| |
**
XM
Radio's Bob Edwards Show Interview
**
Sonicbids EPK |
Bio/Pics | Write-ups
|
Website Teaser
| List
of Venues | Testimonials
| Backgrounder
"Scythian's enthusiasm is contagious,
and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting
glasses." - The Washington Post

|
sample
a typical SCYTHIAN show |
BIOS
and IMAGES
Alexander
Fedoryka: Violin/Mandolin/Harmonica/Bass/Vocals
Trained classically, Alexander started playing at the age of 3 and
has performed in such venues as the Kennedy center and Wolf Trap.
Of note, Alexander spent six months in Japan studying under Dr.
Suzuki, the renowned founder of the Suzuki School of Music. Alexander
also spent four months playing in the streets of Ireland where he
picked up the Celtic spirit and combined it with the Gypsy soul
of his own Ukrainian ancestry..
Josef
Crosby: Violin/Bass/Vocals
Trained classically, Josef studied at Duquesne under Joe Petron
and has performed in venues such as the Benedum Center and Soldiers
& Sailors memorial hall. Recently making the switch to Celtic
fiddling, Joe forms the second half of Scythian's signature "dueling
fiddles" and is known for his jazzy "dirt & grit"
style.
Danylo
Fedoryka: Rhythm Guitar/Accordion/Vocals
Trained as a classical pianist, Danylo made the switch to rhythm
guitar in order to make music with his brother Leks. Having performed
at the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap as a classical musician, Danylo
enjoys the free and somewhat loose spirit of Celtic music. Putting
his keyboard skills to use, Danylo also picked up the accordion
which he sports during the bands Gypsy and Klezmer pieces.
Mike
Ounallah: Percussion/Drums
Mike Ounallah, comes from a Jazz background and enriches the sounds
of Scythian with a wealth of experience and expertise. Mike recently
earned a Masters of Jazz Studies at the University of Maryland.
A true student of music, Mike combines his extensive knowledge with
his Jordanian heritage which compliments the Eastern gypsy style
of Alexander. Although Mike is respected for his knowledge of music
and persision he is also known as drummer who can flat out "bring
it" and who can rock out with the best of them.

Band
Shot (300dpi for print)

Band
Shot (300dpi for print)

Band
Action Shot (300dpi for print)
Back
to Top
Press
and Reviews
"Scythian's
"Immigrant Road Show" is an adventure of some hard kicking,
infectiously hypnotic fiddling music. Once you start listening you
just can't get enough and suddenly you find yourself dancing across
the floor, the walls, the furniture and then right out the door
to find where the heck are these boys playing so I can get some
more! Gypsy Fiddle is just a masterful piece and showcases their
classical roots, their street roots and their obvious musical talents.
Make no mistake, the sound of these boys is hard rocking
but with the musical genius of their classical background makes
for an unbelievable dancing experience. Kesh Jigs is a hard rocking
tune and definitely places them in the realm of Celtic Rock. Stonehenge
Revisited a mystical embracing of our Celtic Roots. Technoccordian
will just put a smile on your face with its Celtic Techno sound
and the list just goes on. This is a superb CD, the quality
incredible, the talent top notch. 5 Golden Celtic Radio Stars for
the Scythian boys!"
- CelticRadio.Net
"With
all the bows sawing back and forth at breakneck speeds it's a wonder
that somebody doesn't get an eye put out or something during their
set. With only a thirty to forty minute framework, Scythian took
the sedate Monday night crowd aback from the start with a fierce
twin fiddle instrumental and rarely let up on the intensity after
that with polka and gypsy songs thrown in among the more obviously
Irish-inspired tunes. By set's end the crowd was on their feet,
clapping in rhythm and even stomping their feet, chairs forgotten
for the moment. True entertainers know how to work the crowd, and
Scythian accomplished this with ease. Fans were singing and clapping,
but most of all, dancing -- the kind of dance that cultivates joy
and spreads it around. This is music that makes you feel good inside."
