Eric McFadden & Kate Vargas at Tambourine Lounge, Sturgeon Bay, WI
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Kate Vargas
Junkyard folk artist, Kate Vargas, is in a musical world all her own, her lyrics on par with Bob Dylan and her unforgettable voice with Janis Joplin. Celebrate the release of her new record ‘Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi.
On her fifth album Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi, Kate Vargas draws closer to the truth of her uniquely nuanced, jazz- and blues-inflected “junkyard folk.” On these 11 songs, she tints her metaphoric storytelling and maverick, outlier Americana with maturing perspectives, folklore from her native New Mexico, and literature at large.
Dusty, darkly romantic, and emotionally raw, Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi wraps Vargas’s signature gravelly melodies in rootsy acoustic instrumentation and quirky percussion, her voice enhanced by the sublime harmonizing of The Reckless Daughters (sister Lizzy Vargas and Lena Kaminsky). At once confessionally intimate and sepia-toned cinematic, it’s a quietly riotous album of deep grooves, smoldering moods, and wry worldliness, it’s intrigue and curiosity embroidered with Vargas’s deft wordplay, palpable charisma and crisp, cultured phrasing.
Vargas’s singular sound is rooted in open-hearted genre hopping; subtle, soulful sensuality; and a girlish yet textured, old-soul timbre in the tradition of Nina Simone and Eartha Kitt (once wonderfully described as “a favorite bourbon come to life”). Keeping her recording process as live and spontaneous as possible while shunning production she keeps Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi late-night intimate, vivaciously visceral, and refreshingly authentic.
PRESS
- SPIN / “a sterling effort that allows for her distinctive gravelly voice to shine alongside her blend of melodic folk and blues.”
- NPR / “raggedly delicate vocals and the kind of sonic landscape that conjures other worlds.”
- Rolling Stone / “Kate Vargas’ ‘Glorieta to the Holy Place’ creaks and sighs with otherworldly atmosphere”
- American Songwriter / “this year’s most unconventionally intoxicating and intricate album.”
Eric McFadden
Hailing from the crossroads of the Southwest and the heart of New Mexico, Eric McFadden has crafted a rare and enticing brand of high desert blues and gritty, flamenco-infused rock that leaves listeners spellbound. McFadden’s sound has not only charmed audiences all over the world, countless musicians have been taken by his inimitable playing and musicianship, with McFadden receiving invitations to tour with the likes of funk legend George Clinton, The Animals’ Eric Burdon, and New Orleans sweethearts Anders Osborne and Tab Benoit. Right from the moment Joe Strummer spotted him in San Francisco, nicknamed him ‘Lightning,’ and gave him a gig opening for Strummer & The Mescaleros, Eric McFadden has claimed his place amongst the greats.
Drawing from his multifarious musical experiences and influences, Eric McFadden has developed his own unique and meaningful voice as a songwriter and 2026 we’ll be hearing much more of that voice. Honing in on a sound that’s a rousing mix of Jack White, Django Reinhardt, and Jimi Hendrix, we can expect to witness McFadden as we never have before - as a wild talent harnessing his power, as a man settling into his skin. This is the year for Eric McFadden and every music lover should be watching out and taking notes.
Some of Eric’s other collaborations include: Bo Diddley, Nels Cline (Wilco), Les Claypool (Primus), Reverend Horton Heat, Fishbone, Joan Baez, Fantastic Negrito, Jackson Browne, The Coup, North Mississippi Allstars, Widespread Panic, Dwarves, Samantha Fish, Bernie Worrell, Kate Vargas, Mike Watt, Living Colour, Ron Wood, Chuck Leavel and Bernard Fowler (Rolling Stones)
PRESS
- Rolling Stone / “the master of gypsy blues voodoo”
- Guitar Player / “The virtuoso multi-instrumentalist explains how he wowed George Clinton and scored a bunk on the P-Funk bus.”
- IndiePulse Music / “McFadden is one of the most talented people I have heard.”
- Music Connection / “A feisty combination of talent and sheer musical energy”
Far more than an extraordinary guitarist, Eric McFadden is, to put it bluntly, an experience...an awesome performance for those who respect dynamic originality.
Vargas and McFadden released their collaborative debut under the moniker, Sgt Splendor, in June 2022 on Terminus Records which features Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) on bass, and Paulo Baldi (CAKE, Les Claypool) on drums.
Their 3rd release “Isotopia” was released in December 2025 on Mother West Records.
Eric’s latest album “Lucky Man” is available on Bad Reputation.
