Family affair: "Children we met the first year are graduating college. We've literally seen them grow up at that festival. We've grown up as a band there too, so it's been fun. The Dayton festival is one of the highlights for us every summer. It's free, family-friendly and all ages. And some of the shows on our tour are not all ages, but it's awesome when they are."
Musical bridge: "A lot of music out there today separates the generations, but the music we play binds the generations together. I like that best because it's three generations dancing together and that's so great. It makes me feel lucky to have stumbled into this type of music."
Theater party: "Victoria should be like an instant party because so many people have known us for years. You typically have to slow-start a crowd. You introduce yourself, get them to trust the musicianship and then you can start engaging them. The first song should be the match that gets the night going. It will be awesome energy from when the first note hits."
Site-specific set: "We often play festivals but we've found the venue often dictates how our show goes. It looks like a beautiful, top-notch venue. I can't wait to show up early, walk around, go to all the different levels to get a sense of the building. We'll learn a little bit about the history and then we'll sit down and make a set list."
Sibling reunion: "My sister Larissa is flying in for that gig to play cello with us, so we're very excited. She's finishing her Ph.D. in classical performance in California but she didn't want to miss this show. She's an essential part of the band but we do have subs if she can't make it."
Old friends: "Sons o' Blarney is going to open for us. They're a local band that plays at the Celtic Fest. When we first started we had a lead singer who played drums. His name is Danny Schneible and he left the band after the first year, got married and settled down in Dayton. Sons o' Blarney is his band so it'll be a walk down memory lane for us."
WANT TO GO?
Who: Scythian with Sons o' Blarney
Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
Cost: $25-$35
More info: 937-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com
Artist info: www.scythianmusic.com
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