The Haints are an old-time band that started performing together in 2007 and have played festivals, concerts and camps since. Members of the band are: Erynn Marshall (Galax, VA / Victoria, BC) – fiddle, vocals, banjo-uke, Pharis Romero (Horsefly, BC) – lead vocals, guitar and Jason Romero (Arcata, CA / Horsefly, BC) – banjo, guitar, lead vocals, banjo-uke.
The word “haint” is a southern expression for a spirit or ghost… and these Haints have gleaned inspiration and repertoire from a wealth of sources old and new. Sometimes we have learned tunes from favorite archive recordings and other times from older tradition bearers – fiddlers or singers who are no longer with us. The music lives on, adapting and breathing in a living tradition of which we are a part. And with these traditions, The Haints Old Time Stringband want to share their favorite tunes and songs with you.
The Haints’ first CD project, Shout Monah, features traditional old time fiddle & banjo tunes ( from Kentucky, West Viriginia, Mississippi and beyond), vocals duets with stringband accompaniment, silver dagger ballads and more. With a penchant for tunes old and obscure, as well as great archaic songs that have almost been forgotten, we offer up tunes that get under your skin and make your heart ache. We also deliver on our love for stringband tunes from the era of early radio and before.
While striving to play this unique repertoire with care, spirit and detail we add ourselves to the music and make it our own. The music never ceases to inspire, engage our creativity, and challenge our musicality to rise to new levels. This music crosses borders, genres and merges our diverse backgrounds, artistic artistic aims and group vision into a whole. Hope you’ll relax, join us and listen for a spell.
