Concert launches CD for Lewiston contradance faves Wake the Neighbors

Wake the Neighbors, a Lewiston band known for its take on Celtic and world musics, performs a CD release concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston. Admission to this concert sponsored by the Freewill Folk Society is $5.

The members of Wake the Neighbors are Edward Howe, who plays fiddle; Jim DiCarlo, Irish flute and whistles; John Côté, guitar, foot percussion and lead vocals; and Anthony Shostak, uilleann pipes, clawed banjo and didgeridoo. To this mix the band often adds hypnotic percussion and chanting.

Wake the Neighbors’ sound is rooted in Celtic music but the group adds strong seasoning from other traditions and also performs original compositions. Its approach is distinguished by precise ensemble work, bold instrumental colorings and infectious energy.

“Our music has been described by fans as ‘straight-up Celtic trance-dance,’ ” says Shostak. “We worked on the CD for a long time to capture the energy of our live performances. We are very proud of it.”

The band was founded in 1996, launching the career of respected fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger. Since then it has been in demand across northern New England, traveling to Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts for festivals, dances and radio performances.

During the academic year, Wake the Neighbors performs at a monthly first-Friday contradance at Bates College. “Everywhere we’ve been, people have begged for us to make a CD. Now we have, and we want to celebrate its release with our home crowd,” says Côté.

Featuring more than an hour of music and priced at $15, the quartet’s self-titled CD will be for sale at the concert and through the Web site www.waketheneighbors.com.