My next several watercoolers highlight some of my favorite musicians from this year’s Art Outside. I’ll be devoting longer coverage to some of the festival’s most interesting art in upcoming Saturday Art features.

Last year I shared a brief interview with Katie Gray. This time I was particularly taken by Sea Stars,  a duo combining Gray’s talents with the equally musical Kurt Baumann. About the band’s name they say:

The name ‘Sea Stars’ symbolizes the celestial (stars) and fluid (sea) rhythm of the heart and the sounds that stem from it.  Though the name is commonly confused with the popular ocean crustacean, Kurt and Katie are completely comfortable being associated with such a lovely little sea creature.

Sea Stars performed on Art Outside’s Folk It Up stage.

Sea Stars were the first act I caught. Someone had placed a beaten up, antique couch near the Folk It Up stage, and sitting with a camp mate while Gray’s beautiful vocals, supported by the pair on guitars, floated up through the lit trees of the stage’s clearing was a beautiful way to start my weekend. At the end of their set, I bought their new album The Unknown without hesitation.

Have you heard any good music lately?

Got questions or something on your mind? The Watercooler is an open conversation.

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Photo by Kit O’Connell, all rights reserved.