Rooted in tradition with an ear toward the future, contemporary folk duo Rakish embodies earnest musical exploration and demonstrates an infectious playfulness on stage. In their sound together, it is evident the two friends share an unbridled love for the traditional sounds of Celtic and American music, and the tight ensemble of a group with years of collaboration under their belt. Strings Magazine says: “Explorative and versatile, the duo draws evident inspiration from not just the deep and wide history of Scottish and Irish Celtic composition, but also the precision-focused structures of classical chamber music and a whole array of improvisational styles.”
Known for her toneful and award-winning fiddle playing in the Celtic music world, Maura Shawn Scanlin grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Maura is a 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition in Scotland. Her clawhammer banjo playing and songwriting, also featured in the duo, hold the regional music of her homeland close. Maura finds her niche combining influences from a widespread musical journey with the sounds she grew up around.
Steeped in the Irish music communities of Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD where he was raised, acclaimed guitarist Conor Hearn developed a keen interest in literary theory and poetry, a unique well of material from which he draws unending musical inspiration. His settings of modernist poems, like James Joyce’s Chamber Music, epitomize the duo’s approach: the dexterous alchemy of the old and the new into something wholly Rakish. A keenly sought-after collaborative guitarist, Conor performs with many of the most renowned names in Celtic music today. His guitar style combines bass and rhythm for a uniquely powerful and precise sound.
Rakish, embracing the unconventional connotation of their namesake, create and perform music with verve. Recent highlights of their travels include performances at the Library of Congress, Celtic Colours International Music Festival, Prince Edward Island’s Festival of Small Halls, the Corvallis Celtic Festival, and Official Showcases at Folk Alliance International. They have taught at esteemed fiddle camps across the country including Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp, Folk College, Katie McNally’s Boston States Fiddle Camp, and Hanneke Cassel’s Pure Dead Brilliant Fiddle Weekend.
On Now, O Now, the duo’s sophomore release (out October 11, 2024) it is clear Rakish cannot be pigeonholed into one genre and is most comfortable occupying the in-between. Together they journey through Celtic and Americana styles, deftly showcasing how to bring forth something new from the deep well of tradition. They are touring their new album across the country throughout the fall of 2024 and into 2025.
Maura Shawn Scanlin
Maura Shawn Scanlin is a multi-genre violinist born in Boone, NC. Maura lives in Somerville, MA. She holds a Masters degree in Violin Performance from the Yale School of Music where she studied with Ani Kavafian. Maura received her Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston in May 2017. Maura has studied with renowned chamber musicians such as Lucy Chapman, the Borromeo String Quartet, Kim Kashkashian, Roger Tapping, and members of the Brentano String Quartet. Maura is also well-versed in a variety of non-classical styles from traditional folk music to more contemporary improvisatory music. Proficient in Irish and Scottish fiddle music, Maura has competed in the world’s premiere Scottish fiddling competitions. She is a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and has won the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition in Perthshire, Scotland. Maura plays a violin by Asa White, made in 1872 in Boston. She plays primarily with a Lotte bow. You can learn more about Maura on her website.
Conor Hearn
Conor Hearn is a versatile guitarist and instructor with a keen interest in the accompaniment of traditional Irish and Scottish fiddle music. A native of the traditional Irish music communities in Washington D.C. and Maryland, he grew up immersed in traditional sessions, playing both fiddle and guitar. While pursuing degrees in English Literature and Music at Tufts University, Conor began playing professionally, collaborating with a wide array of traditional music groups and projects in Boston's vibrant folk scene. He has since performed on notable programs like Brian O'Donovan’s Celtic Sojourn and PBS’ Now Hear This. He regularly teaches guitar at music festivals such as the Swannanoa Gathering, Valley of the Moon, and Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp, among others. Conor tours with the Celtic and Americana duo Rakish, and with The Louise Bichan Quartet. An in-demand side musician, Conor has performed with traditional music icons like Seamus Egan, Maeve Gilchrist, and has toured opening for The Swell Season with TikTok sensation MALINDA. Conor makes his home in Boston, MA, and continues to perform regularly, teach occasionally, and bring his diverse influences and passion for guitar and traditional music to every setting. Conor plays a Martin JC-16 with an LR Baggs Anthem system and a single Ubertar Hexaphonic low string pickup.