- Kevin Oliver, Music That Matters
"Scythian
brings first-generation authenticity to their unique hodgepodge
of Irish, Celtic, klezmer, and gypsy influences. Drawing inspiration
from the storytelling songcraft of traditional Irish music, [they]
move their sound into a much more indefinable realm by infusing
the traditionalist main course with modern-day flavors.... Immigrant
Road Show, is a resounding listen that lends raucous rock and roll-style
gusto and volume to their acoustically driven songs. All four members
prove to be engaging, talented, and inventive performers along the
way. With the recent trend of success for "traditional fusion"
acts such as DeVotchKa, Man Man, and Gogol Bordello, it's no surprise
that Scythian is closing in on widespread recognition as well. Having
won over audiences at this year's Merlefest with multiple shows,
the band are staring down a laundry list of concerts and festivals
in 2008 that will surely bring their Immigrant Road Show streaking
to the front of the pack. How could one resist their tour website's
greeting - "Come and join us for some pints and a jig or two!"
- Bryan Rodgers, Homegrown Music Network
"Classically
trained Scythian is popularly considered to play Celtic music for
people who hate Celtic music, but love rock."
- Washington Post Express
"Scythian
is developing a rabid following with interwoven playing that is
sure to deliver a grand time for all who see them. Scythian's set
could best be described as an interactive reel-based frolic, all
of the members of the band play a variety of instruments and are
natural showman, engaging the audience on every number."
- Glide Magazine
"The
word is out - Scythian kicks musical butt! Their impact on audiences
has been a bit like love at first sight/sound."
- Old Town Crier (Alexandria, VA)
"In
concert, Scythian proves to be one of Washington's most energetic
and an eclectic band
Scythian's enthusiasm is contagious, and
shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around, or hoisting
glasses."
- The Washington Post
Back
to Top
Teaser
(160 words) - for website use
Dubbed
by The Washington Post as "one of DC's most energetic and
eclectic bands" Scythian (sith-ee-yin) falls nothing short of a
"party band". Their high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive
brand of music has one goal in mind - to get people on their feet
and dancing. The crowd is an essential element of each show and
Scythian relies heavily on crowd participation to get people involved
and loosened up. As The Washington Post states, their results
are always the same: ""the band's enthusiasm is contagious, and
shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting
glasses." Led by a pair of young raging fiddlers, Scythian has a
great respect and admiration for the traditional - the foundation
of their music; nevertheless, Scythian is not afraid to wink at
convention in search of a little fun, lending them an appeal to
young and old alike.
Back
to Top
List
of Venues
2008
Festival Appearances
Bristol
Rhythm & Roots - Bristol, TN
Celebrate Fairfax - Fairfax, VA
Celtic Classic - Bethlehem, PA
Celtic Fling & Highland Games - Cornwall, PA
Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Festival - Chicago, IL
Dayton Irish Festival - Dayton, OH
Dublin Irish Festival - Dublin, OH
Green Lane Scottish & Irish Fest - Green Lane, PA
Kansas City Irish Fest - Kansas City, MO
LaCrosse Irish Fest - LaCrosse, WI
MerleFest - Wilkesboro, NC
Michigan Irish Fest - Muskegon, MI
Mid-Winter Scottish & IrishFest - King of Prussia, PA
Milwaukee Irish Fest - Milwaukee, WI
Minnesota Irish Fair - St. Paul, MN
Musikfest - Bethlehem, PA
Rhythm & Roots Festival - Charlestown, RI
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival - Silk Hope, NC
ShamrockFest - Washington, DC
Summerfest - Milwaukee, WI
Suwannee Spring Fest - Live Oak, FL
Syracuse Irish Festival - Syracuse, NY
Vintage Virginia Wine Festival - Centreville, VA
World Youth Day Festival - Sydney, Australia
