Joel Sires, Stephanie Catlett, & Win Miranda F in the round
ICSF 2026 will feature daily showcases at The Black Angel featuring songwriters ‘in the round.’ Three songwriters will take turns sharing songs and anecdotes with the audience. All Black Angel shows are free and open to the public, but get there early, since the venue fills up quick.
Joel Sires
Joel Sires has carved out a fine little niche for himself these past few years in listening rooms, living rooms, theaters and clubs throughout the Midwest. The oldheads call it “folk” but the algorithm says it’s “intimate day pop”. Touching anything from 2 finger jazz to 60’s sunshine and the tarnished gold of the fading laurel canyon singer songwriter sound. Rooted in humor, hooks and a keen awareness of the short attention span of the iPhone era, Joel aims to please.
Stephanie Catlett
Stephanie Catlett is an Iowa City singer songwriter whose laid-back music reflects on the human experience, the natural world, and finding beauty in the little things. She creates a sound that is comfortable and inviting, yet her sharp songwriting leaves a lingering impression. Catlett’s lyrics explore the quiet spaces between separate lives, and the sometimes-imperceptible cracks that appear when love and faith fall apart. Many of her songs touch on what we can learn when the world is turned upside down, and what we are compelled to leave behind — a journey of self-reflection colored by loss, regret, and ultimately, hope. Little Village Magazine described her lyrics as combining “a clever cadence and catchy turns of phrase with a philosopher’s perspective of life and a poet’s penchant for metaphor … Her songs are both deep and light — the easy music belies the weight of her words.”
Stephanie is a frequent collaborator with Iowa City luminaries such as Dan Padley, Brian Cooper, Blake Shaw, and recently FreeGrass Trio. Her new album, Bright Day, was released in June. You can listen to her songs anywhere you stream music. Stephanie lives on the Eastside of Iowa City and enjoys observing her three cats, growing flowers, and cooking.
Win Miranda F
Win Miranda F is a singer-songwriter currently living in Iowa City. She’s released two sets of songs, I Look at My Hands (2023) and I Look at My Face (2026).
When asked what kind of music she plays, Win often cites a quote attributed to Louis Armstrong: “All music is folk music. I ain’t ever heard a horse sing a song.” Hers is no exception. Often stripped back to just a guitar and a human voice, Win’s songs are noted for their contemplative lyricics, trance-inducing rhythm lines and soulful vocal timbre.
Currently, Win’s music is available exclusively on bandcamp. She is at work on a third collection of songs linked sonically and lyrically by themes of Blues and devotional music.