"There are no strangers here, only friends you haven't met yet."

                                    -- William Butler Yeats

      

         Banish Misfortune is our six-member group from western Massachusetts, and we play traditional music from Ireland. Our instrumentation includes fiddle, concertina, mandolin, flute, bouzouki, whistle, accordion and guitar, with which

we serve up rousing sets of jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes, polkas, airs, and the occasional inspired song or accompanied Irish poem!

 

         We regularly play in concerts and festivals throughout western New England, as well as every Sunday at The Northampton Brewery from 5:00 to 8:00 pm! And, we were voted one of the "Top 5 Bands in the Valley" in the 2015 Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam!


Special Treat! Click here to see a beautiful 4-minute music video, the finale of a

captivating 45-minute documentary about butterflies in Ashfield, MA, made by our

good friend John Body and featuring our music (among others) throughout!:


https://youtu.be/P8TJaVUXI-8

         We're available to bring old world comfort to any social gathering, whether

a wedding ceremony (fiddle & guitar), the cocktail hour of a wedding reception,

a birthday or retirement party, or a business event (full band). Please visit us on Facebook, and for rates and bookings please contact us at (413) 586-4997 or davemeuser@msn.com.


                                               ~ About the Band ~
David Brule (fiddle), a published local author fluent in Irish Gaelic and several other languages, brings his love of Irish poetry and lore to the band. Sean Burke (mandolin, bouzouki), born in County Mayo, Ireland, roots the groups sensibilities with his genuine approach to the music and remarkable repertoire of heartfelt songs. Tim Donoghue (concertina) is legendary among local Irish musicians, with

a keen wit and a wellspring of songs tucked in his back pocket, from bawdy to beguiling. Kira Jewett is an acclaimed All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and award-winning teacher of biology and environmental science. T.J. Ezold (flute, accordion, banjo, whistle), Berklee College of Music grad and professional pilot, sets tunes aloft with his multi-instrumental, soaring musicianship. David Meuser (guitar) is a college writing instructor who instills his accompaniment with his lifelong affection for Irish music and culture.


                                            















Some other scheduled 2016 appearances:

  • Wilbraham Public Library, Wednesday, February 24, 6:30~9:00 pm
  • Northampton St. Patrick's Association Banquet, Saturday, February 27, 5:30~9:00 pm, St. John Cantius Hall, Northampton
  • Whetstone Brewery, Brattleboro, VT, Thursday, March 10, 8:00~11:00 pm
  • Longmeadow Country Club, Saturday, March 12, 7:30~10:30 pm (private event)
  • Fitzwilly's, Northampton St. Patrick's Association Breakfast, Thursday, March 17, 10:00 am~12:00 noon
  • The Northampton Brewery, ***St. Patrick's Day Party!***, Thursday, March 17, 5:00~9:00 pm
  • Yarde Tavern, South Hadley, Saturday, March 19, 6:00~9:00 pm
  • The Fitzwilliam Inn, Fitzwilliam, NH, Saturday, March 26, 6:00~9:00 pm
  • Belchertown Public Library, Friday, April 1, 7:00~9:00 pm
  • K-Fest International Food Festival, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 4:00~6:00 pm
  • The Fitzwilliam Inn, Fitzwilliam, NH, Saturday, June 11, 6:00~9:00 pm
  • Taste of Amherst, Amherst Town Common, Saturday, June 18, 12:00~1:00 pm
  • Summit House Sunset Concert Series, Skinner State Park, Hadley, Thursday, July 28, 7:30~9:30 pm; ticket info is at www.friendsofmhr.org
  • Fitzwilliam Summer Concert Series, Fitzwilliam Town Common, Fitzwilliam, NH, Thursday, August 11, 7:00~8:30 pm
  • Earthcare: A Hilltown Chautauqua, William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington, MA, Opening Night BBQ and Concert, Friday, September 9, 5:30-10:00; more info is at hilltownchautauqua.com  
  • Yarde Tavern, South Hadley, "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" Party, Saturday, September 17, 6:00~9:00 pm
  • Mutts & Mimosas Brunch, Quonquont Farm, Whately, Sunday, September 25, 11:00 am~2:00 pm; more info is at www.dakinhumane.org
  • The Fitzwilliam Inn, Fitzwilliam, NH, Saturday, October 1, 6:00~9:00 pm


Sláinte!













BANISH MISFORTUNE




Our first-ever CD,

"No Strangers Here,"

is now available at

all our shows, and

at CD Baby.com!