MUSICIANS – BANDS & SOLO
* The Irish Music and Dance Association appreciates the support of our members. IMDA Members are listed first in each section.
The following is a listing of individual musicians and musical groups who consider their music to be Irish or Celtic. The list is provided as a service to both the musicians and the community. The IMDA does not serve as a booking service. Those seeking to book a musician or band should verify that the group meets their expectations.
Clairseach * Ann and Chuck Heymann Award-winning Gaelic harp with cittern, Gaelic and English song, lively dance music with button accordion and wooden flute. A thousand years of Irish/Scottish tradition. (507) 647-3333 heymann@clairseach.com www.clairseach.com/
Tom Dahill * Uilleann pipes, vocal, fiddle, guitar St. Paul, MN (651) 334-2880 (preferred) www.facebook.com/Tom-Dahill-Ginny-Johnson-204607616303733/
Dorain * Vocal harmonies and carefully arranged sets abound in this 3-piece band. Irish and Scottish tunes and songs arranged for 3 voices in English and Scottish Gaelic. Alexander Dove Lempke (guitar, bodhran, vocals), Cara Weggler (fiddle, bouzouki, vocals), and Iain Dove Lempke (flute, guitar, vocals) Minneapolis, MN (773) 576-5772 dorain.bandcamp.com www.Facebook.com/dorainband/
The Inland Seas * Celtic and Americana music combining lush vocals, fiddle guitar, whistle, mandolin, bodhran and other percussion. Varied mix of tunes from rousing pub songs to emotive ballads and instrumentals. Come sing, dance and drink along with the the many moods of The Inland Seas! Twin Cities, MN the.inland.seas.band@gmail.com facebook.com/theinlandseasband
Sherry Ladig * Pianist, composer, arranger (all styles) St. Paul, MN - (651) 644-4779 ladig-dunquin@msn.com www.sherryladig.com
Laura MacKenzie * Wooden flute, tin whistle, concertina, Scottish smallpipes, border pipes, Medieval greatpipes, voice Twin Cities, MN, (651) 398-5055 Video: Laura MacKenzie: Bush Foundation Artist Fellow laura@lauramackenzie.com www.lauramackenzie.com
Paddy O'Brien * Hailing from County Offaly in the Irish midlands, Paddy O'Brien is a master of the two-row button accordion and a serious collector; over a lifetime he has amassed a repertoire of more than 3,000 compositions. He shares his knowledge through The Paddy OBrien Tune Collection, a series of recordings containing 1,000 tunes. In 2011, Paddy received IMDA Honors for his contributions to Irish music in Minnesota, and in 2012, he received Ireland’s Gradam Ceoil Traditional Composer of the Year Award. Paddy currently tours internationally as a solo musician, and plays local concerts and dances with his Irish traditional chamber group, O'Rourke's Feast. His musical memoir, THE ROAD FROM CASTLEBARNAGH, was published by Dublin’s Orpen Press in 2012. St. Paul, MN Paddy O'Brien, (651 698-2258 paddyobrien@qwest.net www.paddyobrien.net
Paddy Wagon * Irish Music with a twang Acoustic folk/traditional/country Guitars, fiddle, tin whistle, harmonica, stand up base and vocals St. Paul / Minneapolis, MN Tim Flynn, (651) 334-7115 kg@bitstream.net www.paddywagon.net
Norah Rendell and Brian Miller * Traditional Irish music and contemporary folk, vocals, flute, guitar. St. Paul, MN Brian Miller, (651) 245-3719 dadgadguy@gmail.com www.norahrendell.com
Bagpipe AssociatesScottish and Irish bagpipe musicTwin Cities, MN Mike Breidenbach (651) 387-6142www.bagpipeassociates.combagpipeassociates@msn.comBarra Traditional Irish music since 1999 on accordion, flute, fiddle, bodhran, guitar, octave mandolin and vocals. Saint Paul, MNwww.barraband.comBedlam BoysA unique brand of Irish and Scottish folk tunes with some great folk rockthrown in for good measure. Good fun, plenty of toasts and harmonies to keep songs lingering in your mind. Twin Cities, MN
