Kraig Jarret Johnson is an American songwriter, singer, guitarist and recording artist from Minneapolis who has performed and recorded with Run Westy Run, The Jayhawks, Golden Smog, Iffy, Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts, members of R.E.M., Ray Davies of The Kinks and his own band, Kraig Jarret Johnson & The Program.

Californian turned Minnesotan, Cassandra Cole is a songwriter, visual artist, actor, athlete, and mother. Cole specializes in songwriting that showcases life’s rich tapestry - and refines each thread, creating a canvas that gives us a look into her soul. In her latest release, Steps, she writes about the human experience.

Steps dives into some heavy subjects in Cole’s life - including years of depression, anxiety, and heartache. Inspired by her favorite songwriters, such as Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Ella Fitzgerald, she uses her songwriting to tell stories. The album ebbs and flows - the last track, “Mornings High”, is about taking emotional, mental, and physical steps out of the darkness.

Tim Mahoney, who calls Minnesota’s Twin Cities home, found himself in creative territory vastly different from the love-and-breakup pop songs that have been his calling card for more than two decades. A former contestant on The Voice, Mahoney tapped into his socially conscious muse to write “We Should Be Shooting Stars,” an impassioned cry for peace and humanity in a world increasingly tolerant of gun-fueled bloodshed.

“This song is a first for me,” says Mahoney. “I believe in every word I’m saying. I’m really hoping it just helps unite and bring people together. This can sound cliché, but I think it really needs to start with one person – you and me with this song.”

The gripping, stripped-down mood of “We Should Be Shooting Stars” further punctuates its point – that we should be shooting for dreams, not shooting people, and that we need to rethink, rebuild, and reunite. Recorded in Mahoney’s home turf, “We Should Be Shooting Stars,” ready for digital release February 25, showcases the singer-songwriter’s emotive vocals and his solemn piano playing as well as strings and arrangements from Tommy Barbarella.

Space Ambulance is the improvisational collaboration between guitarist Nick Baker (Maria & the Coins, Yarp, Fragile Canyons), drummer Ryan Barrett (Lazy Scorsese, Space Hug), and bassist Matt Beachey (Slow Clarity, Cassini, Oscar Tengo). The trio formed in the winter of 2019 with the goal of creating fluidly improvised music that draws from modal jazz and classic psychedelic rock. Space Ambulance performs without any preconceived ideas in order to fully access the present moment.

Billy Johnson is a singer/songwriter from Minneapolis. Billy was the lead singer of The Hillcats, and is the lead singer of Billy Johnson’s Roadshow. He also has an acoustic duo called B-TEAM with George McKelvey. Billy has recorded 10 CDs. He strums a Gibson guitar with soul, and has a great vocal range.

The Maeflies return to The Aster for a hot summer show AND the release of their new single "HENRYVILLE". Get ready for a big list of songs, with their richest harmonies and full fleet of instruments to entertain you. Don't miss this personal performance on the intimate stage at The Aster.

The Maeflies, Minnesota's Americana-Country-Rock Ensemble, have been playing their trademark sound for over 18 years. They deliver rich signature harmonies, hot guitars and songs that tell a story. The Maeflies know their way around any iteration of guitar, including pedal steel, mandolin and banjo. All the Maeflies can sing and pass around the lead vocal. Mae fronts the band; and you will discover why.
They have released 2 albums of original music: "Goodbye Sometimes" and "Dinkytewn Highway. Their music is available on all streaming music apps, including iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music and more. The new 2022 single "HENRYVILLE" is about the tragedies we bear in the face of our Nemesis, the Tornado. We dedicate this song to everyone everywhere who has suffered. It will be available for downloads on June 18, 2022.

The most unusual new band in the Twin Cities is The Scarlet Goodbye, fronted by Soul Asylum co-founder Dan Murphy and Yacht-rocker Jeff Arundel. It has been called "the most unlikely mash up in Minnesota music history", as these two industry vets from different ends of the rock landscape have created a collection of songs that are hailed as "part Rolling Stones, part Townes Van Zandt". TSG will be playing in the cozy confines of the Aster as they prepare for the national release of their first single, "Rosary", on InGrooves/Universal. Space is limited, vibe is ample.

Andy Ulseth is a craftsman songwriter from Minnesota. A state known for brutal winters, and liberal politics. His folk songs highlight the vivid and visceral minutiae of the modern world rather than focus on the past. What does it mean to be a millennial? Why does life happen all at once? How have we changed? Every melody is important, and words matter.

David Harland has felt the pull of music all of his life. His music has been described as innovative, introspective and expressive. David is a fingerstyle guitarist and singer/songwriter in the tradition of great innovators like Michael Hedges, Nick Drake, David Wilcox and Billy McLaughlin.

Danger Pins are Shannon Pettini (vocals and guitar) and Joseph Pettini (percussion and vocals). Original electric Americana and select reimagined covers.

With special guest Hans Schumacher!

Hans Schumacher is a Minneapolis based singer/songwriter, and founder of the band American Pleasure Dome.

Music 9-11pm

CLICK HERE to save your spot!
$10 cover charge will be added to your tab.

Principally filled with longing and nostalgia, Caleb Anderson is a songwriter and producer based in Minneapolis, MN. Borrowing mojo from his small town upbringing, Anderson has developed a playfulness and wide-eyed disposition that characterizes his music as Aldrich.

Under A Softened Gleam is the studio debut for Aldrich. With a focus on Anderon's earnest vocal presence, gentle finger-style guitar playing, and dashes of levity, Under A Softened Gleam offers snapshots into the uncomfortable process of learning to speak from one’s own heart.

Since forming in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern attitude, original songs and a wide range of influences far beyond Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs.

In a genre created and dominated by artists from the South, The High 48s were born and raised in the Upper Midwest. And in a music scene where playing standards is the norm, The High 48s are a band of songwriters who perform their own material in addition to the “festival favorites.”

Playing only four shows throughout 2020 was the least amount in a year's time since starting a band at the young age of ten. Elliott hit the road at 17 (wielding any of the 10 instruments he plays) and eventually became sideman and musical director for artists such as:
Gavin DeGraw, Phillip Phillips, and Eric Hutchinson.

While writing and performing his own material casually for years, he is finally putting his own vehicle into drive with the releases of the Funk/Soul EP "Red" in 2018, followed by the warm and emotive "Blue" in late 2019.

Glamour Magazine and Julia Michaels took notice in early '19, when Blaufuss covered the pop smash "Issues" on youtube.

When Covid hit Elliott started AIRWAVS, a long distance musical collaboration reaching over 33 artists across the country. It was released in May with the proceeds going to the artists involved.