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 13 – George Marshall September 22, 2020 - Julie interviews the renowned musician, caller, and organizer George Marshall. They talk about his mission to share the joy of dance, his calling mentors and inspiration, his approach to working with bands, and what makes great dance music. It’s a wonderful conversation for musicians, callers, and everyone interested in the evolution of contra dance! Show Notes: The intro and interstitial music from this episode is Come along Jody and Congress Reel/Fisherman's Island/Return to Milltown from Wild Asparagus. See and hear George in action: YouTube video of Buddy System and George at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (Hillsdale, NY) in 2017 YouTube video of… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 12 – Noah VanNorstrand Part 2 September 9, 2020 - The second half of our interview with Noah VanNorstrand. whose driving fiddle, feet, and mandolin have been a rhythmic powerhouse behind some of the most popular dance bands of the last decade. In this half of the interview we talked about Noah's philosophy of fiddling for contra dances, some contra tricks, and about the future of dance weekends, and how the contra scene might be changing. And the benefits of a little time off. ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 11 – Noah VanNorstrand Part 1 September 9, 2020 - The first of a two-part episode with Noah VanNorstrand, whose driving fiddle, feet, and mandolin have been a rhythmic powerhouse behind some of the most popular dance bands of the last decade, including Great Bear, Buddy System, Wake Up Robin and the Faux Paws. Noah freely blends traditional folk genres such as Celtic and old time Appalachian fiddling with elements of rock, new grass, and pure unfiltered improvisation. In this first half of a two-part episode, Noah and Julie discuss his influences, growing up in a family band and creating his own style of music alongside his brother Andrew, his… ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 10: Lissa Schneckenburger August 25, 2020 - This episode, Julie sits down with Lissa Schneckenburger, the talented fiddler and singer. Her unique perspective as a player of many different styles, and a graduate of the New England Conservatory, makes for a great conversation about music, contra, and community. ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 9: Kate Barnes August 11, 2020 - Julie sits down with the extraordinary Kate Barnes, whose legendary piano stylings have been a mainstay of the contra scene for decades. She’s also a renowned English dance musician, and they talk in-depth about her beginnings in contra dance piano, improvisation, how the dance scene has changed over the years, and much more! ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 8: David Cantieni Part 2 July 28, 2020 - Part two of Julie's conversation with David Cantieni - founding member of the bands Wild Asparagus and Swallowtail, who has been an important fixture of the Western Massachusetts contradance scene for many years. They go through David’s roots, his transition from classical oboe to traditional music, the excitement of the bombard and the influence of French tunes, how he has seen the dance scene change in the last 30 years, and a much more. ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 7: David Cantieni Part 1 July 28, 2020 - Part one of Julie's conversation with David Cantieni - founding member of the bands Wild Asparagus and Swallowtail, who has been an important fixture of the Western Massachusetts contradance scene for many years. They go through David’s roots, his transition from classical oboe to traditional music, the excitement of the bombard and the influence of French tunes, how he has seen the dance scene change in the last 30 years, and a much more. They had so much fun talking, they just couldn’t stop, so this interview is divided into two parts! ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 6: Arthur Davis July 14, 2020 - Arthur and Julie have a lovely summer-night chat about his early roots, building communities through dance, and glorious New England tunes. And as piano players, they also geek out about piano styles, the difference between acoustic pianos and keyboards, and much more! ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 5: Anna Patton June 30, 2020 - This episode, Julie invites Anna Patton, clarinetist from Elixir and other bands, to sit down on her porch and talk about life as a gigging musician, groove and beat placement, the clarinet as a contra dance instrument, and much more! ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!
Contra Pulse Episode 4: Everest Witman June 16, 2020 - Julie takes to her porch to talk with Everest Witman, guitarist, mandolinist, and foot percussionist from Nova about his experience growing up in the contra dance scene, DADGAD guitar, contra vs. session playing, and we have a good old rhythm player geek out session about ways that rhythm players can support the dancing. They also talk about Everest's current interests and Scottish music and ball folk, and the way that those scenes are similar to and different from the American contra scene. ➤ Audio, show notes, and more!