Sam Cooper & the Sleepwalkers is an independent band from the outskirts of Washington, DC. Combining acute melodic sense, experimental leanings, and a fierce DIY attitude, the band strives to make music that is as emotionally affecting as it is enjoyable. Led by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sam Cooper, the Sleepwalkers are guitarist John Middleton, bassist Michael Stettes, and drummer/percussionist Chris Sies.

A non-resident Indian, Nayan Bhula decided to use the moniker “The NRI” in 2007 when he released some of his lo-fi 4-track cassette recordings. That collection of songs, spanning more than 10 years, showed Nayan learning to play, sing, and write in a laid-back acoustic setting—a sharp contrast to the high-energy post punk feel of his band, GIST. After some positive reaction to those older songs, he decided to record full-band versions of some of them along with some new songs. During this phase, a few of his favorite musicians happened to be either leaving bands or moving into the DC-metro area. Hence, “The NRI” became “The NRIs”—adding Gabriel Fry (ex-The Alphabetical Order, We Were Pirates, etc.), Shawn Leonard (ex-Stefan Couture & The Campfire Orch.), Jesse Burgman, and Audrey White for a May 2009 live debut.

Singers and musicians from a young age, sisters Aislin and Nora Kavaldjian became the Polka Dots at ages 15 and 13. After a year learning mandolin and fiddle from Fiddlin' Dave Van Deventer, he suggested the girls perform at Watermelon Park Fest as their recital. Since then the group has grown, adding good friends and many, many more songs — traditional, antique, and original. The Polka Dots as Sirens - Aislin, Nora, Olivia They have played at venues large and small from folk festivals to farmers' markets.