Sister-act Searson brings Irish energy to O’Donold’s

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

As the Gold-medal game neared at the Winter Olympics last month, Colleen Searson was a little nervous.

It looked like a hockey showdown was brewing between Canada and the United States, and as a Canadian, she would’ve rather seen her team play anybody but the U.S. The Americans had already beaten the favored Canadian team once.

But things turned out well for Searson, who is part of the Celtic-pop band of the same name. Her team, of course, did face the U.S. and won the Gold.

It was a great day for Canada — and therefore, for Colleen Searson (fiddle) and her sisters, Erin (vocals, piano, mandolin) and Heather (bass), as well.

Searson — the band — stays musically true to the Ottawa Valley, which it calls home.

But the girls are also true to their Irish roots.

Working within a framework of traditional Celtic music, Searson filters it through a Canadian prism. Pop, bluegrass and country elements merge to create an original sound.

The band, which also includes percussionist Mary Gellner, will make its second visit to Youngstown in a year when it returns to O’Donold’s Irish Pub in Austintown on Monday. Searson’s appearance is part of the weeklong St. Patrick’s Day festivities at O’Donold’s.

In a phone interview with The Vindicator, Colleen Searson discussed the band and the role family and tradition played in shaping it.

“We grew up traditional, and we hold that dear to out hearts,” said Colleen. “But we like to do our own take on the traditional. We go over a few different genres. ... We call it ‘Searson music’.”

When they were growing up, the Searson sisters were competitive step-dancers. “We grew up doing it,” said Colleen. “It’s how we spent our summers.”

The sisters still incorporate step-dancing segments into their live show, which is known for its energy.

Searson has grown a large fan base that follows it on tours. The band is on a swing that will take it through Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York.

“When you see the same people more than twice [on the road], it becomes a friendship connection, more than musician and fan,” said Colleen.

if you go

What: Searson

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Where: O’Donold’s Irish Pub and Grille, 6000 Mahoning Ave., Austintown

Info: (330) 270-2800