Celtic music lovers prepare, the Scottish folk slam band Talisk will be playing at the San Juan Community Theatre Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
“I actually call it the Scottish Slam. It’s basically Celtic energy. There hasn’t been a word to describe it so I call it Scottish slam,” explained the band’s co-founder, vocalist and concertina player Mohsen Amini. Amini added that other than high energy, he really isn’t sure what Scottish Slam is. “It is whatever you think it is,” Amini laughed.
Other members currently include fiddle player Benedict Morris and guitarist Graeme Armstrong.
Together, the trio fuses concertina, guitar and fiddle creating a unique, multi-layered signature that has captivated audiences around the globe. At its core, there are three seemingly acoustic instruments. In the hands of these three talented musicians; one unmistakable, bold sound emerges in a captivating live show.
Each musician is indeed a master of their craft, as each has received their own individual musal awards. Amini has received the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year, while Armstrong and Morris have received BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Together the trio has won the Folk Band of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award, and the Belhaven Bursary for Innovation.
The trio originated in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014 playing in a pub. The name, Amini added, is entirely made up. The band has changed over the years, with new musicians. “It’s only gotten better,” Amini assured. The band has been awarded
Their influence has been a bit of everything but of course primarily Scottish folk music, and to get more specific, predominately from Glasgow.
“There isn’t just one person who has been an influence,” Amini continued. “There really isn’t a point of playing music if you are going to copy someone else.”
This will be the first time the band has visited the San Juans, but not the first time in the Pacific Northwest. The group has played in Oregon and other locations across the US.
When asked if there were any misconceptions about Scotland he would like to clear up, Amini said “We don’t go around wearing kilts, I’ve never worn a kilt in my life.”
Scottish people are also not as big on Haggis as the media often portrays, and the national animal is the Unicorn. Amini said that speaks to the sarcasm of the Scottish, who in 2011 named a hurricane Bawbag, a common slang term.
For young musicians, Amini advised simply doing it. “Don’t spend your whole life waiting. Just get out there and do it. If you want to learn more, it’s really simple, just do it. “
Talisk started in a pub and while it ended up being a great gig, they continued working at it. “There are times when it’s going to be an absolute mess, but keep it up, and have fun.”
As for the Nov. 6 show, the audience can expect a foot-stomping good time.
“I want everyone to be standing by the halfway mark,” Amini said.
One song they will definitely be playing is Echo, which he called one of their best slams. Echo can be found on the Abyss album.
“We mostly have a good time, and it will be a fun gig,” Amini said. “Hopefully you will want us back.”
For more information, or to buy tickets, visit https://www.sjctheatre.org/.
