Red Tail Ring is the musical brainchild of two old-time-minded Michiganders – Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo. The collaboration blends the loving attention of revivalist fervor with the playful creativity of starting from scratch. Whether rendering a traditional tune or one of their many original compositions, the duo infuses each song with musical imagination, haunting harmonies and instrumental artistry. "We love pushing the boundaries of what a traditional song can be," says Beauchamp. "It informs how we write our original songs. There's a real energy exchange between the old and the new." This two-way connection between old and new takes center stage in Red Tail Ring's latest studio recordings, released in April 2011. This two part project features Premo and Beauchamp's original songs as well as their interpretations of Appalachian and folk tunes. As Premo explains, "We want to show references of the traditional forms that have inspired us in our new writing."
Red Tail Ring will be performing
Friday night, Nov 4
10:30-midnight, Independent Media Center
Free with Festival wristband