi and his wife, Jilian eponymously titled "Honkytonk Homeslice" in 2005 and worked with Jerry Garcia Band's B-3 organ legend, Melvin Seals from 2001 to 2003. Law was also a member of the award winning Seattle instrumental world-music group, Hanuman who put out two recordings between 1999 and 2001 and sold over 8000 copies independently.

Chris Haugen's guitar wizardry has earned accolades and collaborations running the gamut from Sean Penn, to Ken Kesey, to John Popper. His 2008 release of original guitar music (Seahorse Rodeo) landed a feature on the cover of SF Chronicle Datebook, and Chris has since enjoyed a string of success and recognition as a bandleader. His band Seahorse Rodeo features swampy slide guitar grooves, catchy original hooks, and surprising cover tunes from artists like Radiohead, Beck, and Lou Reed. Chris also recently founded a Beck inspired band, Newfangled Wasteland. When not playing guitar, you can find Chris surfing majestic waves in Northern California.

Some year by year highlights:
2009: Founded "Newfangled Wasteland". NFW is Steve Adams, Dave Brogan, Trevor Garrod, and Chris.
2008: Seahorse Rodeo Released. Sundance showcase with John Popper.
2007: 'Into the Wild' film score performance. Collaboration with Sean Penn.
2004/2005: Lead guitar with Theresa Andersson (New Orleans).
2001-2003: Lead guitar with Melvin Seals (Melvin played in the Jerry Garcia Band 1979-1995).
2000: Writing
1999: Toured with Ken Kesey on the Further Bus throughout the UK and Ireland. Composed music for a BBC Documentary on our trip, entitled "Where's Merlin"

Dave Brogan’s passion for music could never be bound to one instrument or a single style. His interests are as varied as the many instruments he plays. Whether he’s laying down drum tracks in the studio one day, designing a synthesiser soundscape for an ambient drone project the next, or front-manning his very own band on vocals and guitar, the deal is this: Brogan loves to make music any way he can.

He has recorded numerous albums, and played on numerous stages on five different continents, with ALO, Jackie Greene, G. Love, Jack Johnson, Bill Kreutzman, Brett Dennen and many others. Wherever he might find himself with an instrument in-hand, his wish is to make the playing serve the song, the song serve the listeners, and maybe discover a little something about himself in the process.

Occasionally moonlighting as a writer, Dave has contributed articles and interviews to Tape Op, Blurt.com and MSN Music. He also wrote this bio. Good job, Dave! 

Someday he’d like to live in the country in a handmade house built around a fire on which he will cook food he raised himself. There he will write more words, make synth drones that last all day and tune into the rhythms of life. Dig it!

Kate Gaffney has been touring in support of her recently released album The Coachman, a record that has garnered national raves. Produced by Barrie Maguire (The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant, Amos Lee), The Coachman includes contributions from several esteemed musicians, including Steve Kimock, Greg Leisz, Jackie Greene, Andrew Lipke and The Innocent Criminals. Leaving her career as a social worker in 2002, Gaffney began to perform and write alongside local artists, while soaking in the Americana music scene that was flourishing in Sacramento at the time. She hit the road and returned to her native East Coast. Gaffney spent recent years immersed in the Philadelphia music scene, quickly becoming a standout favorite in the city’s top venues. A permanent return to the west coast was only a matter of time for Gaffney. Kate forever calls both coasts home, but it is in the West that she regained her musical roots and brought her throwback but contemporary sound to the forefront. Music lovers that span many genres have been reaping the rewards ever since!

