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the music
Performing Saturday + Sunday
Based in Madison, WI, husband and wife duo Joan Herzing and Gary Flesher, Jr. first began creating music together in early 2014, when the pair were involved with various lineups, garnering experience in studios and on stage, and becoming players in the regional Upper-Midwest music scene. Until then, Joan had been (and still is) active in the long-established powerhouse band, the Blue Olives, while Gary was (and still is) chipping away at his songwriting and technical prowess.
Avian Aura decidedly took flight (pun) as of late 2017, recording the first EP- At First Glance- in early 2018; then got to work crafting and delivering a solid live performance, playing a host of venues that specialize in good vibes and positivity, and engaging with a supportive audience both on and off the stage.
Expect to hear a mix of original music with a healthy dose of tasteful covers, an array of Joan's instrumentation (saxophone, keys, cajon, accordion, etc) and soaring vocals, and Gary contributing on acoustic guitar, vocals, hand pan (and working the mixer.) Avian Aura is a fresh presentation on a classic concept, hoping to be present and connected, to express what it means to be human in an otherwise distant existence, and on track to continue producing content, contact and mileage.
Performing Friday
Mark Croft is an award-winning singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist who has always been unafraid to break the genre barriers. Croft takes inspiration from a variety of musical styles and blends them into his own Roots, Rock & Americana based approach to songwriting, infusing soulful performances with infectious rhythms and unforgettable melodies. A seasoned performer, Croft has been serving up exciting and emotional shows to audiences for almost twenty years, releasing six albums of original music in that time. His booming baritone vocals, finely crafted songs, and ability to navigate his six-string with superiority, has garnered him praise as the a classic triple-threat.
“He’ll play the prettiest thing you ever heard, then do a 180 and start cranking on that acoustic like there’s no tomorrow, creating a freight train of a groove that drives right through you. It doesn’t matter the genre, Mark can play it.”
– John Urban, Isthmus Magazine
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