Fiddler On The Hoof

Though there was a heavy downpour Wednesday night, I headed over to the Dakota for a CD release show. Fiddler Miranda Mulholland can be seen playing gigs with various artists (The Strumbellas, Great Lake Swimmers) but tonight she was headlining as a singer/songwriter. First up was a friend of hers, Don Brownrigg, doing an acoustic solo set.

Transplanted from Newfoundland, he sang mostly quiet, introspective songs (Just Breathe, Sweet Dream Sleeper). They usually had at their core disappointment and rueful regret. Amazingly, the usually noisy bar was pin-drop silent for his set. Though his songs were good, I think Brownrigg caught a lucky break. People quieted down for one of his early songs and the mood continued as no one wanted to seem rude.

He would return to do a duet with Mulholland on a saucy "bar hook-up" number called How Many Times. She started her set with Whipping Boy, an upbeat number with a slight Easter European feel. However, with her light voice with a slight twitch and quaver, there was generally an East Coast vibe to her music even on pop arrangements. On her instrumentals, her fiddling definitely brought out the foot-stomping. Her band was primarily composed of Great Lake Swimmers musicians plus a few guests on piano, banjo, and cello. Sarah Slean came up for the narcissistic Vanity's Disguise. Splitting her time between Toronto and L.A., it inspired Mulholland to pen The Palms and The Pen which tonight she sang with Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers). Given the warm and loving feeling that permeated the venue, it felt like being among friends (no doubt because many knew her). Not surprisingly, Mulholland also curates shows that take place in small storefronts, kitchens, and apartments.