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"Scythian's enthusiasm is contagious,
and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or
hoisting glasses." - The Washington Post

BIOS
and IMAGES
Alexander
Fedoryka: Violin/Mandolin/Harmonica/Bass/Vocals
Trained classically, Alexander started playing at the age of 3
and has performed in such venues as the Kennedy Center and Wolf
Trap. Of note, Alexander spent six months in Japan studying under
Dr. Suzuki, the renowned founder of the Suzuki School of Music.
Alexander also spent four months playing in the streets of Ireland
where he picked up the Celtic spirit and combined it with the
Gypsy soul of his own Ukrainian ancestry.
Josef
Crosby: Violin/Bass/Vocals
Trained classically, Josef studied at Duquesne under Joe Petron
and has performed in venues such as the Benedum Center and Soldiers
& Sailors memorial hall. Making the switch to Celtic fiddling,
Joe forms the second half of Scythian's signature "dueling
fiddles" and is known for his jazzy "dirt & grit"
style.
Danylo
Fedoryka: Rhythm Guitar/Accordion/Vocals
Trained as a classical pianist, Danylo made the switch to rhythm
guitar in order to make music with his brother Alexander. Having
performed at the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap as a classical musician,
Danylo enjoys the free and somewhat loose spirit of Celtic music.
Putting his keyboard skills to use, Danylo also picked up the
accordion which he sports during the bands Gypsy and Klezmer pieces.
Mike
Ounallah: Percussion/Drums
Mike Ounallah, comes from a Jazz background and enriches the sounds
of Scythian with a wealth of experience and expertise. Mike recently
earned a Masters of Jazz Studies at the University of Maryland.
A true student of music, Mike combines his extensive knowledge
with his Jordanian heritage, which compliments the Eastern gypsy
style of Alexander. Although Mike is respected for his knowledge
of music and his musical precision, he is also known as drummer
who can flat out "bring it" and who can rock out with
the best of them.

Band
Shot (300dpi for print)

