August 26, 2010 | 10:56 PM | By

The Folky Stylings of West Chester’s Mason Porter

FILED UNDER: Artist Profiles, Artists, Downloads, Recordings, indie-folk, Mason Porter, MP3

Mason Porter

Photo by Lisa Schaffer

In their own folky/bluegrassy kind of way Mason Porter really rocked the house at this year’s Philly Folk Festival. The band were a part of the XPN Philly Local showcase hosted and curated by Helen Leicht. “They really rallied everyone at the Folk Fest around with their old timey folk feel – but with a real indie spirit,” Leicht said of their performance.

From West Chester, Mason Porter includes Tim Celfo on upright bass, Joe D’Amico on mandolin, and guitarist Paul Wilkinson. The trio is supported by a talented cast of local backup players including Brad Hinton, violinist Kiley Ryan, Pat Hughes on drums, Isaac Stanford on pedal steel and Bob Beach on harmonica. The band formed in 2006 and last year released their debut full length album Thunder In The Valley, a wonderful collection of folk jams that are well sung (dig the harmonies) and excellently played. Take a moment to read this interview they did with the Philly Weekly’s Make Major Moves blog.

Here’s a song from the album. Let us know if Mason Porter’s folk music rocks your world.

  • Roger LaMay

    The crowd at the Camp Stage really responded to their set. A highlight for me (and apparently everyone else) was their plaintive but spirited cover of Dylan (and Cash)’s “Girl from the North Country. Here’s a video of a previous performance by MP at World Cafe Live of that classic
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM1TQuWwDJg

    Also, a tip of the hat to the ubiquitous Bob Beach who also added his harmonica stylings to Hoots and Hellmouth’s fine set at David Dye’s Campground concert Thursday night at the Philly Folk Fest.

  • Roger LaMay

    The crowd at the Camp Stage really responded to their set. A highlight for me (and apparently everyone else) was their plaintive but spirited cover of Dylan (and Cash)’s “Girl from the North Country. Here’s a video of a previous performance by MP at World Cafe Live of that classic
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM1TQuWwDJg

    Also, a tip of the hat to the ubiquitous Bob Beach who also added his harmonica stylings to Hoots and Hellmouth’s fine set at David Dye’s Campground concert Thursday night at the Philly Folk Fest.