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.


                                            















More upcoming appearances in 2017!:

  • NORTHWEST PARK, Windsor, CT, Saturday, January 7, 7:30 pm; Tickets and information are at www.northwestpark.org
  • NORTHAMPTON ST. PATRICK'S ASSOCIATION BANQUET, Saturday, February 25, 5:30-9:00 pm, Northampton Elks Lodge, 17 Spring Street, Florence, MA
  • WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY, Wednesday, March 1, 7:00-9:00 pm, 25 Crane Park Drive, Wilbraham, MA
  • LONGMEADOW COUNTRY CLUB, Saturday, March 11, 7:00-10:00 pm (Private Event)
  • WHETSTONE STATION RESTAURANT & BREWERY, Thursday, March 16, 8:30-10:30 pm, 36 Bridge Street, Brattleboro, VT
  • FITZWILLY'S RESTAURANT & BAR, Friday, March 17, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, 23 Main Street, Northampton, MA, ***Northampton St. Patrick's Association Breakfast Toast!***  
  • NORTHAMPTON BREWERY, ***St. Patrick's Day Party!***, Friday, March 17, 5:00-9:00 pm, 11 Brewster Court, Northampton, MA
  • YARDE TAVERN, Saturday, March 18, 6:00-9:00 pm, On the Common, South Hadley, MA, ***Road Race/Holyoke Parade Weekend*** Party!
  • THE FITZWILLIAM INN, Saturday, April 1, 6:00-9:00 pm, Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire; more info is at www.fitzwilliaminn.com
  • CLAPP MEMORIAL LIBRARY (Belchertown Public Library), Friday,  April 7, 7:00-9:00 pm, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA
  • THE FITZWILLIAM INN, Saturday, June 24, 6:00-9:00 pm, Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire; more info is at www.fitzwilliaminn.com
  • FITZWILLIAM TOWN COMMON, Thursday, August 10, 7:00-8:30 pm, Fitzwilliam Town Common Summer Concerts, Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire
  • CHICOPEE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Thursday, August 17, 6:30-8:00 pm, 449 Front Street, Chicopee Library Summer Concert Series
  • YARDE TAVERN, "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party," Saturday, September 23, 6:00-9:00 pm, On the Common, South Hadley, MA
  • "MUTTS & MIMOSAS" BRUNCH, Sunday, October 1, 11:00 am-2:00 pm, Quonquont Farm, Whately, sponsored by Dakin Animal Shelter. Tickets and information is at www.dakinhumane.org
  • AMHERST BLOCK PARTY, Wednesday, October 4, 5:00-9:00 pm (we'll play 7:50-9:00 pm), Kendrick Park, North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA
  • THE FITZWILLIAM INN, Saturday, October 14, 6:00-9:00 pm, Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire; more info is at www.fitzwilliaminn.com
  • KESTREL TRUST "5K FOR FARMLAND", Sunday, October 15, 11:15 am- 1:30 pm, West Street Common, Hadley, MA, www.kestreltrust.org
  • NORTHAMPTON BREWERY 30TH ANNIVERSARY BASH, Sunday, October 15, 3:00-7:00 pm: a full-tilt celebration with food, drink and several bands including us! Tickets and information are at northamptonbrewery.com; all proceeds benefit The Literacy Project!


Sláinte!


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

                                          -- William Butler Yeats





Our first-ever CD,

"No Strangers Here,"

is now available at

all our shows, and

at CD Baby.com!













BANISH MISFORTUNE