Zach Pietrini, Mike Mangione & The Kin, and Trapper Schoepp

Trapper Schoepp is a young man who’s befriended a strange and diverse cast of characters during his 24 years. That small army of rogues and rebels, drifters and dreamers, soldiers and schemers populate his songs, their tragedies and comedies, their lives and deaths recalled in his finely etched musical vignettes.

Voted Best Live Act in Milwaukee (Milwaukee Magazine, 2017), it’s been 4 years since Zach Pietrini showed up on the Milwaukee music scene. Despite being a Chicago transplant, The Zach Pietrini Band has become a recognized name around town playing featured spots at Summerfest and Bastille Days. At the forefront of the Americana resurgence in the north country, Pietrini quickly distinguished himself with his fearless vulnerability, prolific writing, and dynamic live show. “Pietrini’s skill is crafting the kind of Americana that gets right into you with a beguiling friendliness” (88Nine Radio Milwaukee).

Mike Mangione has been writing what American Songwriter Magazine calls “Orchestral Folk Music” for the better part of nine years. Using classical instrumentation and harmony, his music exudes heartfelt roots to take you to a place of spiritual awakening. His new project, Mike Mangione & The Kin, is a family affair and builds off of the sonic texture he has become known for, adding new voices to the pallet.

Mike and Tom Mangione, brothers hailing from Chicago, were raised rooted in the blues and folk tradition. Their band mates, sisters Monique and Chauntee Ross, are classically trained multi-instrumentalists, who were brought up in a traveling family missionary band from Milwaukee. Collectively, there songs tell the beautiful story of hope through despair. The style is as unique as the musicians that made it and as familiar as family. Like a reunion of sorts, It ebbs and flows with emotion while remaining honest and close to the heart.