March 3
$15.00

At the Me&Thee Coffeehouse, a Scott Alarik sighting is a harbinger of spring. Even if it’s not so reliable meteorologically, it never disappoints. One of the finest writers and scouts in the acoustic music world and an accomplished performer and songwriter himself, Scott can be relied upon to bring marvelous young talent to our listening room. Two of his favorite performers play individual sets, then join Scott in a relaxed and seemingly impromptu way. This year Scott is showcasing Liz Carlisle, a meteoric singer-songwriter from Montana, and Hanneke Cassel, an extraordinary fiddler with roots in Oregon.

A senior at Harvard University, Liz Carlisle is rising fast on the acoustic circuit as a country singer-songwriter. She was recently nominated for Best Emerging Artist of the Year by the International Folk Alliance — the latest in a series of accolades that have included the Kerrville New Folk finals, official showcases at both regional and international Folk Alliances. The Missoulian called “Thief in the Night,” Liz’s 2001 album, “a breath of fresh mountain air,” declaring: “Carlisle has a voice and style like that of Joni Mitchell, clear and lilting, with the simplicity of a home-cooked meal.”

Carlisle’s recent recording, “Five Star Day,” was one of the most played independent albums on public radio during the fall of 2005. The CD is also in regular rotation on several commercial country stations, where listener requests have made it an underground favorite. Carlisle has somehow managed to squeeze in many gigs between classes and has opened shows for Jo Dee Messina and Gary Allan as well as Lori McKenna, the Kennedys, Steve Forbert, Richie Havens and John Gorka.

The charismatic Hanneke Cassel was warmly received the last time Scott Alarik brought her to the Me&Thee stage. Classically trained as a violinist with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Berklee School of Music, Cassel is also a National Scottish Fiddle Champion. At a young age she studied with renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and Cape Breton master Buddy McMaster, both of whom were great inspirations to her. And the inspiration was mutual: Fraser says of “My Joy,” Hanneke’s first CD: “A great debut album by one of the most talented and fun-loving young fiddlers you could ever hope to meet! This is fiddle music played with great stylistic integrity and personal flair — definitely a joy to listen to!”

A critic summed up Cassel’s latest CD, “Some Melodious Sonnet”: “All of the pieces display virtuoso musicianship. A superior instrumentalist, she has a repertoire that both respects tradition and allows her to build a personalized signature sound.”

In addition to her solo act, Hanneke plays fiddle for the Cathie Ryan Band and is a member of Boston-based fiddle bands Childsplay and Halali. She has made guest appearances with Cherish the Ladies, Alasdair Fraser, Matt Glaser and the Wayfaring Strangers, Ensemble Galilei, Aine Minogue, and Joey McIntyre (from New Kids on the Block). Her fiddling has graced the stages of Boston’s Symphony Hall (opening for Judy Collins), Mountain Stage, The Plaza Hotel, Lincoln Center, the Boston Hatch Shell, and the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

As for our host, Scott is the author of a wonderful collection of articles on the contemporary folk scene, Deep Community: Adventures in the Modern Folk Underground. (Check out his piece on the venerable Me&Thee!) Scott’s vivid and inspirational writing illuminates the music and the spirit that enfolds the folk community. Fans of silky baritones and stand-up comedy (folk humor?) will enjoy the aural part of Scott’s talents on stage at the Me&Thee as much as these classic pieces.