THOMAS POINT BEACH, BRUNSWICK, MAINE |
Enter the Haggis
Enter The Haggis has found itself at the center of a grassroots success story ever teetering on the brink of mainstream success. From playing Celtic festivals to headlining them, and from the festival circuit to selling out multiple nights in rock venues, ETH has blazed a path with heavy and almost constant touring up and down the East Coast, to Canada, the West Coast and back again, winning over success one fan, one town, one region at a time. Their latest release, White Lake, is arguably their best effort to date and a fine representation of a fully mature, tested and roadworthy, band. |
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Black 47
Led by Larry Kirwan, Black 47 espouses an unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish form of rock ‘n’ roll, with raucous, heartfelt, and intelligent performances of songs covering topics from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York. Black 47 self-produced their first indie record, Black 47, before The Cars’ Ric Ocasek jumped on board to produce their second album, Fire Of Freedom, which brought them mainstream attention. The band’s signature sound, socially conscious lyrics and exciting concerts paved the way for other Irish influenced bands like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. Read more: Black 47 |
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The Screaming Orphans
We listened to you and we’re bringing them back! Anyway, how could we resist? The Screaming Orphans are four funny, high-spirited, musically-obsessed sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran in County Donegal, Ireland. Their sound has been compared to the Bangles and the Cranberries and their musical influences include the Beatles, R.E.M., Indigo Girls, Abba, and traditional Irish music. Their distinctive sound has led to headline performances at major festivals throughout the world. You won't soon forget these Donegal gals! |
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The Makem & Spain Brothers
The Makem Brothers, Shane, Conor and Rory, were born in Drogheda, County Louth, about an hour north of Dublin. They continue the lineage of one of Irish music's dynasties. The Spain Brothers, too, learned Irish songs at their father's knee. Mickey's rich, baritone voice and Liam's mastery of stringed instruments quickly found a home when the Makems met the Spains and the brothers realized the power of their combined talents. The result: a host of instruments and five male vocals, using precise three-part harmonies, blending perfectly for what many have described as a wall of sound. |
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Carbon Leaf
Reaching 20 years of award-winning recording and touring, and with nine albums under their belt, Carbon Leaf released a live CD and DVD in early 2011, a full length CD in the Fall, and multiple songs and EPs throughout the year. The Richmond, Virginia-based group has scored hit singles at both AAA and Hot AC Radio with "Life Less Ordinary" and "The Boxer," placed first in the International Songwriting Competition, won an American Music Award, and recorded the music for Universal's Curious George II soundtrack in 2010. Eclectic from day one, Carbon Leaf performs at many Celtic and Irish music festivals across North America. |
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Searson
Searson is Erin, Heather and Colleen Searson, three multi-talented sisters that grew up in the Ottawa Valley of Ontario, play a variety of instruments, and step dance. Piano, organ, fiddle, tenor guitar and bass are all highlighted in their performances and acclaimed drummers and percussionists round out the live shows. They have toured heavily in N. America and Europe and, last year, headlined the prestigious Festival Ortiguiera in Spain. Searson has recorded six albums during their already illustrious career and they will be making their Maine debut at Saltwater. |
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Sprag Session
The leader of Sprag Session, Colin Grant, and his fiddle have stepped to the forefront of the East Coast trad music scene, and people are sitting up and taking notice. He has already toured throughout the world and is the recipient of an ECMA nomination for Traditional Solo Album of the Year. Sprag Session, lingering somewhere amidst the rich, soulful roots of Cape Breton music and the grooves of a thousand branches of rock and funk, will be joined by gifted young fiddler Chrissy Crowley and multi-instrumentalist Darren MacMullen at Saltwater in an all-star showcase of the music of Cape Breton. |
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Chrissy Crowley
Chrissy Crowley is the latest young Celtic musician to emerge from Cape Breton. A Canadian fiddler with a firm foundation in the traditional music of Cape Breton, Crowley also possesses the irrepressible curiosity of an artist driven to create and discover. She is now bringing her music worldwide, performing throughout Canada and the United States, as well as Ireland and Scotland, captivating audiences with a talent that belies her youth. Her new release, the second recording for the 20-year-old artist, is aptly named, The Departure. |
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The Press Gang
This Maine-based trio blends their skill and fluency in traditional Irish music with a curiosity and aptitude for other styles. The result is a unique sound, at once energetic and sensitive, innovative and reverent. A debut CD, released in the spring of 2010, gives a generous helping of Irish tunes spiced with Appalachian music and original compositions. The joy that these musicians take from playing with each other shines brightly, both in the recording and on the stage. |
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The Maine Celtic Scene
2012 will see the continuation of Saltwater’s commitment to showcase the vibrant Celtic music scene that is right here in Maine. Kevin McElroy, noted mandolin player, luthier, and owner of Frost Gully Violins in Freeport, will serve as host of this all-star set featuring McElroy joined by multi-instrumentalist Jim Prendergast, one of Maine's leading traditional Irish music combos, Boghat (pictured), and some leading Irish Dance students. |
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Maeve Gilchrist
Maeve Gilchrist was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. She grew up immersed in traditional folk music and was accepted into the City of Edinburgh Music School where she spent seven years studying classical piano, clarsach (Celtic harp) and vocals. She has performed at Tanglewood Jazz Festival, the World Harp Congress (Netherlands), and Celtic Connections Festival (Scotland). Maeve Gilchrist offers us a glimpse into the future of Celtic music. She will appear with her band and serve as Saltwater emcee on Saturday, July 14th. |
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Kevin O'Hara
The author of Last of the Donkey Pilgrims will return to serve as Saltwater emcee on Sunday, July 15th. An avid Celtic music fan, O'Hara passed the time one year traveling the circumference of Ireland, with a donkey. Many thought it couldn't be done, and others just plain wondered...why? He lived to tell about his exploits and it makes for one fine read. He recently released his second book, A Lucky Irish Lad, but those fortunate enough to have spent some time with Mr. O’Hara are the lucky ones. |
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Aoife Clancy
Aoife Clancy comes from the small town of Carrick-on-Suir, in Co Tipperary, Ireland. Her musical career began when her father, Bobby Clancy of the legendary Clancy Brothers, placed a guitar in her hands and, soon after, brought her to perform with him in pubs. She was a member of the acclaimed Irish American group, Cherish the Ladies, and she has been a featured soloist with the Boston Pops and Cincinnati Pops orchestras. Aoife Clancy has established herself as one of the leading divas of Celtic music. She will be featured at a very special Saltwater Satellite Event at Maine Maritime Museum on Friday, July 13th. |
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Naia
Comprised of harpist Danielle Langord and flutist Nicole Rabata, Naia plays traditional Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and Quebec along with their own traditionally-inspired compositions. Rich harmonies blend with delicate melodies to create their unique sound. Naia will be featured in a special Saltwater Satellite Event at one of the most beautiful spots in Maine, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, on Friday, July 13th. |
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Michael Shaughnessy
Michael Shaughnessy was born in Virginia and raised in Kansas City, Missouri and he has lived in Maine since 1987. Michael is a USM professor focusing on sculpture, design, drawing and creative entrepreneurship. His work over the last 25 years involves the use of hay as his primary material. He has exhibited at museums, universities and nonprofit art centers nationally and in Ireland. His work has been reviewed and featured in Sculpture Magazine, Fiber Arts, Smithsonian and many local and national newspapers and journals. Michael Shaughnessy will serve as Saltwater's 2012 Artist in Residence. |
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