Since their debut in 2008, RANT MAGGIE RANT has consistently won over audiences at festivals, folk clubs, town halls, churches, concert halls and symphonic stages. The original goal was to take traditional Celtic music as the foundation, then liberally and unapologetically colour outside the prescribed lines. In a nut-shell, have fun!
Rant Maggie Rant embraces the time honoured styles of the music from the seven Celtic nations (the obvious Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Wales, and the lesser known Isle of Mann, and the Celtic regions of Galicia in Spain and Brittany in France), as well as from Quebec and Canada’s East Coast, with each member bringing their individually unique influences to create an uplifting, infectious sound. RANT MAGGIE RANT’s fusion of Latin and Mediterranean rhythms, African hand drumming and percussion, blues/rock guitar backdrops, revved up tempos, unexpected time changes, and a unique rhythmic attack take their listeners on a journey to several cultural musical landmarks. Their repertoire combines original and contemporary compositions with traditional tunes, often blending them together to deliver an intoxicating performance.
In the past few years, RANT MAGGIE RANT successfully toured Newfoundland, Chicago, Vancouver Island, Montreal, Ottawa (NAC) and many places in between and has shared the stage with Ashley MacIsaac, Loreena McKennitt, Trent Severn and The Bills, among others.
About their new record ‘LATITUDE‘
“Who ARE these guys?!”
“WHERE did they come from?!”
That’s the kind of reaction RMR often receives and we expect the same response as new doors open with the release of ‘LATITUDE’ their fourth full-length recording.
Often citing the whole of Rant Maggie Rant being greater than the sum of its parts, ‘LATITUDE’ reveals this, in full measure.
Over a year in the making, this new collection of tunes features much original music penned collectively and/or individually by some of the members. With whimsical titles like ‘Lemur’s Femur’ and ‘Bee On A String’ (by Daev) and ‘Paper Boats’ (by Barry, Glen, Lindsay and Daev), to traditional sets grouped under such headings as ‘Cocktails In The Cabana’, a set of tunes from Galicia, the Celtic region of Spain and ‘Mi’kmaq Enigma’, borrowing liberally from PEI, this album will send you on a true voyage of discovery, which doesn’t end until some distant shore comes into view. And then you may just want to go back to the first track and set sail again. Other originals include ‘The Ballad Of Old Jack McGraw’, ‘Southwestern Ontario Town’ (both written by Barry), ‘Jack’s Wake’ (by Lindsay), ‘Toast To A New Day’ and ‘A Good Western Wind’ (both written by Barry, Glen & Lindsay).
For twelve months over 2015 & 2016 the band focused on creating their best record yet. Spending the needed time, without the distractions of touring to work on the arrangements and compositions, on the execution of them and on the final finishing touches, including recording contributions by several very talented guest artists, including ex-Spirit Of The West Linda McRae, Katherine Wheatley, Ravi Naimpally and Trent Severn.
Now the band is gearing up to hit the promotion trail as they travel over the next two months to Alberta (for the first time) and back, in a combination of album launch concerts and their popular annual ‘Frost & Fire’ Christmas shows. Saint Patrick’s Day 2017 will find the band performing in Nanaimo, B.C. with the Vancouver Island Symphony among other dates to be added.
Based in Stratford, Ontario, RANT MAGGIE RANT showcases the talents of:
Lindsay Schindler (fiddle, vocals): An Ontario-based fiddler, performer, teacher, founding member of RANT MAGGIE RANT and member of the critically acclaimed new-folk trio Trent Severn, Lindsay has established herself as an electrifying performer. As a child studying classical violin she developed a valuable foundation and excelled in her technical ability. A need to diversify and push boundaries led her to experiment with various other styles of music. Finding her passion in performance and fiddle music, she continues to embrace traditional repertoire from many regions of the world, as well as write her own music. Having performed in Ireland, Japan, across the USA and Canada, Lindsay has brought her energy to many concert halls, theatres and festivals.
Glen Dias (lead vocals, recorder and incidental percussion): A founding member of RANT MAGGIE RANT, Glen is an engaging front man and generous performer. His earliest influences and performances were in rock and UK folk music. As half of Canadian west coast (Duncan, BC) duo with musical partner Monte Nordstrom in ptarmigan (whose one and only self-titled album, released on Columbia Records in 1974, is now a much sought after vinyl collectors’ item), he opened several shows for the likes of world renowned jazz luminaries, guitarist Lenny Breau and flautist Paul Horn (who also discovered the duo and produced their album). This early career foray into psych-folk was later followed by a professional career in music theatre and opera.
Barry James Payne (acoustic guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, vocals): A roots-oriented singer and songwriter, Barry comes from a folk, blues and rock background. His project String Bone released its debut record in 2009, called ‘nadir’, with veteran troubadour Shannon Lyon at the producer’s helm and Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, ex-Wilco) contributing to several tracks. The CD received very favourable reviews from critics at home and abroad. Outside of RMR, Barry has played over 250 shows, including a tour in Europe. Barry’s new String Bone record ‘Love & Highways’ is set to be released Oct. 21, 2016. As a solo artist, he has shared the stage with, toured and/or recorded with Bill Bourne, Luke Doucet, Royal Wood, Colin Linden, Sultans Of String, Madison Violet, Rick Taylor, Danny Michel, Ginger St. James, Bob Egan (Wilco, Blue Rodeo), Shannon Lyon, Mae Moore and several others of note.
RANT MAGGIE RANT always performs live as a 6-piece engaging additional musicians to round out their sound. The band’s current lineup is: RMR co-founder Rob Larose (drums & percussion), Steve Clarke (electric and upright bass) and Daev Clysdale (Irish Flute, whistles, accordion). Additional musicians have also included Alberto Suarez (drums & percussion), Graham Hargrove (drums & percussion), Jay Rheil (drums & percussion), Loretto Reid (Irish Flute, whistles, concertina & button accordion), Dave Nuttall (Irish whistles and wind instruments) and Pat O’Gorman (pipes, Irish flute and whistles).
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