Tony Khalife & Nick Peters- Blending a lifelong search for musical truth into all forms of world music, Tony weaves a seamless vibrational flow in which the drone and ragas of Indian music and the resonance of devotional Sufi dances meet Western harmonies to flow into the different pulses, melodies and expressions of all forms of music Tony has mastered.
The Marigolds- The Marigolds, Ines Shaw and Sasha Dronkers, are a duo from Arcata, CA. They began playing guitar, singing, and writing songs together in the fall of 2023. They played regular shows at Humboldt Brews through the Arcata Arts Institue program (AAI) at Arcata High School before breaking off into a duo. They now perform a range of covers and original music with a focus on folk/ country and indie genres.
Wounded Animal- Wounded Animal incorporates styles and traditions from around the world to create a window into folklore and fantasy. Spinning storysongs rooted in mythology and history, our songs present characters that are at once otherworldly and relatable, and we showcase the common ground of musical forms from Appalachia, Persia, Russia, and more in our high-energy and theatrical performances.
Revelers Three- Three part harmony female band with acoustic instruments
Vanishing Pints- Vanishing Pints take the folksy and poetic elements of Irish music, run them through a filter of fluctuating attitudes and fermented beverages, and unbottle acoustic based music perfect for a mishmash of merriment. With a rambunctious and irreverent approach, the Pints use their decades of combined musical experience to emphasize malted exuberance and hopped up revelry. With working class laments, sea shanties, drinking songs, and original compositions, Vanishing Pints draw a draught of bubbly licks and tongue twisting phrases, with shots of mournful beauty for good measure. Be forwarned, people tend to break out in carbonated dancing when Vanishing Pints perform.
David Trabue- David Alan Trabue (aka “Kentucky Dave”) moved to Humboldt County in the late ‘70s from his home in Louisville, Kentucky. At that time, Dave was in solo guitar/vocal mode in Louisville, which he continued here, playing around the numerous spots in Old Town Eureka in those days. Tomaso’s, Fog’s, The Vance Log Cabin, Old Town Bar & Grill, and other venues in both Eureka and Arcata kept him busy as much as 7 nights a week.
In the mid-‘80s, Dave joined up in one of the area’s most working country bands – “Country Fever”, where he stayed for several years before forming his own bands – “Dave Trabue & The Roundup Band”, followed by “Still Kickin’.”
After moving away in the late ‘90s, and playing in the SF Bay Area for a long while, Dave returned to Humboldt in 2022 and is working to get his Covid-atrophied chops back in shape to entertain you again & is very happy to have a chance to return to the Folklife Festival in its new (to him) digs, as he used to play at the old Fickle Hill location.
See you there! I pick, therefore I grin!
Rise and Bloom- Rise & Bloom's homegrown origins began after two farmers met at a local market. Matt Brunner (fiddle, vocals) & Ben Perone (banjo) soon discovered they're shared love of the old time fiddle & banjo traditions of a century ago.
After a decade of playing in barns and campers, around fires and in bars, they were joined by Kelsey Perone (guitar, vocals) who brought steady rhythm and sweet harmony to the romp and howl.
In recent years, two of Humboldt’s finest old time players (& Matt's band mates from Cidermill, and long time dance band favorite The Striped Pig Stringband), Brian Letts (guitar), and Cisco Haggerty (bass) have jumped in to add the big bounce and groove that completes Rise & Bloom's foot stomping, old trance dance tunes, tones, and songs. Rise & Bloom is a pre-bluegrass, traditional old time stringband from Humboldt County California
The Pronouns- Playing a wide variety of styles, rock, pop, reggae, blues, jazz. Covering tunes by The Beatles, Gershwin, Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, Dave Brubeck, Rolling Stones and more...
We all have extensive musical backgrounds and have played at numerous local venues, Six Rivers Brewery, Mad River Brewing Company, Humboldt Folklife Festival, Morris Graves Museum etc.. We've been playing together for 3 years now going on 4 and always adding new songs as we go. Just 5 Boomers havin' fun!
Sneaky Mandy- Sneaky Mandy Bandy fuses soulful Americana and folky grooves with powerful vocals, bass, guitar, and drums. Their electrifying sound combines raw storytelling with infectious rhythms that make you sway and feel deep in your bones, creating a dynamic vibe that connects and captivates.
All Wheel Drive- A new 5 person band playing great music. Blues/jazz/folk/swing/bluegrass/western and original songs.
Lodestar- LodeStar grew from the soulful collaboration between visionary songwriters Goodshield Aguilar and Linda Faye Carson into a six-piece band that continues to celebrate their Original Rockin’ Cosmic Folk Grass—an eclectic mix of folk-rock infused with indigenous spirit. The band showcases original songs by Linda and Goodshield, along with a smattering of carefully chosen covers.
At the heart of the music, Linda’s spirit endures—an outlaw poet, truth-singer, and sacred rebel whose life journey, including time served for smuggling Humboldt-grown truth across the country, left a deep and lasting imprint. Though she’s now among the stars, her songs remain a guiding light—celebrated each year on her birthday, and carried forward with love.
The band features Goodshield Aguilar (vocals, guitar), Caterina Delaisla (vocals, keyboard), Rob Diggins (synth-violin, trumpet), Jolie Einem (electric bass, vocals), Chela Boss (vocals), and Alex Litzinger (drums). Together, they bring global experience and personal artistry to their music, sharing their sound at festivals like Reggae on the River and the Humboldt Folklife Festival, and continue to perform at local markets, intimate venues, and community gatherings—wherever the music is needed. LodeStar's latest recording is now available for purchase—bring the music home and carry the spirit of our songs with you.
LodeStar walks the wild path between earth and cosmos—where the crackle of a porch jam meets the hum of the universe.
As one audience member put it:
“An interesting and wonderful blend of folk, rock, bluegrass, and all points in between. They add a wonderful flavor of their very own. If you get a chance, you really should try to see these folks!”
Ms. Fiona Mariposa Blues Band- Roots music, blues, delta blues
Lalona- Lalona- Lalona is an a cappella trio formed in Humboldt County, California featuring the harmonies and rhythms of Lauren Norgeot, Lorenza Simmons and Nola Pierce. Formally part of the global vocal group AkaBella, Lalona's harmonies have marinated into a unique blend, influenced by music across genres and languages. Lalona’s unique arrangements represent folkloric tradition with respect to the people and history of the music. Blues, R&B, Soul, Gospel, Doo-wop, Rock n’ Roll, Reggae, Appalachian, Bulkan, African, Afro-Cuban, audience participation, the wind through the trees....are all elements of the sound and performance this trio of voices weave together.
Kingfoot- KingFoot plays all original Modern Americana. Kevin Johnson on Bass, Jimmy Foot on Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin and Accordion and Joe King on Guitar and Ukulele