A classic group of musicians, well known to Island music fans, is retuning for a performance at the Errington Hall this weekend.
Tiller’s Folly has been known for their Celtic, roots and folk music, and for incorporating Canadian history into much of their original music.
“Celtic is one piece of what we do,” said bass player and vocalist with the group Laurence Knight. “We also do some bluegrass-type stuff. We do a very broad swath of Canadiana/Americana of which Celtic is a piece.”
Knight said the three member group started as a Celtic group 17 years ago, but has since branched out. When group member Nolan Murray joined 10 years ago he brought with him influences of bluegrass and country, among others, Knight explained. He said of the seven albums the group has released a third of the material has been historically researched and involves heros, characters and events from the Pacific Northwest. This is evident on their 2008 album Stirring Up Ghosts, celebrating the 150th birthday of B.C. and the 200th anniversary of Simon Fraser’s historic voyage. The CD comes with a 32-page-booklet with stories and pictures about the songs.
The group’s last studio album, called A River So Wide, features American bluegrass legend John Cowan and Grammy-Award winner Larry Knechtel among other music icons. Knight said the group has a ton of music, new and older stuff, in their repertoire, and the concert in Errintgon will feature a mix of genres.
“We just have so much music it’s quite wonderful,” he said. “We are just three guys that play and write a lot of different types of music.”
Knight said the group, spread out in greater Vancouver and the U.S., has been well supported on the Island over the years and are looking forward to coming back.
The concert happens at the Errington Hall this Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, $10 for 12-and-under and 5 and under is free. Find tickets at Cranky Dog Music in Parksville, Heaven on Earth in Qualicum Beach and at the Errington Store. For music samples and more visit www.tillersfolly.com.
