Darrel Delaronde and Saskia

Artist Information

Biography

Saskia & Darrel
Are; veteran musicians/songwriters/performers who have joined forces to create a dazzling musical partnership that is wowing audiences young and old wherever they play. Coming together from widely diverse backgrounds, and musical influences, they have gave birth to a new adage; " Music conquers All "
Darrel Delaronde was born in the northern forests of Saskatchewan, son of a farmer and saw-miller and grew up into hard labour in a harsh climate. " I left as soon as I looked old enough to hitch-hike," he jokes.
Saskia Munroe was born in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands. She immigrated with her family to northern BC. As soon as she had mastered her new environment and language, she embarked upon a full time career in music.
Darrel began his musical journey on the rough, wood stages of small country halls, playing guitar in any band that would have him; from old-time fiddle to rock and roll. He played in rock bands all through high school, then after moving to BC, was caught up in the country-rock craze of the early seventies.
Saskia sang her way into the hearts of many performing in country bands and coffee houses, singing to any one who would listen, thus honing her vocal skills into the strong, vibrant instrument that it is today. Encouraged by her friends she took up the guitar and discovered a whole new world; the “singer-songwriter”.
Both musicians spent their lives on the road, performing at every possible venue, their love of music overshadowing the rigors of bar-rooms, truck-stops, and cheap hotels. The music business is actually a small world, and these two found themselves crossing paths more and more, until one day they decided to play a few jobs together. It took a while for the gears to mesh, but soon realized that together they had a unique style that spoke to everyone, a tapestry of sound that encompassed many genres, wrapped up in a high-energy performance that shoots sparks across the stage for all to see. Their rich vocals and harmonies, coupled with Darrel's outrageous guitar antics, and backed up by Saskia’s steady bass and penny whistles, punch out a fullness never achieved by most four-piece bands, they give off an energy you can taste in the back of your throat, like ozone from a thunder storm.

Instrumentation

Darrel: acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and vocals.
Saskia: bass, banjo, acoustic guitar, penny whistles and vocals.

Discography

HOT OFF THE PRESS! Laura's Kitchen!!! 2007
A Christmas Dream. 2001 (With Gary Fjellgaard, Nathan Tinkham, and Valdy).
Lady Luck: 1998, two released singles in Europe
Saskia: 2000 two released singles in Europe
Family Tree: Darrel released 2001
Back in time: Deja Vu released 1995

Links

• Gary Fjellgaard
• Tom Coles
• Grasshopper Graphics
• Judy and Bruce Wing

Audio

• PRAIRIE TOWN
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• NEWLY WEDS
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• PORCHLIGHT
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• INSIDE OUT
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• LOUIS RIEL
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• GRATEFUL
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• ADELINE
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• WITHOUT WORDS
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• JERUSALEM
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• LAURA'S KITCHEN
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• BLOW ME AWAY
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• ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
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• HALLELUJAH
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• THE FLOOD
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• Completely
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Lyrics

• Louis Riel
• Porchlight
• Laura's Kitchen
• Grateful
• Completely

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• STANDING OVATION IN SWITZERLAND [+ Show ]
  

  Standing Ovation in Switzerland!!!! ' My wife Marilyn and I recently had the honour and pleasure to ...Standing Ovation in Switzerland!!!! ' My wife Marilyn and I recently had the honour and pleasure to host a superb evening at Canada's Official Residence on the occasion of the visit to Bern of Darrell De La Ronde and Saskia as well as Gary Fjellgaard. This Canadian musical trio wonderfully sang and played prairie folk songs, entertaining our 40 Swiss guests who were thrilled by their performance. At the end of the show, they spontaneously rose to their feet for a well deserved standing ovation, asking for several encores. It was a privilege for Marilyn and I to introduce Darrel, Saskia and Gary to Switzerland.' Signed Robert Collette, Ambassadeur/Ambassador, Ambassade du Canada, Berne/Canadian Embassy, Bern. August 21/2008

• Dream Concert [+ Show ]
  

  “Treasured Memories of a Dream Concert” Fjellgaard was joined on stage by the buoyant couple Darrel...“Treasured Memories of a Dream Concert”
  Fjellgaard was joined on stage by the buoyant couple Darrel De La Ronde and Saskia, Saskia with the voice of an angel played bass guitar and took turns in leading the song, “If I needed you”, with partner Darrel de La Ronde playing exquisite guitar. The sound was breathtaking!! When Saskia took the stage with “Oh Holy Night” Ýthe result was awe inspiring. One of De La Ronde‘s songs, “Porch-light” (which was dedicated to all parents with children leaving home to go to war) brought tears to the eyes of the listeners and one cannot stress enough how wonderful it was to be part of the audience. All three performers are exceptional story-tellers. Their songs reflect true spirit, integrity and pure Canadian values.
  Monique Ouellette. St. Paul’s Journal. Dec 11/2007
  

• SEE YOU ON STAGE [+ Show ]
  

  The first time I heard the song "Laura's Kitchen" I knew Darrel and Saskia had something special. Th...The first time I heard the song "Laura's Kitchen" I knew Darrel and Saskia had something special. The rest of the songs on this CD measure up to that standard. Heartfelt lyrics, friendly melodies, great vocals all supported by Darrel's intricate acoustic guitar. Saskia more than holds her own with sensitive electric bass.
  
