Twilight Music continues its 13th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 26 with an evening of high energy Scottish music by Cantrip. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 23. All concerts begin at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at The Putney Community Center at 10 Christian Square in case of rain. The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Food Co-op, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney businesses and organizations. The concerts are free to the public (donations are accepted) and food will be available. For more information, call 802-387-5772 or visit www.cantrip-music.com and www.twilightmusic.org.
Cantrip sprung from a local music session in Edinburgh, Scotland fifteen years ago. The band name is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief, and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in the trio’s musical arrangements as well as the compelling potency of their musicianship. Dan Houghton (bagpipes, flute, mandolin, guitar) was born in Ghana, but was transported to Scotland shortly thereafter, where he was surrounded by the indigenous music. He has won the Scottish Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society Open Borderpipes and New Composition events, as well as the Maitre de Cornemuse at St. Chartier. Jon Bews (fiddle) came to Scots music from a classical education by way of Goth rock. He has performed and recorded with such diverse artists as Malinky, James Yorkston, Mikel Urdangarin, Ranarim, Deaf Mutes and Samling. As a US native, Eric McDonald (guitar) found his way to traditional music through the rich local music scene in Boston, and studies with guitarist/mandolinist John McGann and cellist Eugene Friesen at Berklee College of Music.
From the strong base of its Celtic roots, Cantrip branches out into the music of other European cultures. Weaving together songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary, the trio takes an audience on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each style. Known for their innovative arrangements, un-produced sound and dry wit, Cantrip has toured throughout Scotland and the US, expanding the boundaries of Celtic music along the way. This summer’s US tour celebrates the release of their brand new CD “The Crossing.”
“Cantrip must have one of the strongest group personalities on the folk circuit. Their presentation is all energy as they channel modern swoops & slides of sound into the traditional repertoire. Their music comes from wild landscapes & wild places of the spirit.” — The Orcadian
“Cantrip’s unique selling point is the international mix of their material — from Scandinavia, Brittany, eastern Europe and the Basque country as well as Scotland and Ireland — alloyed with rhythmic nuances borrowed from funk, jazz and blues.” — Edinburgh Sunday Herald