Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac

Cape Breton Island is a relatively tiny area on the northern tip of Nova Scotia in Eastern Canada, but it is the birthplace of an amazing amount of Scottish-flavored, fiddle-driven folk music. During the 2013 Folk Alliance conference in Toronto, ON, Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIssac, along with Steph Peters (guitar) and Cathy Porter (percussion) stopped by the Folk Alley studio. Watch video performances captured and hear stories of how the old Gaelic ways still find their way into Lamond and MacIssac’s music.

The pair’s new album, ‘Seinn,’ reflects the great love and respect that Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac have for Nova Scotia tradition, and for each other, achieving a delicate balance between the musical sensibilities of two artists, showcasing traditional and original compositions among the melancholy of Gaelic song and the joy of fiddle tunes. This is a powerful collaboration borne of a long-time friendship and a shared love of Celtic music. Whether it’s the mesmerizing Gaelic vocals of Mary Jane, or the superb and true musicianship of Wendy on the fiddle, these ladies have been making their mark with traditional audiences worldwide for over two decades.