Welcome to the Contra Pulse Project, a series of interviews with contra musicians about contra music.
As you walk up the steps to the dance hall, you can already hear the strains of the piano and fiddle slipping out into the night. Then you open the doors; see the roomful of dancers and hear that glorious music in full – propelling everyone on the dance floor. It’s uplifting, it’s energetic, it’s fun, it makes us move, it brings us together.
Where does contra music come from? Why does it sound the way it does? How has it changed over time? In this project, we will be attempting to take the pulse of contra music today through a series of conversations between host Julie Vallimont and prominent contra musicians from all corners. Join us in this journey through music, dance, time, space, and community.
We’re not producing new episodes of Contra Pulse at this time, but please enjoy our archive of past episodes here!
Contra Pulse Episode 33 – Sam Bartlett September 7, 2021 - Julie sits down with musician, composer, cartoonist, and stuntologist Sam Bartlett. As a musician Sam plays in the Irish and old-time American traditions on the tenor banjo, mandolin, and jaw harp and he has been a huge part of reshaping the face of modern contra dance music. He got his start as a dance musician playing with iconic bands such as Uncle Gizmo, Fresh Fish, Wild Asparagus, and the Clayfoot Strutters. In their interview Julie and Sam discuss his many musical influences, revisit memories of his very first contra dance, expound on the joys of the jaw harp and so… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 32 – Larry Unger August 17, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with multi-instrumentalist and composer Larry Unger. Larry has been a full-time musician since 1984, and he has presented a diverse range of music at contra, Scottish and English dances, music camps, festivals, coffee houses and concerts all across North America and abroad. You might have heard his guitar, banjo, or bass playing in bands like Notorious, Big Table, The Reckless Ramblers, and Uncle Gizmo. Larry gives solo concerts that include a wide variety of music: finger-style blues and slide guitar, rags, old-time banjo tunes, original waltzes and fiddle tunes. He likes to play a number… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 31 – Karina Wilson July 27, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with fiddler, teacher, composer, and explorer Karina Wilson. Born into a contradance family, she was dancing to the fiddle in the womb and music and dance have been her north star since before time began. Growing up she avidly studied classical violin through her childhood and youth and fostered an everlasting love affair with English and contra dance music amidst the rich folk scene of her native New Mexico. Today there’s not much that Karina doesn’t do, as long as it involves music. She teaches and directs a private violin/viola studio, arranges and records for… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 30 – Jeff Spero July 6, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with pianist, caller, dance choreographer, and west-coaster Jeff Spero. Jeff has been playing piano and singing since he was five years old. At a young age he discovered an affinity for popular music and later brought his rhythmic style to American and Celtic folk and dance music. Now he plays dances, concerts and festivals with bands such as Syncopaths and Rhythm Raptors. Jeff and Julie discuss his early influences, the nuances of the west coast contra dance scene, the evolution of his signature style, and how he thinks about playing music for dancers. He did… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 29 – Doug Protsik June 15, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with multi-instrumentalist and long-time director of Maine Fiddle Camp Doug Protsik. Doug likes to play the “old-time piano” for dances, melodramas, honky tonk saloons, and silent movies. He’s a founding member of the band Old Grey Goose and has toured the world as a musical ambassador for the US State Department. In their conversation over Zoom Julie and Doug explore the culture and history of Maine’s traditional music and dance scene. Doug shares his insights on the “secret sauce” that makes Maine Fiddle Camp such a unique and vibrant community and his thoughts on how… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 28 – Sylvia Miskoe May 26, 2021 - This episode Julie sits down with accordionist Sylvia Miskoe. A New Hampshire native, Sylvia first learned to dance at age 12 in 1947 and has been playing her accordion for decades, ever since college where she began playing for square and contra dancing. Today she plays for contra dancing and also Scottish and English country dance. In their conversation over Zoom Julie and Sylvia discuss the legendary New Hampshire dance scene where Sylvia first began dancing and eventually crossed paths with Dudley Laufman, who inspired her to pick up the accordion. They explore classic New England tunes, some of the… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 27 – Betsy Branch May 4, 2021 - This episode Julie sits down with Pacific Northwest fiddler, teacher, and music editor Betsy Branch. Betsy is a versatile musician who loves to explore multiple genres of music. She got her start at age 5 in classical music, and then in her 20’s fell in love with fiddle music. She plays for contra and English Country Dances, and is currently the music editor for The Portland Collection. Julie and Betsy explore her path from Suzuki violin to square dances at the Tractor Tavern to playing chestnuts at midnight in Montague, Massachusetts. Betsy shares why she loves playing dance music, her… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 26 – Owen Morrison April 13, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with guitarist Owen Morrison known for his driving rhythm and virtuosic flat-picking in well-loved bands such as Elixir, The Figments, and the Morrison Brothers. They dive into Owen’s musical background growing up immersed in a musical family in the midst of a rich music and dance scene of Charlottesville, Virginia. They explore his tune-writing process, his philosophy as a rhythm player, and his astute taste in fashion and beer. ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 25 – Jeremiah McLane March 23, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with accordionist, pianist, and composer Jeremiah McLane. He is known for his work with such groundbreaking contra dance bands as The Clayfoot Strutters and Nightingale, as well as his role as a leader and instructor, especially through his Floating Bridge Music School, which is devoted to teaching traditional music from the British Isles, Northern Europe, and North America. Julie speaks with Jeremiah about his family roots, his early background in jazz and various styles of world music before discovering Celtic music. They explore his tune writing, and composition, stories from his bands over the years,… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 24 – Rodney Miller March 2, 2021 - This episode, Julie sits down with legendary fiddler, violin maker and tunesmith Rodney Miller. Rodney is recognized as a “Master Fiddler” by the National Endowment for the Arts and his career of performing, teaching and recording traditional and genre-defining fiddle music spans across decades and continents. Julie speaks with Rodney about his early musical influences, his recording and tune-writing process, his finely honed fiddle style and bow hold, and his latest pandemic project: a new tune-book containing 270 original compositions! Enjoy! Show Notes The intro and interstitial tracks from today’s episode are Cloud Nine/Broken Heart/Cloud Nine from the Airdance album… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!