The Belfast Cowboys/St. Dominic's Trio A nine-piece Van Morrison cover band. St Dominic's Trio is an original music offshoot of the Cowboys. Minneapolis, MN mail@belfastcowboys.com www.belfastcowboys.com www.myspace.com/stdominicstrio
The Bellows Brothers A unique combo of uilleann pipes and piano accordion playing Celtic and Continental music St. Paul, MN www.bellowsbrothers.com
Blackbirds Banjo, bouzouki, guitar, fiddle, clarinet, tin whistle, accordion, vocals Paul Wehling, (612) 788-3262
Boiled in Lead Rock'n'reel...Punk-folk...Celtic Rock BiL play fiddle, guitars, bass & drums with loads of power and emotion. Minneapolis, MN www.boiledinlead.com
Broken Spoke High energy Irish music with lots of craic! Lots of sign-a-longs and rebel tunes mixed in with a whole lot of entertainment. Pennywhistle, bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle, bodhran,banjo, flute, guitar and more... St Paul, MN Chris, (952) 200-8435 Gordon, (651) 214-0906 brokenspokemn@gmail.com www.brokenspoketc.com www.Facebook.com/BrokenSpokeMN
Bundle & Go David & Suzanne Rhees, offering an eclectic mix of traditional tunes and songs from Ireland and Wales to Cape Breton and beyond, including original tunes and songs, on flute, fiddle, accordions, and more. St. Paul, MN (612) 875-1345 or 875-1355 srhees@comcast.net, djrhees12@gmail.com
Captain Kaliber Tunes galore from four Twin Cities Irish session stalwarts (John McCormick, accordion; Mary Vanorny, fiddle; Bob Douglas, mandolin; Amy Shaw, flute) and one fabulous singer-guitarist direct from Co. Cork (Patsy O'Brien). Twin Cities, MN amshaw@stkate.edu
Chulrua Irish Traditional Music, Button Accordion, Fiddle, Guitar/Vocals St. Paul, MN - tours nationally and internationally Paddy O'Brien, (651) 698-2258 paddyobrien@qwest.net paddyobrien.net/chulrua
Common Reel - Mary Vanorny & Ryan Johnson Traditional Irish music on Fiddle and Piano/Flute St. Paul, MN commonreel@gmail.com (952) 807-5104 www.CommonReel.com
Curtis & Loretta Celtic harp, mandolin, mandocello, guitar, vocals. Ballads, instrumentals, and more Minneapolis, MN Loretta Simonet, (612) 781-9537 loretta@curtisandloretta.com www.curtisandloretta.com
Mikko Cowdery, Irish Balladeer With over a hundred Irish favorites, many learned at his father's knee, Mikko's rich lyrical style is complemented with toasts, jokes, and stories from his travels in Ireland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, and across the region. Mikko Cowdery, (302) 859-3536 mick@midwestinfo.net
Dalwhinnie Traditional Scottish Music for dances or listening. St. Paul, MN Sherry Ladig, (651) 644-4779 ladig-dunquin@msn.com www.sherryladig.com
Double Fiddles Spirited fiddle music, pipes and song from Scotland, Cape Breton and County Donegal Ireland, featuring Iain MacGillivray and Chuck Butler on fiddles, and Sue Spencer and Jim Ofsthun on vocals. Duluth, MN contact@doublefiddles.com www.doublefiddles.com
Kate and Jode Dowling Irish music for weddings, dances for any occasion, on fiddle, flute and whistle. St Paul, MN (612) 669-3013 fid.dler@yahoo.com www.myspace.com/jodetunes
The Dregs A combination of improv stage antics and music that will leave you laughing, singing and drinking along. www.the-dregs.net www.facebook.com/thedregs
Dunquin Dunquin plays traditional Irish exuberant reels and jigs and heart-melting Irish airs on fiddle, wooden flute, and piano for concerts, dancing, and all special celebrations, private or public. Known for gorgeous arrangements of traditional tunes and some award-winning originals in the trad style, Dunquin is in demand at festivals, parties, dances and weddings throughout the Midwest. Rosa Wells, fiddle; Don Ladig, whistles and flutes; Sherry Ladig, piano and music arrangements. St. Paul, MN Sherry Ladig, (651) 644-4779 ladig-dunquin@msn.com www.sherryladig.com
