If you live on the island, you know of this phenomenal brother duo, whether you’ve seen them jamming with their also-talented parents at the pub, on the Village Green stage, or on the ferry as they’re headed to a bluegrass festival that’s highlighting them.
If you live elsewhere, you may have seen them at one of those larger venues – the Ogden Music Festival in Utah, the Oly Old-Time Festival in Olympia, or perhaps even Benaroya Hall in Seattle. They’ve also given a musical Tedx Talk and produced a CD called Island Time with their parents.
Kaj and Tashi, known as Brograss (formerly Brother for Sale) go far beyond what you would expect from “local kids.” They’re absolutely incredible. Our mouths gape in wonder when we watch what comes out of their instruments.
Their level of comfortability on stage, playing at the rapid pace they do, and exuding joy through it all makes the experience unforgettable. We’ve watched them grow up over the past six years that we’ve been here on the island, and I can’t even remember them playing mediocrely. Stunning is always what they’ve been.
Don’t miss their show at Orcas Center called Home for Christmas on December 21st at 7:30 PM. It’s such a wonderful, cozy venue, and you won’t be disappointed watching these two. (They will also be playing as their family of four, called Crow Valley String Band.)
To be awed yet again, sit back and watch a short 14-minute film about their music and life here on Orcas Island filmed by Tashi and local filmmaker Bob Friel and narrated by Kaj called It Takes an Island, which won Best Short Film at the Orcas Island Film Festival this past year and went on to be featured at the Seattle International Film Festival.
(Also mark your calendars for December 22nd, when another local talent, Stormy Hildreth, will be performing in her own show. Isn’t Orcas the best!)
Photos courtesy Kaj and Tashi Litch
