The traditional music world contains two types of musicians: the ones that stay grounded in what has come before them and the ones that push the limits. Ailish is the rare group that walks this line to perfection. Distinguished by their high-energy playing, the sound they create is interesting and unique while maintaining a familiar feeling of age-oldness. The result is an alluring complexity. Wherever these three musicians travel, they are greeted with acclaim. Whether playing for the contra dances they cut their teeth on, jamming at a local pub, performing a formal concert, or taking a festival stage, audiences are always excited to hear Ailish’s refreshing approach to traditional fiddle music. Featuring Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), and Brendan Carey Block (fiddle), the band creates a swirling level of intensity, sometimes gritty, sometimes pure, and always engaging. Each member of Ailish takes full advantage of diverse musical backgrounds, with extensive training in folk, classical, jazz, and other traditions.
BRENDAN CAREY BLOCK has been performing professionally on the fiddle since he was ten years old. Some of the honors he has accumulated include being the 2000-2001 Junior Scottish Fiddle Champion and being selected by the New Hampshire government to represent the state in a master concert performed at the Library of Congress. As a teenager, he received a multitude of scholarships which allowed him to attend camps in Cape Breton, where he was able to immerse himself in his beloved style and learn from a multitude of master fiddlers. He has been a member of the renowned Glengarry Bhoys, and currently performs with the celtic super group Annalivia. Brendan has shared the stage with countless notable artists, including Natalie MacMaster, Jerry Holland, Alasdair Fraser, Cherish the Ladies, Brenda Stubbert, Gaelic Storm, Jay Ungar and many others.
ERIC McDONALD was a founding member of Jaded Mandolin, a teen string band that became a local phenomenon in the Boston area. He plays regularly with Ari & Mia Friedman and tours with The Dave Rowe Trio. In 2008, he served as music director and accompanist for The Actors' Shakespeare Project’s production of "The Tempest." The Wall Street Journal said: “Eric McDonald performs his incidental music in full view of the audience, rattling a thunder sheet and tootling on a slide whistle with the flair of an old-time radio sound-effects man.” Eric studied mandolin for two years at Berklee College of Music in Boston’s Back Bay. He has studied under musicians such as John McGann, Eugiene Friesen, David Surrette and Joe Walsh. When not learning himself, he teaches privately, at the Passim School of Music and at Maine Fiddle Camp in the summer.
ERIC EID-REINER played piano for the first time at seven, and has gone to become one of the premier players in New England. He grew up gigging regularly with The Reiner Family Band, playing concerts, weddings, contra dances and all manner of professional endeavors. He supplemented his time by attending music camps from Vermont to Cape Breton, developing a reputation as an excellent accompanist. This reputation has led him to be called on by artists such as legendary fiddler Ashley MacIsaac to accompany him alongside guitarist John Doyle. Brian O’Donovan, host of WGBH’s “Celtic Sojourn” selected Eric to be part of his “Boston Session” production, where he performed live with Oision McAuley, The Hay Brigade and other artists. Eric has released two cds under his own name, and he also performs with Jewish folk/rock outfit the Rachel Cole Band.
"Matching Orange is one of the most inventive and talented bands in New England. Its a tremendous pleasure to see and hear such an accomplished collection of individual musicians with such flair and creativity. I expect we'll all have the benefit of looking back and saying we knew about this group from beginning...join the club!" -- Mark Sustic, director of Young Tradition Vermont & founder of the Champlain Valley Folk Festival
"This is a fine young band! Being contra dancers themselves, they understand how to please the dancers with their high energy playing. Matching Orange has a broad range of musical styles and a terrific sound! You'll love dancing to their music!" -- Lucia Watson, New England contra dance caller
Just wanted to swing by your page & let ya know I've a new live song up called "Patrick Swayze". I'd love for you to listen & tell me what ya think!
hope all is well! :)
xx
Annie
Guys, I can't believe what a great show that was. Actually, I _can_ believe it -- because you all are excellent musicians, as well as pretty damn good people all-round. Looking forward to some tunes with y'all before long. Congrats again.
HI and thanks for the friend request. Happy to make your acquaintance - and can I take piano lessons from your 'youngster' on the keyboard? PS - more Michel Bordeleau tunes, please! Vonnie of Two Bits...
This is great! Yet _another_ great Celtic/contra/etc. band to take wing here in Boston. You know BCMFest will be expecting an application for 2009...Hope to see/play with y'all soon.
well folks, your stuck now, your on myspace. I expect a ample number of dances and shindigs of various sorts, and they had all better measure highly on the scale, so from 1-ROCK, you guys had better be at atleast an 8 or 9.