The Eddies Four voices, with occasional guitar/accordion accompaniment, and a playlist of songs of work, love and death in three part harmony. Chuck Lentz, (612) 839-0463 theeddies@earthlink.net www.eddiesontheriver.com www.Facebook.com/TheEddiesOnTheRiver
Eira A trio / quartet performing music from around the world for voice, strings, and Irish drum. Liesel Wilson (vocals, fiddle,erhu), Sue Spencer (guitar, vocals), Jim Ofsthun (drum, vocals, tin whistle, bouzouki), Mary MacGillivary (fiddle, vocals) Duluth, MN info@eiramusic.com - eiramusic.com
Beth Engelking Solo singer and guitar/flute player. Performs at a variety of venues - pubs, coffee shops, nursing homes, Irish Fair. Board certified music therapist Twin Cities, MN bethengelking@gmail.com
Erin Rogue Irish and beyond... playing traditional Irish music in untraditional ways. Twin Cities, MN Robin Brown, (763) 753-6542 robinsnest1966@comcast.net
Hannah Flowers
Four Pints Shy Traditional Irish, Scottish & English pub tunes, ballads & shanties with a little bluegrass here and there. Anything from instrumental jigs and reels that will make you dance to a cappalla tunes that'll make you cry. Vocals, Bodhran, Fiddle, Banjo, Tin Whistle Mandolin, Guitar and other instruments Twin Cities, MN (612) 384-1628 fourpintsshy@gmail.com www.facebook.com/FourPintsShy
Gaelic Tribe Whistle, fiddle, guitar, vocals, flute, bodhran, Traditional Irish and original compositions. Rochester, MN Harmon Pierce, (507) 356-8912 (day: (507) 253-2911) info@gaelictribe.com http://gaelictribe.pierce1.net/
The Gibbons Band Feel Good Irish Pub & Folk Music Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Bass, Bodhran and Other World Percussion We also play acoustic & electric Folk Rock covering songs from Ireland, England, Scotland and American artists. St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN Tim Gibbons, (612) 803-4226 tg3@aol.com www.facebook.com/TheGibbonsBand www.TheGibbonsBand.com
Giggin Siles Traditional and not so traditional tunes sung in English and Gaelic Minneapolis, MN Maureen Engelhardt,
mc2e@lycos.com www.facebook.com/pages/The-Giggin-Siles/156389824484
Greenwood Tree Hammered dulcimer, bowed psaltery, guitar, mandolin, bodhran, concertina St. Paul, MN Stu Janis, (651) 402-3252 hdulc@greenwood-tree.com www.greenwood-tree.com
Dick Hensold Northumbrian smallpipes, Highland greatpipes and reel pipes, other bagpipes and whistles St. Paul, MN (651) 646-6581, hensold@world.oberlin.edu www.dickhensold.com
Dick Hensold & Patsy O’Brien Northumbrian smallpipes, reel pipes and various whistles are joined by Patsy O’Brien, guitarist/vocalist from County Cork. The program is about half songs and half instrumentals, an eclectic traditional Celtic mixture of Irish, Scottish, Northumbrian, Cape Breton and original music. St. Paul, MN (651) 646-6581, dick@dickhensold.com www.dickhensold.com
The Hibernians Irish Band Plays and sings the well known Irish songs that most people enjoy. Twin Cities, MN Chris Kalogerson, (952) 935-9065 www.kalogersonmusic.com
The HiBs Irish Traditional Music Acoustic folk duo/trio on Fiddle, wooden flute, tin whistle, guitar and vocals. St Paul, MN Kate and Jode Dowling, (612) 669-3013 www.hibsmusic.com
Hounds of Finn Celtic Folk Rock The Hounds are a primarily acoustic group performing Irish folk-rock and roots music from around the world, along with original material — topped off with traditional Irish and Scottish tunes. St. Paul , MN Pete McCauley (651) 558-6290 www.houndsoffinn.com houndsoffinn@gmail.com
