Laurie MacAllister of Red Molly – Heartfelt Storytelling And Soulful Harmonies In An Intimate Performance | with our guest, Alex Radus

Experience Laurie MacAllister’s Debut Solo Journey Post Red Molly Trio!

Laurie MacAllister, a founding member of the beloved Americana trio Red Molly, takes center stage in an inspiring new chapter of her musical journey. Known for her luminous voice and extraordinary ability to weave harmony, Laurie’s career blossomed from serendipitous beginnings in New York City to global acclaim with Red Molly. Her latest solo album, The Lies the Poets Tell, showcases her impeccable artistry, blending poignant emotion with rich collaborations. With warmth, humor, and an unmatched connection to her audience, Laurie transforms every performance into a heartfelt celebration of song. Don’t miss this enchanting evening in our intimate listening room, where Laurie’s dream meets your ears.

LAURIE MACALLISTER
lauriemacallister.net

Laurie MacAllister held a quiet dream of being a singer since she was a very young girl. Her voice finally came alive years later when, on a dare, she was convinced to sing spontaneously for a crowd in New York City, in Washington Square Park. A career began in that very moment. Laurie began with a steady stream of nights on open mic stages around NYC, and then landed a regular Monday night gig at the The Grey Dog’s Coffee in the West Village. She released her first album of ten original songs called "These Old Clothes” soon afterward. In 2000, she discovered a passion for harmony singing while touring the country with folk luminary Cliff Eberhardt. Eberhardt produced Laurie's next solo album, "The Things I Choose To Do”, which was first released independently, and then picked up by Barnes & Noble and re-released on their label. 

In 2004, at a campsite at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Laurie began making music with her campmates, weaving their voices together in harmony. In an impromptu and magical moment, the Americana trio Red Molly was born. With a focus on beautiful songs, soaring harmonies, and a deep relationship with their fans (who dubbed themselves RedHeads), the band quickly became the darlings of the folk/Americana scene. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, Red Molly shared their voices around the country—and the world—for 16 years, playing 100 shows annually in front of thousands of fans, frequently selling out venues, and releasing seven acclaimed albums. 

Along the way, in 2010, Laurie's voice was featured in a national television commercial for Folgers Coffee. 

In 2018, Laurie produced and released a new solo album called "The Lies the Poets Tell", a collection of some her most beloved songs. The album features duets with six male vocalists, including the late Americana master Jimmy LaFave. Laurie has composed and sung harmony parts on dozens of recordings, including those by Cliff Eberhardt, Susan Werner, and Ellis Paul. 

She's also taught singing and stage performance around the country, including at the Swannanoa Gathering, Folk Alliance International, Targhee Music Camp, and the New England Songwriters Retreat.

In May 2024, Laurie happily announced the next big leap forward in her life as a singer and entertainer—headlining solo shows! 

Laurie's powerful yet delicate voice stretches octaves, warm and romantic one moment, playful and irreverent the next. One song at a time, one show at a time, over the course of more than two adventuresome decades, Laurie has turned her quiet dream into a joyous reality.

with our guest, Alex Radus
alexradus.com

Alex Radus is known as a “sultry crooner” (City Paper) and “master guitarist” (Courier News), but his songwriting takes center stage. Known affectionately for his unique brand of “genre whiplash”, Radus pairs whimsical and poignant storytelling with an eclectic mix of Americana, swing, blues, folk and more. Radus hails from Pennsylvania’s artistically rich Lehigh and Delaware river valley region, where he has established himself as one of the area’s premiere original music artists. Most recently, he was selected as a 2024 Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Emerging Artist and voted a “Most Wanted” artist to return to the Main Stage in 2025.

During his early career, Radus was awarded a youth scholarship to Augusta Heritage, a center for the preservation of traditional American styles of music.  There he was first exposed to and learned from some of the nation’s best finger-pickers, including John Cephas, Pat Donohue, Mary Flower and Eddie Pennington, who helped influence his unique finger style and respect for traditional music.

Radus has performed with John Gorka as part of the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band, and has been direct support for Gorka, Richie Havens, Tim Reynolds, Darrell Scott, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), and more.  As a member of the folk noir duo, duende, Radus was a staple of NYC’s early aughts Anti-Folk scene at the Sidewalk Café, where he performed alongside some of the City’s best up-and-coming and established songwriters, including Regina Spektor, Nellie McKay and the Moldy Peaches.

Radus has toured extensively, recorded multiple albums, and earned awards, nominations and critical acclaim for his songwriting, recording and performing.  His music has been featured on radio, TV and film, including Adolescence, directed by Ashley Avis (Black Beauty). A staple of the eastern PA music scene, Radus is a frequent performer at the region’s best festivals and venues, including Musikfest, Zoellner Arts Center, Godfrey Daniels, Steelstacks, Hopewell Theater, World Cafe Live and more. The Alex Radus Band features Daniella Fischetti (violin), Robbie Sko (piano), Daniel Manchester (upright bass), and Charlie Heim.