One major setback to loving music and musicians and setting up shows to highlight them is there is a 50/50 chance they already have another gig lined up months in advance and are unable to take part.
Sadly (both for me and the audience for the 2 Year Anniversary Show) that is the case for what I am calling my “Favorite Find” of the year. As much as I loved collecting nominations from the community, your peers, and then having a democratic (well as democratic as it can be) voting system for these recognitions the selfish side of me also wanted to weigh in. I wouldn’t say it is too much of a stretch that I probably listen to more than the average person when it comes to local based, young, perhaps a bit more unknown music. My inbox is constantly filled with new music from people that aren’t likely on your typical terrestrial radio station yet are equally as impressive and talented, in most cases more so, than what you hear when you are driving to work or whereever you might be heading. I also make a conscious effort to look at the calendar for my favorite local venues, take in advice from people who’s musical tastes I respect and admire and check out new acts that way as well. That is exactly how I came across the three young songstresses that make up my “Favorite Find” for 2014…oh yeah, thank you Matt Smith for being that person in this case.
(trophy made before band was officially named “The Wiles”)
Ellie Buckland and Isa Burke, they were two names I had seen thrown around quite a bit in the Passim community. They are by no means “a new act” They play there quite often and have been doing so for quite a while. Opening for friends at CD releases, attending the Miles of Music camps, being showcased at campfire festival. But it wasn’t until recently that I caught these gals at Passim during that very festival. But..it wasn’t a duo I saw onstage that day, it was a trio, rounding out the sound with Mali Obomsawin on the upright bass and harmonies. To say I was smitten with the 3 gals and their music is an understatement. Their harmonies, their musicianship, even their stage presence is something to be marveled. Their take on “You’re the Reason” blew me away. I mean, I have heard the Hank III version of it, which may kill it for some folks, but these gals just NAIL it. The swapping of instruments, the expertise with which they perform and the general feeling of happiness and joy that resonates from the stage out into the audience when they perform is unmatched. You feel good about the music because they very obviously enjoy playing it together and in front of a crowd.
So with that, I welcome the very first “BIG RED Favorite Find” Award to The Wiles. Thank you ladies for making such wonderful music for us! (I’ll find a way to get you that trophy above since we won’t be able to announce at the Lizard Lounge show Saturday).
More info: The Wiles, formerly known as Ellie Buckland and Isa Burke, are comprised of two fiddles, two guitars, a doghouse bass, and two (sometimes three) intertwining voices. They perform old folk songs, new Americana, and original songs in an acoustic roots style. At a fiddle camp in the woods of Maine, their shared home state, Ellie and Isa met as kids and began singing songs together. Their undeniable musical chemistry found its way to Boston and they started performing together in 2013. Bassist Mali Obomsawin– a fellow Mainer and fiddle camper– joined the band a year later. They bring soul, energy, depth, and effervescent vocal harmonies to honest music that blends the old and the new. The Wiles have graced the stages of One Longfellow Square, Club Passim, and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and were awarded a 2014 Iguana Music Fund grant to record their debut EP, coming in 2015.