InishMohr Lively traditional Irish and Scottish dance music, interspersed with a few ballads. A high energy band featuring bouzouki, multiple winds (flutes, whistles and Renaissance pipes), bodhran and guitar. inishmohr@yahoo.com www.inishmohr.com
The Irish Brigade Vocals, fiddle, guitar, bodhran, bass - Engaging Irish Music Twin Cities, MN (651) 283-6821 irishbrigadeband@gmail.com www.theirishbrigadeband.com
Jimmy the Piper Quality bagpiping and smallpiping for any occasion. James Sherman, (651) 325-8598 Twin Cities, MN www.facebook.com/jimmythepiper
Jolly Groggers High Energy Irish Folk Music 5 Piece with dueling fiddles, bodhran, tin whistle, mandolin, guitar, banjo & more. NE Minneapolis, MN Grant Adams or Peter Bodurtha, (612) 296-1407 or (651) 210-7216 jollygroggers@gmail.com www.facebook.com/The-Jolly-Groggers
Kindred Celtic and Americana Music Acoustic Trio on vocals, tin whistle, bouzouki, mandolin, bass, guitar and bodhran. Delano, MN Sherri & Chuck Leyda, (763) 972-2341 www.singletonstreet.com
Kittiwake Named for a seabird native to many shores bordering the North Atlantic, Kittiwake plays traditional music from Ireland, French Canada, Scandinavia -- wherever the kittiwake flies! Amy Shaw (wooden flute) and Chris Bashor (guitar). Twin Cities, MN kittiwake.duo@gmail.com
Tom Klein Performance on the uilleann (Irish) pipes for all occasions. St. Paul, MN irishpipertom@gmail.com irishpipertom.com
Knotted Clover An acoustic ensemble performing traditional tunes and folk songs from Ireland, Scotland and the U.S. on fiddle, mandolin, whistle and harp. Elk River, MN Greg Padden, (612) 817-2998 knottedclover@gmail.com
Harpist Amy Kortuem and her Celtic Band Amy Kortuem on Celtic harp and vocals, along with violin, whistles and drum. Performing traditional Irish and Celtic music along with Amy’s originals. Mankato, MN Amy Kortuem (507) 387-2564 harpist@amykortuem.com www.amykortuem.com
The Langer's Ball Straight ahead, no-frills Irish ballads with just a hint of razor blades, safety pins and American rock 'n' roll. Their latest album 'The Devil or the Barrel' earned them a top spot on virtually every Irish music writer, podcaster & bloggers best of 2012 list. St. Paul, MN (651) 485-8090 info@thelangersball.com www.thelangersball.com
Andrew K Lewis Great Highland Bagpipes Dance Piper and Soloist Twin Cities, MN (315) 440-4985 (cell) alewisk@gmail.com
Bob Lies Great Highland Bagpipes Dance Piper and Soloist Twin Cities, MN boblies@msn.com (651) 276-2655 (cell)
Locklin Road Traditional Celtic and original music played in updated folk style. Minneapolis, MN Sheri O'Meara, (763) 516-1443 sheriomeara@gmail.com www.locklinroad.com
The Lost Forty A two-man revival of the forgotten Irish songs of the north woods and Great Lakes on voice, guitar, bouzouki, banjo and harmonium. St. Paul, MN Brian Miller, (651) 245-3719 dadgadguy@gmail.com www.thelostforty.com
Macalester College Pipe Band Scottish and Irish Pipe Band Music Soloists available St. Paul, Minnesota Mike Breidenbach (651) 387-6142 pipeband@macalester.edu www.macpb.org
Laura MacKenzie and The Lads A traditional trio with a richly Irish core, also performing music from Scotland, Cape Breton, Galicia and Central France, featuring wind-powered instruments with percussion and guitar. Twin Cities, MN - (651) 398-5055 laura@lauramackenzie.com www.lauramackenzie.com
Chad McAnally Award winning Irish harper Music for all occasions St. Paul, MN (612) 968-4222 ceadachrua@gmail.com ceadachharps.weebly.com
Shawn McBurnie Scots, Irish, English song and new music with Northwoods roots Twin Cities, MN Shawn: (763) 913-8189 holler@shawnmcburnie.com shawnmcburnie.com
