Photo of The McKassons

The McKassons

General Info

  • Genre: Celtic / Folk

    Location Washington, US

    Profile Views: 38781

    Last Login: 12/14/2010

    Member Since 11/16/2005

    Website http://www.themckassons.com

    Record Label McKasson's Music

  • Bio

    .... .. To buy the new album.... .. Tripping Maggie .. .... click the picture below ................ .......... .... .. .. "Sometimes it seems like Irish fiddling is played with the wrist, and Scottish fiddling with the shoulder. The bow drives across the strings, thick and throaty, creating a pulsing sound that feels more of muscle than tendon. The McKassons, a vibrant young Scottish band from Seattle, play like that. On their new CD, "Tripping Maggie," they thunder through jigs'n'reels one moment; then dazzle with a compositional sophistication that is cinematic, transporting, and tantalizingly modern. Brooke McKasson sings with a breathy, in-your-ear mezzo. Cali McKasson's keyboards are dynamically percussive and evocative; and her brother Ryan has fiddled with everyone from Beck to Bjork." .. ~ The Boston Globe .. .. Fiddles that pulse with electric energy; violas that hum like the plaintive croon of cicadas; banjos that sing like springtime incarnate: Seattle-based McKassons arent your average fiddle band. One of the genres fastest rising talents, the McKassons create evocative soundtracks for adventures in distant lands and stories yet untold, and their latest album, Tripping Maggie, is yet another enchanted effort. From the theatrical sweep of the title track, to the reflective piano of The Gates, to Brooke McKassons bittersweet vocals on If I Should Fall Behind, The McKassons bring a distinctly American sensibility to traditional Scottish folk, composing songs that have the feel of Celtic music blended with the spirit of folk rock and bluegrass. .. ........ .... United by their affection for Celtic folk, the McKassons are playing to packed houses and festival crowds all over the nation. Featuring Ryan McKasson (fiddle, viola), his sister Cali McKasson (piano), his brother-in-law Matt Jerrell (drums, percussion), and his wife Brooke McKasson (vocals), the McKassons are a family with impressive individual achievements. Ryan claimed the National Scottish Junior Fiddle Championship in 1995 and went on to become the youngest National Scottish Fiddle Open Champion in 1996. He has shared the stage with artists Elvis Costello, Beck, Bjork, Gavin Friday, and composer Phillip Glass, among others. Cali has performed with fiddle greats Alasdair Fraser, Andre Brunet, Laura Risk, and Hanneke Cassel, while Matt has worked with renowned percussionist Johnny Rabb, who has drummed with Deana Carter, SheDaisy, and Tanya Tucker. With their energy, innovation and craftsmanship, as warm as a handshake and boisterous as an Irish pub, The McKassons offer something fresh and unique to both the Emerald City and the landscape of independent music. .. .. It takes more than technical skill to create an authentic Celtic sound, and the McKassons produced these songs with fiery passion and soothing warmth. Just take a listen to Ryan McKasson's scorching fiddling on "Tripping Maggie" and "Mudrats"; they create the most exhilarating high and kick in the arse, the equivalent of downing several bottles of hard ale simultaneously. The group rocks without sounding rock. You have to think that, back in the day, Celtic folk musicians shook the shacks with as much two-fisted punch as the McKassons do. Throughout the album the fragile piano playing of Cali McKasson (yes, they are a family unit) lovingly calms the thunderous attack of her bandmates, especially on "The Grapevine," "Bonnie George Campbell," and "Tripping Maggie." The group's chemistry leaves me in awe; each functions as an intergral part of the band, providing rich colours....... ~ Whisperin and Hollerin .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
  • Members

    Ryan McKasson, fiddle/ Cali McKasson, piano/ Matt Jerrell, drums/ Brooke McKasson, vocals/ Dave Cory, Banjo and Guitar/ Special Guests: Natalie Haas, Cello/ Zack Hickman, Bass .. .. .. .. .. .. ....
  • Influences

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  • Sounds Like

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Videos

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Comments

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  • The Jones Boys

    Hi guys

    Nice to meet you. Great music!

    The Jones Boys

    3 years ago
  • David Franks: Walkabout…

    After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace... 

    Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse
    (please see my blog): 
    TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001 

    Where traditions are not so rare; 
        Sea, country and works scent the air; 
    A multitude of monuments, 
        Planted tubs and patterned pavements. 

    The longish pedestrian malls; 
        The remnants of defensive walls; 
    Historic buildings are a gauge 
        Of the respect for heritage. 

    Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; 
        Estuaries guarded by shields; 
    Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; 
        Romantic-ruin go-betweens. 

    Rivers in parts licked by trees, 
        Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, 
    And crossed by practical delights - 
        Varied spans, forming pleasing sights. 

    Fine churches headed at Durham; 
        Football kits ad infinitum; 
    Kept castles - one for study; 
        Masonry behind masonry. 

    And, with moulding-works out that way, 
    It’s somewhere for a longer stay..? 

    (C) David Franks 2003

    3 years ago
  • BRIAN

    Hello Mc Kassons,

    welcome to our friends. Kind regards from BRIAN/Stuttgart

    3 years ago
  • John T. McManus

    Thanks for the add. John T. McManus

    3 years ago
  • Parkington Sisters

    Thanks for being a friend.


