Check out the artists & their music online so you can plan to see all your favorites on MAY 22nd -
Get your tickets in advance for only $15!!

Jill Andrews
Amelia's Mechanics
Amissville
Amy Broome Band
Ang Medlin
Bridgit Scheide
Carrie Marshall
Doria Roberts
Emily Lynch
Eva Gael
Gretel
Hannah Miller
Jill Dineen Band
Liz Howell
Marcie Hernandez
Natalie Royal
Rachel Vanslyke
Sara Scott
Sy Arden
The Alpha Theory
The Mieka Canon (Mieka Pauley)
The Near Misses
Underhill Rose
Valorie Miller
Wavy Space
Lindsey Hinkle

Please check back for the final list of artists and view the schedule of performances here!

Jill Andrews picked up a guitar for the first time when she was 19; armed with only three chords, she had all she needed to create deep and soulful songs with lonesome melodies and haunting lyrics. In 2003, Jill teamed up with Sam Quinn to create the everybodyfields—it was an undeniable musical union. Paste Magazine listed them in their “Best of What’s Next” issue in September 2008, saying that they “straddle old and new, bitter and sweet, desperation and transcendence with an arresting command.” Jill has taken that arresting command into her new solo project, but the themes will be familiar, and fans who’ve fallen head over heels for her material can expect that signature alt-country, roots-rock sound to deliver and grow. Her songs will warm you like a winter quilt – or chill you to the bone. Either way, when you hear Jill Andrews sing, you will remember it.

Internationally touring singer-songwriter and spoken word artist
Doria Roberts has lived on the road since performing at Lilith Fair in 1999 where she was plucked from the side stage to perform solos with Sarah McLachlan and the Indigo Girls. "A searing sunset performance of intense, incendiary and eloquently literate folk and soul from one of Atlanta's busiest and brightest artists. While also internationally known as an activist and educator, Roberts' finest work is her intimate yet communal rapport with - and command of - an audience." - Creative Loafing, Atlanta

Mieka Pauley is bringing her band! The Mieka Canon is appearing for the first time at FemmeFest with a "founding artist" of the festival. Mieka's roots are the blues, classic soul, R&B, gospel and folk and the result is a personal brand of pop music all her own. Her voice ranges from haunting, delicate beauty to shattering, soaring soul.

Despite what the oil-and-iron name might suggest, the women of Amelia’s Mechanics swap that toughness for a more urban, sophisticated take on Americana music, using luxuriating harmonies and classical swells to temper their lyrical frustrations with love and life. The instrumentation and vocal harmonies of Amelia’s Mechanics result in a genre-busting sound best described as “vintage country with a moonshine concerto.”

The Alpha Theory exploded onto North Carolina’s underground music scene in 2008, playing exclusive venues while also touring up and down the east coast. Since opening for legendary hip-hop producer 9th Wonder, Universal Motown Record’s pop-rock band SafetySuit, national artist Citizen Cope and world-renowned author and poet Nikki Giovanni, The Alpha Theory has quickly become a recognized name in North Carolina. With Jesse Seibold on drums, Nathan Woolard strumming bass, Jeff Taylor electrifying riffs on guitar and music award-winning singer Jocelyn Ellis on vocals, The Alpha Theory delivers an unparalleled blend of rock, soul, funk, reggae and hip-hop, collectively defined as the genre indie-rock/urban-folk.

Wavy Space features the stand-out vocals of Shana Blake with great original songs and a kick-ass band. Together, they deliver emotional ballads, soulful blues and good ol’ rock'n' roll.

Gretel’s songs evince an honesty and directness usually reserved for confessionals and bathroom stalls. Lyrics of disappointment, denial, love and faith shimmer with precision and intensity, while the melodic and tonal explorations of their music unabashedly suggest that something better might be possible. The sound is eclectic--the live show finds the band juggling a multitude of instruments, from saw to typewriter, accordion to 5-gallon bucket. Whether through the existential pinch of a digital pulse, the ecstatic heights of an operatic line or the muddy optimism of a gospel choir, Gretel’s palette is broad.

Underhill Rose boasts a unique sound built of original songs and heartfelt singing in a genre they like to call country soul. Eleanor Underhill and Molly Rose Reed met at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC in 2002 and soon thereafter were co-founders of what was to become Asheville, North Carolina's beloved all-female quartet the Barrel House Mamas. During their time with the Mamas, the band was named the number two folk/bluegrass band by readers of the Mountain Xpress and voted their album gathering one of the top 20 regional releases of 2006. Look for an upcoming six songs in the fall of 2010, which these roses have been working at steadily all year.

Valorie Miller is a powerful songwriter who creates musical paintings of a dark beauty and intense depth. A self-taught musician and naturally gifted lyricist, Valorie has developed a unique finger-picking style on the guitar and delivers strong and melodic upright bass. In an article featuring her in No Depression, Jerry Withrow describes Valorie's voice as "pure Carolina, from whisper to wail".

Natalie Royal blends americana, folk, bluegrass, jazz and pop music. Her lyrics and melodies are matched with guitar, ukulele and violin to deliver a fresh, original sound. Currently Natalie is a student at Belmont University, majoring in songwriting.