Patrick McCormick Highland & Uilleann Pipes Performance and Instruction (651) 353-1612 patrickmccorm@gmail.com
McInnis' Kitchen Fiery Irish twin-fiddle music from Mark Monroe and Chuck Butler and song by Sue Spencer and Jim Ofsthun in the spirit of Newfoundland, Ireland and Cape Breton. Duluth, MN contact@mcinniskitchen.com www.mcinniskitchen.com
Katie McMahon The Original Voice of Riverdance Minneapolis, MN, (612) 850-3159 KMcSinger@mac.com www.katiemcmahon.com
Todd Menton Solo pub songs and traditional songs on guitar and vocal; also bodhran, mandolin, and bouzouki. (612) 824-2789 www.toddmenton.com
Minnesota Police Pipe Band Competition and performance pipe and drum corps Minneapolis/St. Paul MN Sally Gordon, Band Manager, (612) 280-5351 mgr@mppb.org www.mppb.org
Mistral Weaving together textured, harmonious arrangements of traditional tunes from Ireland, Quebec and Scandanavia. Wooden flute, whistles, button accordian, guitar. Twin Cities, MN Chris Bashor (507) 64691323 mistraltrio.webly.com
The New Pearl Buttons Civil War-era American music (instrumental and songs) St. Paul, MN - (651) 644-4779 ladig-dunquin@msn.com www.sherryladig.com
Northerly Gales The Northerly Gales is a Twin Cities-based acoustic folk quartet. Voice, guitar, fiddle, and bass augmented by harmonica, whistle, pipes, and bodhran. Whether you're looking to tap your feet, forget your troubles, or just share a pint over some great tunes, look no further than the Gales. Tamara Maluda, Jimmy Sherman, Randy Conaway, Danny Schwarze Twin Cities, MN northerlygales@gmail.com facebook.com/the.northerly.gales
Northern Gael A powerful blast of traditional music and dance - bringing the songs, music and dance steps of the Irish and Scottish countrysides to life in concert performances and community programs. The members are Ross Sutter, Laura MacKenzie and Danielle Enblom. Featuring flute, fiddle, whistle, pipes, concertina, vocals, guitar, bodhrán, sean nós dance, and Cape Breton dance. Laura MacKenzie - Laura@lauramackenzie.com or Ross Sutter - rosssutter@mac.com lauramackenzie.com/northerngael.cfm
Patsy O'Brien Guitar and vocals - traditional and original songs Twin Cities, MN Patsysongs@gmail.com www.patsyorbrienswebsite.com
O'Rourke's Feast Irish Traditional Music, arrangements of jigs, reels, hornpipes, clan marches, slow airs, 2 Fiddles, 2 Flutes, Button Accordion, Piano St. Paul, MN Paddy O'Brien, (651) 698-2258 paddyobrien@qwest.net www.paddyobrien.net/orourkes-feast/
Poitin Celtic Bush Music from the Red River Valley Moorhead, MN Jim Haney, (218) 979-1085 info@poitinband.com - poitinband.com
RavensFire Traditional Irish and Scottish Celtic, Folk and original songs and tunes. Great vocals and lively instrumentals, featuring guitar, mandolin, whistle, and bodhran. Musicians: Larry and Melissa Schmidt, Guy Havelick and Judy Havelick. Spring Valley, MN Melissa Schmidt, (507) 272-6710 contact@theravensfireband.com theravensfireband.com
Release the Craicen Release the Craicen is an up-and-coming band new to the Irish scene since 2017. They debuted in a pub sing along on St. Patrick's Day, and you can often find them down at the Dubliner Pub in St. Paul. Influenced by Pogues and Flogging Molly's Irish Folk-Punk style, classic rock rhythms raise up rousing choruses while fiddle and accordion tunes reminisce days gone by. Between classic pub songs, modern Paddy Rock covers and an original or two, Release the Craicen has something for everyone.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota
Ring of Kerry Traditional Irish instruments and lots of voice playing a high energy blend that is animated, ruggedly beautiful and fun. St. Cloud, MN Paul Cotton, (320) 251-0601 paulcot@iname.com www.ringofkerry.us
