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Reviews
"Deserving of a front and center stage position for sure."
"“The Bridge” is a superb album and a worthy successor to the band’s debut, not to mention additional confirmation that this is a group of truly gifted musicians who are doing something very special here. We cannot wait to hear this new material live and, speaking from personal experience, we know that the live versions will be tremendous. Highly recommended."
"West of Mabou were a delight to behold, and we only hope that they receive an invitation to return (to Celtic Classic) next year. With such mastery of this genre, many more of us here on the Eastern Seaboard would crave such an opportunity to enjoy live music from this band."
Bio
High-energy fiddling, Scottish Lowland Border pipes, smooth whistle tunes, rocking guitar, and drum solos are just a few of the things you might see in a West of Mabou stage performance, as the Western Canadian band taps into their strong Scottish, Irish, and Cape Breton roots to deliver a unique brand of high-energy, traditional music with a contemporary flare.
The band’s combination of traditional and original fiddle and pipe tunes has earned them a nomination for Instrumental Artist of the Year at the 2019 Western Canadian Music Awards, Instrumental Group of the Year at the 2018 Canadian Folk Awards, and World Artist of the Year at the 2018 Western Canadian Music Awards. The band was also named as one of the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast’s “Top Bands of 2017.”
West of Mabou’s latest album, “The Bridge”, was produced by master Cape Breton musician, Wendy MacIsaac. The album reached #3 on the iTunes Canada World Music Charts, and has received radio play on 4 continents.
West of Mabou unites the talents of Scott Benson (fiddle), Jared Dormer (percussion), Justin Easton (guitar/bass), Alex Rasmussen (pipes/whistles), and Roberta Wallace (fiddle). Each of the band members is an experienced performer in their own right, having performed at venues around the world.
With a strong respect for tradition and a unique contemporary style, West of Mabou continues to charm audiences with their impossible-to-sit-still tempos and their ability to fold Celtic sounds with modern inflections into a recipe for dance.
Highlights
Media and Radio
- 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award Nomination (Instrumental Group of the Year)
- 2018 Western Canadian Music Award Nomination (World Artist of the Year)
- Top bands of 2017, Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, Austin, USA
- CBC Saskatchewan 2017 Artists to Watch, Regina, Canada
- Peaked at #3 on the iTunes Canada World Music Chart
- Debuted at #7 on the National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart
- Peaked at #1 on the CFBX (Kamloops, BC) Folk/Roots/Blues Chart
- Celtic Music Radio, Glasgow, UK
- Maui Celtic Radio Show, Maui, USA
- Readifolk Radio Show, Reading, UK
- Album of the Week, Blues and Roots Worldwide Radio Network
- Kitchen Party Ceilidh, Indianapolis, USA
- SchottenRadio, Spall, Germany
- Highland Fling, The Hawk 101.5, Port Hawkesbury, Canada
- The Celticset Radio Show, Hebrides, UK
Performances
- Canadian Folk Music Awards, Calgary, Canada
- Celtic Classic, Bethlehem, USA
- Sask Sampler (Regina Folk Fest), Regina, SK
- Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils Showcase, Regina, Canada
- Arts Touring of Alberta Showcase, Edmonton, Canada
- National Music Centre, Calgary, Canada
- Saskatchewan Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies- Moose Jaw, Canada
- Saskatoon Folk Festival- Saskatoon, Canada
- Mid-Winter Celtic Festival- Regina, Canada
- Saskatchewan Highland Games- Regina, Canada
- Edmonton Pipers' Club- Edmonton, Canada
- Canadian Forces Base Wainwright- Wainwright, Canada
- All Folk'd Up Music Festival- Montmartre, Canada
- Craik Music Festival- Craik, Canada
- Mosaic Music Festival- Regina, Canada
- Cathedral Village Arts Festival- Regina, Canada
Hi-Res Press Photos
Photography by Christina Bourne
Contact
For all bookings and inquiries please contact:
info [at] westofmabou.ca