New England Celtic Arts presents “Lula Wiles” on CD release tour at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Tuesday, July 5; and at Rangeley Friends of the Arts’ Lakeside Theatre on Wednesday, July 6. Curtain is 7 p.m. at both locations and tickets are $15.
Gathered around one microphone, Isa Burke, Ellie Buckland, and Mali Obomsawin pass around instruments and front-woman duties with style and ease. Their effervescent vocal harmonies, deep musical chemistry, and evocative arrangements create a dynamic and spirited live show. Lula Wiles is equally at home in a rowdy bar of two-steppers, a sweltering midsummer festival stage, or a quiet candlelit club.
The band brings diverse influences to original songs that combine tradition with a distinctly modern sensibility. Lula Wiles repertoire spans from centuries-old Appalachian ballads to classic country to contemporary Americana songwriting. All the members of the band grew up in Maine in musical families, and they began playing music together as kids at Maine Fiddle Camp. One by one, they each found their way to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music.
Isa and Ellie (both on vocals, fiddle and guitar) began performing as a duo in April 2013, and Lula Wiles was born when Mali (bass, vocals) joined the band a year later. Now based in Boston’s thriving and close-knit roots music community, Lula Wiles has performed at premier festivals and clubs throughout the northeast, including Club Passim, One Longfellow Square, the Sinclair, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Fresh Grass Festival, and Tweed River Music Festival. The band also was selected as ufficial showcase artists for the 2016 Folk Alliance International conference.
Lula Wiles debut album, released May 27, features 11 original songs that span from acoustic ballads to Cajun barroom swagger to modern indie-folk, all anchored by rich vocal harmonies and focused clearly on delivering the song above all else. As songwriters, these young women navigate hope and heartbreak with clever lyrics and fearless honesty. All proficient multi-instrumentalists, the three women of Lula Wiles are each uniquely powerful in their own right, but combined, they are a force to be reckoned with.
One Longfellow Square is located at 181 State St., Portland. For reservations, call 207-761-1757 for reservations or go online:https://onelongfellowsquare.com/event-registration/?ee=526 .
Lakeside Theater is located at 2493 Main St. Rangeley. Tickets by reservation at https://rangeley.myboxoffice.us or at the door.
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