Tania Opland and Mike Freeman

Sunday April 23 3pm

This Anglo-Alaskan duo have been on the road together since 1995 in a unique collaboration which combines their distinctly separate musical backgrounds, bringing their exuberant music and wild tales to audiences around the world.

“Their repertoire is vast, and includes things like sing-alongs in Russian. Credits include numerous UK and US tours and seven albums (including collaborations with Anne McCaffrey)…”Whidbey Island Folk Festival, Washington, USA

“Unquestionably the most talented duo we have ever had at this club… I’ve never seen so much variety in a single set.” The Song Loft, Milton Keynes.

MIKE FREEMAN
Mike Freeman’s roots are in Eastern Europe, with grandparents from Russia, Romania and Hungary. Born and raised in Manchester, he spent many years in Norwich working as a designer, cabinet maker and teacher before moving to County Kilkenny, Ireland. He has played guitar and percussion with an assortment of bands, accompanied Middle Eastern and African dance troupes, performed at countless festivals throughout Britain, and featured on recordings in the roles of musician, arranger and producer. Mike’s main instrument is the Gambian djembe, from which he draws an amazing variety of sounds, but he plays everything from dholak and darabouka to bones, bodhran and congas, and composes tunes on guitar and mandolin.

TANIA OPLAND
Originally from Alaska, Tania Opland has travelled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Britain. She now lives on an Indian reservation in Washington State, her vast repertoire reflecting the diversity of the communities whose music she has shared. She has appeared on radio and television in the U.S., Canada, Russia, Uzbekistan, Scotland, Ireland and England. Her five solo albums have received excellent reviews in acoustic music magazines on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tania’s voice has been described as “a voice of gentle strength that adapts well to suit various vocal stylings” (Rock-n-Reel, UK).