Half Broke

HALF BROKE shares an all-too-rare sense of intimacy and cohesion where each musician feels an almost telepathic connection. Musicians call it being in the groove, where the group collectively accents each beat in precisely the same way.

HANNAH ROSE BAKER: Hannah is an old time southern Appalachian style fiddler and singer. She also enjoys dabbling in Irish, Cape Breton, and New England styles. While she loves
the old time tradition, she tries to bring something new to it, whether it be through interesting arrangements, chord substitutions, a little improvisation, or just throwing a little funk in there. She is a sucker for those old, dark modal tunes, and if it's crooked, damn straight (damn crooked?) She is going to play it!

ROBIN BUTTER: Robin is a Bluegrass and old time Gospel guitar player and singer. She enjoys writing and performing original compositions as well as traditional pieces. Some of Robin's musical influences have been; Liona Boyd, Big Mama Thorton, and Donka Koleva. Robin contributed her classical guitar flair to "The Way North: Maghrebi Women in Marseille" or "La Voie Du Nord"...by Shara K. Lange. A film about Fatima Rhazi, North African immigrants in France, and the Women From Here and Afar. Currently Robin sings with the Austin Women's Balkan Chorus and plays oud in Bereket, the Middle Eastern Ensemble at the University of Texas.

FRANCIS MOUGNE: Francis enjoyed several years in California's Bay Area Bluegrass scene perfoming festivals, such as the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and shows at the infamous Sweetwater in Mill Valley. By invitation, Francis has shared the stage a number of times with former Bluegrass Boy Peter Rowan. In 2004 Francis relocated to Austin, TX where he is active in three bands. In Half Broke, he is still honing his bluegrass chops and as lead guitar player with Charlie Hurtin' and the Hecklers Francis performs all around Austin, most notably at Austin's world famous Continental Club. Last but not least, Francis also performs regularly with Austin's premier kid band The Strollers.

BLAKE WEST: Blake was raised in a musical family and began teaching himself to play guitar at the age of 11. At an early age, Blake developed an appreciation for acoustic instruments, especially the upright bass, and the level of music that could be made without the use of amplifiers. A gifted songwriter, vocalist, and rock-solid bassist, Blake's southern roots, add soul to his singing and authenticity to his songwriting. In addition, Blake is one of the founding members of The Barrels and The Strollers.