Portland, OR-based performers Jenn Grinels and Merideth Kaye Clark of folk/Americana duo Siren Songs are producing a new concert series called Siren Songs | SEASONS. Siren Songs will headline the series of 4 unique concert events highlighting local artists during each of the year’s seasons. The inaugural concert, Siren Songs | SPRING, is set to take place Saturday, March 25th at The Old Church Concert Hall in Portland.
“We are focused on fostering a community of artists here and we are eager to celebrate the seasonal beauty that exists in Portland – and to make music together in a beautiful, historic, uniquely-Portland venue” says Clark. “We want to create this series for our audiences here in our hometown. After the last couple years of feeling isolated, our most vital priority is to find joyful ways to collaborate, create community and be together.”
Siren Songs released their eponymous album in 2020 to critical acclaim. The duo consists of longtime best friends, Merideth Kaye Clark & Jenn Grinels, who, individually, have performed in theaters and music venues all over the world. The duo is known for their unique acoustic arrangements of Americana classics (guitar, banjo, dulcimer, viola) and their expertise in songwriting and harmony singing. Siren Songs is inspired by the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Indigo Girls, and Dolly Parton (who praised their 2020 cover of “Jolene”). Their band will feature local guitarist Ross Seligman (A Night with Janis Joplin, Broadway guitarist) and bassist Will Amend.
Siren Songs | SPRING will also feature beloved Portland jazz artist Courtney Freed with her guitarist Hamody Hindi and local singer-songwriter Danni Lee. Both Freed and Lee have headlined at The Old Church Concert Hall in their own evenings.
Siren Songs, with producing partner Courtney Freed, reached out to the community for sponsorship to make this series possible. “Producing a series like this is quite an undertaking,” says Clark. “The response to sponsorships from our community is really encouraging and Portland’s local businesses and generous individuals are making the evenings possible.”
Local artists and artisans will also share and sell their work inspired by the season in the gallery space at The Old Church adjacent to the performance venue.
Says Grinels of the concert, “The spring season represents new beginnings. We will be sharing new music written specifically for this concert and inspired by the season – and are asking the other artists and musicians to share their spring-inspired works as well. We are planting the seeds this spring and will watch them grow with 4 concerts coming up this year.”
Siren Songs has dates already scheduled for SUMMER (June 24, 2023), AUTUMN (September 30, 2023), and WINTER (Dec 2, 2023) in the Siren Songs | SEASONS series. All concerts are scheduled to take place at The Old Church Concert Hall in downtown Portland.
TICKET INFO:
Individual general admission Siren Songs | SPRING tickets are available through The Old Church Concert Hall website. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/4720933/siren-songs-seasons-spring-with-special-guests-courtney-freed-danni-lee–portland-the-old-church-concert-hall-
Discounted VIP season subscriptions are available for all 4 concerts as well as individual VIP tickets for the Siren Songs | SPRING Concert. https://www.sirensongsmusic.com/seasons
About Siren Songs:
Siren Songs is a musical collaboration between Merideth Kaye Clark and Jenn Grinels.
Powerhouse vocalists, musicians, and national touring artists, the longtime best friends present folk and Americana favorites as well as original compositions. Gorgeous harmonies and unique arrangements performed on a variety of stringed instruments (guitar, banjo, dulcimer, viola) move and uplift the listener. Siren Songs received rave reviews for their eponymous debut album including approval from their hero, Dolly Parton. www.sirensongsmusic.com
About producer and performer Jenn Grinels:
Jenn Grinels has spent the past decade performing her original music on the road, touring with well known acts such as 10,000 Maniacs and Christopher Cross. As an independent artist, Grinels has built a large grassroots following headlining concerts nationwide and garnering millions of online listeners. Her music can be heard on television and in film. www.jenngrinels.com
About producer and performer Merideth Kaye Clark:
Merideth Kaye Clark is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, as well as an accomplished leading lady in theater. She has played definitive roles nationwide, such as Elphaba in Wicked. Clark has toured internationally and can be seen on the television show “Portlandia” as well as IFC’s “Documentary Now! Co-op” and is featured on the Emmy nominated cast album. www.meridethkayeclark.com
About producing partner and performer Courtney Freed:
Strong, passionate, vivacious and daring, Courtney Freed is a dynamic vocalist in a class all her own. She is a Portland based singer, songwriter, creatrix and educator. She has been called a “whirlwind of excitement” as well as “effervescent” and “breathtaking.” Whether she is belting out a Queen classic or a sultry standard, she is sure to captivate many a listener. She has performed in many prestigious venues in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles as well as Portland, where she resides. Her sparkling and smooth tribute through the Great American Songbook is not to be missed live.
She also sings lead with local swing band, The Courtney Freed Five. Her next album, “Big Crazy Love,” a delicious combination of jazz inspired originals and covers was released in early 2022. For more info, visit www.courtneyfreedmusic.com.
About performer Danni Lee:
Danni Lee is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter based in Portland, OR. Her latest album, “Truth Teller” (October 2021) has her focusing her efforts on distorted electric tenor ukulele and rule breaking how instruments are “supposed” to be played. Known for her live performance energy and witty stage banter, Danni Lee’s live shows have been described as equal parts stand-up comedy and live music. Whether you laugh or cry–or both–her emotionally driven lyrics will be stuck in your head for weeks and weeks.
This article was first published by and is published here courtesy of Siren Songs.
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