In their hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, they shared stands and stages with one another in the classical music world. But around campfires, in living rooms, and on front porches, their musical households were filled with jam sessions of a different sort. They returned from summer music festivals wielding fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and guitars. They thrived on exposure to the raw, joyful art of old-time, folk, and bluegrass— music that provided the inventive sextet with their greatest creative inspiration.
In August 2007, the six friends took on the name Old-Time Liberation Front (OTLF) and competed against 55 bands in the preliminary round of the 2007 Neo-Traditional Band Contest at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival. They performed “Hello Child”, a Jordan Rast original, paired with “Halle’s Dance”, an original tune by fiddler Maya de Vitry that was awarded 2nd place in the Junior Division of Shar Music’s Fiddle Composition Contest judged by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. It was the first in what has become a unique musical pairing of Jordan’s songs and Maya’s fiddle tunes, which have become a significant part of the band’s repertoire and signature sound.
For their second song in the final round, OTLF performed a clever arrangement known as “Cluck Old Hen Remix”, mixing the archaic charm of the traditional tune with fragments of the rapper Lil’ Bow Wow’s “Basketball” and Beck’s “Where It’s At”. The result was a crowd favorite that had the audience and the judges clapping the stunned six all the way to a 1st place win. Veterans of the Neo-Traditional stage, OTLF returned to the festival in August 2008 to perform a hugely successful concert.
In May 2008, at the first annual DelFest in Cumblerland, Maryland, OTLF performed as one of six bands selected to compete in the 1st Annual Bluegrass Band Competition. One day later, a twist of fate handed OTLF a return to the main stage when the Emmitt-Nershi Band ran into traffic on their way to perform their Saturday evening show. Called up from a Frisbee game in the campground, OTLF seized the opportunity to deliver a dynamic set.
In August 2008, OTLF released their debut album, Twenty Twelve. Recorded in Lancaster, PA by Steam Powered Studios, the album captures the youthful energy of these talented six, boasting completely original and traditional material. Yet in live performance, along with their signature “Cluck Old Hen Remix”, OTLF has been known to cover and arrange surprising acoustic renditions of popular artists ranging from Destiny’s Child to Tom Petty.
Capitalizing on their unique instrumentation and infectious energy, OTLF has crafted a powerful sound and fascinating stage presence.
Jordan Rast’s strong voice and rhythm guitar lead the band in many original vocal numbers.
Maya de Vitry’s spirited fiddling is embodied in her original tunes such as “Twenty Twelve”, the title track of the OTLF album.
Though currently living in Ontario, Canada, Laura Dyck continues to complement the band’s string section with her graceful harmonies on fiddle and vocals.
Monica de Vitry’s inspired cello lines add power and presence to the low end, and her vocal talent is showcased in her beautiful original songs.
With Becca Rast on viola, the band’s bowed string section becomes a full string quartet, an instrumentation rare among bands on the acoustic music circuit today.
On the upright bass, Peter Reist is the solid foundation of the band’s driving old-time rhythm, yet his guitar and vocal talent are highlighted in his original song “Kitchener”.
the Worms play the Works 9pm on Wednesday the 25th of November. the night before Thanksgiving.. Line up is Kris Kehr , Trey LaRue, Joel Henry and James Jewell. so if you wana hear some honest to goodness Berks county music, come on out and dance... ps thanks to all for such a great time at the works last time!! the Worms play the Works Wednesday November 25, 2009 - 9:00 PM The Works 1109 Bern Road Reading, Pennsylvania 19610 USA Cost: free
hello friends......,,, please come to see the worms play music Reading PA Full band Friday the 25th of Sept. 2009 ... The Works 9-12pm 1109 Bern Road Wyomissing, PA 19610 610.375.2700
Ticket Prices: $15.00 Advance * $20.00 Day of Show $5.00 Camping (per person) available at the gate
* = For advance tickets please go see one of the bands or visit our friends at the Dragonfly Studio and Gallery in West Reading, PA. FOOD DRIVE Proceeds for this event will be donated to the Farm School at Snipes. We encourage you learn more about the farm school at: www.farmschoolatsnipes.org
I was borned n raised in Lancaster. I used to pick with Pete and Chris DeVitry. I enjoyed meeting Maya at Djangofest and like what your band is doing. Congratulations on your contest win and best wishes for more of the same.
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