Katie Boyenger and Natalie Friesen
By Chantelle Constable
Dulcet Sounds captures the passion of American and Irish history, with the talents of Katie Boyenger on the mountain dulcimer and piano, and Natalie Friesen on the tin whistle. Dulcet sounds is a sister duo that delivers unique, original and traditional inspired songs that are destined to revive your heart for our history, and leave you celebrating the joy of good music!
How and when did you start playing music, and when did you first become interested in Celtic music, specifically?
Katie: I began playing the piano when I was 6. I had 5 piano teachers before I decided to branch out on my own when I was about 13, which is when I really took off as far as composing my own music and playing my own arrangements of my favorite songs. Our family got involved in living history when I was about 11. We discovered this amazing CD by David Kincaid that had a whole selection of historical Irish music, and that really fired our interest.
Natalie: When I was around 7, I began playing the violin, and then I started taking piano lessons up until I was about 9. After that, I just sort of goofed around on the piano on my own, and my sister taught me some things. I first became interested in the tin whistle when a friend of ours played one for us, and I really liked how it sounded. We bought a tin whistle at Fort Larned, Kansas (where we started living history), and about a year later, mom set up tin whistle lessons for me with a lady in town. I took lessons for about three months and then quit to branch off on my own. I’ve always loved music and singing.
Tell us about recording your CD. Was it the first time you’d been in a studio? What was your favorite part? What was the most difficult part?
Katie: Wow, it was such a fun experience! It wasn’t the first time I’d been in a recording studio. I was in a girls’ band with our church for a while, and we’d recorded a few of our original songs with him a couple years ago. I would say that my favorite part of recording was being able to play the piano, then the dulcimer over it, and really fill out some of the songs. I also loved the little bloopers Natalie and I made. We really had a blast, and laughed a lot! The most difficult part for me was when I got tired after hours of recording, trying to still put the passion and emotion into the music, and not make too many mistakes that we would have to go back and correct.
Natalie: Yeah, this was the first time I’d ever been in a studio, and it was pretty sweet! My favorite part would have to be when I got to sing “Free and Green”. I was thinking “Wow, I’ll probably never get to do this again.” It’s funny because originally, we weren’t going to have any singing during this song, but on a whim, I just said “Hey, could I try singing?” The first take just worked out perfectly. The most difficult part for me would have to be after about three hours straight of recording music. You get really tired and so you mess up more, and it’s hard to keep energetic with your music and not just flop.
What are your favorite songs on the album?
Katie: Oh wow, that’s a hard one. I think that I have several favorites that I enjoy playing live, and then a few that are my favorite because they sound so amazing on the CD. Since I can’t play two instruments at the same time live, “Down By the Sally Gardens” and “Paddy’s Wedding” are two of my favorites on our album, because we were able to do some really fun mixing of both piano, dulcimer, and tin whistle harmonies. I love playing “King of the Faeries” because it sounds so beautiful and smooth, yet it’s very simple to play. “Free and Green” is one of my all-time favorites because of the beautiful music, and the words. Natalie sings it so well, sometimes it just makes you want to cry!
Natalie: I really like all of them. It’s like trying to pick your favorite child! But without a doubt, I’d have to say the most enjoyable ones to play and sing were “Free and Green”, and “Australian Bush Song”. I got a huge kick out of playing harmony with myself, that was so much fun! I liked how we were able to mix several of our instruments together.
How has being homeschooled influenced your music?
Katie: Really the only thing that homeschooling influenced as far as our music was being able to have the freedom to practice when we wanted. You know, just drop schoolwork if we had massive musical inspiration! It was also easier to schedule places to play our music since we didn’t have to be in school from 7 AM to 4 PM.
Natalie: Pretty much the same for both of us. It’s kinda difficult right now because Katie lives two hours away now, and we can’t get together and work out music as much as we used to.
How do you combine your music and your faith? What role do you feel music does or should play in the lives of Christians today?
