Next Show Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 at Jubilee United Church in Toronto with The Amadeus Choir!
And don't forget our return to Hugh's Room on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th - tickets are already selling briskly!
Rant Maggie Rant - Bio
In the spring of 2008, band leader and multi-instrumentalist, Mark Fletcher , assembled this wonderful band of seasoned musicians, and his instinct was to try something a little different. He wanted to use traditional Celtic music as the foundation, but colour outside the prescribed lines. Through this approach the music of RANT MAGGIE RANT has taken listeners by surprise, proving that his instinct was right on target.
Mark first enlisted fiddler extraordinaire, Lindsay Schindler, with whom he had worked in a previous Celtic ensemble.
Lindsay is a straight up, lightning fast and incredibly smooth fiddler, with contagious energy and a smile that lights up the stage. The two agreed that a lush percussion component was necessary for the sound they wanted, and master percussionist Rob Larose was next on board. Rob comes from a Latin, Middle Eastern and African hand percussion background, and on drum kit is extremely well versed in jazz, big band, rock and orchestral work. Now it was felt that a dynamic front person was needed to take on lead vocals, and they turned to Glen Dias. Glen's earliest influences and performances were in rock and British folk music, which was later followed by a professional career in music theatre and, briefly, opera. Finally, a chance meeting led Mark to roots oriented singer-songwriter Barry James Payne for the required guitar component and backing vocals. Barry comes from a roots, folk, blues and rock background. Adding Mark's initial spark, his multiple instrumental skills, along with his extensive knowledge and experience in Celtic music, the skill level and confidence of the entire band was solid. It was a fresh sound right out of the gate!
Based out of the rural city of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, RANT MAGGIE RANT has been wowing audiences on the road for the past three years at festivals and concert halls in Canada and the US. Their repertoire combines original compositions (about one third) with traditional tunes, often mixing them together with contemporary elements to deliver an exotic blend of new and old, delivered with an uplifting energy.
Traditionalists love their approach, as they respect the time honoured styles. Drawing on the music from the seven Celtic nations, obviously Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Wales, and the lesser known Isle of Mann, Galicia(Spain) and Breton(France), as well as from Quebec and Canada's East Coast, a legion of new Celtic music listeners and fans are drawn to RANT MAGGIE RANT'S fusion of World influences. The ensemble moves effortlessly from Irish jigs to Galician munieras, from Scottish marches to Breton an dros, driving them with a lush array of blues/rock guitar backdrops, revved up tempos, surprising time changes, and unique rhythmic attacks. They'll deliver a beautiful traditional ballad, chase it up with a blues-infused Appalachian-style groove and end with a killer jig or reel. They know how to build up your anticipation and never disappoint.
As a testament to their popularity, when they appeared Saint Patrick's Day 2011 at Toronto's Hugh's Room, one of the countries leading venues for live entertainment, the show was sold out and the band was immediately booked to return for St. Patrick's Day 2012 . (Reserve your tickets now!)
Rant Maggie Rant just released a live Christmas album, entitled Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration , which was recorded during last year's Frost & Fire tour. The band will be preparing for the studio to start recording their next record in January with lots of new material to lay down.
If you get the opportunity to see RANT MAGGIE RANT live, do yourself a favour, go! See them. Hear them. Meet them. You will leave with a bigger heart. That's just what their music does to you. It can't really be explained. You just have to experience it for yourself.
About the MUSIC
"btw, my jaw is still on the ground-- RMR is a phenomenal band! I and everyone in the house (at Hugh's Room) were literally blown away by your outstanding artistry and warmth on stage."
Lisa Weitz,
LW Communications
“Despite highland festivals in Cambridge, Fergus, not to mention Goderich’'s Celtic Roots Festival and Guelph’'s Riverside Celtic College, Southern Ontario is not generally viewed as a hotbed of Celtic music.
The high energy quintet with attitude is determined to correct that erroneous perception through Rant Maggie Rant, a band with a pro-Canadian vision that extends beyond the pan-Celtic world to embrace musical traditions from Appalachia, through Latin and South America, to Africa.”
