Cantrip & Low Lily

CANTRIP

The name Cantrip is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements, likewise the compelling potency of their musicianship. Swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and three rich voices blend to create a sound energetic enough to tear the roof off. After 20 years of touring, Cantrip has found a character like no other. Echoes can be heard of trad music from the 1960s and 70s, but the years have slowly infested their music with the sounds of funk, metal, bluegrass, swing, and even klezmer. Dan Houghton, Jon Bews, Alasdair White, and Eric McDonald stir the elements in a witches’ cauldron, slowly coalescing into chaotic order.

“Their music comes from wild landscapes and wild places of the spirit.” — The Orcadian

LOW LILY

With a vocal and instrumental blend that has been dubbed “outstanding” and “meticulous”, the members of Low Lily (Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen, and special guest Elsie Gawler) come together to create a signature sound that has captivated audiences throughout the US, UK, and Canada.

Low Lily is the colloquial name for the Trout Lily, a wildflower that grows in the northeast and in regions further afield. Like its namesake, Low Lily the band has been blooming across the musical landscape since 2015- throughout the northeast and beyond. Liz Simmons (guitar & vocals), Flynn Cohen (guitar, mandolin & vocals), and Elsie Gawler (fiddle, banjo, vocals) blend their considerable individual talents into a stylistic bouquet of energetic fiddle music, introspective folk, bluegrass, and Americana. The trio has deep roots in the fiddle tune and singing traditions of North America and the Anglo-Celtic diaspora.

Low Lily’s recordings have received noteworthy attention with two #1 songs on international folk radio, two Independent Music Award wins. Their original song Hope Lingers On (written by former band member Lissa Schneckenburger), has been sung by choirs around the world as an anthem for peace and justice.

“A collective sound that’s as smart with sense of pop phrasing and flair as it is roots-savvy.” –Roots Music Report

“[Low Lily has] an incredible knack for putting a little pop twist on a traditional folk/Americana sound… it’s a blend that works beautifully.” –PopMatters