They've Got Moxie

Think you know folk music? Familiar with traditional instruments?

Aug. 24, 2014

You may have heard it all before, and you may have even already heard some of the songs that modern Americana duo The Moxie Strings play, but you’ve never heard "˜em like this.

MUCH MUSIC

Fiddler Diana Ladio and cellist Alison Lynn make up The Moxie Strings. They add in their pal Fritz McGirr on drums and percussion when they really need to amp things up.

The songs that they play may have a foundation in the traditional, but they run them all through their own unique filter, a process that started almost 10 years ago when Ladio and Lynn met at the Michigan American String Teachers Association camp in Howell, Mich. A fast friendship was formed there as well as a new musical partnership.

"The two of us set out exploring new music, going to different music camps, seeing a lot of live shows, and listening to every al bum we could get our hands on," Ladio said.

"Those first couple of years were pivotal, and taught us a lot about the many types of music we could play."

HYBRID SOUNDS

Having already formed their "musical soul mates" friendship, as they call it, they realized that they weren’t destined to spend their lives playing classical music. Instead, they found that they were easily able to combine genres, from Ladio’s favorite sounds of Celtic and traditional music, to Lynn’s rock sensibilities.

Both musicians mix genres on a regular basis, with McGirr holding down the rhythms and adding heft to their live shows. Lynn uses effects pedals and looping on her cello to complement Ladio’s skills with "hybrid playing," in which there could be a bluegrass slide, old-time bowing, and an Irish trill all within the same fiddle tune.

"With the three of our influences combined, it’s a really fun sound and enjoyable writing process," Ladio said. "Nothing we play will please the traditionalists, and that’s what we are going for!"

REDEFINING FOLK

Changing up the chord structures, adding rock-influenced elements, or speeding up the tempo are just a few of the twists they add to songs, a process they call "Moxifying."

"The re-definition of folk music really comes in our tune-writing and arranging, because we make a concerted effort to make sure no tune of ours can be put in just one genre category," Ladio said. "The melody may sound Irish, and Fritz may play a traditional Irish bodhran [drum], but as soon as Ali adds her rock riff, we have a new version of what may otherwise have sounded traditional."

The band’s new album title, "Running in Squares," even reflects, as Ladio puts it jokingly, "their inability to do anything traditionally."

"Even running in circles, we’ll find a way to blaze our own trail," she said with a laugh.

The album began just as a representation of The Moxie Strings’ live show, but as it progressed, they added more and more effects and layering, the result being the album’s complex rock-meets-New-Age sound.

"There are a few tracks that sound like they may be able to stay within the lines of "˜normal,’ but just when you’re content, we throw something off-the-wall into the mix," Ladio said.

DANCING DOUBLES

The Moxie Strings’ daily mix is a busy one this summer. "Running in Squares" was just released on August 14; promoting the album is keeping them on the road.

"We are traveling a lot, but I don’t think any of us would have it any other way," Ladio said. "We also have a mutual interest in getting to know a new place – you won’t find this band sitting in our hotel room. Our protocol is usually to ask the locals for their recommendations, and bounce around town."

With a Frisbee, a GoPro camera, and their own pillows in tow – their three tour "must-haves," Ladio said – packing and repacking is justified by fun they are having at the live shows.

"A lot of our set is brand new," Ladio said, "and we’re learning how to really engage an audience and make a fun overall experience for them, in addition to enjoying the music. Choreography is difficult to practice in a hotel room, but we found a way!"

The Moxie Strings will be performing at the Harvest Moon Dance at The Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Harbor Springs, Mich. on Sept. 5, and at the Michigan Irish Festival in Muskegon on Sept. 12. For more about the band and a complete schedule of live shows, visit themoxiestrings.com.