Robert Reid,
The Waterloo Region Record
“You really blew the roof off the place. Musicians and non-musicians commented that you were a very tight band... all of you engaged the audience. I really have never experienced so many e-mails in response to a concert." Peter Garapick, Music Director The Mary Webb Centre
“I can truly say that you were the surprise "WOW" band this year - so much great feedback about your music.” Sheila Graziano, Saline Celtic Festival.
Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration
To order World's Edge or Frost & Fire contact Mark at:
sadsquirrel [ at ] sympatico [dot] ca
TOUR DATES
MAR 3, 2012 - 8:00pm - Toronto, ON - Jubilee United Church - An Evening with The Amadeus Choir and Rant Maggie Rant
Purchase Tickets: call 416-446-0188.
MAR 16, 2012 - 7:30pm - St. Catharines - St. Columba Anglican Church - Pre-St. Patrick's Day concert and fundraiser
Purchase Tickets
MAR 17, 2012 - 9:00pm - Toronto, ON - Hugh's Room - St. Patrick's Day Celebration with Rant Maggie Rant
APR 14, 2012 - 8:00pm - Fergus, ON - Tartan Day - Venue TBA
JUN 23, 2012 - Kalamazoo, MI (USA) - Kalamazoo Irish Festival
JUL 12, 2012 - Windsor, ON - MacKenzie Hall - outside summer evening gazebo show
JUL 13, 2012 - Bellefountaine, OH (USA) - Holland Theatre
JUL 14, 2012 - Saline, MI (USA) - Saline Celtic Festival
JUL 15, 2012 - Chicago, IL (USA) - Chicago Irish Festival 2pm-4pm
WESTERN CANDIAN TOUR - JULY 19 - JULY 30, 2012 (more info and dates to be announced soon!)
JUL 20, 2012 - Cowichan Valley, BC - Islands Folk Festival
JUL 21, 2012 - Cowichan Valley, BC - Islands Folk Festival
JUL 22, 2012 - Cowichan Valley, BC - Islands Folk Festival
JUL 25, 2012 - Edmonton, AB - TBA
JULY 30, 2012 - Return from Western Canadian Tour
AUG 4, 2012 - Maxville, ON - Glengarry Games
AUG 18, 2012 - Evart, MI (USA) - Summer Musicale
RANT MAGGIE RANT'S FOURTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOUR! (more dates to be announced soon!)
Dec. 1, 2012 - TBA
Dec 15, 2012 - 8:00pm - Stratford, ON - City Hall Auditorium
McMorran Theatre (Port Huron, MI, USA)
I mperial Theatre (Sarnia, ON, Canada)
Hugh's Room (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Aeolian Hall (London, ON, Canada)
Holland Theatre (Belfontaine, OH, USA)
State Theatre (Bay City, MI, USA)
Riviera Theatre (Three Rivers, MI, USA)
Spec Auditorium (Hamilton, ON, Canada)
Pearl Company (Hamilton, ON, Canada)
Registry Theatre (Kitchener, ON, Canada)
Studio Theatre (Perth, ON, Canada)
Old Town Hall (Waterford, ON, Canada)
Mary Webb Centre (Highgate, ON, Canada)
The Carlu (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Victoria Jubilee Hall (Walkerton, ON, Canada)
City Hall Auditorium (Stratford, ON, Canada)
Simcoe Lions Auditorium (Simcoe, ON, Canada)
Meaford Hall (Meaford, ON, Canada)
Cuckoo's Nest Folk Club (London, ON, Canada)
Old Town Hall (Bayfield, ON, Canada)
The Stratford Symphony Orchestra,
2012 with Nigel Evans conducting.
The International Symphony Orchestra, 2011 with Douglas Bianchi conducting.
The International Symphony Orchestra, 2010 with Jerome Summers conducting.
The Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra , 2009 with John Barnum conducting.
