Jaded Mandolin

Order Our CD Now!"Jaded Mandolin is already among the most promising local neotrad string bands. On its debut eponymous album, the quartet treats traditional songs with just the right balance of respect and invention. But the real wonder is the precociously heart-wise songwriting. Their originals occupy the same brooding ground that urban songwriters love to wander, but they always turn toward some useful, brighter purpose." --Scott Alarik, Boston Globe



Blackwood sings original and old traditional folk songs in soaring harmony with a young energy and enthusiasm. This duo brings extensive training and instrumental skills to the table, but what really makes it special is wholeness of the sound. A minimalistic approach to every arrangement makes for simple yet powerful foundations to each piece. Both members got their start playing together in the critically acclaimed Boston ensemble "Jaded Mandolin". Beginning in the summer of 2005, the quartet of teenaged homeschoolers got together to play music. Almost by accident, by frequenting open mikes, they developed a following and went with it. In 2006, along with producer/engineer Eric Kilburn (Crooked Still, Catie Curtis, Dar Williams, Halali) they recorded their debut, self titled release at Wellspring Sound. They released the album to a capacity crowd at Club Passim in Cambridge, and drew rave reviews from Scott Alarik (Boston Globe) and Daniel Gewertz (Boston Herald): "This exciting debut album by the local, teenaged, old-time string band will surpass even the high expectations of those who’ve seen them play.Jaded Mandolin creates a dark, swirling instrumental intensity that sounds personal." The band was featured regularly at Passim, as well as performing at venues such as The Me & Thee Coffeehouse, The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, The Westford Museum, The MassBluegrass Jamboree, Amazing Things Arts Center, The Natick Center for the Arts, The Emerson Umbrella and many others. In the Summer of 2007, they competed in the first annual band competition on the main stage of the Podunk Bluegrass Festival in Connecticut, coming in behind their friends Tripping Lily and Joy Kills Sorrow. As its members dispersed to pursue higher education, the band folded. But the spirit behind the band lives on now in Blackwood. Even though some of its members are verging on -- or have even slightly surpassed -- the ripe old age of 20, the music and performance energy are as fresh and youthful as ever, and yet now contains even more musical maturity. Inspired by the vibrant folk scene in their hometown, Eric and Molly grew up listening to local musicians and songwriters. These early influences add an essential element to their interpretations of classic folk, as well as their original compositions: respect and appreciation for a song. Drawing from the varied history of traditional string music, they create intricate arrangements of old and new tunes, adding color but always letting the song shine.