|
August 2 - 3
|
Kaia Kater will perform at 2017 Sugar Maple Music Festival on Friday August 4. Born of African-Caribbean descent in Québec, Kaia Kater grew up between two worlds: one her family’s deep ties to Canadian folk music in her Toronto home; the other the years she spent learning and studying Appalachian music in West Virginia.
Her acclaimed debut album Sorrow Bound (May 2015) touched on this divide, but her new album, Nine Pin (May 2016), delves even further, and casts an unflinching eye at the realities faced by people of color in North America every day. Her songs on the new album are fueled by her rich low tenor vocals, jazz-influenced instrumentation, and beautifully understated banjo, and they’ve got as much in common with Kendrick Lamar right now as they do with Pete Seeger.
“Kater is one of the most exciting roots musicians to come along in years.” – Matt Hendrickson, Garden & Gun
“Nine Pin is unlike anything you’ll hear this year.” – Rachel Cholst, No Depression
“…plaintive, mesmerizing…writes and performs with the skill of a folk-circuit veteran…” – Rolling Stone
The Down Hill Strugglers (formerly known as the Dust Busters) is an old time string band based out of Brooklyn, NY, playing songs, ballads, fiddle tunes and banjo breakdowns. They have released an album on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and are featured on the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers film, “Inside Llewyn Davis” produced by T-Bone Burnett. The Down Hill Strugglers band formed while hanging out at the home of their mutual friend Peter Stampfel of the Holy Modal Rounders, where they also met friend and mentor John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers.
By carrying the music of the old rural America forward with verve and creativity, The Down Hill Strugglers are extending the legacy of the New Lost City Ramblers by bringing archaic sounds into the present.
“They have built their repertoire from some of the best music of the past and they keep it alive and lively. They have found resonance with the intensity of rural music, while delighting in the nuances that preserve the individual uniqueness of the genre. This is music that will keep your mind dancing.
The Down Hill Strugglers are reaching for new musical highs, and they play the kind of music I want to hear.”
– John Cohen, New Lost City Ramblers
The Chicago-based trio of Big Sadie formed in 2014 and boasts an impressive repertoire of bluegrass, old-time, early country, and original music in three-part harmony. Big Sadie’s uplifting performance invites audiences to share in a centuries-old tradition of unified experience between listener and performer.
The band’s roots span from the north of Milwaukee to the heart of Appalachia. Chicago native Elise Bergman grew up surrounded by music. She brings a solid blues influence to the band and owns a subtle lyrical twang that is easily received. Collin Moore grew up in the hills of East Tennessee, where he began learning tunes at an early age from his mother, an accomplished fiddler and ballad singer. Jess McIntosh hails from Southeast Wisconsin and teaches fiddle at the Old Town School of Folk Music. A lifelong and uniquely versatile musician, she comfortably moves between genres of traditional American music, as well as classical and contemporary styles.
Prepare to become a part of their world at the Sugar Maple fest.
This year’s String Gathering was another fabulous time. Folks from all over the Midwest converged in Baraboo, WI, for a couple days of music and fun.
For those folks who missed it, or if you’re just curious, here’s what it’s like to walk the halls…
The Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective is proud to sponsor and take part in, The 2nd Annual Spring String Gathering!
Hosted at the Clarion Convention Center in Baraboo, WI, The fest will feature impromptu jamming, showcases and workshops, and will coincide with an evening concert at the historic Al Ringling Theater.
The String Gathering is an indoor, Bluegrass and Old-time music jam-festival, in Baraboo, WI. The fest provides an opportunity for Bluegrass and Old-Time musicians all across Wisconsin, it’s bordering states and beyond, to come together and celebrate their common love of music, and shake off the long Midwestern winter.
For 2014, the host bands are Art Stevenson & High Water (bluegrass) and White Mule (old-time). Both bands will be leading workshops at the hotel, as well as jamming throughout the night. They will also be performing a special concert Saturday night at the Al Ringling Theater, in downtown Baraboo.
New in 2014, the Gathering doubles down! They’ve added a day to the fest… twice the jams; twice the fun. And there will be an old-time contra dance Friday night, featuring host band, White Mule (and very likely Chirps Smith), with caller Dot Kent. All are welcome at the dance; you don’t need a partner or experience. Just show up ready to have fun.
For more information, see their website at www.stringgathering.org