Nathan Gourley & Laura Feddersen

Short Bio

Nathan Gourley and Laura Feddersen are an Irish fiddle duo from Boston, Massachusetts, whose twin-fiddle playing blends deep roots in the Irish tradition with a personal, expressive style all their own. Together they have released three recordings, most recently Brightly or Darkly (2022), praised by the Irish Echo as “truly stunning.”

Full Bio

Nathan Gourley and Laura Feddersen are an Irish fiddle duo from Boston, Massachusetts. Their playing is steeped in a lifelong study of Irish traditional music, yet colored by their American roots. The pair have honed a unique twin-fiddle style, sometimes playing in taut unison, other times exploring chordal harmonies and rhythmic or melodic variations.

Together, they’ve released several projects, including Life Is All Checkered (2014), Ship in the Clouds (2020), and most recently, Brightly or Darkly (2022), which has been praised by the Irish Echo, Boston Irish, Bright Young Folk, and World of Metal, among others.

Beyond the duo, Nathan records and performs with Copley Street (with Joey Abarta and Owen Marshall), The Truckley Howl (with Mairéad Hurley and John Blake), and Paddy O’Brien and Dáithí Sproule. Laura records and performs with Two Wooden Nickels (with Joel Wennerstrom and Owen Marshall), who released their debut album Wooden Nickels in 2017. Each brings something distinct to the partnership, and together they’ve crafted a twin-fiddle sound that is entirely their own.

Press

“There are fiddle duet albums, and then there are magnum opus-level fiddle duet albums.”

“It makes for a thoroughly entrancing listening experience.”

Sean Smith, Boston Irish, on Brightly or Darkly

“The music they make together is truly stunning.”

“The taste and thoughtful execution… makes this album a delight.”

Daniel Neely, Irish Echo, on Brightly or Darkly

“There is an impressive depth of understanding and complementarity to their duets.”

“Handled with skill and creativity, twin fiddles giving a great fullness of sound.”

Alex Monaghan, FolkWorld, on Brightly or Darkly

“As a duo they demand your attention and hold it.”

“The duo are a practically perfect pairing of musicians.”

Rob Fearnley, Bright Young Folk, on Life Is All Checkered

“A great album of fiddle music from two kindred players who sound amazing together.”

Daniel Neely, Irish Echo, on Life Is All Checkered

“Their reinterpretations make these tunes not only timeless but refreshingly new.”

Fernando Ferreira, World of Metal

“The genre can always use more music that ignores all the frills and sticks to its traditional roots with solid, quality musicianship.”

Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET, on Brightly or Darkly

“Ship In The Clouds is an excellent debut from a quartet of players who are fabulous individually and even mightier together.”

Daniel Neely, Irish Echo, on Ship in the Clouds

“I will always love this type of solid, no-frills Irish tune-making. Ship in the Clouds should be in your collection.”

Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET, on Ship in the Clouds

Discography

2022
Brightly or Darkly · Nathan Gourley (fiddle, guitar, bouzouki) and Laura Feddersen (fiddle)
2020
Ship in the Clouds · Quartet with Natasha Sheehy and Anna Colliton
2014
Life Is All Checkered · With Brian Miller (guitar, bouzouki)