friction farm
Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay
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Friction
Farm is guitarist/vocalist Aidan Quinn and bassist/vocalist
Christine Stay. Their strong musicianship and keen songwriting
sensibilities make Friction Farm instantly likeable. They are
Kerrville New Folk Finalists, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artsist, winners of the South Florida Folk Festival songwriting competition and finalists at the Susquehanna Music Festival.
“...infectiously
hummable tunes...” New Times Magazine
Friction
Farm’s latest recording, “Every Mile Is A Memory”
offers nine focused observations; a few immediate, a few through
the filter of time, and a few tempered with some humor. The modern
folk duo enlisted Tom Prasada-Rao to produce “Every Mile Is
A Memory”. The CD is little more stripped down and straight
forward than previous Friction Farm CDs, with Jagoda on percussion
and Pat Wictor playing lap steel on the opening track. Prasada-Rao
also adds texture to several songs with mandolin, violin, even
sitar.
With
just two people and two instruments, they create a lot of sound
and a diverse repertoire. Friction Farm’s sound is built
around Aidan’s the big jangly guitar strum. He’ll
hypnotize your feet into tapping along, then snap you out of it
with some intricate flat picking.
“Aidan
Quinn’s skillful lead guitar licks gave Friction Farm an
edge of rock...” Ink 19
Christine
has a vocal and lyrical intensity that conveys a wide range of
expression, intimate and vulnerable in one song, powerful and
angst ridden in the next. With Aidan’s vocal thrown in the
mix they recall classic 60's harmonies.
“Whether
singing at a near whisper or belting for the rafters, her vocal
confidence and melodic tone
never waiver.” City Link
Magazine
Delivering a quite ballad or an anthem, Friction Farm is a dynamic
duo on stage, they might tell you a story that invites you into
the depths of a meaningful song and then stomp their feet on the
stage until you want to jump up and dance and forget it all.
“...a
knack for writing catchy hook-filled songs and delivering them
with unbridled energy...” Palm Beach Post
He’s
from Berkeley, she’s from Woodstock. They met in college
where he was a guitar playing geologist and she was an engineer.
Aidan is from a family of musicians, he comes by his talents
honestly and naturally. Christine didn’t even think about
music until after graduating college. She learned to play bass
just to join in with Quinn’s hobby but discovered a love for
performing and for writing. Together they make a formidable team
with a real yin and yang approach to music and lyrics, melody and
harmony.
QUOTES
“Blending country, folk, and pop into a seamless package is not easy but Friction Farm has it down” Audra Schroeder, New Times Magazine
“Aidan and Christine command any stage they’re on. Their appreciable force is gently delivered with keen lyrics and beautiful melodies, with a hint of humor to mitigate the seriousness of some of their material.” David Engels, Emerald Concerts
“Friction Farm's latest CD, 'Every Mile is a Memory,' is a refreshing collection of songs that look at life by soaking in every detail and putting the sentiments to music. Christine and Aidan show a comfort and chemistry in working together that shines through in their performances. My one complaint? There aren't enough songs on this CD. It makes me want more. So I'm waiting...” Wanda Fischer, WAMC
“Friction
Farm’s strong point is gorgeous harmonies, that thread nearly every song” Xtreme
Folk Society,
Philadelphia
“Aidan
Quinn’s spot-on guitar technique drive the songs plus his
backing harmonies at times sound eerily like Lindsey Buckingham.” Jim Reed, Connect
Savannah
“Her
four octave range reminiscent of disparate singers like Melissa
Etheridge and Natalie Merchant - meaning she’s carved out an
original style.” Bill Meredith, Free
Press
“Melodious
and infectious folk nuggets that couple pretty harmonies with a
contemplative simplicity.” City Link Magazine
“Friction
Farm’s live performance is full of funny and poignant
stories, spontaneous diversions, audience participation, good
music, and lots of fun.” Pine
Island Eagle
JUST THE FACTS
Current CD : “Every Mile Is A
Memory”
Previous Releases: “34
Degrees, 32 Minutes”, “Believe”
Style: Modern folk /
singer-songwriter
Band Members: Aidan Quinn - guitar,
vocal; Christine Stay
- vocal, bass, harmonica
Hometown: Greenville SC and Brooklyn
NY
Opened For: Tori Amos
Ben Folds
Lucy Kaplansky
The Kennedys
Rod MacDonald
The Refugees
Sort of Cool Stuff: Winner Songwriter Competition, South Florida Folk Fest
Finalist Susquehanna Music Festival Songwriter Competition
SERFA Official Showcase 2010
NERFA DJ Showcase 2008
Best Local Band - Miami City search (we’ve never lived in Miami)
Odd Stuff
Aidan grew up in Berkeley CA
He has a degree in geology and is really into rocks
He builds furniture for fun
Christine is from Woodstock NY
She was a materials engineer
She loves to cook, even on the road