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| Backgrounder "Scythian's enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses." - The Washington Post
| sample a typical SCYTHIAN show |
Bio
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Bio
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Bio
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Washington Post Express
Teaser (160 words) - for website use Dubbed by The Washington Post as "one of DC's most energetic and eclectic bands" Scythian (sith-ee-yin) falls nothing short of a "party band". Their high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music has one goal in mind - to get people on their feet and dancing. The crowd is an essential element of each show and Scythian relies heavily on crowd participation to get people involved and loosened up. As The Washington Post states, their results are always the same: ""the band's enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses." Led by a pair of young raging fiddlers, Scythian has a great respect and admiration for the traditional - the foundation of their music; nevertheless, Scythian is not afraid to wink at convention in search of a little fun, lending them an appeal to young and old alike. Festivals Magnolia
Fest – Live Oak, FL (October 2007) Venues World
Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA Media Appearances WXPN
RADIO - The Gene Shay Show References Stout
NYC: Noelle Moon - General Manager, ph: (212) 629-6191
Press "In concert, Scythian proves to be one of Washington's most energetic and eclectic bands." The Washington Post "One listen to Scythian - especially live - and you'll understand why their high-energy, original brand of 'Celtic with an Edge' tunes keep people yelling for more." On Tap Magazine Playing the I-95 corridor Scythian is developing a rabid following along with interwoven playing that is sure to deliver a grand time for all who see them . . . all of the members of the band play a variety of instruments and are natural showmen, engaging the audience on every number. Glide Magazine "We don't know of another local band that can churn out rebel songs, Pogues covers and traditional reels with the same levels of skill and energy." The Washington Post Promoters "I have seen a great number of bands in my years, though only a few can relate to the crowd the way Scythian does. I have seen this band in a club setting and on a stage in front of 5000 people, and they whip a crowd into a frenzy! Tight grooves, outstanding musicianship, and a spontaneity that few bands possess, I will be booking this band at Summerfest for years to come!" Doug Johnson, Talent Buyer "From the rousing late night party to the Sunday afternoon stage jumps, Scythian delivers with the kind of energy any festival with quality programming deserves. I'll book them again and again." Kris Hodges "Wildly entertaining! Completely charismatic! Refreshingly professional! And most importantly, so very talented! Scythian give 1000% of their everything on and off stage. Bringing a natural energy coupled with an extremely tight stage show, their considerable musical abilities have never failed any promoter or let down any audience. In a short time, Scythian has jumped to the forefront of the Celtic music scene. Instrumentally and vocally they are forcing other performers to reevaluate direction, content and substance. When we are able to add Scythian to our festival line-up, we know we will have a winner. Bill Reid, East of the Hebrides Entertainment With so many new bands in the Celtic market...Scythian stands out. They're innovative and fun: a blend of classical, Gyspy, bluegrass and Celtic music. While you're sure to enjoy their CDs, nothing can match their live shows where audience participation and dancing is a prerequisite. Barry Stapleton, Entertainment Director "There is now a Celtic folkrock band of which America can be shamelessly proud. It's name is Scythian." Michael Jaworek, The Birchmere Supporters "Creative, infectious, hilarious, tamborine-banging fun. You've now spoiled us for anybody else; a tough act to follow, indeed!" Gunny, Washington D.C. - Guest book entry "The Fado's show was the best party I've been to in years. Love that you guys are making music fun again." Ethan, Arlington VA - Guest book entry "Scythian is a group of real men, who play real music . . . Their music is real because they put themselves into it. They're real men and that's why I'm still here right now (2am - Kildares Pub, PA). 