A St. Pattie's Day celebration
Celtic fusion band Green Tea will perform at Stones Throw on St. Patrick's Day
Theresa Schneider
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: Scene
Normally green tea would be found in a coffee shop or teahouse. But on St. Patrick's Day, Green Tea will take the stage in their Eau Claire debut show at the The Stone's Throw, 304 Eau Claire St.
Green Tea is a Stevens Point-based Celtic fusion band, modernizing traditional Celtic music by mixing other styles of music, such as rock, pop, funk, folk and jazz, said rhythm guitarist Trevor Roark.
"We play a lot of high-energy tunes," he said. The Celtic influence comes from modernizing gigs and reels, traditional Irish songs, with modern instrumentation and modern arrangement, he added.
But what does that sound like? Roark said the group sounds like a mix of other well-known groups Flogging Molly, Gaelic Storm and Bela Fleck.
Green Tea is known for its all-ages appeal. In fact, the band's first album was called "All Ages" for that reason. The group's two largest demographics are college-aged young adults and baby boomers, Roark said, probably because of the up-tempo music.
"We take these songs that people just want to stomp their feet to … and incorporate music baby boomers like," he said.
Roark said another appeal the band has is the actual music tradition Green Tea uses. The Celtic musical tradition is thousands of years old, but it's something people still enjoy, he said.
"(We play) a great mix of music founded and stemmed in Irish music," he said. "It may not be your thing, but it might be for the person next to you, because there is such a variety," he added.
And their appeal has helped make a name for the band in the Midwest. In March 2007, the Irish American News named Green Tea, along with The Prodigals, Young Dubliners, and The Glengarry Bhoys, "one of the best Irish bands nationally and internationally to play at Ballydoyle" Pub, Downers Grove, Ill. Adding to the accolades, Green Tea was also nominated for two Madison Area Music Awards in 2008, according to the band's press release.
The band consists of five members, including John Coletta, a flute and whistle player who also happens to be considered one of the best hands players in the world.
Green Tea has never played at the The Stones Throw before, but thought the venue would be a good fit for the band, especially because the band has the chance to play on St. Patrick's Day.
Currently, Roark said Green Tea is working on new music and putting together a new demo.
Much of the new music will soon be found on the band's Web site, www.greenteaworldmusic.com.
Green Tea is a Stevens Point-based Celtic fusion band, modernizing traditional Celtic music by mixing other styles of music, such as rock, pop, funk, folk and jazz, said rhythm guitarist Trevor Roark.
"We play a lot of high-energy tunes," he said. The Celtic influence comes from modernizing gigs and reels, traditional Irish songs, with modern instrumentation and modern arrangement, he added.
But what does that sound like? Roark said the group sounds like a mix of other well-known groups Flogging Molly, Gaelic Storm and Bela Fleck.
Green Tea is known for its all-ages appeal. In fact, the band's first album was called "All Ages" for that reason. The group's two largest demographics are college-aged young adults and baby boomers, Roark said, probably because of the up-tempo music.
"We take these songs that people just want to stomp their feet to … and incorporate music baby boomers like," he said.
Roark said another appeal the band has is the actual music tradition Green Tea uses. The Celtic musical tradition is thousands of years old, but it's something people still enjoy, he said.
"(We play) a great mix of music founded and stemmed in Irish music," he said. "It may not be your thing, but it might be for the person next to you, because there is such a variety," he added.
And their appeal has helped make a name for the band in the Midwest. In March 2007, the Irish American News named Green Tea, along with The Prodigals, Young Dubliners, and The Glengarry Bhoys, "one of the best Irish bands nationally and internationally to play at Ballydoyle" Pub, Downers Grove, Ill. Adding to the accolades, Green Tea was also nominated for two Madison Area Music Awards in 2008, according to the band's press release.
The band consists of five members, including John Coletta, a flute and whistle player who also happens to be considered one of the best hands players in the world.
Green Tea has never played at the The Stones Throw before, but thought the venue would be a good fit for the band, especially because the band has the chance to play on St. Patrick's Day.
Currently, Roark said Green Tea is working on new music and putting together a new demo.
Much of the new music will soon be found on the band's Web site, www.greenteaworldmusic.com.
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