January 8-14, 2004

musicpicks

Maggi, Pierce and E.J.

folk

It might seem eccentric, all that togetherness, but it certainly hasn't hurt Maggie, Pierce and E.J.'s creativity. The multi-instrumentalists live together ("common-law siblings" they call it), eat vegetarian meals together, do yoga together -- and last summer even walked together all the way from Philly to D.C. in a statement for peace.

"It became a Zen sort of thing, the walking," Maggi recalls about the 216-mile hike the three took in June. The trek, documented by two Wisconsin filmmakers, took a little over two weeks and included camping out, monetary donations by strangers and a canoe ride across the Susquehanna River. "It was hard work, but really amazing too," Maggi says. "We all got very buff."

Since 1995, the Pottsville-based folk-pop trio has put out four quirkily charming indie CDs of their self-described "down-home, farm-city junk music." The records are marketed by colors -- white, black, red -- not titles, save for the last one, For, a heartfelt tribute to their hero, Jeff Buckley.

On Friday, the trio celebrates the release of their fifth, color-not-yet-announced CD with a party at The Point. They'll be backed by a slew of buddies, including bassist RyRy Flurries, violinist Simone Maurer and Tuba Dan on, you guessed it, tuba. "Our sound is a smorgasbord," says E.J. "All the influences come alive."

Fri., Jan. 9, 7 and 10 p.m., $10, with Teddy Goldstein, The Point, 880 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-527-0988.

—Nicole Pensiero

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