Fredonia Harmonia

October 23, 2008 9:55 PM

Looking for interesting musicians and music groups in and around Fredonia NY for video project.

I'm producing a video project which requires that I find musicians or groups from the Fredonia/Dunkirk/Cassadaga-area of NY to perform live on camera, and I need leads. The project is open to many styles, genres, ages, and skill levels, but we are specifically looking to avoid the genres generally played on commercial radio. Examples of what we are looking for include:

-bluegrass
-gospel
-a cappella/barbershop quartet
-mariachi
-oompah
-hula/hawaiian
-marching band
-community orchestra
-any music featuring the following instruments: tuba, accordion, harp, pedal steel, ukelele, banjo, vibraphone, steel drums

I'm researching online (Google, Craigslist, etc.) and in town, but I thought I might throw it out to the hivemind to see if anyone has any suggestions I might not come across otherwise (I am not local to that area).

posted by blapst to media & arts (3 comments total)

Dave Fridmann, who sometimes teaches at Fredonia, has his studio just down the road. I'm sure he'd be an excellent starting point.

Otherwise, check the bulletin boards at venues in town... anywhere someone might advertise. Did you check with the college radio station?

Also check with the Fredonia Contra Dance group. I found them by googling for 'fredonia ny band'.
posted by jdfan at 12:49 PM on October 24, 2008

Ha. I'm actually already got a few leads from Fridman, and am now waiting to hear back from them. And I checked a few bulletin boards in town when I was there, but now I'm back at home and having to research remotely.

Good idea about the radio station. I'll check with them. Thanks.
posted by blapst at 11:56 AM on October 25, 2008

Just a follow up -- for some reason none of the folks I contacted at the radio station returned any of my emails or calls, nor did anyone from the Fredonia Contra Dance group. I did talk to the dean of the music department at the university though, and he put me in touch with an associate professor who helped me out. Still welcome other ideas should anyone happen to cross this thread for any reason.
posted by blapst at 8:28 PM on February 12