Aoife O’Donovan Announces More US + European Dates With String Quartet

Today, Aoife O’Donovan announces more dates in support of her new EP Bull Frogs Croon (And Other Songs), out now on Yep Roc Records. Originating from a collaborative piece premiered in 2015 for Oregon’s Britt Music and Arts Festival that incorporates the work of the late Oregon poet laureate Peter Sears, Bull Frogs Croon finds Aoife accompanied by a string quartet for “a captivating song cycle” and “a truly poetic set of songs that linger with the listener long after O’Donovan has the final word” (No Depression). See full list of tour dates below.

Listen to Aoife talk with Oregon Public Broadcasting about Peter Sears’ poetry and the creation of Bull Frogs Croon: http://bit.ly/3aDicrY

Watch the video for “Pretty Bird” from Bull Frogs Croon here: https://youtu.be/bB9qpkgrYbs

While the 2015 premiere of Bull Frogs Croon — created alongside violinist and composer Jeremy Kittel conductor Teddy Abrams — was performed by a full orchestra, O’Donovan elected to strip the studio recording back to an elemental string quartet consisting of violinists Kittel and Brittany Haas (Crooked Still, Hawktail), violist Mario Gotoh (Silkroad Ensemble, Broadway’s Hamilton) and bassist Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers, Hawktail). In addition to three new compositions, the EP — which was co-produced by Aoife and Kittel — consists of fresh takes on two songs that have been part of O’Donovan’s repertoire for years: the Irish folk song “Lakes of Pontchartrain,” and Hazel Dickens’ “Pretty Bird.” 

Deemed “a vocalist of unerring instinct” by the New York Times, Aoife O’Donovan is one of the most sought-after singers and songwriters of her generation. She has worked with some of the preeminent names in music, from Alison Krauss (who recorded O’Donovan’s song “Lay My Burden Down” for her Grammy-winning album Paper Airplane) to Yo-Yo Ma, and is in the house band on the radio variety show Live From Here with Chris Thile. She just won a 2020 GRAMMY Award for Best American Roots Song with the acclaimed trio I’m With Her. 

Order Bull Frogs Croon (and Other Songs) here: ffm.to/bullfrogscroon