The Princeton Folk Music Society presents an evening of high energy “upcycled indie Irish folk” with House of Hamill, at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton, N.J.
Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies to 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 came into being when two singer-songwriters and violinists, Rose Baldino (of Burning Bridget Cleary) and Brian Buchanan (of Enter the Haggis) were brought together to fill a gap in a concert line-up caused when travel problems prevented other members of Burning Bridget Cleary from getting to the concert. The two clicked and began performing as a duo.
A few years later, the scenario was repeated when bassist and mandolinist Caroline Browning turned the duo into a trio after spontaneously filling in for a musician whose flight to a music festival in Colorado was canceled.
The “House of Hamill” name is taken from an Irish reel and honors its composer, Ed Reavy, who became a major influence on Irish music in America after emigrating from County Cavan to Philadelphia in 1912.
Since both Rose and Brian play the violin, the last few years has seen them do “violin only” video versions of well-known rock songs, which they’ve posted to YouTube. So far, they’ve tackled “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Sweet Child of Mine,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Hysteria.” Occasionally, they also perform songs live with the help of an electronic looper.
“It’s great for wrangling in younger fans who are really into YouTube or Facebook,” said Rose. “It’s almost like a challenge for us to see what crazy song we can do.”
Tickets at the door are: $25, $20 members, $10 students 12 to 22, $5 children 11 and under. There is ample free parking. For information: www.princetonfolk.org.
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