Roots Music Band: Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at the me&thee

The me&thee welcomes back New England- based folk quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem on Friday, September 13 at 8 pm. Their music is infectiously delightful and appealing. Singer/songwriter Corey Laitman opens. The me&thee is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

Check out this video made by Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem especially for this show!

Serious fun is one way to describe Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem who have been touring and recording for 17 years, including appearances at the Newport Folk Festival and the California World Music Festival. The Boston Globe has called them ‘playful and profound.’ The band’s wit, camaraderie, and original mix of contemporary and traditional music leaves audiences humming and happy.

Arbo’s light and sultry voice is complemented by her own fiddle playing and the accompaniment of band members Andrew Kinsey (bass, guitar, ukulele), Anand Nayak (electric and acoustic guitars), and Scott Kessel (percussion). According to the Hartford Courant, this band “digs deep into their collective souls, finding joy in the moment, peace in the harmonies, and rapture in the rhythmic drive.” Their original songs fit seamlessly right next to artful re-workings of Georgia Sea Islands music, Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen – just a few places that this adventurous band is willing to go.

Singer-songwriter Corey Laitman’s music is tender and heartfelt. Their musicality and stage presence have been compared to Patti Griffin, Deb Talan and Anais Mitchell. In a testimonial, Laitman’s work was praised by American poet, Gordon Massman, as being among “those few singer-songwriters who, through the undeniable talent, climb over the competitive talent, climb over the competitive frenzy into the public sphere. Corey Laitman is all of that caliber, and I entreat you to listen.” Anand Nayak from daisy mayhem co-produced Latiman’s album, Seafoam, and contributes dazzling electric guitar, banjo, and mandolin arrangements and soaring vocals. Audiences who have not yet met Corey Laitman are in for a sweet surprise.

Tickets for Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. As at all me & thee events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic listening rooms in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Next concert: September 20: Buskin & Bateau; Sophie Buskin opens.