Marty and Lil Siltanen

Artist Information

Biography

Folk = people = real life = the roots of the music of Marty and Lil.

Marty and Lil combine flat-pickin’ guitar with djembe rhythm and top it off with sweet harmonies to create a warm and lively musical experience... "It's a simple sound, very inviting and very listenable!"

You’ll hear flavours of traditional folk, Celtic, bluegrass, country AND western in their original folk songs, along with covers of contemporary songwriters such as Kim Barlow, Jane Hawley, Ian Tamblyn, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Kieran Kane and John Prine.

Marty and Lil released an independent CD in 2007, “It’s a Long Way to Roam”, of 10 original songs about cowboys, fur traders, trucks, love, and the old home place.

Their new songs continue a “Canadiana” theme with a suite of songs about the painter Tom Thomson. "It's not just Tom the painter and woodsman in Algonquin Park, but more about what he was thinking and feeling at the time in 1917", Marty says.

Another new song, “Farmer’s Road”, took 3rd place in the “Best Song of Alberta” category at the 2008 Calgary Folk Festival’s Songwriter Contest. (You can hear it in the "Audio" section.)

An honest turn of phrase and a heart-felt melody... that's what characterizes their singing and songwriting. Stories seen through plaid-coloured glasses. Red plaid... honest stuff!

Instrumentation

Marty sings and plays acoustic guitar and octave mandolin.
Lil sings and plays percussion.

They perform as a duo, and with their band, "The Bloomin' Thistles".

Discography

It's a Long Way to Roam (2007) -original folk songs about traveling through life, love and the landscapes that surround us. CD's and MP3's available at http://www.cdbaby.com/martysiltanen.

Homefest Compilation CD (2007) -"Sagebrush and Pine" included in this compilation of artists who performed at the Edmonton Homefest benefit concert in 2007.

Homefest Compilation CD (2005) -"It's a Long Way to Roam" included in this compilation of artists who performed at the Edmonton Homefest benefit concert in 2005.

RMB (rootsmusicband) - Live @ Expressionz (2002) -a live off-the-floor recording with Ron D. Taylor. Marty's song "Road Kill" first appeared on this CD.

Official Website

http://www.martyandlil.ca

Audio

• Farmer's Road -a folk song about getting old on the farm
  Listen  
• Off to the Northern Coast -a Celtic song about draft-dodgers
  Listen  
• Sagebrush and Pine -a cowboy country song about change on the range
  Listen  
• It's a Long Way to Roam -a folk-grass song about lifes travels
  Listen  
• The Old Songs -a folk song about singing along with the radio
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Farmer's Road
• Off to the Northern Coast
• Sagebrush and Pine
• It's A Long Way to Roam
• The Old Songs

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Full Moon Folk Club, Songs in the Round, Feb.23/07 [+ Show ]
  

  "Marty participated in our Alberta Songs in the Round Special - February, 2007- and was a standout a..."Marty participated in our Alberta Songs in the Round Special - February, 2007- and was a standout amongst seven other talented musicians. In addition to being a strong picker and singer , he is relaxed and confident on stage. Always a pleasure to hear!"
  Peter Pirquet, President, Full Moon Folk Club, Edmonton, Alberta
  
  Congratulations on a great performance last night Marty... I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done.
  Rob Heath, singer/songwriter

• Marty and Lil at the Meadowlark, Feb.5/07 [+ Show ]
  

  Tonight Marci and I went over to Meadowlark Second Cup where Marty and Lil Siltanen were playing a l...Tonight Marci and I went over to Meadowlark Second Cup where Marty and Lil Siltanen were playing a little gig. Marty and Lil do a really laid-back blend of folk, roots, bluegrass and popular music; their harmonies are beautiful and their arrangements really tasteful. Marty is also a really classy flatpicker; I'm not a flatpicker myself and I really admire people who can do it and do it well.
  Tale Spin: Tim Chesterton
  http://timchesterton.blogspot.com/2007/02/marty-and-lil-at-meadowlark-second-cup.html

• Blue Chair Cafe CD Release Party [+ Show ]
  

