TATAMAGOUCHE - It's been eight years since fiddler Alycia Putnam has released an album, so this weekend is a special one to her.
The 25-year-old Brookfield native, who now lives in Halifax, will kick off her latest album, Wired for Sound, with a performance Saturday night at Fables in Tatamagouche.
"I tried to make this album like my shows," said Putnam, who has one course left for her masters in business administration at Saint Mary's University. "It's got some songs that are traditional fiddle songs, but there are also some that are different sounding. It's mostly Celtic, but it's more upbeat than my other two.
"Sometimes I couldn't keep up with myself."
Playing the fiddle since she was about nine years old, Putnam still performs about 100 shows each year, with the majority being in the Maritimes. She frequently plays at the deCoste Centre in Pictou, as well as venues in Halifax.
"I love to play anywhere, really. It's fun to play at different venues because they all have different vibes."
Having released her first album at age of 13, Putnam's second was three years later.
She said schooling and resources have been keeping her from recording a third for years now, however, she decided this past summer she wasn't going to wait any longer.
Recording was done throughout November at Wee House of Music with Pictou County musician Dave Gunning.
"I'm really pleased with it - it was a lot of fun."
With 13 tracks, including one Putnam composed herself, nine other musicians have joined her. Both her mother and father are featured on the album.
Gunning joins Putnam, along with Darren McMullen on numerous instruments, Zach Smith on percussion, harpists Ardyth and Jennifer (Robinson and Wyatt respectively), Truro's Gordon Tucker with a guitar solo, and Kimberley Holmes with a fiddle harmony on Putnam's own composition.
Soon to graduate with her masters, Putnam said she's going to see where this album takes her while she also pursues other interests.
She's hoping her career will incorporate music.
"I will always be a fiddler. Music will always be a part of me."
Along with the official launch in Tatamagouche, Putnam has several release parties scheduled for the month of January.
Locally, Wired for Sound is available at Characters Hair Design on Prince Street in Truro, as well as MacQuarries Pharmasave in Brookfield.
For more information on Putnam, visit her website at www.alyciaputnam.com.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
Alycia Putnam's CD release parties:
- Jan. 5, Fables in Tatamagouche, 7:30 p.m.
- Jan. 19, Ducky's at Ski Wentworth, Robbie Burns Day, 2 p.m.
- Jan. 20, Celtic Corner in Dartmouth, 4 p.m.
- Jan. 27, The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Halifax, 8 p.m.
- Feb. 1-2, Split Crow in Truro with special guest Gordon Tucker, 9 p.m.
Truro Daily News (January 4, 2013)
The 25-year-old Brookfield native, who now lives in Halifax, will kick off her latest album, Wired for Sound, with a performance Saturday night at Fables in Tatamagouche.
"I tried to make this album like my shows," said Putnam, who has one course left for her masters in business administration at Saint Mary's University. "It's got some songs that are traditional fiddle songs, but there are also some that are different sounding. It's mostly Celtic, but it's more upbeat than my other two.
"Sometimes I couldn't keep up with myself."
Playing the fiddle since she was about nine years old, Putnam still performs about 100 shows each year, with the majority being in the Maritimes. She frequently plays at the deCoste Centre in Pictou, as well as venues in Halifax.
"I love to play anywhere, really. It's fun to play at different venues because they all have different vibes."
Having released her first album at age of 13, Putnam's second was three years later.
She said schooling and resources have been keeping her from recording a third for years now, however, she decided this past summer she wasn't going to wait any longer.
Recording was done throughout November at Wee House of Music with Pictou County musician Dave Gunning.
"I'm really pleased with it - it was a lot of fun."
With 13 tracks, including one Putnam composed herself, nine other musicians have joined her. Both her mother and father are featured on the album.
Gunning joins Putnam, along with Darren McMullen on numerous instruments, Zach Smith on percussion, harpists Ardyth and Jennifer (Robinson and Wyatt respectively), Truro's Gordon Tucker with a guitar solo, and Kimberley Holmes with a fiddle harmony on Putnam's own composition.
Soon to graduate with her masters, Putnam said she's going to see where this album takes her while she also pursues other interests.
She's hoping her career will incorporate music.
"I will always be a fiddler. Music will always be a part of me."
Along with the official launch in Tatamagouche, Putnam has several release parties scheduled for the month of January.
Locally, Wired for Sound is available at Characters Hair Design on Prince Street in Truro, as well as MacQuarries Pharmasave in Brookfield.
For more information on Putnam, visit her website at www.alyciaputnam.com.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
Alycia Putnam's CD release parties:
- Jan. 5, Fables in Tatamagouche, 7:30 p.m.
- Jan. 19, Ducky's at Ski Wentworth, Robbie Burns Day, 2 p.m.
- Jan. 20, Celtic Corner in Dartmouth, 4 p.m.
- Jan. 27, The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Halifax, 8 p.m.
- Feb. 1-2, Split Crow in Truro with special guest Gordon Tucker, 9 p.m.
Truro Daily News (January 4, 2013)