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FARMINGTON — The Farmington Historical Society’s North Church Concert Series will present Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards Saturday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the church, 118 High St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a pie social and jam session.
This will be Mandeville’s and Richards’ second appearance in 2017. With Maine connections in Temple, they are frequent visitors to the Farmington area and are willing to share their down time with the society.
Mandeville and Richards are inheritors of a timeless legacy, creating music both original and evocative of a rich tradition. Blending distinctive voices and a wide range of accompaniment (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, clarinet, penny whistle, electric bass), their songs have been well received by audiences around the eastern United States since 2010.
Transcending the genre of folk Americana, their music echoes inspiration from traditional folk duos and singer/songwriters like Ian & Sylvia, Kate Wolf and Neil Young — combining beautiful harmonies and a lyrical intensity, while establishing a unique sound of their own.
Both artists are products of central Massachusetts mill and factory towns, and for all their national exposure, they are passionately dedicated to the region and what it has to offer. Each summer for the past five years they have organized the “Massachusetts Walking Tour,” where they hike the roads and trails of the Commonwealth covering more than 100 miles in less than two weeks, supporting the arts in local communities along the way.
Each evening they stop over in yet another Massachusetts town, putting on a free concert along with local performers and fellow artists who accompany them on their journey. These annual two-week treks also raise awareness of the trails and greenways, using music to make important connections. They continue to impress listeners with their heartfelt songs and to inspire an even deeper appreciation of contemporary American folk music.
