At Maine Fiddle Camp in August 2007, two duos met and played together for the first time. Based in Boston, Ariel and Mia Friedman brought a tasteful and fluid combination of traditional Celtic and original tunes and energetic old time songs to the table. Offering a mix of raw traditional and original bluegrass, along with ancient work-songs, Maine natives Bennett Konesni and Jeff Lewis seemed the perfect counterpoint to the sisters' musical position. When the four musicians found strong common interests in Southern old time music and Scandinavian fiddle traditions, something very special happened. Blending all of their musical backgrounds, they found new sounds together.
Playing music that is atmospheric and evocative, the quartet values tradition and innovation alike. Fireside tests the limits of acoustic music by modifying ancient nuances and ideas to suit contemporary desires. Using instrument combinations of cello,clawhammer banjo, mandolin, guitar, and fiddles, a foundation is set for explosive dynamics and flowing vocal harmonies. In full force, the group brings audiences to great heights of satisfaction and excitement.
Fireside is a young band with a fresh outlook and plan for their path. They plan to record an EP in December 2008 at Wellspring Studios in Boston. Though coherent as a band, each member leads a very different life. Ariel lives in Jamaica Plains and is a freelance cellist and teacher. She frequently tours with Hanneke Cassel and the fiddle-orchestra, Childsplay . Mia is a freshman at New England Conservatory in Boston, studying fiddle and voice. She and Ariel continue to play as a duo, as well as with Kellen Zakula and Eric McDonald. Bennett lives in Shelter Island, New York. He is starting an organic farm/ work-song institute. He frequently tours giving presentations on ethnomusicology and work-songs. Jeff is a junior at a high-school in Maine. He plays in a contradance band with Bennett and guitarist Owen Marshall, as well as a bluegrass band with his dad.
Keep your ears peeled for this toothy quartet and their energizing, evocative tunes.
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