For more information visit our Symphony page
Blue Skies Folk Festival (Caledon, ON, Canada)
Home County Folk Festival (London, ON, Canada)
Saline Celtic Festival (Saline, MI USA)
Windsor Celtic Festival (Windsor, ON, Canada)
Mill Race Folk Festival (Cambridge, ON, Canada)
Owen Sound Celtic Festival (Owen Sound, ON, Canada)
Riverfolk Folk Festival (Manchester, MI, USA)
Washboard Music Festival (Logan, OH, USA)
Scottish-Irish Festival (Trenton, ON, Canada)
Savour Stratford Festival (Stratford, ON, Canada)
Perth Festival Of The Maples (Perth, ON, Canada)
Canterbury Folk Festival (Ingersoll, ON, Canada)
The Glengarry Games (Maxville, ON, Canada)
Stratford Canada Day Celebrations (Stratford, ON, Canada)
Dear Executive Director & Maestro,
Rant Maggie Rant have a great selection of material arranged for any size orchestra. Together, we give your musicians and subscribers an exciting evening of diverse music from the seven Celtic nations, including pieces by Robbie Burns, and geographically, pieces originating from Spain, France, the UK, Quebec and Canada.'s Maritime region.
RMR is one of the most exciting bands to have join your orchestra for one or two days or for a longer run. The music is lively, uplifting and fun. It will put a smile on the faces of everybody in the room, including you and your orchestra. Your subscribers, members and donors will be pleasantly surprised, elated and excited about the future and will anticpate the "next" show.
On January 21st, 2012, Rant Maggie Rant played with The Stratford Symphony Orchestra. A fantastic evening with over 500 in the audience. The collaboration between the two entities came together so effortlessly under the conducting of Nigel Evans.
In 2010, RMR played two nights with The International Symphony to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. The band was told before hand that acts booked with the orchestra are never asked to perform two years in a row. RMR was asked back for a repeat performance in 2011.
To book Rant Maggie Rant for your upcoming music program contact:
Mark Fletcher 905-659-8816 or email Mark at: sadsquirrel &at& sympatico.ca or Barry Payne at: 519-301-6044 or email at Barry.payne &at& rogers.com - please replace &at& with the appropriate _ sign.
With The International Symphony Orchestra at The Imperial Theatre in Sarnia, Ontario, January 22, 2010 with Maestro Jerome Summers conducting.
Dec. 14, 9:37am
Frost & Fire is available at the following retail stores:
London - Grooves, The Village Idiot, Artisan's Alley
Stratford - Bradshaw's, Macleod's, Treasures, Fanfare Books, The Christmas Shop
Sebringville - Music
Guelph - Ground Floor Music
Or you can order on-line - go to our "Music" tab to find the link.
Dec. 5, 3:17pm
We are pleased to announce that The Mary Webb show this coming Sat., Dec. 10th has just SOLD OUT! You can still get tickets to the London show at The Aeolian this Thursday, Dec. 8th.
Nov. 6, 12:03am
The weather may be turning cold, but things are just heating up for RANT MAGGIE RANT. October 22nd we played a concert, presented by The Friends of Celtic Culture, in Bay City, Michigan at The State Theatre, where we were very well received and treated like royalty!
A week ago Thursday we played at an historic event site, The Carlu, in a benefit show for the Yonge Street Mission. (According to Wikipedia: Known for many years as the "Eaton's Seventh Floor", the Carlu is one of Toronto's best examples of Art Moderne architecture.) It is an absolutely gorgeous venue, and a genuine treat to play. An interesting sidebar: Rob, our percussionist, couldn't make that date, so we performed as a quartet, with Glen covering the percussion duties on cajon. No replacement for Rob's fine playing, he nevertheless acquitted himself well, as did the whole band, considering our limitations. Adaptability!
Last night we played a fundraiser for a church in St. Marys to about 500 people. What a fantastic night we had and what a loud audience!!
The new CD is now at the manufacturer. This release will primarily be a "sold off the stage" release for our audience. It will not be sold on-line, but we will be making one song available for download. The song is by James Gordon and is called "There Is No Silent Night". Net proceeds from this song download will be donated to a charity soon to be announced.
