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Freshwater
Acoustic / Roots Music / Folk

Freshwater evokes the heartbeat of heritage.



MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan
United States

Profile Views:  18019




Last Login:  7/11/2009
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   Freshwater: General Info
Member Since12/20/2005
Band Websitehttp://www.whitepinemusic.org/freshwater
Band MembersNic Gareiss, Nellie Schrantz, Bill Wiegandt, and Jessie Nieves.
InfluencesBeaver Island Musicans collected by Ivan Walton, Pat Bronner, Le Vent du Nord, Solas, Bruce Molsky, Nic Jones, Rodney Sutton, Gerry McKee, Ian Carr, Simon Mayer, Buddy MacMaster, Brenda Stubbert, Richard Wood, Dean McGraw, John Doyle, Sandy Silva, John Heinzman, Liz Carrol, Andy Carlson, Eileen Ivers, Freddie Mercury.
Sounds LikeFour post-moderns playing raucus dance music, pop-inspired arrangements of folksongs, and lots of free-spirited step-dancing.
Record LabelWhite Pine Music
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jun 27 2009 12:00P
Springfield Celtic Festival Fife Lake, Michigan
Aug 5 2009 11:30A
The Shell: Bay City Bay City, Michigan
Aug 7 2009 7:30P
Gaylord Concert Pavillion Gaylord, Michigan

Freshwater's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Freshwater @ Magdalena's  (view more)

City Pulse Story  (view more)

CD Release!  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Freshwater
In an age of technological saturation, FRESHWATER strives to rediscover the joy of live acoustic music. Drawing from the ethnic traditions of the British Isles, Canada, and our United States, FRESHWATER creates a simply exuberant musical experience using song, instrumental music, and the power of percussive step-dance. Nellie Schrantz, Nic Gareiss, Bill Wiegandt, and Jessie Nieves all grew up in Michigan. There, nurtured by the musicians in the local old-time and Celtic music circles, they began to absorb the traditions associated with fiddle music and percussive dancing. Bill learned folk songs from his father, Jessie was exposed to fiddle music through the alternative strings program at a nearby high school, Nellie attended Irish sessions and feisanna, and Nic learned his first dance steps by watching his parents in their kitchen. As FRESHWATER, their mission is to use the music they love to connect with people of all ages and especially to bridge the age gap that often separates young people from traditional music. The sound is rootsy and celebratory, conjuring up deep memories of place and time but in a way that is as crisp and renewing as the breeze off of the Great Lakes themselves. An old-time ballad might follow a set of Irish jigs; followed by a contemporary song, a few crisp Cape Breton srathspeys or some flat-footing. Dancing is a central element in FRESHWATER's performances. Nic, Nellie, and Jessie have spent the last ten years absorbing any kind of percussive dance they could. For Nellie this meant delving into the competitive world of Irish stepdance. Nic gleaned from Appalachian, French-Canadian, and the Irish sean-nos dance traditions by attending folk festivals and asking every person he saw dancing to teach him their style. Jessie studied rhythm tap dance and traveled with friends to Canada where she learned Ottawa Valley step-dance. During a show while the fiddle tunes crank and the harmonies blend, their feet become drumsticks, the floor becomes another instrument. Such engaging kinesis, you might find yourself dancing along! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Expect to be out of your seats... FRESHWATER evokes the heartbeat of heritage." - Lansing State Journal, June 2005.