“Blending jam-band and Americana sensibilities with her soulful songwriting, it showcases Gaffney’s knack for witty and honest lyrics rooted in the unpretentious folk traditions of the ’60s and ’70s.” — The Intelligencer/Record, November 2008

“[Gaffney’s] lyrics will move you, her voice will soothe you and her songs will captivate you.” — Montgomery Newspapers, November 2008

www.kategaffney.com

Asher Fulero is a deeply eclectic and hugely prolific pianist/keyboardist that can play absolutely anything and always imbues his music with a human nature and a natural sense of 'feel'. He has vast experience in nearly all genres, has collaborated with a ridiculously long list of well-respected artists, and has performed in venues around the globe. A longtime Ableton Live user, Asher is an accomplished electronic music producer as well as a writer for Electronic Musician Magazine. He is endorsed by Moog Synthesizers and Nord Pianos and carries an undergraduate degree in Music Composition from the University of Oregon.  

www.asherfulero.com

Aaron Redner is best know as the fiddle/mandolin player of the band Hot Buttered Rum. He is also one of the primary songwriters in the band and is currently working on his first solo album of original songs. Aaron has a strong Classical music background and enjoys performing Bach as much as Bill Monroe!  

The Andrew Heringer Band have recently been touring the west coast with their newest release "The Paradise Sessions" playing everywhere from coffee shops, colleges, farmer's markets, bars to living rooms.

Playing over 150 shows in the last two years, Heringer has called the road his home. Heringer brings his roots in rock and folk and is backed by a group of musicians (Kellen Garcia on Bass, Jonathan McHenry on Drums, Jason Galbraith on Saxophone) who bring their jazz background to provide a fusion that the band calls Folk-Rock-Jazz-Funk.

The Andrew Heringer brings songs that almost anyone can relate to as well as jams that will get the audience dancing. It is music that hopes to leave you with a smile as Heringer's songs provide an optimistic and hopefully take on the world. 

“What came of those two five-hour recording sessions at the Paradise Studios in Sacramento are eight unprocessed, refreshing tracks that fans of Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson are sure to fall in love with. The level of musicianship found on "The Paradise Sessions" is becoming more and more rare these days. These guys are obviously professional, seasoned players making music for the all the right reasons.”   -Submerge Magazine 

ANDREWHERINGER.com

Bassist Joe Kyle Jr. was fortunate enough to have been drafted into musical service during the Great Swing Wars of early-1990s San Francisco. Since then he has become an in-demand player known throughout the land for his superb feel, musical agility, adaptability and propensity for slap bass and tragicomic asides. He has been touring and recording with the Waybacks since mid-2001, and can frequently be seen and heard performing with many other Bay Area groups, including  Café Americain, Doug Martin's Avatar Ensemble and Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s. He is thrilled to be making his first visit to Solstice Fest with the Kate Gaffney Band. 

Greenstone Quarry came together in 2007 based on a common desire for bluegrass and passion for music. They were soon playing in the bay area and have become regulars at Giordano Bros. in San Francisco's North Beach scene. The Greenstone Quarry sound soon began incorporating the band's other musical influences such as blues, reggae and folk to create what could best be called a melting pot of progressive acoustic music.

Whether you catch with them at a mission party or a mountain music festival, the positive vibration and soaring harmonies of Greenstone Quarry are sure to put a smile on your face and your feet on the dance floor.

Greenstone Quarry is Grace Cribbs (vocals), Mike Henry (guitar and vocals), Michael Willingham (mandolin and vocals), Paul Lloyd (banjo and vocals) and Matt Lauer (bass and vocals).

Trout and Parrot is Alex Stephens (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Jillian Secor (guitar, vocals). Specializing in both original music and classic murder-ballads, this up-and-coming duo combines raw energy and beautiful melodies that push folk music to the edge. In a style similar to Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, and David Rawlings, Trout and Parrot take listeners back to simpler times with their folk/bluegrass songs. They have an amazingly full sound, thanks to Jillian's (parrot) powerful voice and Alex's (trout) busy mandolin. Jillian’s tendency to wear bright colors and belt her vocals loudly earned her the character name ‘Parrot.’ Alex was nicknamed ‘Trout’ for his calm and steady manner, as well as his fondness for fly-fishing.

www.myspace.com/troutandparrot
www.thesixtyone.com/troutandparrot
www.facebook.com/pages/Trout-and-Parrot/126534463604?ref=ts