Oct. 28, 12:15pm
We're getting very close to releasing our second CD, our Christmas album entitled Frost & Fire, so named after our Christmas concert series, recorded live at our Stratford show last December. It's now being mixed and the artwork being finalized, just before we begin touring our new Frost & Fire show for this year. Rest assured we'll have hot-off-the-press copies for sale at all performances! We're so looking forward to seeing and playing for you, our friends and fans (old and new), in November and December. Here are all of the Frost & Fire shows currently scheduled:
Sat. Nov. 26th - Bayfield Town Hall, Bayfield, ON
Fri. Dec. 2nd - Stratford City Hall Auditorium, Stratford, ON
Sat. Dec. 3rd - Simcoe Lions Club at SCS, Simcoe, ON
Thurs. Dec. 8th - Aeolian Hall, London, ON
Sat. Dec. 10th - Mary Webb Centre, Highgate, ON
Sun. Dec. 11th - Carlisle United Church, Carlisle, ON
Sat. Dec. 17th - Hamilton Specator Auditorium, Hamilton, ON
Sun. Dec. 18th - Churchhill Meadows Church, Mississauga, ON
September 30, 9:15pm
The weather gods were smiling down on us last Saturday when RANT MAGGIE RANT performed at the St. Julien Park Community Festival in London, Ontario. It was a delightful event all around, with a very appreciative audience, soaking up the rays of the first full day of autumn. Those not sitting in the sun were dancing in it! Even Santa Claus appeared, strolling the grounds, waving, smiling, and Ho-Ho-Ho-ing. We weren't exactly sure why, but perhaps he was there helping us to promote our up-coming concert series FROST & FIRE: A Celtic Christmas Celebration. Newly added F&F dates are:
Nov. 26th at The Bayfield Town Hall, Bayfield, ON
Dec. 2nd at Stratford City Hall, Stratford, ON
Dec. 4th at Carlisle United Church, Carlisle, ON
Dec. 17th at The Hamilton Spectator Auditorium, Hamilton, ON
Dec. 18th at Churchill Meadows Church, Mississauga, ON
More info about where to get tickets coming soon...
Sepember 21, 2011, 10:30pm
Members of Rant Maggie Rant will be playing a very special show in Toronto on Thursday, October 27th at the prestigious Carlu for Yonge Street Mission's
5th Annual Bright Lights Gala , supporting their Student Awards Program.
August 18, 2011, 4:37pm
JUST ANNOUNCED
Rant Maggie Rant will be presenting Frost & Fire at The Aeolian Hall in London, Ontario on Thurs. Dec. 8th, 2011 . Ticket information will be forthcoming.
Other Frost & Fire shows announced:
Sat. Dec. 3rd - SCS Lions Auditorium, Simcoe, ON
Sat. Dec. 10th - The Mary Webb Centre, Highgate, ON
August 18, 2011, 12:57pm
Our drummer Rob Larose also plays with another London based group, The Antler River Project , which has just put out its first CD entitled 'Latitude 43'. Rob plays mostly drum kit on the disc, as well as some djembe, cowbells, shakers, and other things that he found in the studio to hit. The 'antlers' are very excited to release this CD after many years of playing together and will celebrate the release on September 15 at London's Aeolian Hall at 8pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door. All are welcome.
August 1, 2011, 4:00pm
NEWS FLASH!
New show confirmed in London Ontario at The St. Julien Park Community Festival on Sat. Sept. 24th. We are on the main stage at 1:00pm. Looking forward to seeing lots of people out for this wonderful community fundraiser.
July 26, 2011, 11:00pm
Hello Ranters!
Well, first off, we want to welcome all of the folks who have signed up to the mailing list since our last newsletter went out in April. You are now officially a RANTER!! Congratulations and thanks for coming aboard the good ship RMR!
RMR continue to have an amazing year of quality gigs and new connections. We can't go into too many details about everything we've done or what we've got planned, but we'll keep you posted about some of our exploits and what's coming up as we move forward.
Since our last update in April, we've been working on new material and have played some shows at some special places including, The Washboard Music Festival in Logan, Ohio, which was our second year in a row there, The Canterbury Folk Music Festival in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, a hidden gem and the Canada Day Celebrations in our home base of Stratford, Ontario to mention a few.
And Barry, our guitar player, did a tour with 3-time Juno award winner Bill Bourne (www.billbourne.com) with his trio String Bone all over Ontario from London to Ottawa and back again. There are several YouTube videos that have been posted by audience members - so Go Ogle it and see what he's been doing.
