Sean Panting, a bona fide East Coast indie rock icon, is renowned for his razor sharp lyrical skills, great guitar playing, hilarious storytelling, and brilliant three minute rock and roll songs. Raised in the shadows of Figgy Duff and some of the finest of the province's traditional musicians, he has ingested the province's folk music, added a solid helping of the alternative and contemporary music of his own generation, and developed a unique and powerful style. Many of his songs turn his keen observation to political topics. He is also a master of musical satire, as listeners to CBC's "Morning Show" (for which he served as Roving Troubadour) and "The House" are well aware. He has two solo albums to date, both MIANL award winners - Lotus Land (2000) and Pop Disaster (2002) - as well as a sizeable catalog of albums recorded with his various bands, friends and relations. His performances alongside the likes of Billy Bragg, Ron Sexsmith, Daniel Lanois and The Rheostatics have earned him well deserved praise as a songwriter and performer. Another full length studio album and a live acoustic disc are slated for release in the fall of 2005.

Jim Payne is a leading performer, collector and producer of traditional Newfoundland music. A native of Notre Dame Bay, he is also one of the province's most prolific songwriters, as well as being a singer of traditional songs, a storyteller, writer, actor, step dancer and instructor and caller of traditional Newfoundland set and square dances. He has performed extensively on radio and television both in Canada and abroad, and has toured throughout North America, the US, Europe, Japan and Australia. An ECMA nominee, Jim owns and operates his own record label, SINGSONG INC., which has released eighteen titles featuring traditional and contemporary music that reflects the Newfoundland experience. They include recordings by legendary Newfoundland traditional musicians as well as those by contemporary folk and traditional artists.

Liz Pickard is a singer, actor and activist from St. John's. Well-known for the range, versatility and intensity of her performances, Liz can nail a sensitive ballad and wail a cutting-edge rock song. For over 12 years she has been the lead singer of the Lizband, an indie/alt musical institution in St. John's; they have just released their fourth independent recording. One of the main forces behind "Rock School for Girls," workshops at which she and other women in the music industry offer advice, education and empowerment for women musicians. She can often be heard performing at a variety of benefits - including those sponsored by Oxfam and at the Peace-a-chord. An outspoken and articulate promoter of women's rights and of Newfoundland, she is also a fine playwright and actor.

THANKS TO THE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ARTS COUNCIL
FOR SUPPORTING THIS EVENT !