The Outside Track, a Celtic quintet hailing from Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, is set to perform two Northern Michigan music events this March. MyNorth Media entertainment writer Ross Boissoneau explores their Irish roots before their March 12 concert in Petoskey and March 13 concert in Traverse City


Artist

The Outside Track

How the Band Got Its Start

The Outside Track was formed in 2005 at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick. Edinburgh harpist Ailie Robertson (a five-time National Mod Gold Medalist and a BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist) and accordionist Fiona Black from Evanton, Inverness (who attended the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music and the Irish World Academy of Music) synthesized their blend of Irish, Swedish, Scottish and Cape Breton music with contemporary sounds and techniques.

The two have been the heart of the band ever since. They’re on this tour joined by step dancer and fiddler Emerald Rae, who graduated high school at 16, won the US National Scottish Fiddle Championships at 18, released her first solo album at 19, and graduated from Berklee College of Music; Teresa Horgan, a highly accomplished singer and flute player from the small town of Buttevant in Co. Cork who has been immersed in traditional Irish music all her life; and guitarist Simon Marion of Quebec, who comes from a long line of musicians, and plays many guitar styles – jazz, rock, folk – as well as dobro and mandolin.

Style

Celtic

Influences and Inspirations

Traditional Scottish and Irish music

Additional Background

The five are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to using those established foundations as a springboard for creating new music. In addition to the acclaim of its individual members, the Outside Track was named winner of Best Group in both the Live Ireland awards and the TIR awards. The group has toured the world and its marriage of Celtic music, song and dance has been well received everywhere.

The show at Stafford’s Perry Hotel is part of the Annual Irish Hoolie fund-raiser, which benefits the Robert Emmet Society Scholarship Fund, sending a student from North Central Michigan College to Ireland.

The next day’s performance is part of Sleder’s “On the Porch” concert series.

Quotes

Light Up The Dark is another supremely strong release, a significantly well-balanced collection featuring tune-sets and songs in roughly equal proportion and with unquestionably equal success. There really is no dull moment amongst this generously-stocked selection.” – FolkRadio.co.uk

“Song repertoire encompasses both classic ballads and contemporary songwriting, combining the tradition with fresh new material.” – ScottishFolkMusic.com

Venue, Date, & Time

Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey on Saturday, March 12 at 6 p.m.

Sleder’s Family Tavern in Traverse City on Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m.

Ticket Information

Tickets for The Outside Track March 12 event in Petoskey are $15. Call 231-347-4000.

Tickets for the March 13 event in Traverse City are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They are available at Brilliant Books, Oryana and Sleder’s. Call 947-9213.

For More

TheOutsideTrack.com


More Northern Michigan Music

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Photo(s) by TheOutsideTrack.com