Moxie Strings bringing 'That's a Wrap' tour to Tecumseh Center for the Arts March 18

TECUMSEH — The Moxie Strings, a two-piece band comprised of Alison Lynn on electric cello and Diana Ladio on an acoustic five-string violin with an electric pickup, are bringing their Celtic and rock-inspired music to the Tecumseh Center for the Arts Saturday, March 18.

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $30 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at 517-423-6617, at the box office at 400 N. Maumee St. or online at thetca.org.

Their newest album, “Live & Plugged In,” debuted as No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart last summer. It is a live album that The Moxie Strings recorded in the fall of 2021.

“We had often been told that our recordings don't capture the magic of our live show, so we decided it was time for a live album. You can find fast tunes, slow tunes, both original and traditional melodies and a cover or two. We also left the sounds of the audience laughing and clapping in certain tracks to capture the magic. We have four other full-length albums starting from 2012,” Ladio said in an email. 

Both Lynn and Ladio are classically trained musicians. Lynn has a bachelor’s degree in cello performance from Western Michigan University, and Ladio has dual degrees in viola performance and music education from the University of Michigan. In addition to performing, the duo has taught more than 200 music clinics for young people throughout the U.S. and presents their research and methodologies to teachers at music education professional development conferences as part of their nonprofit, The Mox Project.

“We are lucky to use all of these degrees every day. Coming from the classical education system taught us well, but it also taught us what was missing in the educational system, which is what our clinics aim to teach — musical creativity, improvisation and non-classical styles,” Ladio said.

Both musicians’ instruments are electric and use full pedalboards that have different audio effects, all of which were originally designed for the electric guitar. When the duo discovered they could use them too, the sky was the limit, Ladio said. Lynn can make a cello sound like Metallica and Ladio can make a violin sound like Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. The instruments plug into the pedals, and they manipulate the sound before sending to the sound system. 

“When we started the band, we realized that if we loved many types of music, why not play those styles on our instruments? So we began learning fiddle styles then quickly realized that if we wanted to sound like many of the artists we love, we needed to be electric. So we started experimenting. It has now become one of the hallmarks of our band and this concept has become our message to students,” Ladio said. “We are inspired by music from all over the world, but I'd say the two primary influences are American and Celtic. We love rock, pop, electronic and bluegrass and are influenced by many American bands but also love the traditional fiddle styles that come from Ireland and Scotland.”

The majority of The Moxie Strings’ show is original music and calls on all these influences. The cello often plays rhythmically, while the violin plays the melody, but sometimes they switch. The Moxie Strings also use a loop pedal, so they can do live recordings with music that sounds like more than just two instruments. Foot percussion pedals allow them to sound like there are even more musicians on stage.

The Moxie Strings have been a band for close to 17 years and are now performing their farewell tour, "That's a Wrap," which just started in March and will conclude in November. The Moxie Strings will be traveling all over the States in their final year including Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Florida and California. They'll perform several shows in their home state of Michigan.

“Seventeen years is a lifetime in band terms. We have had an amazing time as The Moxie Strings, but all good things must come to an end. We are ready to make this an epic closing chapter,” Lynn said in an email. “Our non-profit, The Mox Project, will continue and The Moxie Strings will remain on the roster. We will always welcome new teaching opportunities that come our way. We can't really imagine our lives without teaching. Working with young musicians will continue to be a passion of ours.”

If you go

WHAT: The Moxie Strings in concert

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 18, doors open at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St.

TICKETS: $25 to $30

HOW TO ORDER: Call 517-423-6617, at the box office at 400 N. Maumee St. or online at thetca.org

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: The Moxie Strings bring their electric sound to Tecumseh arch 18