Memorably described by Folk Radio UK as “raw, rootsy and alive . . . uplifting and a joy to hear,” Mama’s Broke is a Canadian folk music duo offering instrumental virtuosity and haunting vocals.

Memorably described by Folk Radio UK as “raw, rootsy and alive . . . uplifting and a joy to hear,” Mama’s Broke is a Canadian folk music duo originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Consisting of Amy Lou Keeler and Lisa Maria, they have an appealing, non-mainstream sound that blends bluegrass with Eastern European folk music influences. (They also include some ancient a cappella ballad singing, Quebecois, blues, and Balkan elements, and even a hint of doom metal!) Keeler sings and plays guitar, banjo, and fiddlesticks, while Maria sings and performs on fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and guitar. These two met years ago while on the road, and their sound and songwriting retain the kind of gritty urgency one associates with folk musicians who are still on a quest – one reviewer called their combination of heart and raw energy an “art-in-motion approach.” Keeler and Maria are nothing less than virtuosic on their array of acoustic instruments, while their moody, haunting vocals come with lots of gorgeous harmonies. Mama’s Broke broke big in 2017 when their debut album, Count The Wicked, won the Ensemble of the Year award at the 13th Canadian Folk Music Awards. Their second recording, 2022’s Narrow Line, was nominated for the CFMA Vocal Group of the Year award and also for the Traditional Roots Album of the Year at the 2023 Junos. This excellent disk inspired the roots magazine No Depression to say, “When Keeler and Maria come together and sing, it’s magic, and they reaffirm how nourishing music can be.” If you want a tasty preview of their dark and fiery folk-without-borders sound, YouTube has their “Tiny Desk Concert” performance that was recorded for NPR Radio.

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