On the surface, Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreave’s musical scope is remarkably simple: old-time fiddle and banjo in dialogue. But, whether seated in the audience for a theater show or dancing with the crowd at a bluegrass festival, the music they share with each other is strikingly expansive, resplendent, and entrancing. How could just two people with two instruments explore such a limitless string band universe?

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From the first strum of the banjo or pull of the bow, time slips away as de Groot & Hargreaves settle in on stage to entertain. They offer sets of instrumentals in medley; tell stories of lyrics and verses and from where they were found, accompany each other in experimental or classic ways; they laugh and banter and engage their audiences. At times, their songs purposefully fly off the rails into noise, spacey bridges, and ripping hoedowns, bow strokes and frailing giving way to scratches and honks, wails and trills. It’s old-time and it’s jamgrass, it’s rehearsed and it’s improvised, it’s electric and goosebump-raising. It’s also tight, tidy, and professional and while demanding that you remain on the absolute edge of your seat.

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Clearly, these are two mighty pickers. De Groot is hailed as one of the most adept and personality-rich players on clawhammer banjo and Hargreaves is regarded as superlative by nearly every musician who encounters her playing – especially fellow fiddlers. Together or separately, the pair display endless grit, deep passion, and a sly and winking sense of subversion. They know exactly how to play inside and outside of “the lines.” A huge part of their charm stems from their commitment to challenging expectations of what and who such a duo “should” be – and how they “should” sound. They’ve played huge venues and iconic festivals in the U.S., Canada, across the continent, and around the globe. Still, their accolades and accomplishments are eclipsed by the magic and ineffability of their live shows.