In February of 2025 we talked with River Road, in Northport, Maine in the late morning after their first time playing for the Belfast Flying Shoes First Friday dance series. The trio from the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts features Sarah-Hadley Yakir (fiddle), Kristen Planeaux (piano, flute & accordion) and Jesse Ball (mandolin, guitar & foot percussion). Lounging on comfortable chairs looking out at Penobscot Bay, they shared a variety of anecdotes and personal perspectives related to their experiences as friends, dance musicians, and as dancers! They provided a bit of the back story on the music, including the tunes that Kristen and Jesse composed. We even heard a little bit about their lives beyond the contra dance subculture. It was all quite jolly and relaxing, but when it was time to play, that’s when their focus as a band came fully clear. They moved their chairs and instruments into a tight circle around the microphone, and launched into their planned sets with palpable energy, communicating with facial expressions, head gestures, and plenty of eye contact. We loved listening to their arrangements in person and on the recording, and it was a pleasure hearing their stories. We hope you enjoy this River Road episode just as much as we did!
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River Road
Some people and places that River Road referred to during the conversation:
Tunes:
Break