Avery LeVine

I can offer multiple different services; solo instrumental music on Irish flute, tin whistle, bouzouki, guitar, and/or mandolin as well as traditional and original Irish and similar songs accompanied on bouzouki and/or guitar or a combination of any of these things. I can also assemble a group to play Irish traditional music on instruments such as Uilleann pipes, fiddle, accordion, harp, etc.

Avery LeVine is originally from Portland, OR and now makes his home there; he also spent 10+ years living on the east coast and 5 years in Dublin, Ireland. Music has always been an interest and Avery can remember strumming on his mom’s old guitar as a young child; as well as composing song lyrics in his head while on the playground in kindergarten. He began playing music in earnest around the age of 11 and it was during a punk rock phase in his early teens that he discovered Irish music. After listening to bands like Flogging Molly and the Pogues he quickly found himself more interested in the traditional music elements than the punk elements. It wasn’t long before he was hooked on bands like Lúnasa, Danú, and Dervish and starting to learn tin whistle and mandolin; in the coming years he would also begin playing Irish flute, bouzouki, and DADGAD guitar and singing traditional songs. He considers Irish flute and bouzouki to be his main instruments now.

At the age of 18 Avery embarked on a journey across the Atlantic to attend the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in pursuit of a Bmus in Traditional Irish Music Studies. While studying there Avery took flute lessons with Tom Doorley and Peter Browne and mandolin lessons with Kieran Hanrahan. He graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music in Irish Traditional Music Studies with Honours. Outside of college Avery spent a lot of time playing sessions in Dublin. During this time Avery had the opportunity to play with and learn from his contemporaries in Dublin; people who would later form bands such as Lynched, Skipper’s Alley, The Bonny Men, The FourWinds, etc. As well as sitting in at sessions with local and international traditional music legends such as Seamus Tansey, Mick O’Brien, Eileen Hassett, Dennis Cahill, John McSherry, Michael McGoldrick, Cathy Jordan, Dermot Byrne, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, and others.

After college Avery moved back to Portland for a year and then decided to give Dublin another chance and spent another year there playing traditional music professionally. The difficulties inherent in playing traditional music for a living drove Avery to realizing a dream he had long had; writing his own songs. He has spent the last few years back in Portland refining this craft and is expecting to release his debut solo EP titled Lonesome City in Spring 2017. Since moving back to Portland Avery spent almost 2 years playing with local Celtic trio Dram & Go who released their debut EP in late 2015. Avery decided to part ways with the band in mid-2016 to pursue his solo work. You can find Avery playing sessions around Portland and occasionally doing gigs with musicians/groups such as Felim Egan, the Stomptowners, Bob Soper, Tim Cornell, members of Na Rosaí, and many others!

In a small space I can perform acoustically; if necessary I can bring sound equipment at an extra charge. I am also happy to use any equipment provided and can bring certain pieces if necessary. Contact me with any questions.