   Freshwater's Friend Space (Top 20)
Freshwater has 569 friends.
 CAPTAIN MIDNITE 


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Freshwater's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 87 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Steppin' In It





Jan 8 2009 9:31 PM


Jesse





Sep 4 2008 8:31 PM

HAPPY WHEATLAND! Can't wait to see Nic and Friends perform tomorrow night!
-The Manton Crew
Liam (the extra large) Leprechaun





Aug 24 2008 2:55 PM

I'm looking forward to introducing you at THE KALAMAZOO IRISH FEST in a few weeks! For more info visit:

SEE THE KAZOO IRISH FEST SCHEDULE
bustin' kneecaps





Jul 10 2008 11:03 PM

You guys were super last night! It was really great to hear you again. I did miss my good buddy Nic, though...
Kelley





Jul 10 2008 3:50 PM

A perfect night for music on the Mall with Freshwater! We had a blast - thanks!
Terri





Jul 7 2008 12:57 AM

I heard on the radio today that you guys will be on the Mall July 9th and I got excited. I'll finally be able to see you in concert... can't wait, good luck... *muah*
Jesse





Jun 28 2008 4:42 AM

And then there were five….
It was very nice to see you ALL perform, Freshwater (+ 1)!
From the brilliance of the footwork to the sheer mastering of the strings, it was quite the display of talent.
In short, as always, you were fantastic! I simply cannot wait to see you perform again, and soon I hope :)
Good luck in Alpena next week, not that you need it of course.
Hope all is well with you!
-Jesse
DJ Classified





Jun 26 2008 1:59 AM

I love the relaxing music! There are a few available slots left in the mix tape if you are interested.
*Holla @ Ya Boy*
The Rhythm Billies





Jun 10 2008 2:31 PM

Well, the only near thing coming up is Hiawatha. Then it's on to Lakeview for the late August (private) Grin Fest. By then we should have a new record for the CD Release Party on Centennial Stage at Wheatland.
Urban Monroes





Jun 3 2008 3:20 AM

Howdy Freshwater,

We're just droppin' by to thank you kindly for adding the Urban Monroes as a friend.

We hope you have a great day!



~the Urban Monroes
Jolly Roger Studios





May 3 2008 11:35 AM

Heya! I hope all is well! Here's my latest music video (you may recognize the venue:)

Something To Someone
Andrea Capezzuoli e Compagnia





Apr 7 2008 6:40 AM

Jesse





Mar 17 2008 2:11 AM

hey freshwater!
love the new video...you all never cease to amaze me! i absolutely cannot wait to see you perform live again! oh, an' still awaitin' that next CD! good luck at your upcoming gigs.
hope all is well with you!
-jesse
Liam (the extra large) Leprechaun





Mar 10 2008 2:55 AM

I enjoyed your show in Lansing Saturday Night... Here's some clips from it!
CAPTAIN MIDNITE





Feb 16 2008 6:41 AM

N/ic/ellie,

The Cap'n misses you.

signed,
Uh...CAP'N
Tamineh





Feb 13 2008 7:41 PM

not fair! i wasn't in texas when bbking played! arrrrrgh! =)
Tamineh





Feb 13 2008 3:44 PM

i can't believe i'll miss you AGAIN when you come to Midland. i'll be in texas...drat!!
Nathan





Feb 1 2008 9:48 PM

so i had to put your song back on my site. you guys are great. oh billy billy billy billy
Corinna Smith


Online Now!


Jan 30 2008 1:57 AM

now here are some wonderful people. i miss them all and can't wait to have more of them in my life!
love to you, freshwater!!
Blufur





Jan 21 2008 7:51 PM

Thanks for the add!!
THIN ICE





Jan 8 2008 5:57 AM

hi guys - love your energy. Great tunes. Hope to see you live someday soon!

Til then, a Happy, Healthy and Harmonious New Year from Winnipeg.... Craig & Joan
CodeManFresh





Dec 19 2007 6:02 AM

oh my gosh. I didn't know incredible folk music existed in mid michigan. can't wait to catch you guys n' gals live.
Fox on a Hill





Dec 17 2007 7:02 AM

Grassroots_Solstice Show flier-1
Drew Nelson





Dec 12 2007 5:47 PM

Thanks so much for finding me.. i LOVE your music! All my best- drew
Saranac Acoustic Jamboree





Dec 11 2007 6:53 PM

Thanks for the Add!
If you are ever in the area on the Fisrt Sunday of the month, stop in and check us out!

Polly Misner
ionia, Michigan
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