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Artist's Bios

Nick Asuncion:

My name is Nick Asuncion and I am 22 years old.  I am a Geoscience major (math minor) in my fourth year at Winona State University.  I was born and raised in Roseville, MN.  During high school, I started to play guitar and since have gotten the opportunity to play Twin Cities bars with local singer/songwriter Mark Stary. My first local performance was with him at Rascals bar. With many different musical influences, including Tom Petty, the Eagles, Kenny Chesney and more, my style of music is a blend of classic rock, easy listening and country. This makes it easy for everyone to relax and enjoy.

We met late one night in September of 2006.  As a new freshman to WSU, Anna was hanging out at Casey's house and found a guitar down in her basement.  There they swapped songs and have been jamming ever since.  Their stylistic similarities and harmonies followed them everywhere they went, even on a 30-hour road trip to the Florida coast.  Fun fact: sometimes their voices crack, and when that happens, they really can't sing because they're on the floor laughing (they like to have a lot of fun:).  But on a serious note, both Anna and Casey believe that music is the most creative expression of the deeper things that lie within us all.

Daniel Edmonds:

My name is Dan Edmonds, born Daniel James Edmonds.  I was born in the Twin Cities and am from a near suburb, Crystal, MN. I have been playing guitar for about five years now, and harmonica for almost just as long. I also play the alto saxophone, which I have been playing for longer than I remember. Music is a big part of my life, and I love all kinds of music. My main focus of music though, is folk/bluegrass. Being that Bob Dylan is my music idol, that’s no surprise. You’ll often find me singing songs about whatever I see, telling stories about people, places and ideas. I believe that maybe someday, music might save the world. Idealistic? Of course it is.  But that’s how I roll.

Sarah Eischen:

I am from small town New Holstein, WI. I love the outdoors, and thunderstorms make me shake with fear. I got into music in 8th grade, and started singing my freshmen year in high school. I taught myself how to play guitar sophomore year, and have been performing at every school event possible. I like to play guitar, piano (badly), and am moving on to harmonica and hopefully violin. This summer I am booked to make a CD through an independent company in Appleton, WI, so that should be fun!  I am still trying to find my individual music style, and am in the process of writing my own (finally)!

Esoteria- Jake Larson and Brandon Rompa:

It was late one summer night in the sleepy town of Winona. Brandon, a young gunslinger from a bustling town in Wisconsin, sat upon a bench playing sweet melodies on his acoustic six string. He looked across an open blaze to see a long haired fellow sitting in a stoic, pensive state. “Hello Long Hair.” Brandon said while taking a seat near the stranger. The young, long haired man told tales to Brandon of his adventures in various places of the United States and his passion for the sweet sound of music. They sat, they played, dare I say they jammed, and the universe told them… it was time.

Fifth Element:

Fifth Element is a six-member all-male contemporary a cappella group made up of students from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  Since the group’s creation in 1998, it has performed music from every genre ranging from the music you hear on the radio today to original compositions by members of the group.

Fredrick- Alex Troester, Patrick Longmire, Kevin Holman:

Alex and Kevin started playing together when we were freshmen in high school.  One of our mothers saw the other one playing and influenced the combination of two guitars.  We started off as an electric band called "The Dueling Band-Fros" with a drummer, but we decided to play all acoustic music about a year after we started and lost the drummer in the process.  We changed our name to Fredrick and started playing places as a duo.  It was not until recently (two weeks ago, to be exact) that we acquired Patrick Longmire, our bassist. We have different influences, and through these different influences we are able to merge different kinds of music together.  Some of our influences include, but are not limited to, Ben Folds Five, Dave Mathews Band, Incubus, Sufjan Stevens, Jack Johnson, Nick Drake, Jamie Cullum, Death Cab for Cutie, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Iron and Wine, The Fall of Troy, Devendra Banhart, etc.We come from all over the board. :)

Dan Glenn:

