For centuries, the lute was considered the "prince of instruments," and lute players were celebrities in royal courts across Europe. Ayreheart, a progressive folk trio founded by lutenist Ronn McFarlane, seeks to restore the instrument to its former glory - but in a modern context. During the Renaissance and Baroque eras, lute players were songwriters and pop stars who weren't afraid to improvise. The three members of Ayreheart - McFarlane on lute, Will Morris on fretless bass, violin and colascione, and Mattias Rucht on percussion - all have backgrounds in rock and jazz, which comes through in their energetic performances.