If Lucinda Williams was shagging Gillian Welch and
had a collective love-child with Steve Earle, their offspring
might sound a little bit like Madison Violet's new album No Fool
For Trying.
Both hailing from Scottish small towns in Canada,
Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac have chosen another musical
path; one that channels their parent’s vintage record collection
that comprised of the likes of Neil Young and Dolly Parton.
Madison Violet came to be nearly 10 years ago after a chance
meeting at restaurant in Toronto. Since that fateful meeting, the
pair have come into a sound of their own, which has been
described as both city-folk and Americana.
In early 2009 Madison Violet were signed to legendary
indie label True North Records, who released No Fool For Trying.
This new project has taken them down a road lush with harmonies,
banjo, fiddle, mandolin and upright bass. The songs are infused
with heartache and loss, but the listener will always find an
uplifting twang in their sound. Produced in Toronto by Les Cooper
(Jill Barber, The Good Lovelies) and featuring a stellar cast of
musicians including Treasa Levasseur, Paul Mathew, Cindy
Fairbank, Joel Stouffer, Victor Bateman, Adrian Lawryshyn and
Chris Coole, No Fool For Trying proves to be an exciting
collection of catchy, heart-melting, gut-wrenching songs.
With two other recordings under their belt, both of
which were recorded in London, UK with producer John Reynolds
(Sinead O'Connor, U2, Damien Dempsey) the pair have found
themselves on the industry the radar. Their first release, Worry
The Jury, earned a pair of East Coast Music Award nominations
('Best New Group' and 'Pop Album of the Year') and had the
industry opening their eyes wide at the emerging career that was
destined to blossom. Their sophomore release, Caravan, went
towards a more alt-country direction, which garnered them two
East Coast Music Award nominations in the 'Folk Album of the
Year' and 'Best Group Recording' categories as well as a Canadian
Folk Award nomination as 'Vocal Group of the Year'.
Madison Violet are relentless with touring and
performing for audiences all over the world. They are popular as
show headliners and have also supported acts such as Ron
Sexsmith, Chantal Kreviazuk, Indigo Girls, Lisa's brother Ashley
and The Temptations and Runrig. Madison Violet have toured
Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, France,
Belgium, Ireland, England, Norway, the UK, Wales, Scotland, Italy
and of course, Canada. From the Montreux Jazz Festival to Massey
Hall, audiences have been swooning over Madison Violet's
storytelling and songs.
''No Fool For Trying' is certainly in a class with
the works of Gillian Welch or Lucinda Williams.” - All My
Music
“Quiet, thrilling, acoustically designed songs of
breathtaking beauty - and some personal tragedy. Hardly ever has
alternative country/ folk sounded more intriguing. 5 out of 5” -
Country Music News Germany
'This album takes them right through the door opened
by the whole 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' phenom, with Alison
Krauss & Robert Plant holding said door for them. 'No Fool
For Trying' doesn't have the ancient vibe that 'Raising Sand'
does, but it sounds like the records could be kissing cousins.” -
Gonzo Magazine