Nurse Julie, Average Joey and the Rabble Rousers, Roaming Bear

Roaming Bear is a name that is synonymous with fun and adventure to his small cult of loyal followers; the “Roaming Bear Militia.” Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and Milwaukee, Bear was inspired by the riff-heavy midwest emo bands that shaped the Chicago music scene, but also the lyrically comedic acoustic folk punk ballads of Milwaukee sweethearts the Violent Femmes. He began writing songs in 2008, and they are often somewhat sad but also bring a surprisingly positive demeanor and gaiety for life into the mix. He might talk about heavy subjects such as suicide, but while doing so he will beg the listener to let down their hair and run clear into the wide f*cking open. As a young man Roaming Bear made a name for himself by hitchhiking and hopping freight trains all across America and documenting the process; teaching other young people how to “travel for free.” His songs are heavily inspired by these hobo-escapades, the people he met along the way, and the eternal truths that can only be found while out on the road.

Average Joey is a full time traveling songwriter and musician, living perpetually on the road sharing his mix of storytelling folk songs, mischievous country tunes, danceable string band music, and punk rock banjo. When joined by the Rabble Rousers, Average Joey is able to bring these songs to life backed by fiddle, jazz guitar, and Tuba. A live performance of this group offers a cabaret style variety show, incorporating crowd participation singing, burlesque acts, and lyrically witty music that you can tap your toes to.

Nurse Julie are an instrumental chamber ensemble from the sprawl between Chicago and Milwaukee that subscribe to the ethics of punk rock, with a sound that lies somewhere within the realm of post-rock.