What’s New for 2018?

What’s new for 2018? As is tradition, Molly’s Revenge will kick off the season with their annual March Madness tour in celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day.

To the three members of Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, “March Madness” means something other than basketball playoffs. Indeed, for all players of traditional Irish music, the month of March means making hay while the sun shines, for March 17 is the date when Irish people all around the world love to celebrate the venerable Saint Patrick. And since they can’t be everywhere on one day, Molly’s Revenge will once again be crisscrossong the West Coast for much of the month. Hence the nickname of their annual tour: March Madness.

The California-based folk combo will also celebrate their own longevity in March, as their first gig happened on a fateful St. Patrick’s Day some 18 years ago. Piper David Brewer is the only original band member, but fiddler John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason joined up after the first couple years. Front man David Brewer, also known as the “hyper piper,” leads the charge with an authentic and unique style of playing that has earned him the reputation of being one of the most accomplished pipers on the West Coast.

In April, Molly’s Revenge will zip up to Oregon for a winery show in Ashland, a community concert in Tualatin, and a house concert near Corvallis. Tour details at mollysrevenge.com.

As some of you may already know, John Weed and myself launched an exciting new quartet last year with our friends Lisa Lynne (harp and cittern) and Aryeh Frankfurter (nyckelharpa). New World String Project features extraordinary instruments and a unique blend of heartwarming music. Four highly skilled and well known multi-instrumentalists have joined forces to create an exciting weave of music rooted in the Celtic, Nordic and American folk traditions. Ancient and modern sounds mingle freely on Swedish nyckelharpa, Celtic harp, fiddle, guitar, cittern, bouzouki, and more. Join the New World String Project for a musical ride that will shake your boots, uplift your spirit and warm your heart. We hope to see you at one of our 2018 tours in May, August, or November. Learn more at newwworldstringproject.com.

Last but not least–our old-timey string trio Little Black Train (Kenny Blackwell, John Weed, and myself) will be dusting off the rails with a house concert in San Luis Obispo on April. Details at slo-houseconcerts.com.