Sisters Folk Festival announces line-up

Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) is bringing traditional and innovative music to Sisters this winter in its 2019 Winter Concert Series. February 2, March 6, and March 18.

Tickets went on sale December 18 for a three-show series pass and/or individual concerts.

On Saturday, February 2, the Shook Twins & John Craigie will return to Sisters in a co-bill bringing two outstanding talents together for one night. The critically acclaimed Idaho-born and Portland-based indie outfit has performed at Sisters Folk Festival, but not for many years, and the size of the band, their songwriting, and performance have grown tremendously, according to SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel.

The Shook Twins draw on the inherent power of the group's namesake duo - identical twin sisters Katelyn (vocals, guitar) and Laurie (banjo, vocals).

In early 2017, the pair holed up alone in a room with just two voices and two instruments and cut the seven-song EP "2" collection live to tape.

The process represents something of a full-circle moment for the Shook Twins.

The group emerged in 2008 with their independent debut "You Can Have The Rest," followed by "Window" and 2014's "What We Do." The full band, including Niko Slice (electric guitar, mandolin, vocals), Barra Brown (drums, vocals, drum pad), and Josh Simon (bass, vocals, electric guitar, synth) and have graced the stages of High Sierra, Bumbershoot, Floydfest, Oregon Country Fair, Fayetteville Roots Festival, Northwest String Summit and many more in addition to performing at Red Rocks alongside Gregory Alan Isakov and Ani DiFranco.

John Craigie is renowned for his eloquent Americana style, engaging live shows, and off-the-cuff clever observations. Craigie carries on the legacy of classic singer-songwriters while blazing a trail of his own. His fifth full-length album, "No Rain, No Rose," boasted two collaborations with Gregory Alan Isakov, namely "Highway Blood" and "I Am California." Both quickly cracked one million Spotify streams. As No Rain, No Rose landed, he caught the attention of Jack Johnson. Soon after, Craigie found himself onstage for 12 shows during Johnson's 2017 summer tour including performances at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California; Les Schwab Amphitheatre in Bend; and The Gorge in Washington.

Each artist will perform full sets - and perhaps a couple tunes together.

On Wednesday, March 6, Darlingside will perform with special guest, North Carolina folk-rock outfit River Whyless opening. Darlingside was the encore performer at the Sisters Folk Festival in 2015, and has returned multiple times as fan favorites, providing the opportunity to watch this impressive group develop over time.

On Monday, March 18 the Scottish super-group 'mar will perform their modern take on traditional Scottish music. There are many reasons to be excited about Glasgow-based five-piece 'mar - not least a line-up featuring current and former members of Mànran, RURA, Talisk, Barrule, Cara, Mabon and The Lowground.

All five members - including fiddler Tomás Callister and bouzouki ace Adam Rhodes (Barrule/Mabon), both from the Isle of Man, plus Glasgow native Mohsen Amini (Talisk) on concertina - originally met as teenagers through Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ...ireann, the Irish traditional music network that tutors budding players throughout the British Isles, and stages the annual schedule of Fleadh competitions.

It was via the latter that 'mar's paths first crossed, as its future members began to amass what's now a heavyweight collective haul of top prizes - nine All-Ireland and eight All-Britain titles between them, while Murphy is also a double winner of the prestigious Oireachtas contest.

Sisters Folk Festival is excited to bring this authentic Scottish act to Sisters.

For more information on the 2019 Sisters Folk Festival Winter Concert Series, visit sistersfolkfestival.org/WCS2019. Tickets can only be purchased online or at the door. Advance purchase of series passes are $55 for adults, $40 for youth 18 and under (all tickets will be $5 more at the door). Tickets are also available for individual shows. All shows are at the Sisters High School auditorium, and start at 7 p.m.