Marty Smith; Hammered Dulcimer, Guitar, Bouzouki, Bodhran -
For the last 14 years, Marty has been making a name for himself playing across the western United States. Perhaps best known for his hammered dulcimer playing, he is also an accomplished guitarist and bouzouki... ist (???), and can beat out some funk on the bodhran. Marty plays a 1996 David Lindsay Concert Grand hammered dulcimer, a custom built 2007 Peter Abnett 10 string cittern (or bouzouki, if you prefer), an old 1972 Martin Sigma guitar (back before they were made in Korea), and an older Albert Alfonso bodhran (made sometime in the past). Marty spends most of his days as a mild mannered estimator and automotive painter, and also sprays Rhino Linings (THE Sprayed on Truck Bed Liner!!!), and otherwise runs his dad's body shop. Marty also likes chalupas from Taco Bell, and beer. He is married (sorry ladies) and has 3 kids, all of whom are super-genius'.
Carolee Bowen; Flute, oboe and English horn, Mandola, Mandolin, Vocals, bodhran
Carolee learned to play the flute when she was young, being greatly influenced by her mother, an orchestral flutist, as well as rock style flutist, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), and pop/Jazz flutist Tim Weisberg. In recent years, Carolee fell in love with Irish music, and incorporates her own flute style, with the addition of some oboe and English horn that compliments Marty Smith's colorful assortment of stringed instruments. She plays a silver 1968 Haynes flute, Rigoutat Expression model oboe, and Fox 500 English horn. Picking up the mandolin several years ago, then the octave mandolin, Carolee's latest venture is the mandola. As Goldilocks might say, "not too big, not too small, but just right." She plays a Davy Stuart (New Zealand) mandola. Of course, she attributes her inspiration on these instruments to her band mate, master bouzouki player Marty Smith. In her legit life, Carolee plays Principal Oboe in the Murray (UT) Symphony, and chamber music with the classical ensemble, Trio Dolce. Professionally, Carolee is the Executive Director for Young Musicians, Inc. She is married and has three children, all who are musicians (listen for her son Ethan on upright bass and her daughter Michele on bassoon who occasionally play on Cranachan's recordings). She has recently picked up the bodhran, playing a custom made 2008 bodhran by Del Eckels of Del's Drums..
.
.
Influences
Old Blind Dogs, Andy Irvine, The Tannahill Weavers, Kornog, Paul Brady, Colcannon, Ossian, Maggie Sansone, Battlefield Band, Silly Wizard, Planxty, Bothy Band, De Dannan, Natalie MacMaster, The Green Fields of America...
Cranachan is, for one, a tasty Scottish dessert. It is also the name of a band. Yes my friends, a band made up of two incredibly amazing musicians; Carolee Bowen and Marty Smith. SOOOO, from now until the end of time, we shall be known as Cranachan (ta-dah *cheers and applause* -thank you, thank you, please, that's enough, yes, thank you). Anyhoo, we've got our first recording under way, and we're nearly half way there (after a year or so, so maybe another year to go!). We've been playing a lot lately, so make sure and check our "upcoming shows" list. We've also got other exciting events happening all the time, like festivals, music workshops, concerts, etc..
So, here's a link to a recipe for Cranachan. Go look at it, maybe even make it if you want (you don't even have to taste it to know that it's delicious though) and then come back and tell me how great and awesome Cranachan is for a band name. Go now, my jungle friends.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usrecipes/cranachan/index.html
Also, we've just started up an Irish session here in Evanston. If you live anywhere near here, you should dig out your fiddles and come by. Or just come listen. I've posted all of the dates on our upcoming shows (UPDATE!!! Those dates are wrong now, because we've pulled a switch-a-roo, so don't look at them until I fix them all! Please and thank you). You could just remember that it will always, always, ALWAYS (for now) be held on the FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH. The session has been a huge success thanks to Molly's Revenge (go check them out too) kicking it off with us and because of you faithful few who keep showing up! Thanks. We just had the Irish band Dervish here for, who came and sat in at our session too, what an increible night that was!
Disclaimer- Carolee Bowen is NOT Marty Smith’s mother, thus let it be known that she will not be held responsible for his actions. Also, she can’t take credit for the fine, upstanding young man that he is. Additionally, Carolee is not old enough to be Marty’s mother (so there).
Footnote to the Disclaimer- Carolee is also not Marty's wife. And technically, she *could* be considered old enough to be his mom...
Just kidding! Really though, Marty and Carolee are often mistaken as brother and sister.
Antonio Hoyos will be joining us on the 16th of June, appearing as "The Great Antoine!"
We are delighted that this great comedic performer can join our line-up.
The Pop Haydn Post-Modern Medicine Show will be appearing at The Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood! One show at 8:00 PM.
Pop will be joined by Professor Dave Bourne and the Medicine Show Band, Rob Zabrecky, Sophie Evans, Antonio Hoyos, Phil Van Tee and Pop's Candy Girls for a wonderful show of Old Time Music, magic, comedy and variety.
It'll make you feel better!
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
19th Century Attire Welcome!
You can buy tickets at LaughFactory.com or call: 323-6561336 ext 1.
For more information and video go to my Myspace Profile or:
We just made a post about it :) Johnny Schafer, Trev Goick, Micah O'Leary, Jason Dempsey, and perhaps some others as well.
We really should make posts about all our music we have, like the Irish Jams, but the only person who does the Suds Myspace page (not gonna name any names) is kind of forgetful :) Haha
Yay new tunes! I've had (apart from the whiskey and Guinness) Rantin Rovin Robin in my head all day! Rovin Boozers (well, just me at this point, but I'll fix that tomorrow) just added a new song, too! Half way to St. Paddy's day!
