Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Contemporary Folk”
Emma’s Revolution is the dynamic, award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O, whose songs have been sung for the Dalai Lama, praised by Pete Seeger, and covered by Holly Near. With beautiful harmonies and genre-defying eclecticism, Emma’s Revolution delivers an uprising of truth and hope for these tumultuous times.
“[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
JOSHUA DAVIS WAS RAISED IN THE FOLK TRADITION: THE MUSIC, THE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, THE LAND.
“Few groups have come as far in such a short period of time as The Steel Wheels…” – NPR’s Mountain Stage
Brilliant, hysterical performances and beautifully crafted songs. Cheryl Wheeler is a “Rare artist…strong poetry, complex melodies, clever wit.” -SingOut!
Michigan songbirds, Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou and May Erlewine have each carved out successful careers on the American Roots Music circuit and have grown to respect each other’s work. When they finally gelled into a potent musical force, it was natural – three singing sirens and multi-instrumentalists whose repertoire swings from gospel and bluegrass to soul and even joyful interpretations of pop. Their three-part vocal harmonies are sublime, and they trade instruments including mountain fiddle and banjo, uke, guitar and double bass.
With lyrics supplied, Chouinard lets fly with inventive, often playful, accompaniments, rarely glancing at the keyboard — a feat that one regular considers magic. “It’s kind of his calling,” said the man who’s attended these singalongs for ten years. “I mean, you know he could be playing with anyone, but here he is with us.”
A highlight of the festival, 8 afternoon workshops provide another opportunity for our community to sing and play music – together. One $10 wristband is good for the all of the sessions. Students are free!
Tim Grimm and Ben Bedford- two highly acclaimed Midwestern songwriters, will make for a brilliant evening at the Fiddle.
Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons.
Following two nights at the venerable Hugh’s Room in Toronto, these two highly acclaimed veterans of Canadian folk music will stop by The Fiddle as part of a rare, short Midwest tour. The Fiddle has hosted each of them several times before. Now, both on one night! Do not miss this!
For the annual Holiday Sing, host Sally Potter selects seasonal songs, mostly secular but also a few hymns to create a magical night of musical community. Lyric sheets provided. Special guests include hammered dulcimer player Doug Berch, spoken word artists Ruelaine Stokes and Marzieh Ghiasi, and pianist extraordinaire Doug Austin.
“Amythyst Kiah is one of roots music’s most exciting emerging talents, blending a deep knowledge of old time music with sensibilities spanning classic country to contemporary R&B.”— ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE
Co-produced with the Peace Education Center in conjunction with it’s Alternative Holiday sale. Internationally acclaimed vocal group Windborne is known for the power and innovation of their arrangements, as well as their unrivaled mastery of polyphonic music from around the world. Currently Windborne is touring a project called Song on the Times, songs of social struggle from movements over the past 400 years.
“…this is simply one of the most compelling and riveting events we have ever hosted on The Extended Play Sessions. It speaks of empowerment, struggle, tolerance, perseverance and history and the timeliness of this project could not be more poignant. A woman, seated alone on a stage, paying tribute to women…with beauty, style, grace and a boatload of talent!”
– Bill Hurley – Producer, The Extended Play Sessions
“May Erlewine has the sort of soul-baring voice that moves the Alan Lomaxes of the world to abandon the ivory tower for the back roads of rural America.” – The Harvard Independent
Based in Old-Time music, two incredibly talented and charming duos will share the stage in this exciting twin bill.
The Matchsellers: “The first song I listened to was the one about the Pigeon and the Dove and I said “you’re hired.” -Larry Groce, NPR’s Mountain Stage
Red Tail Ring: “The very best of the 21st century’s minimalist and highly original folk music . . . a peerless duo.” – American Roots UK.
“People ask us how to make a living in an instrumental folk band,” says second fiddle and viola player, Karrnnel Sawitsky. “My answer is simply put: ‘creatively.’” Sawitsky continues, “When our four voices meet at the center of agreement is when our music echoes most effectively. It’s not the sum of our parts. It’s the individual sum of the band.”
2017 Juno Award Winners: Instrumental Album of the Year
Presenting songs of our times, “Crys Matthews is a necessary voice. Her depth coupled with her openness and approachability is unmatched. She has a spark that is contagious and shares music that unites us and makes us think.” Viviana Benitez, Associate Producer at Lincoln Center and 2017 NewSong judge
Come enjoy a night of music from folks who sell instruments by day, and then play them after hours. “Strangers in the Night,” is just one of the evening’s five bands which features employees and friends of Lansing’s world-renowned music store, Elderly Instruments.
