MARY JOHNSON ROCKERS…

is her name, not a band. But with the Spark behind her, she delivers “great, roving Americana with pipes to spare,” (The Pinhook, Durham, NC). Ranging from soft twang with impeccable harmonies to driving rock rhythms full of late-night swagger, Mary’s music draws in fans of indie, folk and country alike. This past year has taken Mary Johnson Rockers and the Spark to new heights-- thanks to their 2011 release Hummingbird Heart, dubbed “a triumph,” full of “catchy, well-written and eclectic” songs (Chris Parker, Independent Weekly), a repeat spot on NPR’s The State of Things, and a score of solid performances throughout their local NC Piedmont. Mary is joined by longtime friend and vocalist Miriam Chicurel-Bayard, contributing songwriter Jim Kremidas on vocals, guitar, pedal steel, and dobro, and most recently, bassist FJ Ventre (Jon Shain, The Stars Explode, Tom Maxwell) and percussionist Robert Cantrell (Hobex, Tim Smith Band, Samba Jovem).

The energy sparking now didn’t happen overnight. In a review of Mary's 2008 release No Place for Birds to Rest that features notables Greg Readling (Chatham County Line) and Mark Holland, she was noted for “a voice built for singing of lingering touches and songwriting skills built for the subtle but lasting detail” (Rick Cornell, Country Standard Time). She’s earned a seat twice on the famed Blue Plate Special at WDVX (Knoxville), joined North Carolina’s “Stars in the Round” circle at Shakori Hills, and with surefooted versatility has performed both as a solo artist and with collaborators for over a decade, including former Chapel Hill band Pawnshop Ruby. With the chemistry of the current ensemble, new songs are in the works, and Mary Johnson Rockers and the Spark shines brighter than ever.

BIRDS and ARROWS (of 307 KNOX Records) create unique music that is "full of romance and energy", "enchanting", and "the kind you fall in love with". The trio, based in Chapel Hill, NC, is Andrea Connolly(vocals and guitar), Pete Connolly(vocals and drums) and Josh Starmer(cello), and together they create a rich sound that is much more than the sum of their parts. The romance between Andrea and Pete's voices is distinctly captivating and intertwines with beautiful yet haunting cello melodies. BIRDS and ARROWS accomplish an elegant, warm sound that is truly their own. Their compelling and road tested live show appeals to a surprisingly wide range of audiences; they are the cherished rock band for folk lovers and the favorite folk group for rock fans.
The group was formed in 2007 by husband and wife Andrea and Pete Connolly who released 2 critically acclaimed EPs. The first eponymous EP documents the strained conditions under which the two first met, while "Woodgrain Heart" tells of how the two grew together. Grayson Currin praised "Woodgrain Heart" as "complementary voices wrapping together in rustic contentment and comfort, like a happy pair making music because that's how love makes them feel." Josh joined the group on cello during the recording of the band's first full length record "Starmaker" in 2009, expanding the narrative to describe tales of coming of age while still remaining intensely personal. Upon its release, "Starmaker" was picked by the Independent Weekly as the "Album of the Month". With multiple east coast and mid-west tours under their belts, the band is now about to release it's sophomore record "We're Gonna Run", May 10th with help from Knox Records.