Band
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Press
and Reviews
"Scythian's
"Immigrant Road Show" is an adventure of some hard kicking,
infectiously hypnotic fiddling music. Once you start listening
you just can't get enough and suddenly you find yourself dancing
across the floor, the walls, the furniture and then right out
the door to find where the heck are these boys playing so I can
get some more! Gypsy Fiddle is just a masterful piece and showcases
their classical roots, their street roots and their obvious musical
talents. Make no mistake, the sound of these boys is hard rocking
but with the musical genius of their classical background
makes for an unbelievable dancing experience. Kesh Jigs is a hard
rocking tune and definitely places them in the realm of Celtic
Rock. Stonehenge Revisited a mystical embracing of our
Celtic Roots. Technoccordian will just put a smile on your face
with its Celtic Techno sound and the list just goes on.
This is a superb CD, the quality incredible, the talent top notch.
5 Golden Celtic Radio Stars for the Scythian boys!"
- CelticRadio.Net
"With
all the bows sawing back and forth at breakneck speeds it's a
wonder that somebody doesn't get an eye put out or something during
their set. With only a thirty to forty minute framework, Scythian
took the sedate Monday night crowd aback from the start with a
fierce twin fiddle instrumental and rarely let up on the intensity
after that with polka and gypsy songs thrown in among the more
obviously Irish-inspired tunes. By set's end the crowd was on
their feet, clapping in rhythm and even stomping their feet, chairs
forgotten for the moment. True entertainers know how to work the
crowd, and Scythian accomplished this with ease. Fans were singing
and clapping, but most of all, dancing -- the kind of dance that
cultivates joy and spreads it around. This is music that makes
you feel good inside."
- Kevin Oliver, Music That Matters
"Scythian
brings first-generation authenticity to their unique hodgepodge
of Irish, Celtic, klezmer, and gypsy influences. Drawing inspiration
from the storytelling songcraft of traditional Irish music, [they]
move their sound into a much more indefinable realm by infusing
the traditionalist main course with modern-day flavors.... Immigrant
Road Show, is a resounding listen that lends raucous rock and
roll-style gusto and volume to their acoustically driven songs.
All four members prove to be engaging, talented, and inventive
performers along the way. With the recent trend of success for
"traditional fusion" acts such as DeVotchKa, Man Man,
and Gogol Bordello, it's no surprise that Scythian is closing
in on widespread recognition as well. Having won over audiences
at this year's Merlefest with multiple shows, the band are staring
down a laundry list of concerts and festivals in 2008 that will
surely bring their Immigrant Road Show streaking to the front
of the pack. How could one resist their tour website's greeting
- "Come and join us for some pints and a jig or two!"
- Bryan Rodgers, Homegrown Music Network
"Classically
trained Scythian is popularly considered to play Celtic music
for people who hate Celtic music, but love rock."
- Washington Post Express
"Scythian
is developing a rabid following with interwoven playing that is
sure to deliver a grand time for all who see them. Scythian's
set could best be described as an interactive reel-based frolic,
all of the members of the band play a variety of instruments and
are natural showman, engaging the audience on every number."
- Glide Magazine
"The
word is out - Scythian kicks musical butt! Their impact on audiences
has been a bit like love at first sight/sound."
- Old Town Crier (Alexandria, VA)
"In
concert, Scythian proves to be one of Washington's most energetic
and an eclectic band
Scythian's enthusiasm is contagious,
and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around, or
hoisting glasses."
- The Washington Post
**
XM
Radio's Bob Edwards Show Interview
**
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Teaser
- for website use
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. Take a pair of classically trained
dueling fiddlers, toss in a rhythm guitar and the occasional funky
accordion, then power it with the driving rhythm of a jazz percussionist,
and you've got the ingredients for a show you won't soon forget.
Their high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music
has one goal in mind; to get people on their feet and dancing.
Their repertoire ranges from traditional and contemporary Celtic
and folk music to the alluring and dramatic strains of Gypsy and
Eastern European tunes, and then crosses back over the border
to pick up some good old-fashioned bluegrass licks.
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Testimonials
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
Summerfest, Milwaukee, W.I.
"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
FloydFest
"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
Philadelphia, P.A.
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
Milwaukee Irish Fest, Milwaukee W.I.
"There
is now a Celtic folkrock band of which America can be shamelessly
proud. It's name is Scythian."
Michael
Jaworek, The Birchmere
Alexandria, V.A.
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
MORE
TESTIMONIALS . . .
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Backgrounder
Fresh
off performing at a St. Patrick's Day Presidential luncheon for
President Bush and Ireland's Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Scythian
(sith-ee-yin) played kicked-up Celtic and world music with hints
of gypsy and klezmer, all infused with a touch of punk-rock sensibility.
Voted 2006 DC Fan Favorite by the Washington Area Music Association
and two more nominations in 2007 for Best Contemporary Folk Group
and Best Contemporary Folk Recording, 2007 proved to be a pivotal
year in the band's career. Highlights include sharing the stage
with Guster and opening for Flogging Molly at ShamrockFest (DC).
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.
Scythian
first broke onto the festival scene in 2006, performing in a handful
of Celtic Festivals in the Northeast. It did not take long for
the word to get out about their incredible live performances,
and thanks largely to grassroots promotion and word-of-mouth,
their popularity has exploded. In 2007 - just their second festival
season - Scythian tripled their festival appearances over the
previous year. They booked 25 festivals in 2007, and are on pace
to top that number in 2008 along with a formidable schedule of
venues, concert series, and in-studio performances. In 2008, Scythian
will share the stage with internationally touring acts such as
Joan Jett, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Gaelic Storm, and Flogging Molly.
This year marks the band's first international appearance as they
travel to Sydney, Australia to perform three shows at World Youth
Day 2008 for an estimated audience of 225,000 youth from around
the world.
With
catchy, quirky original songs such as "Technoccordion"
and "Highway 81," and new twists on traditional favorites,
Scythian has created their own unique sound, which defies genre
classification (although "speed folk" has been used
on more than one occasion). Virtuosic talents and unfailing energy
are the tools these lads use to create an electrifying connection
to their audience that keeps fans on their feet and screaming
for more.
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