The band Scythian (pronounced SITH-ee-unn - they’re named after a nomadic Eurasian tribe) has an unlikely combination of influences. Three of the members are siblings: fiddler Alexander, guitarist Danylo and cellist Larissa Fedoryka are from a family of Ukrainian immigrant, and were classically trained. Bassist Josef Crosby, who also doubles on fiddle, was classically trained as well. Drummer Tim Hepburn started out in jazz, and banjo player Ben-David Warner grew up on a diet of Celtic music via NPR’s Thistle and Shamrock. Together they make energetic Celtic folk-rock with a bit of bluegrass, Americana, and even klezmer music thrown in. “Jump at the Sun” is their sixth album, consists mostly of original songs, plus a few tune medleys and covers of Kenny Rogers’ signature tune “The Gambler” and the Russian-folk-tune-turned-60’s-pop-hit, “Those Were the Days”. It’s engaging, high-energy music, if not always perfectly faithful to its traditional sources. Check it out!
Scythian will be performing on August 1st and 2nd at the Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo.
