~ : 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 | JPEG)
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"The second act completely blew me away. The band was Matching Orange, a contradance band who, apparently, is also phenomenal in concert. The band is composed of Eric McDonald on guitar and vocals (though I believe he may occasionally play mandolin as well), Brendan Carey Block on fiddle, and Julie Vallimont sitting in for Eric Eid-Reiner on piano. They played jigs and reels with both attack and finesse, and McDonald’s traditional songs added a dimension to the band not normally seen in their normal contradance style. I had noticed McDonald, Vallimont, and Eid-Reiner at contradances before for their talent beyond their years, but this was my first introduction to Carey Block. He uses the fiddle as any skilled craftsman uses a tool to produce a superior product, in a seemingly effortless fashion. I look forward to bathing in this band’s ecstatic energy again, and encourage you to take any opportunities you have to do the same." -- Alex Krogh-Grabbe (reviewing our April Club Passim performance)
"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 the beginning...join the club!" -- Mark Sustic, director of Young Tradition Vermont & founder of the Champlain Valley Folk Festival
"Tight, Fresh, and out on the Edge. Just the way I like it. They got the energy rolling at Skye Theatre and had my crowd into it from start to finish. Well done." -- Phill McIntyre, Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center
"I'm really enjoying this Matching Orange CD. It's beautifully musical. I rarely listen to a CD the whole way through. This one really captivated my attention through several complete listenings and I'm looking forward to hearing it again." -- Tim Rowell, The Real School of Music
"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
THE SUN JOURNAL, MARCH 1st 2011
- An article featuring our performance on March 13th at the SKYE Theatre.
ME & THEE COFFEEHOUSE WEBSITE, FEBRUARY 19th 2011
- Eric McDonald is interviewed to our promote our February 25th performance at the Me & Thee.
COLEBROOK CHRONICLE, DECEMBER 31st 2010
- We are featured in this local paper to promote our January 15th performance.
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