  Marty Siltanen’s CD Release was a highlight for the Blue Chair Café spring programming calendar. The...Marty Siltanen’s CD Release was a highlight for the Blue Chair Café spring programming calendar. The performance went far beyond a guy singing the songs from his CD. As an evening of entertainment, it was a very professional performance, nicely organized with a varied and interesting mix of music, right down to the contra bass solo.
  -Harold Wollin, Owner, Blue Chair Cafe

• CD comments... [+ Show ]
  

  "I was very impressed. Many of the songs I've heard you do and are favorites. I thought the musician..."I was very impressed. Many of the songs I've heard you do and are favorites. I thought the musicianship was very good and the recording was top notch. Congratulations Marty."
  -Rob Heath, singer/songwriter.
  
  "The sound, feel, songs, vocals, and songwriting all ring true and pure with me. Favourites include "Long Way to Roam," "The Old Songs" "Rowand's Rum" "Sagebrush and Pine" and of-course your show-stopper "Road Kill". I guess the thing is how easy it is for me to relate to your tunes and lyrics: a nice feeling, to be sure!"
  -Marv Machura, singer/songwriter, Red Poppy Productions.
  
  "It's like having Marty and Lil right there at home in your own room!"
  -Jessica Heine, singer/songwriter
  
  

• Performance comments... [+ Show ]
  

  "A standout... always a pleasure to hear!" Peter Pirquet, President, Full Moon Folk Club. "A ve..."A standout... always a pleasure to hear!"
  Peter Pirquet, President, Full Moon Folk Club.
  
  "A very professional performance, with a varied and interesting mix of music."
  Harold Wollin, Owner, Blue Chair Café
  
  "Their harmonies are beautiful and their arrangements really tasteful."
  Tim Chesterton, Tale Spin.
  
  "Sagebrush and Pine is a good one!"
  Bob Chelmick, CKUA
  
  "Congratulations on a great performance!"
  Rob Heath, singer/songwriter
  
  "My daughter loves to dance to that
  Rowand's Rum song!"
  Carrie Hryniw, singer/songwriter
  
  "It's easy to relate to your tunes and lyrics,
  a nice feeling, to be sure!"
  Marv Machura, singer/songwriter

Setlist

Can do 1, 2 or 3 sets depending on time allowed.

Sets normally include:

Mostly originals…
It's a Long Way to Roam -getting lost on the road
Isle of Lewis -a song about a place far away
Sagebrush and Pine -a cowboy song
The Old Songs -sing along with the oldies
Off to the Northern Coast -draft dodgers head for BC
Farmer's Road -getting old on the farm
High in a Pine Tree -climbing high up in a tree
Where? -a boogie-gospel-eco-rant!
Destiny -what is destiny?
Road Kill -should I go left or go right?
Your Eyes -a love song
Okanagan Mountain Fire -about the fire in BC
I’m Going Home -longing for home
Heaven Knows -a song about passing generations
Take The Road Less Travelled -Tom Thomson's travels
Under Northern Lights -painting in the dark
Catch Some Fish To Fry -Tom goes fishin'
Every Day -peace and contentment
Headed For The Northland -having to leave
Loggerhead -a logger's blues
Fork Of The Road -fun times in my younger day
Rowand's Rum -the story of John Rowand's remains

Lil and Marty might both sing some covers, like...
The Water is Wide (trad.)
True Colours (Jane Hawley)
Huminah (Kim Barlow)
Restless Nights (Karla Bonoff)
Cowgirl in the Sand (Neil Young)
Willin’ (Little Feat)
Please Don't Bury Me (John Prine)
Homeward Bound (Paul Simon)
Magnolia (J.J. Cale)
Passionate Kisses (Lucinda Williams)
Going To The Country (Bruce Cockburn)
Jack to a King (Ned Miller)
The Weight (The Band)
Amie (Pure Prairie League)
Bottom of The Glass (Seldom Scene)
Hello Mr. Record Man (Valdy)
Tequila Sunrise (Eagles)
The End Is Not In Sight (Amazing Rhythm Aces)

Basic Requirements

Calendar