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ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE |
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Northern Routes
Throughout the festival we’ll be celebrating the shared musical history of the Scots-Irish settlers in America through the music of the Appalachian Mountains. Local musicians will be teaming up with our American Artists-in-Residence, Dirk Powell and the Foghorn String Band, to bring you concerts, sessions, workshops, films and discussions that we hope will help illuminate the music and its Northern roots.
Artist-in-Residence - Dirk Powell
 Dirk Powell has expanded on the deeply rooted sounds of his Appalachian heritage to become one of the preeminent traditional American musicians of his generation. His live performances of powerful Appalachian music with The Dirk Powell Band have inspired audiences across the globe. In his early teens, Dirk formed a musical bond with his grandfather, James Clarence Hay of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, and discovered a personal resonance with traditions that stretch back to Scots-Irish ancestors who came to the mountains in the middle of the 18th century. Dirk learned banjo and fiddle firsthand in continuation of this line.
He has been involved in numerous major musical productions and films including the Academy Award-winning film “Cold Mountain,” Ang Lee’s “Ride With The Devil,” Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled,” and Edward Burns’ “The Brothers McMullen.” He also appeared in the BBC/RTE documentary series “The Irish Empire” as an expert on the culture of early Scots-Irish migrants to Appalachia. We are honoured to have him at Open House.
www.dirkpowell.com
Band-in-Residence - The Foghorn String Band
 The Foghorn String Band from Portland Oregon are the freshest thang we’ve heard in years. Devoted to the interpretation and performance of Old Time American roots music, their style encompasses early country, the fiddle repertoire of the Southern Appalachians and the Midwest, and the stringband sounds of the Piedmont region. They are highly regarded by traditional music lovers, and use the traditional stringband line up of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass and guitar. Their sound is reminiscent of early bluegrass, but their powerful approach is whole-heartedly old-time. When the opportunity allows the Foghorns team up with front man Dirk Powell to become the Dirk Powell Band. They recorded an album together in April of this year which we await with bated breath. When these guys get together sparks sure do fly.
www.foghornmusic.com
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