Listen to 102.3 FM KIXP either on your radio or online at kixp.org and press the play button at 7 PM tonight to hear an interview with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms ~ members of Foghorn Stringband, Caleb Klauder Country Band, and Caleb & Reeb. They are cofounders and co-organizers of our newest annual island festival called OrcasFest ~ The Eastsound Music Ramble, which is this weekend from May 28-31 all around town. More on that in a minute.
First, Caleb and Reeb. If you’ve ever heard them play, you KNOW they are GOOD. You don’t have to know their musical genres well to recognize greatness when you hear it. They sound authentic, they know how to make the music they make, and they seem perfectly suited for what they are doing. Here’s an introduction to these two musical phenoms from their website, CalebandReeb.com:
These two are known to roots music fans across the globe for their soulful harmonies, driving dance tunes, classic original songs, and commitment to the raw truth of rural American music. They live in the San Juan Islands of Washington, though until recently, home was Portland, OR. They are foundational to the exceptional old-time and country music scene in the Pacific NW with the Caleb Klauder Reeb Willms Country Band and their membership in the Foghorn Stringband, of which Caleb was a founding member. Charismatic performers, they bring their unique set of talents to the stage with an eye towards good times and an ear towards the deepest songs and tunes.
Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms both originally hail from Washington State: Caleb from the coastal islands, and Reeb from the high desert plateau. The two have come together in music and are hailed as some of the most compelling musicians making country roots music in America today. When these two sing together, their honest incantations leave us spell-bound and smiling.
Their repertoire is made up of original songs and tunes as well as gems from American roots repertoires, and the music they make is Americana in the truest sense of the word. Music is clearly in their blood. Caleb and Reeb’s originals and interpretations of songs have been covered and recorded by many performers and their musical presence reaches into a diverse and loyal fanbase, giving creedance to the impact that this duo has on their listeners. Pillars of the Northwest music scene, they carry the torch of their music around the world, and can be found touring as a duo, as well as with the Foghorn Stringband, and the Caleb Klauder Country Band. Their fans exude admiration for the timeless sound that these two produce, capturing the essence of American roots music.
You have to read this about Foghorn Stringband, too. It’s impressive…
The Foghorn Stringband is the present day gold standard for real-deal hard-hitting genuine old-time American string band music, with nine albums, thousands of shows, over 20 years of touring under their belts, and an entirely new generation of roots musicians following their lead. American roots music is a diverse and never-ending well of inspiration, and Foghorn Stringband continually and obsessively draws from old-time, bluegrass, classic country, and Cajun music traditions in an ongoing quest to present a broad span of American historical music with an unparalleled youthful energy, joy, and virtuosity.
Each member of Foghorn Stringband exemplifies the best of the roots music traditions from their respective native cultures. Caleb Klauder’s wistful, keening vocals and rapidfire mandolin picking are as influenced by Southern roots music as much as they are by his upbringing in the sea islands of coastal Washington State. Reeb Willms hails from the wind swept Eastern farmlands of Washington. Her musical family and rural upbringing are on display with every note she sings and every heart she breaks. Nadine Landry’s roots lie in the rural backroads of Acadian Québec, and her high lonesome vocals have delighted audiences the world over. Her earth-shaking bass playing is the rumbling backbone of the Foghorn sound. Minnesotan Sammy Lind, simply put, is the old-time fiddler of his generation whose tone and voice are as old as the same hills that gave birth to this music. Together, these four have forged a sound like no other.
The band’s repertoire has expanded greatly in the past 15 years. They are as comfortable playing music at a neighborhood square dance as they are stirring a festival audience to a frenzy. Old time dance tunes rub shoulders with Cajun waltzes, vintage honky tonk country, and classic bluegrass….and it’s all rendered into a cohesive whole. Foghorn Stringband can often be found after a performance in a local pub or club continuing to play with equal energy and joy late into the night.
Now… OrcasFest… Are you going to it? You won’t be able to avoid it this weekend! Beginning with a Square Dance at Odd Fellows Hall on Thursday night from 7-9 for all ages, get ready to hear music all around town ~ at Odd Fellows, Orcas Center, “Wee Chapel” at Outlook Inn (Caleb coined the name), Lower Tavern, Barnacle, Cafe Aurora, Printshop, Orcas Bakery, Squeezers, and airing on KIXP throughout the festival. It will conclude with a send-off party at Orcas Hotel on Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM, with “casual jamming and farewells.” Here is a little something from the OrcasFest.com website…
OrcasFest was created by Tashi Litch, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms, to share their passion for folk music, and for their love of community and dancing. OrcasFest aims to create an intimate listening experience, and a festive jamming atmosphere with plenty of dancing. This weekend of music is open to islanders and visitors alike. Come hear some of our favorite musicians from near and far, walk the streets of Eastsound, visit our businesses and explore our beautiful island. In the future we aim to promote youth in music and local musicians of all skill levels. We hope you enjoy our programming.
Go to the website for more information on tickets, venues, and bands. In the meantime, enjoy the KIXP interview tonight with Caleb and Reeb on the radio or online…
This episode will appear on the Life on Orcas Island with Edee Kulper podcast after it airs on the radio. You can also find each weekly episode online on Amazon Music (tell your Alexa: “play the podcast Life on Orcas Island with Edee Kulper” and the latest episode will begin playing), ApplePodcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Podchaser, BoomPlay, and PodBean.