  Their live performance matches the quality of the CD. With the stories around the songs it all adds up to an enjoyable evening of entertainment. A very comfortable visit to "Laura's Kitchen"
  
  See you on stage. Gary Fjellgaard May 2007
  
  

• Doing what he likes to do [+ Show ]
  

  Gary Fjellgaard "Times Review" Doing what he wants to do means being free to take part in special ...Gary Fjellgaard "Times Review"
  Doing what he wants to do means being free to take part in special
  projects like A Christmas Dream, a compilation CD that Revelstoke
  singer/songwriter Saskia Munroe is working on to help B.C.'s food banks.
  Besides Fjellgaard, the CD will feature Munroe herself and other Canadian
  artists like Valdy and Nathan Tinkham.
  
  "I am very, very proud to be a part of it," Fjellgaard said. "It's certainly a
  labour of love for Saskia and I love singing with her too. She's got this
  beautiful, ethereal quality to her voice
  

• Household name [+ Show ]
  

  PRESS RELEASE FROM HILLCREST CANADA This past year Hillcrest Canada has had the privilege of work...PRESS RELEASE FROM HILLCREST CANADA
  
  This past year Hillcrest Canada has had the privilege of working with singer/songwriter Saskia Munroe from Revelstoke,
  BC. We have released 2 singles to radio in 26 countries around the world. Both singles charted on the prestigious EMS
  Chart out of the U.K. and are still receiving airplay today! "I WONDER HOW YOU ARE" and "I COULD FLY"
  are songs in the acoustic/folk/country genre. Both songs were written by Saskia, and were pulled from her new album -
  SASKIA!
  
  I am very impressed with this delightful and very talented singer/songwriter Radio has embraced her and so will you
  when you hear her perform. To me, this gifted recording artist is on the threshold of becoming a household name ....
  
  Ross Allen
  GM/owner
  Hillcrest Music Canada
  www.hillcrestcd.com
  
  
  

• Concert was a blast!!! [+ Show ]
  

  “Concert was a blast! Local folkies enjoyed a real treat as Gary Fjellgaard, Darrel de la Ronde and...“Concert was a blast!
  Local folkies enjoyed a real treat as Gary Fjellgaard, Darrel de la Ronde and Saskia took the stage for a primo performance at the united church. These three fine performers like interactivity. They work well with each other and their highly receptive audience. Telling jokes, joshing each other and their fans, while spinning yarns about the genesis of their music. Darrel De La Ronde, Saskia and Gary Fjellgaard put on an excellent performance.”
  -- David. F. Rooney. Revelstoke Times Review. May 02/07
  
  

• A Class Act [+ Show ]
  

  Your music is so beautiful. It is a thrill for us to expierence such high quality music. You are tru...Your music is so beautiful. It is a thrill for us to expierence such high quality music. You are truly a "Class Act" !!
  Beth Russell. Valemount. BC.

• Spectacular!! The People's Choice!! [+ Show ]
  

  We were at your show in Nipawin last night and it was spectacular!! We knew Gary Fjellgaard was the ...We were at your show in Nipawin last night and it was spectacular!! We knew Gary Fjellgaard was the best, but Darrel DalaRonde and Saskia are right up there with you. The three of you together were beyond great. Thank you all.

• “Purveyors of eclectic “Prairie Folk” [+ Show ]
  

  “Purveyors of eclectic “Prairie Folk” and fine country music, Darrel and Saskia combine rich vocal h...“Purveyors of eclectic “Prairie Folk” and fine country music, Darrel and Saskia combine rich vocal harmonies and virtuoso finger-style guitar work. Upbeat original ballads like “Louis Riel” and “Adeline” get the blood pumping vigorously; gorgeously crafted love songs like “Inside Out” tug on the heart strings and send shivers up the spine; down-and-dirty blues numbers like “Road Less Travelled” make one want to dance and sing along. When you hear their sounds, you will understand why Darrel and Saskia have been nominated for two prestigious SCMA awards, and why two of Saskia’s songs have reached the EMI charts in Europe”
  -- Kevin Hutchings. www.kevinhutchings.ca U.N.B.C. Canada Research Chair in Romantic Studies, Co-editor, Ashgate Series in Nineteenth-Century Transatlantic Studies and Associate Professor, English.
  

• Thank you for touching my heart [+ Show ]
  

  “Dear Saskia and Darrel... Your music lifted my spirit and will be enjoyed for days to come on the 4...“Dear Saskia and Darrel... Your music lifted my spirit and will be enjoyed for days to come on the 4 Cds that my daughter and I bought between the two of us! The blending of your melodic voice Saskia along with the amazing guitar playing of you Darrel was such a treat ...a feast for the ears! The energy that you portrayed and your delight in each other with humour thrown in made your performance so very enjoyable..one can see how much you enjoy "making music" together!” Thank-you..thank-you for touching my heart.
  

Setlist

Darrel De La Ronde and Saskia play a wild and unpredictable series of songs that change every night. Always in tune with their audience. Beautifully paced. They play songs from their own collections and their brand new release Laura's Kitchen.
“Pure Prairie Folk". Then to every one surprise will break out in an international array of songs including; Swiss yodeling, Gaelic, Dutch, German, and French. Add beautiful classic folk songs by the Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, and many more arranged in their own style mixed with strong vocals, harmonies and flawless guitar, bass, pennywhistles, banjo and mandolin work and you wish the evening would never end. They typically play (2) hour concerts.

Basic Requirements

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