Page 52 - Flathead Living Fall 2014

They say they really are just blowing in the wind. Perfect for spirits rooted in Montana where every day was fresh, free and authentic. Nearly two years ago they landed in Portland to perform with the Oregon Symphony where they met Thomas Lauderdale and his band Pink Martini at a tree-lighting ceremony. They became intrigued with the amazing instrumental sound of Pink Martini. Sofi says, “Our strength has always been dense harmonies.” Amanda adds, “We had ignored what instrumentation could bring.” They asked Lauderdale to help them to find a new vision.
The result was a collaboration with Pink Martini that included a bus tour, an appearance at Carnegie Hall and a new album, “Dream a Little Dream.” They describe their new sound as “old-fashioned, cinematic, and joyous.” Their new music is an international melting pot that includes the
wide-ranging elements of music they discovered in their travels along with originals written by August.
They believe that their ultimate goal of con- necting with people is better accomplished when they observe traditions and language of the local people, a tradition that began long ago when they were children touring the world. Songs on their latest CD are performed in seven different languages.
The four live together in a house in Portland now. They explained that an apartment would have never worked with their constant singing, composing and playing instruments. Amanda says, “I’m figuring out how to play the Brazilian Tamborim ... super hard and no one likes
listening to you practice because Above sofia von
Sofia
Eager to meet new people when they first moved to Portland, they started throwing schnitzel dinner parties by word-of-mouth. It began as small intimate groups, but quickly ballooned into over 50 people. The informal versions ended and morphed into a charm- ing and funny video with instructions on how to make schnitzel on their website and as an auction item in an Oregon Symphony fundraiser – “Schnitzel with the
FAVORITE THINGS Fly-fishing, Latin dancing, and swashbuckling.
MOST MEMORAblE Going to Rwanda to teach music and then being able to learn and sing the Rwandan National Anthem was the most memorable three months of my life.
MOST VAluAblE It’s hard to say; we’ve had so many people take us under their wing and teach us so much, every one of these people have added so much value to my life, I couldn’t pick one over the other.
it’s so loud. Ear plugs are a neces- sity if you’re going all out.”
Trapp in rwanda.
50 FLATHEAD LIVING | FALL 2014
PHOTO cOurTEsY Of THE vOn TraPPs