Twilight Music and Next Stage Arts Project present a Celtic and Americana music twin bill featuring high energy Scottish music by Cantrip, and American folk music with traditional influences and modern inspiration by Low Lily, at Next Stage on Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 pm.
From the strong base of its Celtic roots, Cantrip branches out into the music of other European cultures. Weaving together songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary, Dan Houghton, Jon Bews and Eric McDonald take an audience on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each style. Known for their innovative arrangements, un-produced sound and dry wit, Cantrip has toured throughout Scotland and the US, expanding the boundaries of Celtic music along the way.
Cantrip sprung from a local music session in Edinburgh, Scotland fifteen years ago. The band name is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief, and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in the trio’s musical arrangements as well as the compelling potency of their musicianship. Dan Houghton (bagpipes, flute, whistles, guitar, vocals) was born in Ghana, but was transported to Scotland shortly thereafter, where he was surrounded by the indigenous music. He has won the Scottish Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society Open Borderpipes and New Composition events, as well as the Maitre de Cornemuse at St. Chartier. Jon Bews (fiddle, vocals) came to Scots music from a classical education by way of Goth rock. He has performed and recorded with such diverse artists as Malinky, James Yorkston, Mikel Urdangarin, Ranarim, Deaf Mutes and Samling. As a US native, Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, vocals) found his way to traditional music through the rich local music scene in Boston, and studies with guitarist/mandolinist John McGann and cellist Eugene Friesen at Berklee College of Music.
“Cantrip must have one of the strongest group personalities on the folk circuit. Their presentation is all energy as they channel modern swoops & slides of sound into the traditional repertoire. Their music comes from wild landscapes & wild places of the spirit.” – The Orcadian
The string and vocal trio Low Lily (formerly Annalivia) explores the roots and branches of American folk music, creating a unique brand of acoustic music that is rooted yet contemporary. Liz Simmons (vocals, guitar) Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, mandolin) and Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals, fiddle) are masterful players, composers and arrangers with deep relationships to traditional music styles ranging from bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, New England and Old Time Appalachian sounds. Liz has developed a unique vocal and guitar style that draws from her musical history in the folk and ballad traditions of Ireland, Scotland, England and America as well as contemporary folk music. She has performed with EVA, Long Time Courting, the John Whelan Band, Hannah Sanders and others. Flynn has toured worldwide with many notable acts in traditional and contemporary acoustic music, including the legendary Irish Accordion player John Whelan and modern bluegrass band Tony Watt & Southeast Expressway. Lissa grew up in Maine as an active member of the folk community, graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music and has performed as a solo artist and with Solas, Childsplay and Halali.
“Low Lily has an incredible knack for putting a little pop twist on a traditional folk/Americana sound… it’s a blend that works beautifully.” – PopMatters
Next Stage is located at 15 Kimball Hill in downtown Putney, VT. Tickets are $20. For information, call 802-387-0102. Advance tickets are available at www.nextstagearts.org, Turn It Up in Brattleboro and Putney Food Co-Op in Putney. For more information, visit www.cantrip-music.com, www.lowlily.com, www.twilightmusic.org and www.nextstagearts.org.
