Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill (Rose Baldino, Brian Buchanan and Caroline Browning; https://www.houseofhamill.com/) is a sophisticated indie Irish folk band, well known on festival stages across the US. Their version of Pound a Week Rise rose to #1 on the US Folk DJ charts, and the video for their all-violin cover of Sweet Child O Mine amassed over 16 million views on Facebook. Their latest release, Folk Hero, captures perfectly the frenetic energy and eclecticism of their always engaging live show. Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note.
“[House of Hamill] write unusual new fiddle tunes and exciting, unpredictable original songs while breathing new life into traditional and contemporary songs. They are confident and unique lead vocalists, and the blend of their two voices in harmony is hypnotic and irresistible. Their chemistry onstage is always engaging and often hilarious. House of Hamill is on the bleeding edge of a new generation of traditional musicians.” – WHYY, Philadelphia
The show will open with local progressive guitar duo Pairdown (David Leicht and Raymond Morin; https://www.pairdown.net/). Pairdown combines a keen focus on guitar interplay with a songwriting sense that strives to be at once harmonically and melodically challenging, while also retaining its rhythmic buoyancy and a wry sense of humor.
“Pairdown guides two acoustic guitars through interpretations of tunes from a sprawling folk catalog, with West African and Middle Eastern influences tugging gently against the bedrock of Appalachian reverence and reference. More playful than John Fahey, less technique-driven than Leo Kottke, Pairdown canters through comfortable tunes with assured grace.” – Grayson Currin
You can catch an interview with House of Hamill on Whiskey Before Breakfast with Mando Richard, March 22, on WRCT Pittsburgh 88.3FM (https://www.wrct.org/).
House of Hamill will also have a brief interview with Larry Berger on the Saturday Light Brigade Saturday April 1, and Pairdown will be Larry’s 11am in-studio guests! Listen on WRCT, Pittsburgh, 88.3 FM or online at https://slbradio.org/radio/.
You’ll be dancing in the aisles for this one!
General admission $20 advance, $25 at the door
Students and low income $10 advance, $15 at the door
…or pay what you can! Name a price that you can afford, to support live music in Pittsburgh!
Advance tickets at songspace.brownpapertickets.com
SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside
605 Morewood Avenue, Pgh., 15213.
All ages; wheelchair accessible.
For more information: 412.621.8008,
uusongspace@gmail.com or uusongspace.com.