2007 Festival Highlights
Buffalo
Irish Festival - Buffalo, NY
Celtic Fling & Highland Games - Cornwall, PA
Dublin Irish Festival - Dublin, OH
Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival - Trumansburg, NY
FloydFest - Floyd, VA
LaCrosse Irish Fest - LaCrosse, WI
Magnolia Fest - Live Oak, FL
Michigan Irish Fest - Muskegon, MI
Milwaukee Irish Fest - Milwaukee, WI
Irish Fair of Minnesota - St. Paul, MN
Musikfest - Bethlehem, PA
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival - Silk Hope, NC
ShamrockFest - Washington, DC
State Fair of Virginia - Richmond, VA
Summerfest - Milwaukee, WI
Suwannee Spring Fest - Live Oak, FL
Venue
Highlights
The
Haunt - Ithaca, NY
Nietzsche's - Buffalo, NY
The Colonial Theatre - Phoenixville, PA
202 Market - Roanoke, VA
The Evening Muse - Charlotte, NC
Freebird Live! - Jacksonville Beach, FL
World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
The Birchmere - Alexandria, VA
The State Theatre - Falls Church, VA
Iota Club - Arlington, VA
Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - Washington, DC
Strathmore Center - Bethesda, MD
Longwood Gardens - Philadelphia, PA
Special
Events & Concert Series Highlights
Annual
St. Patrick's Day Luncheon for the President and Prime Minister
of Ireland
hosted by the Speaker of the House - The Capitol, Washington DC
Buckingham Township Summer Concert Series - Buckingham, PA
Wednesdays in the Park - Bay City, MI
South Riding Summer Concert Series - South Riding, VA
Fairfield Theatre Summer Concert Series - Fairfield, CT
Swinging Thursdays Street Festival - West Chester, PA
Lee District Park Ampitheater Summer Concert - Franconia, VA
Philadelphia Museum of Art - Art After 5 Concert Series
C. Burr Artz Public Library - Music on the Terrace - Frederick,
VA
Nissan Pavilion - Bristow, VA
NYC National Ireland Fund Gala
Washington DC National Ireland Fund Gala
Children's National Medical Center - Washington DC
FISA World Masters Rowing Regatta - Princeton, NJ
NOVA International Center - Sterling, VA
Media
Appearances
WXPN
- The Gene Shay Show, Philadelphia, PA
XM Radio - The Bob Edwards Show [Ch. 133]
Voice of America News - Ukraine and Eastern Europe
Z104.1 - Capitol Scene with Jenny Chase - Washington DC
DC101 - Elliot in the Morning Show - Washington DC
WEDO 810 - Echoes of Erin with Diane Byrnes - Pittsburgh, PA
WIYY Public Television - Spotlight with Dianne Canney, Philadelphia,
PA
WDCB 90.9 - Blarney on the Air with Shay Clark and Bill Magneson
WAMU American University - Bluegrass Country, Washington, DC
Back
to Top
Testimonials
Press
"In
concert, Scythian proves to be one of Washington's most energetic
and eclectic bands."
The
Washington Post
"One
listen to Scythian - especially live - and you'll understand why
their high-energy, original brand of 'Celtic with an Edge' tunes
keep people yelling for more."
On
Tap Magazine
Playing
the I-95 corridor Scythian is developing a rabid following along
with interwoven playing that is sure to deliver a grand time for
all who see them . . . all of the members of the band play a variety
of instruments and are natural showmen, engaging the audience on
every number.
Glide
Magazine
"We
don't know of another local band that can churn out rebel songs,
Pogues covers and traditional reels with the same levels of skill
and energy."
The
Washington Post
Promoters
"I
have seen a great number of bands in my years, though only a few
can relate to the crowd the way Scythian does. I have seen this
band in a club setting and on a stage in front of 5000 people, and
they whip a crowd into a frenzy! Tight grooves, outstanding musicianship,
and a spontaneity that few bands possess, I will be booking this
band at Summerfest for years to come!"
Doug
Johnson, Talent Buyer
Summerfest, Milwaukee, W.I.
"From
the rousing late night party to the Sunday afternoon stage jumps,
Scythian delivers with the kind of energy any festival with quality
programming deserves. I'll book them again and again."
