Renee Vaughan and the Nordstjärnan (North Star) Ensemble plays a lively mix of new and traditional Nordic music with a range of acoustic instruments. "Nordstjärnan" means "The North Star" in Swedish, connecting to our Minnesota roots and the Nordic direction of our sound. We perform with different constellations of talented musicians, each star shining bright and sometimes even twinkling.
Renee Vaughan and the Skandibears Orkester play lively Nordic dance tunes including polska, hambo, schottis, sønderhoning, polka, waltz and more. Their unique pack of instruments includes nyckelharpa, hardingfele, fiddle, accordion, guitar, cittern, pipes, and washboard—a pawsitively delightful treat to listen and dance to!
The Hejmakers, a musical duo hailing from St. Paul, MN, perform both new and traditional Scandinavian music on nyckelharpa, cittern and pipes. Renee Vaughan and Tom Klein share an affinity for unique instruments and punchy rhythms that carry you away to folkloric lands. Hejmakers sound is authentic and upbeat with just a hint of stoic Nordic angst.
Picture this: an accordion, Irish pipes, and a nyckelharpa walk into a bar, and guess what? The music that followed was nothing short of amazing. Enter the McNordiques, a trio that masterfully blends the lively traditions of Celtic, French, and Scandinavian music, creating a dynamic and spirited mix that's guaranteed to make your toes tap with joy. Tom Klein's uilleann pipes and cittern, Dan Newton's accordion, and Renee Vaughan's nyckelharpa form an irresistible musical vibe.