Mandolin Orange

Dear Everyone,

Here is our MUCH belated thank you for 2011. We felt like it was an epic year, mostly thanks to your support and encouragement. We got a double album out, played shows from the Berkshires of Massachusetts to Tupelo, Mississippi. Made it onto some best-of lists, forged some great new personal and industry relationships, had a blast at every show, and even broke and mended a whole pelvis bone (seriously). Thank you for coming out, listening to music, and keeping up with us. As for 2012, we're enjoying some down time and we've already got some exciting festivals and more in the works. Tour schedule will start trickling in soon!

Some end-of-year recognition:

The Blue Indian - #5

Top songs and album from Ear to the Ground Music

Made it into WNCW's Top 100

Daily Tar Heel's Top 5 Local albums - #2

Some 2011 moments/highlights, in semi-chronological order:

Playing with Abigail Washburn and meeting all the amazing musicians in her band

first trip to Nashville!

Andrew finding the two mandolins of his life, a 70's GIvens and a 30's Kalamazoo

Going to King's Dominion on our day off (and coaxing andrew into all the rollercoasters)

Deciding in July to record Hard Hearted Stranger, when we already should have sent the record off for pressing

andrew falling off the haw river dam, breaking his pelvis and healing at rockstar pace (not even a show canceled!)

making friends in unlikely places, like Huntsville, AL and St. Simons, GA

Recording a live session with the nicest folks in the world at UNC-TV

playing Hopscotch

perfecting the strategy of sleeping in the van

getting a real website!

falling fast into the truly amazing world of True Blood

Seeing the birth of the Haw River Ballroom

Such great, such musical times spent with Josh Oliver

Playing "Bury Me Beneath the Willow Tree" (Carter Family) with Rosanne Cash

Playing two killer fun shows at the newfangled Cat's Cradle

We can't wait to see you all in 2012, just think what we could do...!

We're getting excited to return to the newfangled stage of Cat's Cradle (whoa! killer new website!) tomorrow night for a great bill with Phil Cook and His Feat and Stickley Brothers.

You might have caught Jon Stickley Trio at the fall Shakori Hills festival.  This'll be Jon and his brother Jeff (drummer of Hammer No More the Fingers), with special guest, in from Colorado, Andy Thorn (of Emmitt-Nershi Band)!!! If you're not sold already, Phil Cook (of Megafaun) is somewhat of a snake charmer on stage, and we're confident EVERYONE will enjoy his solo set, no joke.

We'll be playing a set bedazzled with Christmas tunes, some new tunes, and maybe some rarities.  Expect fusion of the bands, Christmas lights and MERCH deals!  It's going to be a great night, come on over and bring your buddies!  You can still get advance tickets online or at CD Alley (Chapel Hill) and Schoolkids (Raleigh).

Hey all! We're getting really excited about four great shows to finish out 2011.  Here are links to tickets for all of them--hope to see you out!

• Tuesday, Dec. 6 - Charlotte's McGlohon Theater opening for Rosanne Cash! TICKETS

• Friday, Dec. 9 - Wilmington's SOAPBOX for the Ramblin' Holiday Revue - TICKETS (with Mike Blair & the Stonewalls and Big Al Hall)

• Saturday, Dec. 10 - Greenville's Tipsy Teapot - TICKETS (with Uncle Mountain and West End Revival)

• FRIDAY, DEC. 16 - Carrboro's CAT'S CRADLE - TICKETS (with Stickley Bros and Phil Cook and his Feat)

We'll be as festive as we get, learn some Christmas tunes, and have lots of cds and posters for all your loved ones!

Huge thanks to everyone who came out the Berkeley Cafe last night, we had an awesome time playing!!! As always, many thanks to Marianne Taylor Music for presenting the show--keep an eye on her stellar calendar!

We have posters from the show--screen printed by Dan Tanamo (Raleigh, NC).  The hard copies look killer -- you can order them from the "STORE" tab!

We're sad to bid farewell to Josh Oliver after a super fun weekend, he'll be playing in Charlotte tonight!  But... excited to return to The White Hart tonight in downtown Lynchburg, VA.  Join us there or up north this coming week/weekend!

We're getting excited for official release day for Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger on Tuesday, Nov 8!  It'll be on iTunes, amazon and the works for your downloading pleasure, and in many independent record stores throughout the southeast!

Also, check out the Press tab for lots of new album reviews.  We're most excited about some recent feedback from Rosanne Cash herself ... "Love it ... It has the plainspoken, mournful power of bluegrass and the elegance and intricacy of American classical, like Copland or Barber. Fantastic record." -Rosanne Cash

Pumped!

Hey Folks! We just posted some new shows, including a special release show 11-11-11 at Berkeley Cafe in RALEIGH (that's right after the 11/8 official release date!) presented by Marianne Taylor Music.  Also, we're returning to Wilmington to headline a holiday show at the SOAPBOX with Mike Blair & the Stonewalls 12-9!  Lots more dates and more to come under "Shows". 

Thanks to everyone who came out this past weekend! Knox-Johnson City-Asheville-Charlotte is one of our favorite runs and we hope to do it again soon!

P.S. -- keep an eye out for a HOLIDAY CRADLE SHOW coming soon!

Hey Everyone! Unfortunately we had the wrong time posted until today ... tonight's show at the Evening Muse starts at 8pm with Josh Oliver (NOT the 10pm we had posted before).  Sorry for the mixup and please help us spread the word -- we're really looking forward to playing with Josh tonight!

Oct 15, 2011 | Charlotte, NC
CD Release Show at The Evening Muse (map)
Presented by MAXX Music, Josh Oliver opens, Tickets $8 adv/$10 door
8pm - show!!!

Just a heads up that we finally got the lyrics for Quiet Little Room AND Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger up! You can find links to the lyrics for each album under the "MUSIC" tab above.

Also, getting excited to head west next week! New announcements: our friends The Barefoot Movement will open the show in Johnson City and Josh Oliver opens in Charlotte!  Check out "SHOWS" tab for more details and new shows listed!