Scott Alarik is a long-time chronicler of the Boston area folk scene who is a fine performer in his own right. For many years Scott was the Boston Globe’s folk critic. In addition, Scott, in partnership with the Folk Arts Network, founded the New England Folk Almanac to fill the breach in print media coverage. Eventually Scott began to devote more time to his own performing career, culminating in the release of a fine CD, All That is True.

Guitarist/singer Matt Heaton and Irish flute player/singer Shannon Heaton have been making music together since their first meeting in 1992. They met in Chicago via romance, albeit someone else’s, when Shannon needed a guitar player to play for a wedding gig that never ended up happening. Despite the loss of the gig, Matt & Shannon gained a musical — and eventually romantic—partnership. Together, they built up their traditional Irish music skills on Irish flute and guitar in the Chicago sessions. When they began bringing in singing, they focused on their favorite aspects of both Irish and American traditions, ending up with new songs that sound traditional, alongside centuries-old ballads with fresh new melodies.

In 2003, the Heatons began focusing their creative energies on their duo, coming up with ways to create a full and varied sound with just two people. They put out their first duo album, dearga in Oct 2003. It was a mix of traditional tunes and original compositions, with three vocal numbers. This was followed by Blue Skies Above, the Heatons’ March 2006 release and then, in 2007 by Fine Winter’s Night. Mattt and Shannon Heaton make traditional music relevant to American audiences. They embrace the solid Irish roots in their music, play the heck out of their instruments, and aren’t afraid to step out and sing from their American musical and social experiences. “We’re out to get everything we can out of two musicians. The more we put into it, the more we get out of it — and so, we think, do our audiences.”

Drawing on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members, Shannon Lambert-Ryan & RUNA brings a contemporary and refreshing experience to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Shetland Islands, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble give their traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound. Coming from a variety of musical backgrounds including Celtic, folk, classical, and musical theatre, Shannon Lambert-Ryan, of Philadelphia, fronts the band with rich, vibrant vocals, and gentle piano playing. As a musician, she has spent the past two years as the lead female vocalist in the world music group, the Guy Mendilow Band. With his innovative style of rhythmic playing, Dublin-based guitarist Fionán de Barra, of Moya Brennan and Fiddler’s Bid, contributes new dynamics both to the band’s high-energy tunes and its captivating ballads. On fiddle, Kevin Henderson, of Boys of the Lough, Fiddler’s Bid, and Session A9, layers the music with his haunting tone and the infectious spirit of the Shetland style. The vocals and guitar playing of Stuart Eaglesham, of the Scottish folk-rock group, Wolfstone, lend a contemporary edge to the traditional sound of the band. Canadian percussionist, Cheryl Prashker, of The Strangelings, brings a wide range of percussive styles to the music, increasing the versatility of the band’s arrangements.

[Scott Alarik is] the complete folk entertainer. . . a rich-voiced balladeer and songwriter. . . and a droll comic between songs. Daniel Gewertz, The Boston Herald

American husband-and-wife duo Matt & Shannon Heaton combine lilt and contemporary sensibility. Consisting largely of flute, guitar and bodhran [they] sidestep the expected treble timbre of Irish music . . . [their] songs are standouts. Sing Out! Magazine