As one of the only film festivals that matches live music acts with individual film screenings, Traverse City Film Festival 2013 audiences are fully immersed in the complementary art forms of music and cinema. And with over 200 musical performances throughout the week, Traverse City Film Festival 2013 is in many ways as much a music festival as it is a celebration of film.

Top bookings this year include The Bergamot, an Americana band that will be returning to Traverse City Film Festival 2013 after winning “Best Unsigned American Band” in the 2012 Bud Light Battle of the Bands. Courtney Kaiser-Stanler, instructor of songwriting at Interlochen Arts Academy will play, along with The Accidentals, a young local duo of harmonic female voices. Milagros, a female soloist from Buenos Aires will be returning after her career skyrocketed thanks to the exposure she received from her first Traverse City Film Festival 2013 appearance. Other returning favorites include David Chown, Miriam Pico, Ann Peterson, and Ruby John.

In addition to live performances before screenings, music can be heard at the Clinch Park Music Stage near the Bijou theater every day from noon to 7 p.m., in the Open Space before outdoor films, and at each of the festival parties. Also be sure to purchase a copy of the Traverse City Film Festival 2013 Music CD, or a flash drive that includes all of the tracks from past festivals, both available in the Festival Store.