Based in Athens, GA, Bichos Vivos is a vibrant musical collective that bridges the gap between North and South American traditions. Since 2017, the ensemble has specialized in fusing the infectious rhythms of Northeastern Brazil—such as Forró, Baião, and Xaxado—with American Folk and Pop. Imagine the "contagious danceability" of Zydeco mixed with the spirit of artists like Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Composed of a diverse group of educators and professional musicians, the band creates a unique "inter-American crossroads" that is as culturally rich as it is danceable.

The Lineup

The ensemble features a versatile group of multi-instrumentalists:

• Keiko Ishibashi: Violin

• Philip Kohnen: Accordion, guitar

• William Freeman Leverett: Bass, vocals, guitar, percussion

• Robert Moser: Vocals, percussion

• Todd Mueller: Drums, percussion, vocals

• Tony Oscar: Percussion

• Natalie Smith: Flute, vocals, percussion

• Lucas Tavares: Guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals

• Nic Wiles: Percussion