Music Line Up
For Summer Nights at the Farmstand
Scroll down to learn more about the bands and solo acts preforming on the Summer Nights Stage!
A Banjo Makes 3
In the magical world of Old Growth Redwoods and the legendary Big Foot, A Banjo Makes 3 was born. Evolving from a trio, they grew to a full 5-piece band in Humboldt County. An upright bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar joined forces with one mission: keeping traditional bluegrass alive on the Lost Coast of California. A Banjo Makes 3 has become known for their lonesome vocal harmonies, hard-driving flat picking and high-energy, kick-your-ass-into-high-gear performances. Influenced by legends like Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley and Jimmy Martin, A Banjo Makes 3 thrives to capture the authenticity and heart of true bluegrass.
June 6thSoul-A-Mente
Soul-A-Mente is a fusion band led by Mignon Geli on flute and Good shield Aguilar on guitar, percussion, and vocals, blending rock, reggae, folk, and hip-hop with indigenous influences from Turtle Island. Their music is known as “Indigenous Soul” and intertwines storytelling and spoken word, reflecting a deep connection to ancestral traditions and a commitment to cultural revival.
June 20thInder The Bard
August 22ndInder the Bard performs mostly original songs inspired by the Earth, emotional depth, interconnectedness, and transformation. Blending folk influences with guitar and ngoni, Inder creates intimate performances that are both grounding and reflective. While often performing solo, Inder also collaborates with other musicians to create layered, community-centered musical experiences.
Sharing the set is Elfgame, the musical project of Lisa O’Keefe, bringing an additional creative and atmospheric element to the performance.
Oryan Peterson-Joans
July 25thOryan Peterson-Jones was born in Arcata, California during a cold November rain. After graduating from Humboldt State University with a degree in Music As A Cultural Metaphor, he was inspired to explore the globe with purpose; collecting instruments, field recordings, stories, and gems of wit and wisdom. Oryan began performing behind the Redwood Curtain in the late nineties, developing his signature fast finger-picking guitar style playing alongside the outsider folk ensemble, Die Geister Beschwören, and 27-year running, psych-rock mavens, Datura Blues. While these projects satisfy a collective effort and engage in more grandiose musical pursuits, Oryan’s solo output demonstrates an enthusiasm for Ethnomusicology, with camaraderie towards American Primitive and the New Weird America.
Northern Highbush
August15thNorthern Highbush is an upbeat, family-friendly indie pop/rock band made up of all-female, queer-inclusive musicians. The group plays mostly original songs with a few fun crowd-pleasing covers mixed in. Their music is energetic, heartfelt, and focused on creating a welcoming space where people can connect, sing along, and have a good time.
Layla Dias
September 5thA versatile singer-songwriter, their music blends elements of rock, blues, soul, funk, folk, pop, and indie into a sound that is both dynamic and deeply personal. Whether performed acoustically as a solo act or small ensemble, or backed by a full electric band, the songs carry an expressive and heartfelt energy.
Lyrically rooted in the tradition of folk storytelling, their music explores themes of personal growth, heartbreak and love, joy and suffering, social justice, and the shared human experience. Each song reflects a wide emotional range and a genuine passion for connecting through music.
July 11thPapa Haole & The Fleas
Papa Haole & The Fleas utilize ukulele, steel pan, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion to play multiple genres of island inspired original music (with a tasteful cover sprinkled in every now and then).
Steve Johnson
August 29thSteve Johnson is a solo acoustic musician performing an eclectic mix of original songs and covers spanning Blues, Rock, Folk, and Jazz Standards. He began performing in high school as a singer before learning guitar and playing in various rock bands throughout San Francisco and Sonoma County.
Since moving to McKinleyville in 2023, Steve has performed at local venues including Six Rivers Brewery, Moonstone Crossing Winery, Venicia Restaurant, The Wild Hare, and Redwood Curtain Brewing Company. His performances bring together decades of experience, heartfelt originals, and timeless classics.
Tony Khalife
August 8thBlending a lifelong search for musical truth into all forms of world music, Tony weaves a seamless vibrational flow in which the drone and ragas of Indian music and the resonance of devotional Sufi dances meet Western harmonies to flow into the different pulses, melodies and expressions of all forms of music Tony has mastered.
With his newest release “The Farther Shore Of Light – Sanskrit Songs Of Devotion”, Khalife highlights his mastery as a devotional artist and multi-instrumentalist in a soul-stirring recording of ancient Vedic Mantras and Hymns.
The Flying Oms
September 19thThe Flying Oms – Vocal & String duo Extraordinaire! is an eclectic and dynamic ensemble featuring world-class violinists Rob Diggins and Jolianne Einem. With violins, viola, guitar, and vocals, they weave a vibrant tapestry of sounds spanning continents and centuries. Their repertoire includes original Celtic tunes by Rob, Eastern European folk music, Jazz Manouche, Klezmer, Appalachian and Old-Time fiddle, Gypsy music, English Country Dances, Baroque arrangements, Delta Blues, Indie String Pop, and String Jazz—reimagined with inventive spirit and joyful energy.
Abe & Silas
August 1stAbe is a McKinleyville-based musician who sings and plays acoustic guitar, with the occasional banjo making an appearance as well. His performances blend original songs with carefully chosen favorites from other songwriters. Whether playing solo or joined by a friend or two, Abe creates a warm, laid-back musical experience rooted in storytelling, connection, and a love of live music. Abe will be accompanied by his Son Silas.
Bosporus
June 13thBosporus is a Humboldt Bay Area acoustic ensemble dedicated to the folk music traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean. Drawing from the rich musical cultures of Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Tunisia, Bulgaria, and beyond, the group brings together lively rhythms, soulful melodies, and traditional instrumentation in an intimate and welcoming performance style. Their music celebrates the deep cultural connections and storytelling traditions woven throughout the region’s folk music.
LOUD Neighbors Brass Band
September 12thLOUD Neighbors Brass Band is a community focused street band featuring brass, saxophones, and percussion. We play a wide range of music from pop hits from across the decades, classic rock anthems, modern brass band compositions, and traditions street band style tunes. A little something for everyone!
Mark Zachary
July 18thMark Zachary with a multi-voiced guitar performs folk rock reggae with originals and lots of cover classics from the mid 60's on up. Dylan, Rolling Stones, Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Bowie, Men at Work, Marley and more.
