Roots Roadshow
Louise Bichan
Image courtesy of the artist
Ethan Setiawan
Image courtesy of the artist
The Roots Roadshow series, presented by the American Roots Music Program, is a showcase that explores and celebrates America’s rich musical heritage. Each month, the series presents a variety show of student bands and ensembles performing styles such as country blues, old-time, bluegrass, new acoustic, Celtic, classic country, and Western swing. Whether it is a faculty-led ensemble, new student project, or band making its name in the Boston scene, you never know what will happen at a Roots Roadshow.
Come connect with Berklee College of Music’s thriving roots community and hear some of the college’s finest rising acoustic talent as they propel American roots music into the 21st century. This event features Louise Bichan and Ethan Setiawan.
Taught by top Orkney fiddler Douglas Montgomery, Bichan has been playing since she was 7 years old. While studying visual communications at Glasgow School of Art, she honed her musicianship amid the Scottish city’s world-famous session scene, performing with rising stars Rachel Sermanni and Fara before earning a scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
Setiawan is a Boston, Massachusetts–based mandolin player who has won the National Mandolin Championship and the RockyGrass Mandolin Championship. A member of Corner House, Mudskippers, and the Harmolodic String Band, he also freelances with musicians such as Darol Anger and Tony Trischka. An involved member of the Boston alt/bluegrass scene, his debut album is composed of original tunes that draw upon traditional bluegrass, Bach partitas, free jazz, and more.