Wendy Lewis is the singer/songwriter and founder of past projects Rhea Valentine and Mary Nail. She has earned six MN Music Awards to her and her bands' credit, and many nominations including Artist of the Year in '95 and Recording of the Year (for Rhea Valentine's "Shrug") in '96. In 1998/99, her band Mary Nail received Best New Band award from the MMA. That same year, Lewis was awarded an NEA-sponsored Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship Grant for composition. In 2000, Lewis and jazz piano player Bill Carrothers (Warner Bros./France) recorded and released "The Language of Crows", to which she contributed four original songs. This CD was listed in the top 10 jazz recordings in Paris that year.

Both "Shrug" and "The Language of Crows" are available for purchase on this web site. GO TO LEWIS DISCOGRAPHY

Michael Lewis started out singing along to his father's practice routine while trying to escape the crib. Trumpet didn't seem right after trying it out a few times, so he went with the saxophone at age 10. While in high school he went to hear his aunt play with Rhea Valentine at the occasional all ages show. A growing obsession with rock music led to the realization that most saxophone players in rock bands are hopeless dorks. There are exceptions of course, but it's tough out there. Shortly thereafter he began to bloody his fingers on the upright bass during lunch times and skipped classes. Never having given up the saxophone he is a founding member of Happy Apple and Fat Kid Wednesdays, but now also plays bass in Fog and the newly formed Alpha Consumer. Though playing bass quite regularly at this point, he still finds himself endlessly grateful that he can share the stage with such brilliant and seasoned rock musicians: a shining example that there is hope for jazz geeks after all.

Jeremy Ylvisaker Since starting his first band The Paperclips to play at the 6th grade talent show, Jeremy’s spent most of his time playing guitar, bass, keyboards, singing, writing, engineering, and producing music with hundreds of people. Some include Fog, Detroit, Barbara Cohen, Mark Mallman, The Melismatics, The Sensational Joint Chiefs, Truth Maze, Ourmine, and Greazy Meal. Several records he worked on as a musician, writer, or producer have won Minnesota music awards and Jeremy’s been nominated as a guitarist and a keyboardist. (if it weren't for Prince and his band...) Look out for Alpha Consumer!

Martin Dosh plays drums for Redstart. He also plays drums and keys for Fog and Lateduster. He plays Rhodes for Vicious Vicious. He works in a Montessori school and teaches kids how to make music. He has released records as Dosh on the Anticon records imprint and continues to gather good reviews and airplay around the world. In 2004, he played SXSW, CMJ, the Roskilde Festival in Denmark and had a string of well-received shows surrounding the release of his sophomore effort, "Pure Trash". 2005 looks to be a busy year, as a lengthy US tour is slated for March and April, and collaborations with Odd Nosdam, Jel and P.O.S. are set for release this year. He is currently spending as much time as possible with his son Naoise, his stepson Tadhg, and his wife, Erin. His website, www.doshfamily.com, should be up and running any day now, and the next Dosh record should be out in early 2006.

Greg Lewis has been a working jazz musician since he was 14 years old. He's the real deal. He has played in an endless array of groups, projects and performances. More recently, he plays with the local double trio Science vs. Flames and also with percussionist Marc Anderson's group, Swallow the Earth which will soon be releasing a live CD. He also plays Monday nights with the Cedar Avenue Big Band at O'Garas.