    Rose, Sarah, Ariel, Nora and Lydia

    4 years ago
  • Josh J. Williams

    Hey McKassons, I just stopped by to say hello and let you know that I just put songs up from my new cd "Chasin' the Timberline".. Take care, Josh

    4 years ago
  • 3mono

    Thanks!
    Great Music!
    Thanks!
    Frank

    4 years ago
  • Donna Gisi

    I don't remember if I ever commented on how awesome you guys played at folklife back in may.

    Ryan, what a DARLING little baby, and a VERY big congratulations on the marriage in your family.

    Blessings.

    ~Donna

    4 years ago
  • Mom

    Hey Cali,

    How you doing? Have you played Muriel's
    "Connected Spirits" yet? It's so awesome. How ARE you? Enjoying marriage? My oldest got married two weeks ago. She is really happy. Had a chance to meet Seamus Egan and Mick McAuley this last Tuesday. A couple of VERY nice guys, and Seamus even went back to get Winifred's autograph for me. Have you heard her song "My Dream of You"? Natalie does cello on the song too and it's gorgeous. Miss you guys. ASC has been really busy. We landed a feature spot on National Public Radio in June. Very cool. I hope all is well! Miss you.

    Tanya

    4 years ago
  • Mom

    Oh man, I am in Seattle thursday night, but I can't make your show. I'm going to the opera on Friday. Maybe I'll try to see you at the Cafe on Saturday. Depends on what my opera buddy wants to do. Miss you..hope to see you soon.

    4 years ago
10 of 464More

Bio:

.. .. To buy the new album

Tripping Maggie

click the picture below ....

..



"Sometimes it seems like Irish fiddling is played with the wrist, and Scottish fiddling with the shoulder. The bow drives across the strings, thick and throaty, creating a pulsing sound that feels more of muscle than tendon. The McKassons, a vibrant young Scottish band from Seattle, play like that. On their new CD, "Tripping Maggie," they thunder through jigs'n'reels one moment; then dazzle with a compositional sophistication that is cinematic, transporting, and tantalizingly modern. Brooke McKasson sings with a breathy, in-your-ear mezzo. Cali McKasson's keyboards are dynamically percussive and evocative; and her brother Ryan has fiddled with everyone from Beck to Bjork."

~ The Boston Globe



Fiddles that pulse with electric energy; violas that hum like the plaintive croon of cicadas; banjos that sing like springtime incarnate: Seattle-based McKassons arent your average fiddle band. One of the genres fastest rising talents, the McKassons create evocative soundtracks for adventures in distant lands and stories yet untold, and their latest album, Tripping Maggie, is yet another enchanted effort. From the theatrical sweep of the title track, to the reflective piano of The Gates, to Brooke McKassons bittersweet vocals on If I Should Fall Behind, The McKassons bring a distinctly American sensibility to traditional Scottish folk, composing songs that have the feel of Celtic music blended with the spirit of folk rock and bluegrass.

..

United by their affection for Celtic folk, the McKassons are playing to packed houses and festival crowds all over the nation. Featuring Ryan McKasson (fiddle, viola), his sister Cali McKasson (piano), his brother-in-law Matt Jerrell (drums, percussion), and his wife Brooke McKasson (vocals), the McKassons are a family with impressive individual achievements. Ryan claimed the National Scottish Junior Fiddle Championship in 1995 and went on to become the youngest National Scottish Fiddle Open Champion in 1996. He has shared the stage with artists Elvis Costello, Beck, Bjork, Gavin Friday, and composer Phillip Glass, among others. Cali has performed with fiddle greats Alasdair Fraser, Andre Brunet, Laura Risk, and Hanneke Cassel, while Matt has worked with renowned percussionist Johnny Rabb, who has drummed with Deana Carter, SheDaisy, and Tanya Tucker. With their energy, innovation and craftsmanship, as warm as a handshake and boisterous as an Irish pub, The McKassons offer something fresh and unique to both the Emerald City and the landscape of independent music.

It takes more than technical skill to create an authentic Celtic sound, and the McKassons produced these songs with fiery passion and soothing warmth. Just take a listen to Ryan McKasson's scorching fiddling on "Tripping Maggie" and "Mudrats"; they create the most exhilarating high and kick in the arse, the equivalent of downing several bottles of hard ale simultaneously. The group rocks without sounding rock. You have to think that, back in the day, Celtic folk musicians shook the shacks with as much two-fisted punch as the McKassons do. Throughout the album the fragile piano playing of Cali McKasson (yes, they are a family unit) lovingly calms the thunderous attack of her bandmates, especially on "The Grapevine," "Bonnie George Campbell," and "Tripping Maggie." The group's chemistry leaves me in awe; each functions as an intergral part of the band, providing rich colours...

~ Whisperin and Hollerin ..

Member Since:

November 16, 2005

Members:

Ryan McKasson, fiddle/ Cali McKasson, piano/ Matt Jerrell, drums/ Brooke McKasson, vocals/ Dave Cory, Banjo and Guitar/ Special Guests: Natalie Haas, Cello/ Zack Hickman, Bass ..

Influences:

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

McKasson's Music

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