MADISON VIOLET (aka Madviolet)

Madison Violet (aka Madviolet) are a Toronto based duo, consisting of Lisa MacIsaac (vocals, guitar, fiddle, mandolin) and Brenley MacEachern (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica). Together, they've been touring the globe non-stop for 9 years, from Antigonish to Australia, Geneva to Grenada. Collectively they've racked up a fan following who love their shows because of their way to make people feel like they're sitting at a campfire, roasting marshmallows with their friends.

Madison Violet started out as Madviolet (which was only to be confused as an 80's psychedelic band The Mad Violets one too many times) so they extended their name to something a little sweeter. Their 1st two albums were recorded in London, UK with legendary producer, John Reynolds (Sinead O'Conner, U2, Damien Dempsey) and they came with great success: 4 ECMA nominations (Best New Artist, Group Recording of the Year, Folk Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year) , a Canadian Folk Award nomination (Best Vocal Group) and a Top 40 HotAC single in Canada.

In 2008, Madison Violet released their 2006 album Caravan in Germany after having signed to label, Big Lake (Rough Trade). This proved to be successful, with German radio picking up on their first single 'Worry The Jury' and audiences growing exponentially at each show. September, Madison Violet spent touring Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. October will find Brenley and Lisa in Europe once again, supporting Ron Sexmith in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Holland and Norway.

Summer of 2008, Madison Violet recorded their 3rd album, No Fool For Trying; this time in Canada, with producer Les Cooper at the helm. He's taken them in a much rootsier direction. Guest appearances by Paul Mathew on upright bass (Hidden Cameras, Sarah Harmer) Joel Stouffer on drums (Dragonette) and Chris Coole on banjo (Foggy Hogtown Boys) have helped to bring this album to a new level. The songs were all written near the water, either on the Caribbean Island of Grenada or Australia. There is a bit more of a sombre tone to the album, with both Lisa and Brenley having dealt with loss in the past 2 years, but it's lifted musically with the sound of Lisa's fiddle and the bluegrass mandolin played by producer Les Cooper. No Fool For Trying has finally captured the essence of Madison Violet, one that's been described as a cross between rootsy Gillian Welch, gritty Steve Earle and bluegrassy Alison Krauss. Think Americana, loaded with harmonies, lots of stringed instruments and beautiful lyrics. (read less)

Madison Violet (aka Madviolet) are a Toronto based duo, consisting of Lisa MacIsaac (vocals, guitar, fiddle, mandolin) and Brenley MacEachern (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica). Together, they've been touring the globe non-stop for 9 years, from Antigonish to Australia, Geneva to Grenada. Collectively they've racked up a fan following who love their shows because of their way to make people feel like they're sitting at a campfire, roasting marshmallows with their friends.

Madison Violet... (read more)