The Semiahmoo Peninsula’s own Celtic fiddle sensation Kierah (Raymond) will return to the cozy 100-seat venue of Blue Frog Studios tonight (April 1). Doors open at 7 p.m., the show starts at 8 p.m.).
The classically trained Canadian Folk Music Award-winner – just 20 years old – puts her own contemporary spin on the music traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton, including many original compositions in the idiom – and has lately added vocals and ballad-writing to the mix.
“I like taking traditional tunes and giving them a modern touch,” she said.
Joining her onstage will be two of her valued collaborators, versatile guitarist Adam Dobre and multi-instrumentalist/composer Adrian Dolan, who also produces her albums.
Married last year (she and husband Todd Zukiwsky have settled in uptown White Rock), she recorded an as-yet unmixed album at Blue Frog in February.
“I’ve written about 40 per cent of the pieces on the album,” Kierah said. “And I’ve written a song that I sing, Fair Maiden, which is based on a poem Todd wrote me – I guess you could say we co-wrote it.”
While the album won’t be ready for release by the time of the concert, the playlist will include many of the most recent compositions, Kierah said, adding that with the return of Dobre from touring she’s looking forward to getting back to mixing the tracks – one of which features musical mentor Harold Birston (with whom she worked for many years in the student ensemble the Semiahmoo Strings).
“I was happy to have a few weeks break after the recording, but now I’m getting excited to hear it all again,” she said.
Also coming up at the busy venue (check www.bluefrogstudios.ca for full details of the concert lineup) are Blackie and the Rodeo Kings’ Stephen Fearing, (March 31); Corey Weeds and Harry Allen (jazz tenor saxophones, April 2); Andrea Superstein (quirky, arty pop jazz, April 9) and Byrd Dawg (Everly Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel tribute, April 15-16).
Blue Frog Studios is located at 1328 Johnston Rd.; tickets are available at 604-542-3055 or through the website.