The Red Sea Pedestrians are a one-of-a-kind, full-blown, instrument-swapping fusion between tradition and the here-and-now. We’re talkin’ high-energy world-beat grooves, hypnotic laments from the earth, songs of celebration and wonder: a warped and beautiful blend of Klezmer, Greek, Gypsy, Celtic, Jazz and American Roots, all filtered through the band’s original vision.
RSP are a melting pot of six distinct singer/songwriters, almost a self-contained variety show. Their sound is first defined by the sweet interplay between Rachel Flanigan on clarinet and Megan MacLeod on violin, and is colored by three fine singers and multi-instrumentalists (Jay Gavan, Ira Cohen and Ian Gorman.) Finally, their amazingly facile drummer, Mike Shimmin, provides the backbone to a musical experience that is both harmonically and rhythmically gratifying. All of these musicians are also students of the great records of the sixties (notably late Beatles), and hence they have created a realm that is both comforting and challenging to the listener. Multi-layered lyrics, rich harmonies, and masterful playing complete the story.
Their captivating live shows and ambitious CDs have been getting rave reviews and building an energetic buzz throughout Michigan’s independent acoustic music community, including the garnering of nominations for two WYCE Jammie Awards: Best World Beat Album & Best Debut World Beat Artist.
The Red Sea Pedestrians have performed at Michigan-area venues and festivals including The Ark (Ann Arbor), The Michigan Theater (Ann Arbor), Blissfest Music Festival (Cross Village), the Earthwork Harvest Gathering (Lake City), Coopers Glen Music Festival (Kalamazoo), Nor East’r Music Festival (Mio), Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo), Founder’s Brewery (Grand Rapids), LVD’s Concert Hall (Goshen, IN), and the 2008 WYCE Jammie Awards (Grand Rapids).
The band's first full-length CD, "A Lesson in Cartography", is available at the People's Food Co-Op and Terrapin in Kalamazoo,Elderly Instruments in Lansing, CD Baby, ITunes, shows, or right here...
Phenomenal show at Martini's the other night. You all are some of the most talented performers I've seen and I hope to see much more of you in kalamazoo--
