Celtic Junction Arts Center is excited to host the Celtic Americana duo Rakish,  composed of the talented Maura Shawn Scanlin and Conor Hearn. Their upcoming performance will feature music from their newest album, Now, O Now, to be released on October 11th. As musicians deeply rooted in the Celtic and folk traditions, Scanlin and Hearn bring a contemporary perspective to their craft.

Maura Shawn Scanlin, a classically trained fiddler, hails from the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where she developed a deep connection to the region’s rich musical traditions. She has earned degrees from both the New England Conservatory and Yale School of Music, and her musical prowess has garnered her numerous accolades, including multiple wins at the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship. Scanlin’s ability to transition effortlessly between classical, Appalachian, and Celtic styles has made her a sought-after musician in the folk world.

Conor Hearn, a versatile guitarist with roots in the Irish music scenes of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, brings a rich background in literature and music to the duo. A graduate of Tufts University, Hearn has spent years performing across the U.S. and abroad, honing his skills as both a performer and a composer. His deep appreciation for storytelling through music is evident in his thoughtful and dynamic guitar work, which pairs seamlessly with Scanlin’s expressive fiddle playing.

One of the standout elements of Rakish’s latest album, Now, O Now, is the masterful incorporation of two poems by Irish literary icon James Joyce—Now, O Now and Lightly Come or Lightly Go. Hearn’s setting of James Joyce’s poetry epitomizes the duo’s approach: the dextrous alchemy of the old and the new into something wholly Rakish. This approach exemplifies their ability to create a sound that honors tradition while pushing musical boundaries. This latest album will be hot off the press and available at the concert!