A Boston-area bluegrass quartet, their motto is "old songs played a new way". Taken from ReverbNation... http://www.reverbnation.com/jadedmandolin "Jaded Mandolin is already among the most promising local neotrad string bands. On its debut eponymous album, the quartet treats traditional songs with just the right balance of respect and invention. But the real wonder is the precociously heart-wise songwriting. Their originals occupy the same brooding ground that urban songwriters love to wander, but they always turn toward some useful, brighter purpose." --Scott Alarik, Boston Globe
Taken from ReverbNation...
http://www.reverbnation.com/jadedmandolin
"Jaded Mandolin is already among the most promising local neotrad string bands. On its debut eponymous album, the quartet treats traditional songs with just the right balance of respect and invention. But the real wonder is the precociously heart-wise songwriting. Their originals occupy the same brooding ground that urban songwriters love to wander, but they always turn toward some useful, brighter purpose." --Scott Alarik, Boston Globe
Beginning in the summer of 2005, the quartet of teenaged homeschoolers got together to play music. Almost by accident, by frequenting open mikes, they developed a following and went with it. In 2006, along with producer/engineer Eric Kilburn (Crooked Still, Catie Curtis, Dar Williams, Halali) they recorded their debut, self titled release at Wellspring Sound. They released the album to a capacity crowd at Club Passim in Cambridge, and drew rave reviews from Scott Alarik (Boston Globe) and Daniel Gewertz (Boston Herald): "This exciting debut album by the local, teenaged, old-time string band will surpass even the high expectations of those who???ve seen them play...Jaded Mandolin creates a dark, swirling instrumental intensity that sounds personal." The band was featured regularly at Passim, as well as performing at venues such as The Me & Thee Coffeehouse, The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, The Westford Museum, The MassBluegrass Jamboree, Amazing Things Arts Center, The Natick Center for the Arts, The Emerson Umbrella and many others. In the Summer of 2007, they competed in the first annual band competition on the main stage of the Podunk Bluegrass Festival in Connecticut, coming in behind their friends Tripping Lily and Joy Kills Sorrow. As its members dispersed to pursue higher education, the band took a hiatus, but is now back! Even though some of its members are verging on -- or have even slightly surpassed -- the ripe old age of 20, the music and performance energy are as fresh and youthful as ever. Inspired by the vibrant folk scene in their hometown, the members of Jaded Mandolin grew up listening to local musicians and songwriters. These early influences add an essential element to their interpretations of classic folk, as well as their original compositions: respect and appreciation for a song. Drawing from the varied history of traditional string music, they create intricate arrangements of old and new tunes, adding color but always letting the song shine. They have been likened to local Boston favorites, The Resophonics, whose frontman Sean Staples says: "Jaded Mandolin brings an infectious youthful energy and enthusiasm to their music, though there is an obvious respect for the history of the songs. Seeing them, I feel like the future of the tradition is in good hands." The group features original members Eric McDonald (mandolin, guitar, vocals) and Molly Pinto Madigan (vocals), joined by guest artists drawn from the ranks of the area's best local players -- including Avi Salloway, Scott Corneille, Miles Anderson, Trent Freeman and others.
Jaded Mandolin On My Space...
http://www.myspace.com/jadedmandolin
On Facebook...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaded-Mandolin/83723190681
and ReverbNation...
http://www.reverbnation.com/jadedmandolin
CD available on CD Bay..
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jadedmandolin