Knot Fibb’n to bring celtic with a twist to Clifton

Knot Fibb’n

Columbus-based Celtic band Knot Fibb’n will be performing at the Clifton Opera House on Friday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m.

“(We) put our own spin on traditional Irish music while still staying true to the core roots of the genre,” said Beth Hicks via e-mail, who plays flute for the group. She listed the groups Solas, Dervish, Altan and Lunasa among the band’s influences.

Knot Fibb’n includes three other band members: Renilda Marshall plays accordion, Tim O’Neill plays the bodhran and djembe (percussion) and Karl Wohlwend plays the guitar.

And how did they come up with their band’s clever name? “One night while sitting around the table rehearsing, one of us was telling a story and the rest didn’t believe him,” said Hicks. “He swore ‘I’m not fibbin’!’ and it went from there.”

“This is our baker’s dozen year—13,” Hicks said. “Hard to believe, but it’s been a great ride!”

During that time, Knot Fibb’n has released five albums together. Hicks and Wohlwend each have a solo album out as well.

Though some of the band members have Irish heritage, they started playing Irish music together mainly due to a love for the music itself. “Celtic music is driven heavily by beat and thus it is experienced more viscerally than, say, classical,” said Hicks. “That spoke to many of us.”

“Often, we hear comments about our camaraderie onstage,” Hicks said, “and that we seem to be enjoying ourselves. And we are!”

“We take ourselves seriously enough to present a professional show, but not so serious that we can’t enjoy a quick giggle-fest onstage,” she said.

If you can’t make it out to the Clifton Opera House on June 4, Knot Fibb’n will return to the Dayton area on Saturday, July 31 when they play at the Dayton Celtic Festival.