Fresh Folk series to kick off with Troll for Trout, Rachael Davis

The St Cecilia Music Center (SCMC) has a series of concerts called Fresh Folk that highlight the talent of many singer/songwriters, specifically musicians from Michigan. This year's series will begin on November 7 with Troll for Trout and husband and wife duo, Rachael and Dominic Davis.

The Davises, a singing and bass playing combo, will take the stage this Thursday at the Royce Auditorium. The Royce Auditorium, which SCMC describes as classically intimate, provides the right context for the personal and acoustic tone of the concert series.

Fresh Folk works to highlight Michigan connections to music, just like the one Rachael Davis’ music has to her northern upbringing. Rachael Davis is a singer/songwriter folk musician who was born and raised in Michigan. She says her childhood in Michigan, along with her exposure to banjo and fiddle music, had an impact on her folksy tone.

"My style always gravitates towards American roots," she says.

After the production of her first album, Minor League Deities, Rachael Davis moved to the East coast. Every region has a very different style of traditional music and within these differences she noted the qualities that made Michigan music stick out.   

“What’s special about traditional music from Michigan is mostly social,” she says. “Michigan music is very inclusive. When you’re in a song circle, for example, everyone plays and sings together and offers themselves musically very freely in the Midwestern musical community.”

Together, the Davises will perform songs written and sung by Rachael Davis, with one song that they wrote together.  Rachael Davis has done tours by herself and created four albums of her own music, yet she says that accompanying her husband on stage enhances her performance.

“When I have the privilege of playing with someone who possesses such unbridled and raw talent, I’ll tend to take more risks musically,” she says. “which greatly improves the quality of whatever we are creating.”

Adding more Michigan influenced music to the November 7 Fresk Folk lineup is Troll for Trout, a band of Grand Rapids natives. These Michiganders, who have been making music for 20 years, hone in on the outdoorsy, up-north aspects of their home state. Michael Crittenden, fly fishing and camping enthusiast, says their music serves as a vehicle to promote that kind of lifestyle. The woodsy, fresh air vibes are a common thread through their music, but that's not all it's about, says Crittenden.

"It's about people, the things we go through in life," says Crittenden, "and a lot of it- the scenes, the settings-seems to be in those areas."

To fit the Fresh Folk series, Troll for Trout will also be performing acoustically, which is a different kind of show for them. Its quieter and more of a storytelling vibe, says Crittenden. The band will be joined by three mystery guests.