Kris
Hodges
FloydFest
"Wildly
entertaining! Completely charismatic! Refreshingly professional!
And most importantly, so very talented! Scythian give 1000% of their
everything on and off stage. Bringing a natural energy coupled with
an extremely tight stage show, their considerable musical abilities
have never failed any promoter or let down any audience. In a short
time, Scythian has jumped to the forefront of the Celtic music scene.
Instrumentally and vocally they are forcing other performers to
reevaluate direction, content and substance. When we are able to
add Scythian to our festival line-up, we know we will have a winner.
Bill
Reid, East of the Hebrides Entertainment
Philadelphia, P.A.
With
so many new bands in the Celtic market...Scythian stands out. They're
innovative and fun: a blend of classical, Gyspy, bluegrass and Celtic
music. While you're sure to enjoy their CDs, nothing can match their
live shows where audience participation and dancing is a prerequisite.
Barry
Stapleton, Entertainment Director
Milwaukee Irish Fest, Milwaukee W.I.
"There
is now a Celtic folkrock band of which America can be shamelessly
proud. It's name is Scythian."
Michael
Jaworek, The Birchmere
Alexandria, V.A.
Supporters
"Creative,
infectious, hilarious, tamborine-banging fun. You've now spoiled
us for anybody else; a tough act to follow, indeed!"
Gunny,
Washington D.C. - Guest book entry
"The
Fado's show was the best party I've been to in years. Love that
you guys are making music fun again."
Ethan,
Arlington VA - Guest book entry
"Scythian
is a group of real men, who play real music . . . Their music is
real because they put themselves into it. They're real men and that's
why I'm still here right now (2am - Kildares Pub, PA).
90-year-old
fan Alice, Westchester, PA as quoted in the "Catholic Standard
Times"
"They
play every show like it is their first and their last."
Artie,
Flanagans Pub
MORE
TESTIMONIALS . . .
Back
to To
Backgrounder
Fresh
off performing at a St. Patrick's Day Presidential luncheon for
President Bush and Ireland's Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Scythian (sith-ee-yin)
played kicked-up Celtic and world music with hints of gypsy and
klezmer, all infused with a touch of punk-rock sensibility. Voted
2006 DC Fan Favorite by the Washington Area Music Association and
two more nominations in 2007 for Best Contemporary Folk Group and
Best Contemporary Folk Recording, 2007 proved to be a pivotal year
in the band's career. Highlights include sharing the stage with
Guster and opening for Flogging Molly at ShamrockFest (DC). With
the July 2007 release of their third album, Immigrant Road Show,
Scythian has accumulated several nominations for their efforts,
including a best song nod for Immigrant Stomp from CelticRadio.net,
a spot in PaddyRock.com's Top 20 Albums of 2007 list, as well as
the aforementioned nominations by the Washington Area Music Association.
Scythian
first broke onto the festival scene in 2006, performing in a handful
of Celtic Festivals in the Northeast. It did not take long for the
word to get out about their incredible live performances, and thanks
largely to grassroots promotion and word-of-mouth, their popularity
has exploded. In 2007 - just their second festival season - Scythian
tripled their festival appearances over the previous year. They
booked 25 festivals in 2007, and are on pace to top that number
in 2008 along with a formidable schedule of venues, concert series,
and in-studio performances. In 2008, Scythian will share the stage
with internationally touring acts such as Joan Jett, Rodrigo y Gabriela,
Gaelic Storm, and Flogging Molly. This year marks the band's first
international appearance as they travel to Sydney, Australia to
perform three shows at World Youth Day 2008 for an estimated audience
of 225,000 youth from around the world.
With
catchy, quirky original songs such as "Technoccordion"
and "Highway 81," and new twists on traditional favorites,
Scythian has created their own unique sound, which defies genre
classification (although "speed folk" has been used on
more than one occasion). Virtuosic talents and unfailing energy
are the tools these lads use to create an electrifying connection
to their audience that keeps fans on their feet and screaming for
more.
Back
to To
|