James Budinich is a Croatian-American composer writing music inspired by minimalism, Croatian folk traditions, and American popular music. An artist who welcomes collaboration in his process, he composes for performances, films, and installations, using both acoustic instruments and electronic sound design. 

Recent collaborations include new works for Kate Dreyfuss (semiconcerto for violin and electronics, 2024; White Stone for violin and electronics, 2019), Pigeonwing Dance (sound design for The Choreography of CRISPR, 2022; 5x8, 2021; Plexus: a work in knots, 2020; and Tensible, 2018), movement artist Waeli Wang (sound design for her spine, the mountains, 2023, and sunder: before sky and earth, 2024), and visual artist Mao Wei (Manual City, an installation for music boxes and projected images, 2020). 

He has worked with ensembles such as Ensemble Illyrica, Yarn/Wire, the Momenta Quartet, Ensemble Mise-En, F-PLUS, and the Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra. Recent performances include the Ear Taxi Festival, Pulsar Festival, Festival Mise-En, and others across the United States and Europe. His work has been supported by Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center, the American Scandinavian Foundation, the Lois Roth Endowment, and the Charles and Joan Gross Family Foundation. 

James received a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Duke University in 2022, and was in residence at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Music as a Fulbright Scholar in 2020-21. He currently serves as Lecturer in Composition and Music Creation Technologies at Binghamton University.

Brett Harris is an independent singer/songwriter from Durham, NC. His work has been featured by Paste Magazine's "Best of What's Next", NPR's "World Cafe" and "All Songs Considered: Second Stage" and has appeared in "This American Life" and The CW's "Supergirl". Additionally, he has been a core band member in live performances of Big Star’s Third in the US, UK, Spain, and Australia, and also served as a touring member during the 2012 reunion tour of The dB's. His latest release  "Up in the Air" has received great critical praise, making it into several "best of" lists including All Music's Top Rock Albums of 2016.

guitar picker. songwriter. bicycle traveler.

Folk Singer - Songwriter from North Carolina

Songwriter / Singer from Durham, NC.  Acoustic pop music that gets stuck in your head.  We dare you to listen!


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