My name is Dan Glenn, and I'm finally graduating this spring!  Mugshots has treated me very well, from being a great creative outlet where I can perform music, to being the place I meet new friends and even my amazing girlfriend Britty.  I've played guitar for going on ten years, and I started playing so I could sing and entertain people.  I will be bringing to the table acoustic and pop songs that should make you happy you came.  I'd like to say thanks to my family and friends who came from far distances to see me tonight... especially you, Aunt Betty! Also, don’t forget to put down Winona Idol in your calendar for next Saturday so you can help me win, I would love that

Brent Johnson:

My name is Brent Kristopher Johnson and I am originally from a small town called Rockford which is located about 30 miles west of the Twin Cities. I've been playing guitar for about 4 and a half years, but I have been a musician ever since I was a wee little tyke. I am currently studying classical guitar and will receive a degree in guitar performance.  I also am studying piano and play the drums.  The music I play ranges from Sublime to Beethoven to Duke Ellington to the Beatles to Outkast. 

Alex Klinkhammer:

I am a sophomore at WSU, I have been playing guitar since I was in the 3rd grade, and I wish all I had to do in life was play the guitar. I am recording a self produced CD right now of all original material and songs that I have written, and I am hoping to have it done by the beginning of January to bring back for everyone for spring semester. I enjoy nice moon lit walks on the beach and putting on a great show, so sit back and enjoy!
Megan Nelson:
I am currently a sophomore here at WSU and I am majoring in Therapeutic Recreation.  I come from a musical family where there is always a banjo, mandalin, or guitar in every room, and tabs, sheet music, or books under the furniture and on the floor.   I taught myself how to play guitar nearly 4 years ago.  If you are lucky, you can catch me singing while riding my bicycle with my two best friends Julie and Kyann.

Trent Paffenroth:

My name is Trent Paffenroth and I'm from Appleton WI. I've been playing guitar for about 8 years and love to play/listen to oldies, classic rock, and punk.  When I'm not jammin' around you can find me out on the lake in the summer and on the slopes in the winter.  Oh...and long walks on the beach are great too.

Joe Pollock:

My name is Joe Pollock and I am a junior at WSU. I am from Minneapolis and plans to graduate with degrees in communication and music. I will be playing a variety of songs accompanied by guitar.  Although I was self- taught in high school, I am now studying guitar at WSU.  Some of my inspirations come from work by Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Grateful Dead, Paul Simon and the Beatles.  In the hip-hip and jazz arena, artists like Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, The Crest, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Medeski Martin and Wood, and The Bad Plus have all been inspirations.  I am also interested in using everyday trends and observations for song writing and creative expression.

What’s up? My name’s Brett Seales, and music is my life.  I grew up in a large family,  almost all of which played an instrument or were just musical.  I grew up playing drums, including in a band in high school called “mindgame”.  But when my stepbrother jon showed me how to play the infamous “power chord”, everything changed, and I have been playing guitar, writing songs and playing around Winona ever since.

Eric Swan:

Eric is a sophmore at Winona State who has a younger brother, Nathan that is a musical genius. Nathan Swan is a senior at Fennimore High School and plans on attending UW-Lacrosse and is majoring in Physics. Nathan plays about every instrument that he can get his hands on including guitar, bass, piano, violin, harmonica, and cowbell. They enjoy playing about any kind of music together ranging from oldies to hardcore rock. They currently are a part of a band called Everyday Ally in which Eric is the lead singer and Nathan plays bass and piano. They have written a number of songs together and are currently working some more.

Mishawn Woodcock:

My name is Mishawn and yes, my last name is Woodcock.  I am from Hamlake, MN. I enjoy long walks on the beach and playing guitar. I love all types of music but I have a special place in my heart for classic rock and alternative. A quote to live by... "It's alright. I still got my guitar" - Jimi Hendrix

Jon Yucuis:
Hey I’m Jon Yucuis.  I come from a family of twelve kids and two cats and I'm a local from Winona.  This is only my second time of formally playing music in front of people so if the lyrics don’t sound quite right just go with the flow.  My musical influences include The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Dr. Dog, Wilco, Collin Van Ryn, some classical, and a lot of random people.  The reason I started playing guitar was because Steve Buscemi was playing on The Wedding Singer and said he was self taught.  I said, “I wanna be like that guy” and I never looked back. My guitar’s name is Old Black Joe and was named by my friend Collin.