The second year of St. Cecilia’s Fresh Folk series opens by spotlighting the Americana duo from Nashville and Grand Rapids’ own Troll for Trout in an unplugged setting. Win tickets to the show below.
Rachael Davis and Dominic John play St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday. (Photo/Local Spins)
It’s folk.
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It’s certainly fresh.
And it’s got some history – a lot of history, actually.
The second annual Fresh Folk contemporary folk series gets under way Thursday at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center when Nashville based singer-songwriter Rachael Davis and her husband, bassist Dominic John, light up the historic, 120-year-old Royce Auditorium stage.
It’s the first time the duo has ever played the acoustically pristine auditorium in downtown Grand Rapids, a classic venue with a rich history that’s usually reserved for touring jazz artists and classical musicians.
But it’s not the first time that regional folk, Americana, bluegrass and folk-rock artists have played the stage in “unplugged” fashion.
Last year’s first-ever Fresh Folk/Local Spins Live concert series earned rave reviews from performers (Including Seth Bernard, May Erlewine, The Crane Wives, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, Fauxgrass and several singer-songwriters, including Ralston Bowles and Michelle Chenard) as well as many fans who’d never experienced modern acoustic strains uncorked in this pindrop-quiet setting.
“I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the space and can’t wait to throw my voice around in there,” Davis told me for my November column in REVUE Magazine, referring to the unusual folk series hosted by St. Cecila, Mackinaw Harvest Music and Local Spins.
Troll for Trout will bring some special guests to the stage.
One guy who has thrown his voice around the auditorium, Mackinaw Harvest’s Michael Crittenden, will do so again by opening for the duo on Thursday with his popular West Michigan folk-rock outfit, Troll for Trout.
“Over the years, I’ve been lucky to play this stage a few times, but it was always as a part of an event or someone else’s show. It’s a real thrill to do our own show at the Royce and to be a part of the 120-year-old history of performances that have happened there,” says Crittenden. “There are definitely musical ghosts in the room.”
For Thursday’s appearance, Crittenden says Troll for Trout has “worked up an entire new show.” Dave Martin will sit in on vibraphone, marimba and a second acoustic guitar, with “a special mystery guest stopping by.”
GETTING THE ‘FULL UNDIVIDED ATTENTION’ OF THE AUDIENCE
Crittenden, a Grand Rapids producer who’s helped organize the contemporary folk series the past two years, says it provides a rare opportunity for artists to change the way they present songs and “showcase their music to an audience that is giving them their full undivided attention. It is so nice to look ahead and plan for a show that we know people will be listening and watching, as opposed to a bar show.”
Rachael Davis, performing at Wheatland in September with Dominic John, Michelle Chenard and Kitty Donahoe. (Photo/Anna Sink)
For Davis, who moved to Nashville last year so Dominic could play and tour with rock’s Jack White, it’s also a special sort of homecoming, with the duo returning to their home state for an unprecedented concert experience. She anticipates releasing a new studio album in 2014; Dominic continues to tour with White as well as doing session work in Nashville.
The Fresh Folk series continues on Jan. 9 with a singer-songwriter round robin featuring Drew Nelson, May Erlewine, Josh Rose, Jen Sygit, Mark Sala and Jimmie Stagger, and finishes up on April 10 with Potato Moon and The Northern Skies.
Erlewine, who played last season’s series with her husband, Seth Bernard, gushes that “the venue is just so very beautiful, whether you’re on stage or in the audience. Sitting down and watching the Fauxgrass (opening) set was a highlight. It just sounded so good. It’s set up in such a way where as an audience, you really feel like you’re part of the show.”
Seth Bernard and May Erlewine playing the Royce Auditorium stage last season.
For veteran songwriter Rose, it’s a singular opportunity to have his music really heard by an engaged audience.
“If you are a fan of music that enjoys lyrically driven, emotive songs in today’s age, you are probably going to be disappointed at most venues,” he suggests. “Most venues are loud, distracting, and lack even the simplest ingredients of a successful show. My music just can’t compete in a ‘thump thump’ venue. Then I’m just background music. My type of music needs people who are ready to listen. That’s what I love about shows like this. It gives me a fighting chance.”
Tickets for Thursday’s show – and all of the concerts in the Fresh Folk series – are $20 adults or $10 students. And the first person to email me at jsinkevics@gmail.com with “Fresh Folk” in the subject field will win a pair of tickets to Thursday night’s concert.
Get more information and tickets online at the St. Cecilia website.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