We had the best time this year at The Washboard Music Festival. We can't wait to return. It is such a unique gig and we made lots of new friends! Hey everybody in Logan - how y'all doin'?? We're doing shows in Michigan soon - the closest is Evart. Maybe you could make a road trip of it!? Just sayin'. ;-)
Glen Dias, our lead singer, sang the Canadian National Anthem at the Canada Day Celebrations in Stratford, not once, but twice, before our headlining set. And, of course, he blew the crowd away with his rendition. He was on fire! Well, it was a scorching hot day to say the least. Heat playing havoc with our instruments notwithstanding, we had a blast!
We also headlined the opening night at The Canterbury Folk Festival to a crowd of about 600+. Our first show at The Canterbury Folk Music Festival was so much fun. A great crowd and a beautiful evening! We want to thank that town for supporting a gem of a festival and thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the events and in particular our show on Friday night!
The next day at the festival - Saturday, Mark Fletcher, our leader and multi-instrumentalist performed in a couple of different workshops with several other performers including Paul Langille, Bernie Gilmore, Ian Bell and Juno award winners, Bowser & Blue. The last one with Bowser & Blue had some of the funniest moments at the festival - those guys are so quick-witted. And Mark played some great jigs, andros and reels as he does so well, on several different instruments. Mark's solo music can be heard here: www.markfletcher.ca
Barry James Payne, our guitarist, also took to the stage at two festival workshops, the first with world renowned Trifecta, which includes three guitar virtuosos you may have heard of before, PAVLO, Rik Emmett and Oscar Lopez. Barry played and sang his String Bone songs (check him out here www.myspace.com/barryjamespayne), while the three guitarists took turns improvising solos and it was truly one of the highlights of the festival. Great songs, great musicianship and the four had this great chemistry on stage and the audience loved it! Trifecta, alternately, played their songs and together they are three brilliant and crazy, insanely talented musicians. And three of the nicest, most humble guys you'd ever want to meet.
Barry then went and played another workshop with festival favourites Paul Langille and Graham Wardrop - YouTube vids here: http://blueshamilton.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-wardrop-paul-langille-and-barry.html
So, here in Southern Ontario it has been hot, humid and the air is thick. Summer has arrived with a vengence. Glen is in heaven and Mark, Lindsay and Barry struggle during gig days trying to keep their instruments in tune. Heat and humidity are not very nice to wooden built stringed instruments. But we do our best to keep them in tip-top shape.
We are now in full booking mode for the Winter (did I just say that word?), and next year. Yeah, that's right, we have developed a Christmas show called Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration! going into our third year of presentation and dates are booking up nicely.
Also next year we are playing with The Stratford Symphony Orchestra! Cool hey?? That will be a very special gig for us. This is an incredibly talented symphony and we really look forward to this show.
So, here are our upcoming dates and we want to wish everyone a safe and fun summer. If you are in the area, please do come out to see us and say hi.
Slainte!
RMR
Upcoming Rant Maggie Rant shows:
Sat. July 30th at Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, ON
Sat. Aug. 20th at Evart Musicale Series in Evart, MI (USA)
Sun. Aug. 21st at The Riviera Theatre in Three Rivers, MI (USA)
Sat. Oct. 22nd at The State Theatre/Friends Of Celtic Culture in Bay City, MI (USA)
Fri. Nov. 4th at Holy Name Of Mother Church in St. Marys, ON
Sat. Dec. 3rd at SCS Lions Auditorium in Simcoe, ON - Frost & Fire - A Celtic Christmas Celebration!
Fri. Dec. 8th (tent) in London, ON - Frost & Fire - A Celtic Christmas Celebration!
Sat. Dec. 10th at The Mary Webb Centre in Highgate, ON - Frost & Fire - A Celtic Christmas Celebration!
Sat. Jan. 21st, 2012 in Stratford, ON w/ The Stratford Symphony Orchestra
Sat. Mar. 17th at Hughes Room in Toronto, ON
Come see us at our Facebook, MySpace and Twitter accounts!
