Sail away
Atlantic Crossing brings its traditional New England-flavored music to a modern audience.
By Crystal Schelle / Weekender Staff Writer
March 15, 2007
SHEPHERDSTOWN Ñ For two weeks a year, members of Atlantic Crossing will venture from their Vermont home to bring their New England-influenced music to the masses.
Those who arenÕt venturing north anytime soon, though, can hear the band perform in the Eastern Panhandle for one evening. Atlantic Crossing will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday as part of Blue Moon Sundays at Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherdstown.
Band member Viveka Fox says the quartet, which also includes Peter Macfarlane, Rick Klein and Brian Perkins, came together in the mid-1990s.
ÒA large group of us would go out into the concert scene in Vermont,Ó she says in a telephone interview from Burlington, Vt.
Although they all have other jobs outside of music (Klein is a freelance woodworker and carpenter, Macfarlane and Perkins teach music and Fox teaches a fencing club), music is their common bond.
The group of about 10 would morph into pick-up bands, jam together or perform for contra dances. Soon just the four came together, bringing their own musical background. Fox grew up playing American, Scottish and Irish music, Macfarlane, who is from United Kingdom, played regularly for Scottish dances and weddings. While, Fox says, Klein and Perkins Òcome from a rock ÔnÕ rollÓ background.
But whatever their differences, the foursome was attracted to the same music that has its roots firmly in New England, as well as its outreaches of Quebec, Maritime Canada and the British Isles.
ÒWe have a very, very traditionalstring band feeling without being completely stuck in the past,Ó says Macfarlane, who plays fiddle, low whistle and is a vocalist for the group.
For the band, Fox plays fiddle, which she sees Òmore as a rhythmic instrument, rather than a lyrical instrument.Ó
She also performs the bodhram, an Irish goat-skin drum. ÒI always liked it,Ó she says.
Fox got her first bodhram after working for another local musician. ÒWe bartered for it,Ó she says.
Instead of payment, Fox received the drum.
After playing at various festivals, contra dances and concerts, Atlantic Crossing cut their first album, ÒWind Against the Tide,Ó in 1998. The group followed that with three more albums, 2000Õs ÒFull and Away,Ó 2003Õs ÒGroundswellÓ and the latest album, 2006Õs ÒTurning the Compass.Ó
Both Fox and Macfarlane say ÒTurning the CompassÓ is more of a coming-of-age for the group.
ÒWeÕre more sophisticated,Ó she says.
Fox contributes many songs on ÒTurning the Compass,Ó although all do some songwriting duties. ÒTurning the CompassÓ isnÕt a deviation from their previous work, just more of coming home. Atlantic CrossingÕs last two albums have included a background of Irish and contra dance. ÒTurning the CompassÓ is more local to the area, she says.
ÒFor me, itÕs about storytelling,Ó Fox says about songwriting. ÒIÕve always considered myself a storyteller.Ó
When it comes to what to write about, Fox looks to Vermont and the area. ÒIÕm attracted to local legends, especially legends local to here,Ó she says. Ò... I look for a great story to tell.Ó
She found that with the retelling of the true story of canal-schooner Troy that disappeared in a gale in 1825 on Lake Champlain. The result was ÒThe Wreck of the Troy.Ó
Five men and boys, who were onboard the Troy, disappeared. It was just a little line in a book that piqued her interest. ÒItÕs such a great story,Ó she says.
Atlantic Crossing ended up pairing with the Lake Champlain Maritime MuseumÕs canal schooner project in order to find the ship. ÒThe lake is littered with shipwrecks,Ó Fox says.
The wreckage had been searched for several times, but this time the museum decided to try again. And Atlantic Crossing became involved.
ÒWe had a lot of fun finding it,Ó Fox says.
When the museum was able to locate it, Atlantic Crossing was asked to perform the song when the ship was raised.
Macfarlane also contributes songs to the group, mostly what he calls Òtunes.Ó For him, songwriting comes in the form of his guitar, where heÕll play a chord sequence or finds a harmony that gets stuck in his head.
ÒItÕs impossible to predict,Ó he says about when to write. ÒYou wait a lot.Ó
Macfarlane doesnÕt believe in forcing the music. ÒIt doesnÕt happen that way,Ó he says, warning that forcing music can make it stale. ThatÕs also why heÕs not constantly thinking about music because, he says, it can reflect in the music itself.
Fox says although New England influences the band, she says itÕs hard to say what the quintessential Atlantic Crossing song is. ÒWe play in all different veins of music Ñ jazz, dance music, traditional ... lots of things,Ó she says.
Macfarlane agrees. ÒDifferent people have different favorites,Ó he says. ÒWhatÕs en vogue is the opening track on ÔTracking the Compass,Õ but itÕs not the only one.Ó The first track is ÒMontebello set.Ó
On ÒTurning the Compass,Ó Atlantic Crossing made a point to produce more of their own work on the album. Well-known and respected producer Pete Sutherland was in the control room in the past, but the band felt it was time to go it alone. Instead, Sutherland was kept on this time as a consultant and the band decided to put an even more personal stamp on the album.
ÒIn the studio we made the decisions,Ó Marfarlane says.
But fans of Atlantic Crossing shouldnÕt be afraid that theyÕve left behind their soulful sound. ÒI donÕt think weÕve changed much. WeÕve focused more on the area and the history of the area,Ó he says.
And Macfarlane says those who enjoy the style of music Atlantic Crossing plays will enjoy the band. ÒThereÕs a lot of interplay between the instruments,Ó he says. ÒItÕs very intimate in the style of performances we can communicate with the audience. ThatÕs why weÕll do better at small venues.Ó
This isnÕt the first time the band has been in Shepherdstown; they have performed for contra dances. But Macfarlane says the Blue Moon Sunday concert is where people can really hear the band play.
ÒAt contra dances usually play real jigs and waltzes we do much more beside that,Ó he says. ÒConcerts allow us to do a wider aspect of music and a wide aspect of musicality.Ó
ItÕs also a place where music lovers can discover something new. ÒThe repertoire is a little bit obscure Ñ there are songs some have never heard Ñ but they may be a little familiar,Ó Fox says.
But itÕs all worth it. ÒWe have a good time. And have a lot of energy,Ó she says.
Macfarlane says itÕs up to the audience to make up their minds if theyÕre good musicians, but he wants to involve them with the music. ÒItÕs not just us behind the mike and everything else just beyond the lights,Ó he says.
ÑStaff writer Crystal Schelle can be reached at 263-8931, ext. 213, or cschelle@journal-news.net.
Concert | Want to go?
What: Blue Moon Sundays hosts Atlantic Crossing
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Blue Moon Cafe is located on North Princess Street, at the corner of Princess and High streets, in Shepherdstown
Cost: $10 at the door
For more information: Contact Cheryl Mansley at (304) 702-0554 or bluemoonsundays@earthlink.net, or visit online www.bluemoonshepherdstown.com
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