Antje Duvekot & Vance Gilbert

Originally born in Germany and transplanted to the US as a young teen, Antje Duvekot began to hone her observational skills through a lens of biculturalism when she picked up a guitar during that move. Some years later, the confessional folk of Dar Williams and Ani DiFranco gave her license to share her observations, no matter how personal, in her first emerging songs. She has never let go of that tenet of vulnerability. “Duvekot has gotten hotter, faster than any local songwriter in recent memory. Her songs feel at once fresh faced and firmly rooted, driven by the whispery sensuality of her voice. She believes in the redemptive power of the shared secret; and is utterly unafraid to mine the darkest corners of her life for songs that turn fear into resilience and isolation into community.” The Boston Globe

Considered by many to be an integral part of the national folk scene – and one of the originators of the finally recognized R&B/Folk/Jazz crossover-sub-genre – this Boston-based stalwart was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. In 1992, Shawn Colvin invited him to be special guest on her Fat City tour. “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god…”, swooned The Fort Worth Star Telegram about one of those shows. Vance’s newest album, “The Mother Of Trouble”, features Grammy winner Lori McKenna on background vocals, Juno award recipient and Bonnie Raitt Grammy hit song co-writer Joey Landreth on guitars, and master mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, among others. Gilbert has recorded 14 albums to date, including 5 for Philo/Rounder Records. He’s been the opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, and Southside Johnny, and the mid 2000s found Gilbert opening 150+ shows for comic legend George Carlin! He’s currently the regular opener for Mad About You/Stranger Things star Paul Reiser’s stand-up shows, and he maintains his own busy acoustic music touring schedule.