The Near Misses are touring for their second festival season as a trio - featuring Shana Blake, Eva Gael and Etta Lea! They continue to charm audiences with an eclectic blend of songwriting that draws upon roots, rock, pop, country, contemporary folk, and jazz influences. Don't miss their early set at 6:30pm!

Rachel VanSlyke ’s unique combination of accessible, highly listenable tunes with no-holds-barred lyrics and a refusal to be bound by conventional genres have garnered her a following who are at once enamored and empowered by her bold songwriting and gutsy performances. Combining elements of rock, pop and classic country, her songs emotionally resonate with fans across the spectrum based upon their edgy intensity and genuine intimacy.

At twenty-two years old, Emily Lynch sings with the experience, humility, and sweet vintage voice of an artist twice or three times her years. What she lacks in career mileage is made up for by the sheer raw and intrinsic nature of her talent.

Eva Gael is a folk-rocker who is unafraid to explore darkness and light in her songwriting. She creates an appealing blend of catchy hooks and intense lyrics, forcefully delivered in her live performances with powerful vocals and acoustic guitar.

Hannah Miller: "Like Brandi Carlile and Rachael Yamagata, [this Southern songstress] is blessed with a modern old-timey sound. Instantly captivating...Miller makes every note count. Miller's trembling delivery and quirkily crafted acoustic vignettes shimmer..." - Performing Songwriter

The Jill Dineen Band: After landing in the Carolinas in 2006, Jill Dineen immediately sought out some of the best blues musicians the Southeast had to offer to create a powerful, soulful, hip-shaking, down-in-your-gut, hard-driving blues vibe reminiscent of her Chicago days. Her emotive, soulfully edgy vocals continue to ignite audiences and crowded houses throughout the region, reminding us all to “remain the same,” to find the joy buried within the blues, and to claim and embrace our own unique voices.

In 2005, singer-songwriters Meredith Laney and David Holtzclaw met at a Darrell Scott show in Charlotte, NC. They hit it off immediately, both personally and musically. Before long, they formed Amissville (named for a small town in their home state of Virginia), writing and playing together in venues throughout the Carolinas, including special shows opening for the John Cowan Band and Ellis Paul.

Piano pop songstress
Carrie Marshall recently moved to Charlotte from Music City, USA, otherwise known as Nashville, TN. A singer-songwriter and recording artist, she has performed with such talent as legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy and hit songwriter, Tom Douglas (writer of recent #1 country single, “I Run to You”). Carrie recently signed three single song contracts with a publisher in L.A. and her song, “When Love Was Green” was a semi-finalist in BBC’s 2008 songwriting competition. From her honest lyrics and catchy hooks to her aching ballads, Carrie loves being able to connect with audiences through music in her authentic, engaging way.

With a songwriting sensibility rooted deep in emotion and power, Ang Medlin delivers a hearty helping of soul stirring vocals and lyrical energy. Teaming with legendary guitarist Tom Williams, the two produced Angs’ first album “Play Without Fear” in 2009. From the longing proclamation of “Cry” to the gentle redemption of “Charleston”, her music takes the listener on an eclectic drive.

Bridgit Scheide’s melodies come together to form obscure, lovely songs that seem aloft even as they reach your heart in a familiar way. Influenced by indie & alternative rock, 60's folk, 70's rock and traditional irish music, her sweet, airy voice mingles with fluttering guitar strings, bringing warm, ethereal songs to life.

A resident of Charlotte, Liz Howell began playing guitar and writing songs when she was a teenager. Her music tends toward folk-country with a rich, bluesy feel. Recently Howell teamed up with fellow songwriter Dave Petty to write a few country tunes; subsequently they have entered their works into CMT’s song contest. Both are members of the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) and will perform in-the-round with other NSAI songwriters for Charlotte FemmeFest.

"Marcie Hernandez brings a classic vocal style to her music that hasn't been heard in 40 years. Think of the female folk trinity (Joan, Joni and Judy) viewed through a lens of 21st Century atmospherics and sensibility." - Grey Revell, Producer

Sara Scott is a 24 year-old singer-songwriter from Charlotte, NC with big dreams and even bigger determination to make them a reality. Sara’s music is fresh, honest, soul-stirring, in your face, beautiful. It's a mix of folk, rock, pop and jazz with a country thread woven throughout. Sara released an independent album “The Way of Things” in July 2009. She plays regularly in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and other parts of North and South Carolina, as well as Nashville, Tennessee.

Performing and writing since the age of 13, Lindsey Hinkle has already built a strong following in her home state of Alabama, as well as the surrounding areas - most notably in Atlanta. She beat all competition to win the coveted ‘Eddies Attic’ Open Mic Shoot Out. She truly puts her heart and soul into her songs and each performance. There is something so unique about her that each time you see her perform, it feels like seeing her for the first time. Lindsey says, "I have a lot of high goals and aspirations. Every song I write has a piece of my heart in it. I hope my songs can help people go through the same things I have or change their lives the way some songs have changed mine. Music has healed a lot of wounds for me and it’s given my life a soundtrack. I want my songs to be on someone’s soundtrack and I want them to smile, cry, or laugh when they hear it. I want to make my little mark in music history and I want my music to change lives for generations to come."