2023 Folk/Traditional Artist of the Year at the NY Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards

Drank The Gold

upstate NY based duo

soaring vocal harmonies

fiddle, guitar/banjo

Irish and American old-time tunes and songs

contemporary traditionalists

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“At times, they dived into the track of the moon in the dark sea water and opened their mouths to swallow the silver.  At times, they plunged into the path of the sun in the green-blue ocean and opened their mouths and drank the gold.” 
— Pat O’Shea, The Hounds of the Morrigan 
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From Upstate New York, Oona Grady (fiddle/viola/vocals) and James Gascoyne (guitar/banjo/vocals) play and sing North Atlantic dance tunes and folk songs.   

Steeped in Irish music for as far back as she can remember, Oona spent many years living in Cork, Ireland, where she honed her skills as a fiddle player and Irish music specialist.  Upon moving back to her hometown of Ithaca, NY, Oona immersed herself in the local traditional music scene and incorporated old time and Cajun tunes into her repertoire.   

Growing up outside Louisville, KY, James was surrounded by music from an early age; radio, vinyl records, church music, and live concerts were a part of daily life. Finding his own musical style as an adult, James always keeps his ears open for sounds – new, old, familiar, or strange. While singing and playing guitar and banjo with Drank The Gold, he delves into the traditions of American old time and Irish dance tunes, while keeping true to his borderless, experimental musical roots. 

Now based in Saratoga Springs, NY, Oona and James collaborate as Drank The Gold, bringing new perspectives and innovative arrangements to the music they love. Craic agus ceol (good times and music)!