“There are few contemporary songwriters that come anywhere close to the talent of John Gorka. His songs have a way of working on you long after you thought you had it all figured out. I will listen to a song that I know all the words to and can sing a long with and then one day sitting at a traffic light I realize that there was a whole other layer of meaning that I had missed.” – Ben Wakeman, “Take Me to the Bridge”
Saturday night’s Community Sing will be a Michigan reunion of three long-time friends. Sally Rogers, Claudia Schmidt and Joel Mabus are each expert song leaders. Together it would be hard to name a more talented trio to guide a theatre full of people in an evening of singing.
Joshua Davis was raised in the folk tradition: the music, the social movements, the land. For the 17th Annual MWSFF, he will present an evening of songs, joined by special guests Jen Sygit and Laura Bates.
Long-time musical partners, Watroba and Jones will present music that reflects history, social change, migration, hopes and dreams. This is music that is rich and diverse, direct and powerful. This is a musical seminar – not to be missed!
For the annual Holiday Sing, host Sally Potter selects seasonal and secular songs, and a few hymns to create a magical night of musical community. Lyric sheets provided. Special guests Jamie-Sue Seal and Susan O’Rourke, Doug Berch, poet Ruelaine Stokes and pianist extraordinaire Doug Austin add vocals and accompaniment to this heartwarming, participatory evening.
“It’s hard to imagine another artist on the folk scene who combines the same concise, deceptively understated, lyrical insight and sometimes devastating wit with such world-class instrumental prowess.” -MUSICHOUND FOLK
Sam Gleaves is a leader in the next generation of exquisite folk singers. “Courageous as hell and country to the bone — Amazingly talented Sam Gleaves, the best young songwriter around, heads into new territory with his brilliant album AIN’T WE BROTHERS, joined by a group of world-class musicians and singers. Varied, intelligent, moving – these songs stay with you.” -Lee Smith, Appalachian author
Co-produced with the Peace Education Center and held in conjunction with its Alternative Holiday Sale
“(LAURA LOVE) will shake the world. The clincher is her live show…She’s that rare artist who can slip from sensitive folk to hip-hop without skipping a beat. -Utne Reader
Laura Love is an award winning “folk-funk” singer/songwriter/bassist who has been touring the world since the early 1990s.
GROUP KNITTING CIRCLE WITH CHRISTINE AT 6:30! Click event to learn more… “Christine Lavin is an incredibly witty songwriter and storyteller, with a flair for the creative, the dramatic, and the humorous. It is precisely her take on the ordinary that makes her work so extraordinary.” -Village Voice
“May Erlewine has the sort of soul-baring voice that moves the Alan Lomaxes of the world to abandon the ivory tower for the back roads of rural America.” – The Harvard Independent
Jen’s fourth studio album “It’s About Time,” is produced by long time friend and collaborator Dominic John Davis (bassist for Jack White, Buddy Miller, North Mississippi Allstars, Joshua Davis). This new collection of original songs is an eclectic sonic journey drawing influence from a cross section of middle America, from the Gulf Shore sands to the Great Lakes basin. “It’s About Time” was engineered at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo by Ian Gorman and features a talented ensemble of players including Davis, Drew Howard, Mike Lynch, Geoff Lewis and Ross Huff.
Renowned primarily for his extraordinary prowess on Uilleann pipes and whistles, Henderson is fast emerging as an equally gifted vocalist. (Similar to last season’s Le Vent Du Nord show) this very special Sunday concert is one of those extraordinary events you will not want to miss!
“However, the group actually started out as a trio … and for a new album and current concerts, original member Libby Glover has rejoined David Tamulevich and Michael Hough. Her presence brings a whole new dimension to the Mustard’s Retreat sound, yet the transition sounds just like it feels … perfectly natural.” – Bob Needham, Pulp, Ann Arbor
“…music to cure what ails you.” – Michigan Times
What happens when four friends get together to plan a couple of sets of favorites? We’ll find out! We do know that ukuleles, harmonicas, trumpets, pedal steel guitars, guitars, vocals, harmonies, along with a myriad of surprises, will be involved.
Ken and Reggie will help the Fiddle celebrate Pete Seeger’s 99th birthday (a day late). Come listen, and sing the songs we know, the songs Pete taught us. Together.
