Laura Cortese has a vision for her band's sound: bold and elegant, schooled in the lyricism folk music and backed by grooves that inspire Cajun two-stepping and rock-n-roll hip swagger. It's appropriate that the trio, featuring fiddler-vocalist-songwriter Cortese, call themselves Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards. Valerie Thompson (cello/vox) and Mariel Vandersteel (fiddle/hardingfele/vox) pair their sophisticated string arrangements and rich vocal harmonies to Cortese's poignant and powerful singing. Seeing the trio on stage, you get the sense that they might snap some fiddle strings or punch a hole in the bass drum. This is post-folk that seriously rocks.
Based in the heart of today's hottest folk scene, Brooklyn folksters Dubl Handi are stand outs. Named after the Washboard company from the 1800's, Hilary Hawke (banjo & lead vocals) and Brian Geltner (that handy washboard and other percussion) are joined by Ernie Vega on guitar. Rhythmic groove is a pervasive thread on their old-time songs from Appalachia. "They are reintroducing the roots of folk to new generations while developing new standards with their own original material." -No Depression
Location
Caffe Lena (View)
47 Phila Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
United States
