Progressive folk/bluegrass band Fireside Collective plays free show at Opera House in Jim Thorpe on July 15
From a press release:
Award-winning North Carolina progressive folk/bluegrass band Fireside Collective will perform at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe on Sunday, July 15 at 7 p.m. as part of the venue’s Free Concert Series.
To comply with local ordinances, patrons need a free ticket, which can be ordered online via ThunderTix, by calling 570-325-0249, or by visiting Soundcheck Records (23 Broadway, Jim Thorpe) or calling the store at 570-325-4009. The Opera House (14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe) is open from noon-5 p.m. on show days. Parking is available and free after 5 p.m. at the Carbon County lot behind the train station.
Quickly blazing a name for themselves with their progressive approach to American folk music, Fireside Collective delights listeners with memorable melodies and contemporary songwriting.
Formed in the mountain city of Asheville, North Carolina, the band plays original songs on stringed instruments intended for a modern audience. Following the release of their debut album “Shadows and Dreams,” the band hit the road seeking to engage audiences with their energetic live show built on instrumental proficiency, colorful harmonies, and innovative musical arrangements.
But what do you call it? “Bluegrass, newgrass, perhaps progressive folk…” These are some descriptions mandolinist and songwriter Jesse Iaquinto chooses to identify with. “Depending on where you come from and your experience with folk music, you may think we’re very traditional or, on the other hand, consider us a progressive act. We appreciate both ends of the spectrum and may lie on a different end on any given night.”
While roots music lies at the core of the Collective’s songs, a willingness to explore the boundaries and present relevant new material remains fundamental.
The band burst onto the scene in early 2014 following the release of “Shadows and Dreams.” The album weaves bluegrass, funk, rock, and blues influences into a refreshing representation of modern folk music. From the opening track “Poor Soul,” with its energetic bluegrass overtones, to the closer “Shine the Way Home,” the album takes listeners on a journey through simple love songs to complex themes such as metaphysics and coexistence. The album, recorded in Asheville at Sound Temple Studios, features guest musicians from Asheville’s rich acoustic music scene alongside members of the Fireside Collective.
After winning the 2016 Merlefest Band Competition, 2017 was a momentous year for the band as they released their second studio album, “Life Between the Lines.” The record garnered a nomination for an IBMA Momentum Award for Best Band. In 2018, they are scheduled to perform at a number of respected music festivals throughout the country, with Merlefest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Carolina in the Fall, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, Mountain Song Festival, and the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival already under their belts.
If you revel in the sounds of acoustic instrumentation, enjoy the excitement of energetic live performances, and delight in the creation of original songs, then follow the Fireside Collective as they journey on in their musical endeavors.