90-year-old fan Alice, Westchester, PA as quoted in the "Catholic Standard Times" "They play every show like it is their first and their last." Artie, Flanagans Pub Backgrounder Rousing and raucous, Scythian (sith-ee-yin) plays kicked-up Celtic and world music with hints of gypsy and klezmer, all infused with a touch of punk-rock sensibility. The lads have been riling up audiences along the East coast for several years now with their high-energy, interactive show, causing outbreaks of extemporaneous tambourine playing, feverish dancing, and spontaneous bedlam. Scythian has achieved much in just a short while, and 2007 proved to be a pivotal year in the band's career. In just their second festival season, Scythian tripled their festival bookings over the prior year. The band played 25 festivals in 2007, including SummerFest - the world's largest music festival - where they shared the stage with GUSTER, and the Milwaukee Irish Fest - the largest Celtic festival in the world. They also opened for FLOGGING MOLLY at Shamrock Fest (DC) and played at FloydFest, Grass Roots Festival of Dance, Magnolia Fest, Suwanee Spring Fest, Shakori Hills, and Musikfest. Voted "2006 DC Fan Favorite" by the Washington Area Music Association and with two more nominations in 2007 for Best Contemporary Folk Group and Best Contemporary Folk Recording, Scythian has secured its spot, according to The Washington Post, "as one of D.C.'s most energetic and eclectic bands. Led by a pair of young raging fiddlers, Scythian brings a passion and energy that makes them unpredictable, spontaneous and contagiously festive . . . the band's enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around, or hoisting glasses." Scythian has appeared on XM Satellite Radio's The Bob Edwards Show and was the subject of a Voice of America News story, which was aired in the Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and several other countries. The band has performed at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center, the Strathmore Center, and Wolf Trap, and now they hit the road to introduce the States to their energetic, interactive brand of music. Brothers Oleksander ("Leks" - Violin/Mandolin/Harmonica/Bass/Vocals) and Danylo (Rhythm Guitar/Accordion/Vocals) Fedoryka, Josef Crosby (Joey - Violin/Bass/Vocals) and Mike Ounallah (Percussion/Drums) make up the powerhouse and talent of the group. Though they have only been a full-time band for three years, Scythian's love of music came from an early age. The Fedoryka brothers began studying the violin and piano at age three, and Crosby began playing violin at age five. Ounallah began playing drums and percussion at age ten and has since completed a master's degree in jazz. All four are first-generation sons of immigrants and their music reflects their various backgrounds: The Fedorykas are 100% Ukrainian and come from a musical family with their mother Irene graduating from Juilliard and all ten of the children learning instruments. Crosby brings some of the Irish blood to the group being Irish/Austrian. Ounallah comes from a Jordanian/German/Irish background. This combination of ethnic origins is what makes Scythian "The Immigrant Road Show." With the July 2007 release of their third album, Immigrant Road Show, Scythian has accumulated several nominations for their efforts, including a best song nod for "Immigrant Stomp" from CelticRadio.net, a spot in PaddyRock.com's Top 20 Albums of 2007 list, as well as the aforementioned nominations by the Washington Area Music Association. Their live show was also voted one of the 10 best shows of 2007 by the Ithaca Journal. With original songs such as "Technoccordion" and "Highway 81" and with new twists on old favorites such as "Tuesday Morning" and "Fields of Athenry," the band has managed to create their own unique sound. By taking their virtuosic talents and unfailing energy to all-time highs through audience connections, Scythian continues to reach larger audiences with their music and demonstrate just how much fun live music can be. The lads chose the name Scythian, which they define as a "bunch of pre-Mesopotamian barbarians who did not use forks or phonics," to describe an essentially nomadic sound that encompasses everything from traditional jigs and reels to contemporary covers. |
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Alexander
Fedoryka: Violin/Mandolin/Harmonica/Bass/Vocals
Josef
Crosby: Violin/Bass/Vocals
Danylo
Fedoryka: Rhythm Guitar/Accordion/Vocals
Mike
Ounallah: Percussion/Drums
DC
Examiner - Scythian rubs elbows with Steven Seagal
. . . not literally, just on paper. The DC Examiner covered Scythian's
upcoming show at The Strathmore Center. 
Scythian
in the Hatchet -
Scythian's crazy shows at Fado recently made news in the George
Washington University newspaper, The Hatchet. Check out
the story 
Scythian
Reviewed in the Georgetown Hoya! - The
Georgetown Hoya recently ran an article on Sythian in their
Interview section of the school's paper. 