Katie: My music is really an outpouring of my faith. It’s definitely a form of worship. Whatever the song I happen to be playing, I get caught up in the beauty of the music and think about how amazing it is that God allows us to experience such a wonderful thing! And there’s just something about Irish music that touches you deep inside. I think music is an incredibly important part of the Christian life! It is one of the ways that we can come together in worship, and yet be all alone with our Lord at the same time.
Natalie: When I play and sing music, sometimes that is when I feel closest to God. Music is a great way to worship God, even it is not a “Christian” song, per se, you can still play for the Lord.
What are some of the advantages and problems (if any!) of being a sister duo?
Katie: Oh we love being a “sister duo!” I think our greatest advantage is also our greatest problem: since we’re sisters, we are not shy about voicing our opinion on something. That is very important for working out songs, but it also can lead to some great fighting! I really enjoy playing music with Natalie because we connect really well, and can almost read each other’s thoughts! Which is not ALWAYS a good thing!
Natalie: It’s really nice being able to have a partner in crime! I always find it gives me confidence when I am performing in front of people to have someone there with me who is going through the same thoughts and feelings as I am. I find my sister and I tend to play off each other and gain confidence from each other. But we ARE sisters…I’ll just leave it at that.
What are some of your interests outside of music?
Katie: Horses! I have loved horses all my life but was never able to own one till I got married 8 months ago. Now I own a wonderful mustang gelding who I named Rowan. He is so full of character, and is teaching me all kinds of things, including patience! My husband Levi is also of chief interest to me. He and I enjoy all kinds of things together, including shopping. Haha! I love anything that has to do with writing and words, and I love reading. History is also a great interest since we’re involved in a lot of living history events. Lately, my hobby has been organizing and putting together my home. We bought a fixer-upper and it’s nearly finished, and we’re really proud of all the work we’ve put into it! I also love people and keep up with all of my friends on Facebook
Natalie: Best friends! Hanging on the beach with best friends. I love to draw horses and people. Doing living history is LOTS of fun. I love to play volleyball, I’m part of a team, this is my last year. I’m really sad about that.
How do you feel about the importance of historical music, and the value of a rich musical heritage?
Katie: My family has a very rich musical heritage. My grandmother and great-grandmother were incredibly musical people and both played by ear and composed their own music, which is where I got my gift. My mom is a beautiful singer and taught us how to sing. Historical music is so important because it is a snapshot of people’s feelings and thoughts and what was going on during their time. It is very important to keep the love of historical music alive, because that is where we came from, and we should remember and appreciate it!
Natalie: My family has always been musical. It is good to remember and continue to play music from the past. Basically what Katie said. Natalie: My family has always been musical. It is good to remember and continue to play music from the past. Basically what Katie said.
Who are some of your biggest influences and inspirations? What are your ambitions, short-term and long-term?
Katie: Well, our biggest influence initially was David Kincaid and all his research into Irish music in our American history. We really have developed our own style, but we love to hear new songs from various artists. If we hear a song we love, we will sit down and figure it out together and piece it into our own arrangement. I think right now we have like, 30 songs in our head that we can play at a moment’s notice. My mom has also been an inspiration and a wonderful influence, she is very encouraging and will give honest feedback on anything we ask about! My dad has a huge knowledge of history and is our biggest fan. I think as far as my ambitions for the future, I would like to keep playing my piano and dulcimer, and learning new songs. If we are able to make another album in the future, that would be amazing, we’ll have to see what the Lord does!
Natalie: My first big inspiration was my mom; she got me into music when I was little in the first place! David Kincaid was also a big influence. After I graduate next year and when I go to college I’m definitely going to be doing something with music. I love to sing and I really would like to get some voice lessons to train my voice how to sing better. It’s always been a dream of mine to sing professionally.
“Dulcet Sounds” the album, available now! cdbaby.com/cd/boyengerfriesen
Featured in our Spring 2009 Issue.