This newly formed trio have performed together only a handful of times but their joyful singing and harmonies would have you believe these ladies have been at it all their lives. They have been friends since high school and their comfort level  with each other adds to their natural ease performing together.

The group consists of Chelsie Field, Tess Burdick and Eliza Hollister. Ona Canoa will be opening the upcoming “Lilith of the Valley” series on 3/9 at Northampton, Massachusetts’ Bishop’s Lounge. Our in-studio session features four original songs by the band as well as songs by some of their favorite songwriters. Included are the songs; “Legs”, “River Rock”, “Aubergine” and Molasses”.

Included in our discussion is a chat with Kara Kharmah who is the organizer of these “Lillith Of the Valley” showcases. She is also the woman behind PRIA Music Marketing who aids bands in their quest to “brand themselves” in the effort to gain more fans. She helps focus their efforts through her work on social media platforms, website designs, promotions and more. She gives us details on March 9th’s lineup and participants.

Chris Brashear and Jim Henry will headline the Tribute to Doc Watson which will be held on 2/28 at the Parlor Room. They were kind enough to join me for the first hour of Nine Volt Heart on WXOJ. The live set began with the classic, “Deep River Blues” followed by the mournful “Dream of a Miner’s Child”. We also heard Jim Henry’s recorded tune “Doc’s Rag” in between the in-studio performances. A nice version of “Columbus Stockade Blues” is followed by Chris and Jim’s rendition of “Black Mountain Rag”. We listened to Billy String’s version of “Beaumont Rag” along with a live version of “Windy and Warm”. The recording finishes with Doc’s “Your Lone Journey” and “Whiskey For Breakfast”

Both Chris and Jim are incredible musicians and tell some great stories throughout.  There will be a full lineup of stellar players joining this duo including Paul Kochanski, Eric Lee, Rebecca Jones, Max Wareham and Tracy Grammar! Enjoy the session on the audio track above.

I admit to being a serious fan of Seamus Egan and his band, Solas. He’s a wizard on virtually every stringed instrument (and more). I was anxious about interviewing him because, well, he’s a big freakin star! I shouldn’t have worried, he couldn’t have been more genuine. Our conversation covers his early musical education in Ireland and the burgeoning  traditional Irish jams in Philly and NYC which led to the formation of his long lived band of virtuosos, Solas. We talk about the band’s hiatus and the opportunity to refocus on his first solo instrumental album in 23 years, “Everything Always Was”!

The Seamus Egan Project comes to Northampton’s Parlor Sessions on 2/10. Don’t miss this chance to see this multi-instrumentalist wow a crowd. Joyfulness personified.

Stephane Wrembel is quite simply one of the finest guitarists in the world. The New York Observer said,”Stephane represents the living face of Gypsy Jazz.” Rolling Stone has called him ” a revelation”. The music of Django Reinhardt is the beginning point for this amazing player. He was born in Fontainebleau, the birthplace of Impressionism as well as his musical idol, Django. Stephane is a Grammy award-winning guitarist for his work in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris”.

Our conversation is far-reaching from the music he learned at the feet of masters in the Gypsy camps, to references about Plato, spirituality and chicken wings! The segment includes four songs as well. We begin with his version of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia”, Django’s “Minor Swing”, Stephane’s Grammy nod “Bistro Fada” and a brand new version of a traditional tune played with Reinhardt’s grandson “Petriarka”.

David Howley, lead vocalist and guitarist from We Banjo 3, was my guest on Nine Volt Heart. He previewed “his band of brothers” upcoming New England tour in support of their new release, Haven. The tour has stops in Conn, Maine and a local stop at Northampton’s Iron Horse on 2/6. They play at the Somerville Theater on 2/9 to finish the tour.

This quartet hails from Galway, Ireland and consists of two sets of brothers; Martin Howley plays banjo,mandolin, and sings. My guest, David Howley, plays guitar and sings. The other set of siblings includes Enda Scahill on banjo and Fergal Scahill on fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Between the four, they count about Twenty All-Ireland awards in their honor. They play like a cross of Avett Brothers meets The Frames.

Their new disc, Haven, is a powerhouse of all originals played with intensity and sincerity. The songs seem like party tunes but the lyrics tell a deeper story. Several deal with deeply personal issues like depression and anxiety. David was very open about discussing the band’s latest direction. We talk about their inherent optimism and the need for honesty in dealing with these tougher issues. They are a talented and energetic bunch and are selling out these shows quickly. So, give our interview a listen along with the songs “The Fox”, “Haven”, “Happiness”, “Hold On to Your Soul” and “Don’t Let Me Down”.

Bruce Molsky is easily one of the nation’s most talented old-time fiddlers. He is a renowned ambassador of this authentic Appalachian mountain music. He is an esteemed professor at Berklee School of Music’s Roots Music Program. He’s collaborated with the world’s finest musicians from Mozaik, Anonymous 4, Linda Ronstadt, Bill Frissell and Mark Knopfler. One of his many current projects is his old-time trio, Molsky’s Mountain Drifters. This trio will be appearing locally at the Parlor Room in Northampton on 1/20.

Our conversation covers a lot of ground including his early musical inspiration when the jazz great Billy Taylor visited his grade school in the Bronx. We talk about his love of this music, his teaching position at Berklee including a special anniversary concert of the Roots Music Program. We talk about his two events next week at the Parlor Room including an afternoon Workshop and an evening Parlor Session; both on 1/20.

Of course, our visit includes some great music. The setlist includes songs by the Mountain Drifters (Bruce on fiddle, Stash Wyslouch on guitar and Allison DeGroot on banjo),The Deadly Gentlemen (includes Stash), The Goodbye Girls (includes Allison)Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project (includes Bruce). The set concludes with a brand new tune from the upcoming Mountain Drifter’s second album called “There’s a Bright Side Somewhere”.