“There is no place to hide on a stage when you play solo or with just one other musician and the award-winning Jones has it down to a fine art.” –Joe Giltrap, Irish Post
“A folk-pop trio from Seattle, performs funny original songs whose exquisite musical detail and subtle needling wit attain a level of craft not often seen in pop” – NY Times
Come hear two of the hottest and up-and-coming performers in today’s acoustic music world –
“Kiah is an important and innovative presence in contemporary traditional music. Describing herself as a “Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer/songwriter,” Amythyst has a repertoire that honors tradition while crossing genres to illuminate many common threads.” ~ Sam Gleaves, The Bluegrass Situation
“I had no idea what to expect when this five foot nothing lady took the stage, all smiles and twinkling eyes and guitar. Then, she opened her mouth and out flew a voice that came straight from the Heavens with all the power and the glory and the truth of someone destined to be a singer. I’ve been blessed with seeing and hearing a lot of talented musicians in my life, but I have never experienced anyone quite like Irish Mythen. She is a force of nature and a gift from Almighty Herself.”
~ Lisa Schwartz, Philadelphia Folk Festival
Tom Paxton headlines the 16th Annual Mid-Winter Singing and Folk Festival on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Joining him will be Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer. Bruce Molsky and his Mountain Drifters will begin the show.
Join the Ten Pound Fiddle community as “The Fiddle” welcomes four talented Michigan songwriters for an evening of songs and stories.
Joshua Davis was raised in the folk tradition: the music, the social movements, the land.
Co-produced with the Peace Education Center in conjunction with it’s Alternative Holiday sale. “The singers of Windborne have a deep understanding, both musically and culturally, of the traditions from which they draw much of their repertoire. Their singing is a feast of a cappella harmony.” -Peter Amidon
Dianne Davidson, Deidre McCalla, and Jamie Anderson perform in-the-round for an evening of humor and grace running the gamut from gut-wrenching blues to heartbreakingly tender ballads.
“Joel Mabus is one of contemporary folk music’s most eclectic performers. A skilled guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin player and melodic songwriter, Mabus has played everything from traditional folk tunes to bluegrass, blues, and original songs.” -Craig Harris at AllMusic.com
Join May Erlewine for a heart opening, poignant journey as she releases her new record, Mother Lion. This hand picked and soulful band has crafted a very special evening of song meant to move you.
A Chenille Sisters performance is a blending of three uniquely gifted souls into a musical phenomenon that’s more poignant, funny and entertaining than any single performer anywhere – and oh, those exquisite harmonies!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Melissa Ferrick has cancelled her Friday, April 7 concert. See event for a letter from Melissa.
Long-time Fiddle-favorite, Minneapolis-based singer / songwriter Ann Reed will share her beautiful songs, and hysterical stories with us.
“It’s rare to hear something new and exciting in the realm of folk/roots music, but the careful alchemists of The Ragbirds have given us just that!” -Bryan Rodgers, Homegrown Music Network
This St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy Celtic sounds from Monday’s Supper, a Pub Sing led by Sally Potter, Irish desserts and fresh, craft stout and wheat brew from a local brewery.
The Wall Street Journal has described Karan Casey as one of the true glories of Irish music today. American audiences were introduced to her as vocalist for the Irish “supergroup” Solas.
“May Erlewine has the sort of soul-baring voice that moves the Alan Lomaxes of the world to abandon the ivory tower for the back roads of rural America.” -The Harvard Independent
“A seamless, polished, barrel-drum-tight, rhythmically innovative and wildly entertaining traditional music powerhouse.” -The Guardian
If you are a fan, or a participant in the most recent Ukulele wave, you need to experience James Hill! FREE pre-show strum for ticket holders!
Come enjoy a delightful, musical evening, and spend Inauguration Day coming together as a community to welcome their CD, “We Are Welcomed.”
The 15th Annual Mid-Winter Singing and Folk Festival – Concert featuring 6 incredible songwriters.
A solo performance by “one of America’s very best singer-songwriters.” -The New Yorker Co-produced with the East Lansing Women in the Arts Festival.
You have enjoyed hearing him play with The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band on Prairie Home Companion. Now, hear the exquisite musicianship of Pat Donohue.
Before settling in Ann Arbor, Kitty spent time in East Lansing, raising two kids and taking a turn booking Ten Pound Fiddle concerts! Then, she began to tour, and has not looked back. The Ten Pound Fiddle is delighted to help Kitty celebrate the release of her latest CD, “The Irishman’s Daughter.”
The Joe Hill Roadshow is a national concert tour to celebrate the music, life, and legacy of martyred WWI labor songwriter Joe Hill on the 100th anniversary of his death.
Susan Werner composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm.