For General info, please use this super-duper Contact Form
For Bookings contact:
Email:
Mark Fletcher at: sadsquirrel $at$ sympatico.ca Or
Barry James Payne at: barry.payne $at$ rogers.com
NOTE: just replace the $at$ with the appropriate _ sign and you got it! Spammers are getting smarter.
Phone:
Mark: 905-659-8816
Barry: 519-301-6044
For Media, Photos, Press kit contact:
Mary-Lou Schagena, Publicist
Phone: 519-584-7628
Email: mschagena $at$ sympatico.ca
To Order a CD
Please send an email with your request to Mark Fletcher at: sadsquirrel $at$ sympatico.ca
Mark will respond with details on how to purchase our CDs. Thanks! RMR
New Reviews
Scene Magazine - London, ON (Dec. 22, 2011)
POP CD&DVD REVIEWS
HOTlINDIES
"RANT MAGGIE RANT • FROST & FIRE (INDIE) Billed as Celtic music with an edge, Rant Maggie Rant derive that edge from dexterous musical interplay and measured use of an array of Latin, African and Middle Eastern rhythms that
they overlay on their Celtic stylings to take things in new and entertaining directions. Recorded live in concert last December, Frost & Fire consolidates their reputation as fine musicians and makes for great holiday season musical fare. The band are also asking their fans to remember other things besides their gift list this year with a purchasable download of There Is No Silent Night, a song by Guelph songwriter James Gordon dealing with the plight of the homeless at Christmas, proceeds of which go to United Way of Canada and the Yonge Street Mission. Rod Nicholson Performance:B+/Production:B+"
Kitchener - Waterloo Record (CD Review Dec. 15/11) - "For lovers of Celtic music who prefer a blend of upbeat, kitchen party music and contemplative ballads of the hearth, Frost & Fire is for you. Many holiday albums that pass themselves off as Celtic merely dress standard chestnuts in Celtic garb. In contrast, Rant Maggie Rant delves into the tradition and recovers lessor known seasonal gems."
"RMR is a great band. They packed the house and the audience left dancing.
I can't wait to have them back." Holmes Hooke, Hughs Room, Toronto, ON
" I can truly say that you were the surprise " WOW" band this year - so much great feedback about your music." S heila Graziano, Saline Celtic Festival, Saline, MI (USA)
" btw, my jaw is still on the ground-- RMR is a phenomenal band! I and everyone in the house (at Hugh's Room) were literally blown away by your outstanding artistry and warmth on stage." Lisa Weitz, LW Communications, Toronto, ON
"#1 Thing to do on St. Patricks Day in Toronto!"
1. Celebrate St. Patricks Day in true convivial style with Rant Maggie Rant, a renowned and rambunctious quintet who play traditional tunes straight up, mixing in Appalachian swing, world rhythms and modern celtic influences..." Hughs Room (SOLD OUT!)
The National Post, March 11th, 2011
"Rant Maggie Rant brings a slightly different perspective to the Celtic music we were used to hearing, it was refreshing and well received by the audience and other musicians" Mary Wattie, Hospitality/Entertainment, Glengarry Highland Games
" Despite highland festivals in Cambridge, Fergus, not to mention Goderich's Celtic Roots Festival and Guelph's Riverside Celtic College, Southern Ontario is not generally viewed as a hotbed of Celtic music. The high energy quintet with attitude is determined to correct that erroneous perception through Rant Maggie Rant, a band with a pro-Canadian vision that extends beyond the pan-Celtic world to embrace musical traditions from Appalachia, through Latin and South America, to Africa." Robert Reid, The Waterloo Record, Waterloo, ON
"You really blew the roof off the place. Musicians and non-musicians commented that you were a very tight band... all of you engaged the audience. I really have never experienced so many e-mails in response to a concert." Peter Garapick, Music Director, The Mary Webb Centre, Highgate, ON
"a must have for Celtic Performances." Maggie Durocher, Windsor Celtic Festival, Windsor, ON
" The biggest revelation of the Festival (Saline) was the music. I was especially partial to...Rant Maggie Rant. We started counting and Mark Fletcher, lead instrumentalist for RMR, played at least five different instruments - beautifully!"
Mandy Kay, The Brouhaha, Ann Arbour (USA)
