Watercarvers Guild is fast emerging as one of the best contemporary acoustic ensembles in the Northwest. Featuring Darrell Casey and his sons David and Nathan, Watercarvers Guild is a trio of multi-instrumentalist/singers who have been playing together since David and Nathan were old enough to pick up instruments. While they only decided to form into a three piece band in 2000, their lifelong rapport (not to mention their refined skills as musicians and singers) is evident from the moment they hit the stage.

With an onstage arsenal that includes guitars, mandolin, piano, recorder, bouzouki, electric bass and three voices, Watercarvers Guild has a habit of sounding a lot more than a typical folk trio, putting together some of the best melodies and most intricate arrangements this side of Nickel Creek.

While their music shows influences of Celtic, bluegrass, pop and folk, it’s the elaborate dialogue between instruments and voices that is the signature sound of Watercarvers Guild. Music is clearly its own language for this family band and one that they speak fluently.

Watercarvers Guild has performed at major festivals all over the Northwest, including the Festival at Sandpoint, the Sweet Pea Festival and the Juan De Fuca Festival. They have also performed at some of the region’s best performing arts and music venues: the Myrna Loy Center, the Panida Theatre, the Tower Theatre in Bend and the Tractor Tavern in Seattle.

The group released their debut CD in 2000 and recorded a live CD in 2002. That same year they headlined at the Big Sky Music Festival with Tim O’Brien and Chuck Pyle.

Another 2002 highlight for the band was opening for Darrell’s cousin, Nollaig Casey and guitarist Arty McGlynn, while the duo was in Seattle performing at the Tractor Tavern on their first US tour. Nollaig is one of Ireland’s most gifted musicians and holds several All-Ireland titles for fiddle playing and traditional singing. Arty has recorded and toured with all of Ireland’s major traditional artists as well as Van Morrison.

This unique performance at the Tractor marked the first time in 150 years that these two lines of the Casey clan were back together playing music. But thankfully, it won’t be the last. Watercarvers Guild has invited Nollaig to perform on a few songs on their new CD to be released in November. Expect great things from this musical collaboration!

Watercarvers Guild continues to perform at festivals and performing arts venues across the Northwest. They are frequent guests on radio programs that feature musical artists, and their concerts have been broadcast live on many public radio stations. With their newly released CD, they are steadily expanding their horizons to new audiences across the US and Canada. Watercarvers Guild is a member of several Performing Artist Touring Rosters, including Northwest on Tour and Alaska’s Tour Roster.

Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.