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2018 Ferdinand Folk Festival Artists:
Dubbed by Rolling Stone, Spin, and Paste Magazine as one of America's most influential singer-songwriters, Williams is a major force in the American folk scene. With 20 albums to her credit, the New England folk veteran has toured with distinguished peers Joan Baez, Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, Loudon Wainwright III, Joan Osborne, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, and others. Headlining at folk festivals across the country since the 1990s, Williams has been captivating audiences with her sheer elegance and honesty. Read More.
Described as artists with "a magic formula, real passion, steel-toed drive, and the ability to fill the listener with intense wanderlust", Bridge 19 is rooted in Louisville's rich Appalachian folk and bluegrass tradition. Having performed at Lilith Fair, Midpoint Music Festival, and International Folk Alliance, they have also served as support for Brandi Carlile, Sarah McLachlan, Richard Thompson, and Ben Sollee. Equal parts folk and pop, the arrangements of Bridge 19 creep into Americana with beautiful, soothing harmonies. Read More.
From the budding music scene of the Upper Midwest comes the cutting-edge, folksy bluegrass soundscapes of The Last Revel. Performing energetic shows from coast-to-coast, this powerfully talented trio consists of Vincenzio Donatelle on fiddle, bass, and vocals, Ryan Acker on banjo, guitar, and vocals, and Lee Henke on banjo, guitar, and vocals. They naturally blend the genres of folk, rockabilly bluegrass, old-time string-band, and rock to create a fresh, new sound rooted in the storied history of American folk music. Read More.
With foot-stomping, hip-swinging sounds that organically unite Appalachian folk and high-energy Latin music, Appalatin consists of Kentucky-raised musicians and masterful Latin émigrés from Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Their performances blending traditional guitar, mandolin, upright bass, charango, indigenous Andean flutes, hand percussion, harmonica, and vocal harmonies uplift listeners of all ages. Read More.
With a voice and style reminiscent of classic reggae, this Evansville, Indiana, artist fuses roots music and spoken word to spread a message of love, hope, unity, and peace. Zion has been a crowd favorite in the local Will Read and Sing for Food series. Born in the small village (population 1,288) of La Plaine in rural Dominica West Indies, Zion was shaped at an early age by experiences that taught him perseverance, endurance, and spiritual empowerment. Since emigrating to the United States when he was 18, Zion’s music has spread from the Caribbean to the southern and midwestern states.
With "riveting music, an adventurous voice, and lyrics that cut to the chase", Heather Maloney creates an exceptional mix of indie rock and Americana, combining intricate melodies with dynamic musical arrangements. New York Times' Val Haller calls her work "utterly gorgeous—visceral." Diffuser magazine describes her 2015 album Making Me Break as "unforgettable . . . a fascinating listening experience front to back—culminating in one of the most exciting records we’ve heard in a long time." Read More.
Brother, Son is a Folk/Americana trio from right here in southern Indiana. Their honest melodies and soulful sound bring an unique feel to the stage. Their first release, "The Prodigal EP" is available now on iTunes!. For a unique listening experience, see them at the Kyana Woodstock Market Stage at the scheduled times.