Junkyard folk artist, Kate Vargas, is in a musical world all her own, her lyrics on par with Bob Dylan and her unforgettable voice with Janis Joplin. Celebrate the release of her new record ‘Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi.
On her fifth album Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi, Kate Vargas draws closer to the truth of her uniquely nuanced, jazz- and blues-inflected “junkyard folk.” On these 11 songs, she tints her metaphoric storytelling and maverick, outlier Americana with maturing perspectives, folklore from her native New Mexico, and literature at large.
Dusty, darkly romantic, and emotionally raw, Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi wraps Vargas’s signature gravelly melodies in rootsy acoustic instrumentation and quirky percussion, her voice enhanced by the sublime harmonizing of The Reckless Daughters (sister Lizzy Vargas and Lena Kaminsky). At once confessionally intimate and sepia-toned cinematic, it’s a quietly riotous album of deep grooves, smoldering moods, and wry worldliness, it’s intrigue and curiosity embroidered with Vargas’s deft wordplay, palpable charisma and crisp, cultured phrasing.
Vargas’s singular sound is rooted in open-hearted genre hopping; subtle, soulful sensuality; and a girlish yet textured, old-soul timbre in the tradition of Nina Simone and Eartha Kitt (once wonderfully described as “a favorite bourbon come to life”). Keeping her recording process as live and spontaneous as possible while shunning production she keeps Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi late-night intimate, vivaciously visceral, and refreshingly authentic.
PRESS
- SPIN / “a sterling effort that allows for her distinctive gravelly voice to shine alongside her blend of melodic folk and blues.”
- NPR / “raggedly delicate vocals and the kind of sonic landscape that conjures other worlds.”
- Rolling Stone / “Kate Vargas’ ‘Glorieta to the Holy Place’ creaks and sighs with otherworldly atmosphere”
- American Songwriter / “this year’s most unconventionally intoxicating and intricate album.”
Eric McFadden
Hailing from the crossroads of the Southwest and the heart of New Mexico, Eric McFadden has crafted a rare and enticing brand of high desert blues and gritty, flamenco-infused rock that leaves listeners spellbound. McFadden’s sound has not only charmed audiences all over the world, countless musicians have been taken by his inimitable playing and musicianship, with McFadden receiving invitations to tour with the likes of funk legend George Clinton, The Animals’ Eric Burdon, and New Orleans sweethearts Anders Osborne and Tab Benoit. Right from the moment Joe Strummer spotted him in San Francisco, nicknamed him ‘Lightning,’ and gave him a gig opening for Strummer & The Mescaleros, Eric McFadden has claimed his place amongst the greats.
Drawing from his multifarious musical experiences and influences, Eric McFadden has developed his own unique and meaningful voice as a songwriter and 2026 we’ll be hearing much more of that voice. Honing in on a sound that’s a rousing mix of Jack White, Django Reinhardt, and Jimi Hendrix, we can expect to witness McFadden as we never have before - as a wild talent harnessing his power, as a man settling into his skin. This is the year for Eric McFadden and every music lover should be watching out and taking notes.
Some of Eric’s other collaborations include: Bo Diddley, Nels Cline (Wilco), Les Claypool (Primus), Reverend Horton Heat, Fishbone, Joan Baez, Fantastic Negrito, Jackson Browne, The Coup, North Mississippi Allstars, Widespread Panic, Dwarves, Samantha Fish, Bernie Worrell, Kate Vargas, Mike Watt, Living Colour, Ron Wood, Chuck Leavel and Bernard Fowler (Rolling Stones)
PRESS
- Rolling Stone / “the master of gypsy blues voodoo”
- Guitar Player / “The virtuoso multi-instrumentalist explains how he wowed George Clinton and scored a bunk on the P-Funk bus.”
- IndiePulse Music / “McFadden is one of the most talented people I have heard.”
- Music Connection / “A feisty combination of talent and sheer musical energy”
Far more than an extraordinary guitarist, Eric McFadden is, to put it bluntly, an experience...an awesome performance for those who respect dynamic originality.
Vargas and McFadden released their collaborative debut under the moniker, Sgt Splendor, in June 2022 on Terminus Records which features Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) on bass, and Paulo Baldi (CAKE, Les Claypool) on drums.
Their 3rd release “Isotopia” was released in December 2025 on Mother West Records.
Eric’s latest album “Lucky Man” is available on Bad Reputation.
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Where is it happening?
The Tambourine Lounge, 59 N 2nd Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235-2503, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherEric McFadden
