~ : To book us for your concert, dance or private party, or to request further materials, contact Eric McDonald by e-mail or phone (617-319-5941) : ~
Using the trio of Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), and Brendan Carey Block (fiddle), Matching Orange plays traditional music from around the world, including Ireland, Scotland, Quebec, Appalachia, New England, Cape Breton and others. They create a swirling level of intensity, sometimes gritty, sometimes pure, and always engaging.
INFO/MATERIALS FOR PRODUCERS AND PROMOTERS
PRINTABLE PRESS SHEET (PDF | )
SELECTED PERFORMANCES
BOSTON CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL (Cambridge, MA)
THE NEW ENGLAND FOLK FESTIVAL (Mansfield, MA)
CLUB PASSIM (Cambridge, MA)
NOTLOB FOLK CONCERTS (Somerville, MA)
THE OPEN BOOK COFFEEHOUSE (Canton, MA)
THE MONTAGUE BOOKMILL (Montague, MA)
THE WESTFORD MUSEUM (Westford, MA)
NEFFA THURSDAY CONTRA DANCE SERIES (Concord, MA)
CHALLENGING CONTRA DANCE SERIES (Concord, MA)
REHOBOTH CONTRA DANCE (Rehoboth, MA)
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL (Ferrisburgh, VT)
YOUNG TRADITION FESTIVAL (Burlington, VT)
MONTPELIER CONTRA DANCE (Montpelier, VT)
ITHACA CONTRA DANCE (Ithaca, NY)
MANCHESTER APPLE FESTIVAL (Manchester, ME)
STUDIO 99 (Nashua, NH)
BROWN UNIVERSITY CONTRA DANCE (Providence, RI)
GLENSIDE CONTRA DANCE (Glenside, PA)
GLEN ECHO CONTRA DANCE (Glen Echo, MD)
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Matching Orange is one of the most inventive and talented bands in New England. Its a tremendous pleasure to see and hear such an accomplished collection of individual musicians with such flair and creativity. I expect we'll all have the benefit of looking back and saying we knew about this group from beginning...join the club!" -- Mark Sustic, director of Young Tradition Vermont & founder of the Champlain Valley Folk Festival
"This traditional Celtic band offers their traditional served with a generous portion of innovation and experimentation. Based in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, they’ve been earning themselves a solid place in the world of music as one of the finest that the East Coast has to offer. In a region that’s fairly protective, and also very savvy, about what constitutes traditional music, this is a pretty big feat. It’s also a region where strong intellectual tradition guides the sentiments, and any kind of experimentation needs to meet certain standards from the musical elite. Matching Orange is well-positioned to fit the bill in all of these criteria, and the really good thing about the band is that they also happen to be pretty amazing performers."-- Zickets.com
"This is a fine young band! Being contra dancers themselves, they understand how to please the dancers with their high energy playing. Matching Orange has a broad range of musical styles and a terrific sound! You'll love dancing to their music!" -- Lucia Watson, New England contra dance caller
"Matching Orange is a young trio with a full and engaging sound. As a caller, I found them easy to communicate with, solidly rhythmic, and willing to improvise on the fly. A pleasure to jam with too!" -- Tavi Merrill, New England contra dance caller and musician
"This band combines the best of the old with a contemporary flair...the result is simply timeless. We'd be happy to have them back any time!" -- Elise MacDonald, Director Studio 99
"Absolutely Brilliant." -- Doug Lamey, renowned Cape Breton Fiddler
MATCHING ORANGE IN THE PRESS
WHEATON COLLEGE WEBSITE, APRIL 3rd 2009
- Eric Reiner talks with Wheaton about his new CD and Matching Orange.
BOSTON IRISH REPORTER JULY 2008
- On page 18 we are interviewed to promote our July 14th performance at Club Passim