Each year, Norwescon brings a selection of geeky, fannish, and fan-friendly musicians to the con. This year’s lineup includes:
Aaron Shay
Aaron Shay
Sci-fi singer-songwriter Aaron J. Shay is a balladeer who blends old-world twang with catchy folk-punk melancholy, layering it over driving banjo rhythms and stomping beats. His performances are highly interactive experiences, featuring many sing-alongs and stomp-alongs, all punctuated by his funny and heartfelt musings on relationships, creativity, magic, and the future of humanity. Influenced heavily by indie rock and Americana, his songs fall in some strange realm between Phil Ochs, Tom Waits, and The Mountain Goats.
Betsy Tinney
Betsy Tinney
Betsy Tinney is a cello storyteller. Using her cello and an electronic looper, she weaves rich, complex and varied tapestries of sound; her original cello compositions paint pictures and tell tales, from thunderstorms and skeletal mice to dancing elephants and humpback whales.
Lady Heather
Lady Heather
Lady Heather is a classically trained singer who studied voice in Glasgow, Scotland and as she explains: “I sing Italian at people.” Now the former student is a teacher of voice lessons. Along with opera, she also likes to sing just about any genre of music and may just take requests during her show. She also likes to muse on the comical side of her experiences.
Megathruster
Megathruster
Megathruster is two geeks from Oregon armed with acoustic guitars to bring their special blend of funny nerd rock to the masses. Described as “Tenacious D meets Jonathan Coulton,” the duo have taken their funny and energetic stage show to pop-culture conventions such as Emerald City Comic Con and Rose City Comic Con and events such as FumpFest in Chicago and Gencon in Indianapolis. Their debut album, “20 Sided Vice,” earned them a Logan Award nomination for best comedy song for their hit, “It’s Rough to Be a Hufflepuff.”
Alexander James Adams
Alexander James Adams
From the Land of Fae comes the Faerie Tale Minstrel with songs and stories of days gone by and futures yet to come. Guitar and fiddle support a voice that enchants the ear and comforts the heart. Jigs and reels, lust and lullabye, the magic and music are there for those that believe.
The Faithful Sidekicks
The Faithful Sidekicks
The Faithful Sidekicks are an award-winning comedic geek/filk music duo that write and perform original, catchy songs about the nerdy things they love. They play (mostly) funny songs for all kinds of fandoms—everything from Star Wars pop songs, to love songs written entirely in SQL code, and even IT sea shanties. Their mission is to celebrate the nerdy goodness of fandom life with heart and a side of snark. The Faithful Sidekicks have been delighting audiences at conventions, clubs, coffeehouses, and internet venues since 2014. They are excited to play for you live over video connection at Norwescon!
Celt Check
Celt Check
Celt Check! – Bringing Celtic Harmonies to the Pacific Northwest. Repeat performers at Norwescon. We provide a variety of music for weddings, parties, taverns and pubs, fairs and more. Slow-and-sweet to rolickin’ and raucous, Celt Check! does it all!
Sarah Donner
Sarah Donner
Sarah Donner is an alt pop singer/songwriter who has embraced her inner cat lady. Her songs teeter between playful, nerdcore, and ballads, tied together with bright melodies and driving, energetic instrumentals. Sarah is a graduate of Westminster Choir College. After stretching her legs with musical theatre, she picked up a guitar, abandoned her classical roots, and started rocking out (with fantastic breath support). Sarah’s music has been featured on Conan O’Brien’s blog, NPR, Buzzfeed, i09, Showtime, and CBS. She collaborates with The Oatmeal to bring the internet gems like “The Motherf**cking Pterodactyl Song” and “Tesla vs. Edison.” When not touring, Sarah Donner fosters kittens, teaches privately, and paints portraits. Sarahdonner.com, Twitter @sarahdonner, Instagram @sarahdonnerparty, Facebook @sarahdonner.
More exciting performers to be added soon!
Questions, comments, or suggestions are always welcome! Contact the Music department through our contact page.