About our latest CD, ‘Long Before Light’:
From Kithfolk:
The Onlies’ new album, Long Before Light (produced by Grand National Fiddle Champion Tristan Clarridge of The Bee Eaters), is a masterful work of fiddle-driven Americana that draws from old-time, Irish, and Celtic roots. Their arrangements are wickedly complex, deliciously well-crafted, and not easy to imitate. Their tunes are so well written I keep grabbing for my fiddle to try them out. Their original songs demonstrate an enviable ability to move beyond the immediacy of their lives to touch at deeper truths, and their covers of traditional songs and tunes harken to the original but are unleashed with the kind of wild, free abandon that only youth provides. Trad music is in very good hands with these kids playing the field.
From FolkWords:
‘Long Before Light’ not only delivers some excellent musicianship, it also illustrates the symbiosis between the musicians as they ‘spark’ off each other to create their music.
From Laurie Lewis:
The Onlies have achieved something rare in musical relationships: the ability to listen deeply and reply in kind, to support one another and celebrate each others’ strengths, and to break free of categorization. It is a great achievement for any group of musicians. These three young masters have much to teach many older and established musicians. Plus, they can kick the proverbial butt!
About our second CD, ‘Setting Out to Sea’:
From Brittany Haas, fiddler with Crooked Still:
The Onlies are a fantastic young band, oozing with promise, talented way beyond their years.
From Darol Anger, fiddler with Republic of Strings (formerly with Turtle Island String Quartet):
There is something really special going on in music on the West Coast. It’s a wonderful and highly evolved fiddle community of young people, growing up fast, playing some of the most beautiful rootsy acoustic music ever heard. The level of ensemble playing and the ‘family’ feeling of the players are unprecedented. From Northern California up through the Pacific Northwest, musical magic is in the air. You can hear it on this recording.
From Liz Carroll, legendary Irish-style fiddler:
What a great time this is for fiddle music of all descriptions. A group of young players that are embracing it all are The Onlies. It has been a pleasure to have met them, first as phenomenal young fiddlers and then as innovative multi-instrumentalists and singers. Wow- what great music they’re making! With “Setting Out to Sea,” they’re sure to turn heads, set feet tapping, and point an additional spotlight on that ever-musical city, Seattle.
From Devon Leger (fiddler and CEO of HearthMusic.com):
Three of the best and brightest young folk and Celtic musicians in Seattle teamed up to make The Onlies. I know these kids well and they’ve got that wonderful, boundless enthusiasm of youth, and it shows on their second album, Setting Out To Sea. They’ve matured considerably since their 2011 album (which was great too), and they’ve expanded the sound of the group to feature multiple fiddle arrangements (all three are excellent fiddlers), some original songs and tunes, and a growing confidence in what was before just a way to have fun with friends.
– Reviewed on TradConnect.com
From Tony Lawless, founder of TradConnect.com, posted this on our Web site:
I have listened to and reviewed a lot of albums in the last while on tradconnect.com and have not been so impressed with a debut in a long time. Devon Leger of Hearth Music posted a review of your album on Tradconnect so it’s my first introduction. You cheered up my Sunday morning and I will be posting a few blogs and Soundcloud files on you guys in the coming months. So young and so talented. Love it.
From Elisa Murray, fiddler and writer/editor for Parent Map:
Given The Onlies’ youth, even a decent effort would be impressive. But ‘Setting Out to Sea’ is a truly fine recording that will inspire and engage teen/tween musicians and adults alike (and younger — my 3-year-old is also a fan). Described as “fiddle-driven acoustic folk,” the tracks reflect the trio’s wide-ranging musical tastes, from contemporary fiddle tunes like “Big Shoes,” an original about a thrift-shop experience (Macklemore reference noted) to Irish tunes, Cape Breton marches and vocal-led folk songs.
From Padma Nolt in Seattle Weekly:
Original and traditional Irish fiddle and string-based music from a highly talented trio of Garfield High freshmen. Samantha Braman, Riley Calcagno, and Leo Shannon keep you hanging on every note as they put their banjos, fiddles, guitars, mandolins, and even piano to toe-tapping good use, combining elements of Cajun zydeco, Celtic country dance, and other American folk traditions.
About our performances:
From Jeff Lee, a Seattle guitarist who attended our CD release and wrote e-mailed us this:
We drove all the way home with your CD on the stereo, still shocked and awed by the amazing performance we’d seen. I wanted to tell you how blown away we were. But where do I start?
I could talk about your technical skills—the way all three of you played with tone, phrasing, articulation, and kick-ass speed.
I could talk about your ease and confidence in the glare of the spotlight, in front of a sold out crowd.
I could talk about the musical chances you took—the tempo changes, the edgy harmonies, the willingness to stretch and experiment and dare to be great.
I could talk about the sheer joy you all radiated, and the way it washed over the audience and lifted every one of us off the ground.
But you know what? The thing that amazed me most was how connected the three of you were. I could feel you listening to each other—reacting, supporting, pushing, teasing each other as you played. That’s a kind of musicianship that usually takes decades to develop. I can’t believe you guys have it at age 14. You guys didn’t play like three talented kids. You played like one joyful force. Amazing. Simply amazing.
We are now Onlies groupies for life.
From Nate Berends, Seattle music/event producer, wrote us after attending one of our shows:
I caught the More Music @ The Moore matinee last week, and I was blown away with your group’s tight sounds and spot-on harmonies. I grew up in the bluegrass scene of the Midwest and have worked with festivals, tours, and concerts ever since. I’ve literally seen thousands of bands in my life, and not very many of them make as strong of an impression as you guys gave at MM@M. You ruled the stage, and you looked confident doing it. Your band exuded raw musicality and joy, and it was positively infectious.