Ross and MacKenzie Ross Sutter and Laura MacKenzie, offering concerts and family programs of Scottish and Irish music. Twin Cities, MN (651) 398-5055 Ross Sutter - rosssutter@mac.com Laura MacKenzie - Laura@lauramackenzie.com www.rossandmackenzie.com
Rúpálaí A uncommon trio with a trove of traditional dance tunes, songs in Irish Gaelic, English, Breton and more. Chad McAnally on Gaelic harp, wooden flute, vocals and hammered dulcimer; Siobhán Dugan on vocals. St. Paul, MN Chad McAnally (612) 968-4222 ceadachrua@gmail.com
The SERFs Irish Pub Rock The Serfs are a 5 piece electric/acoustic band that blends traditional Irish drinking songs and rebel tunes with a little Rock N Roll! From great songs from Flogging Molly and The Pogues to original songs, The Serfs deliver with up beat Irish Pub Rock! Guitar, Bass, Harmonicas, Drums, Percussion, Vocals Minneapolis, MN Booking/info: ddrummer5150@gmail.com www.reverbnation.com/theserfs www.facebook.com/TheSERFs
Sona Traditional Irish duo Sona (pronounced "SUN-a") is a combination of harp, fiddle, and concertina with vocals, performing lively dance tunes, harp melodies, and traditional songs in English and Irish. Twin Cities, MN Hannah Flowers - hc.harpist@gmail.com www.facebook.com/sonairishmusic/about/
Daithi Sproule Traditional songs in English and Irish, Guitar, Gaelic language West Saint Paul, MN, 651-757-0115 www.daithisproule.com
Daithi Sproule & Laura MacKenzie Music of Ireland and Scotland Twin Cities, MN Laura MacKenzie, (651) 398-5055 Laura@lauramackenzie.com www.sprouleandmackenzie.com
Andrea Stern Celtic Harp (612) 722-9790 andrea@andreastern.net www.andreastern.net
Ross Sutter Vocals, guitar, button accordion, bodhran Children’s programs & school residencies Minneapolis, MN (612) 331-1968 rosssutter@mac.com www.rosssutter.com
Sweet Colleens Fiddle-fueled, accordian-infused, Celtic-Cajun Folk Pop Fiddle, accordion, guitar, drums, bass, vocals. (612) 501-5567 info@sweetcolleens.com www.sweetcolleens.com www.facebook.com/sweetcolleens/
TentaTively TeaTime Irish and Irish-related songs and tunes on fiddles, bodhrán, bouzouki, guitar and whistles. Twin Cities, MN Linda Doran, midledoran@gmail.com
Tiller Black Traditional Irish / Celtic Rock Vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, accordion, bass, bodhrán, cajon drum box Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN Kevin Brown, (763) 656-9482, tillerblack@gmail.com www.tillerblack.com
The Tim Malloys Equal parts pub and punk, the Tim Malloys fuse traditional Irish music with a raucous Minneapolis sound and sensibility. Mashing up influences ranging from The Pogues to The Suburbs, the Tim Malloys are a bootlegger's dream of punk guitar, manic grooves, and rollicking callbacks. Vocals, Guitars, Base, Whistle/Flute, Accordian, Drums, Bodhran timmalloysbooking@gmail.com www.timmalloys.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tim-Malloys/167449436310 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TheTimMalloys Bandcamp: http://timmalloys.bandcamp.com/
Twin Cities Ceili Band (TCCB) Traditional Irish music for Irish social dancing Tom Lockney, (651) 917-9071 lockney45@gmail.com website: twincitiescb.wordpress.com/
Two Tap Trio Traditional Irish Music, vocals, fiddle, flute, guitar, also available with Irish dancers. Minneapolis, MN Brian Miller, (651) 245-3719 dadgadguy@gmail.com www.twotaptrio.com
Upset and CurlPerforming beautiful arrangements of traditional melodies and folk tunes from Ireland and North America. The delicate sounds of harp and flute with driving fiddle tunes, percussive dance, and vocal harmonies are a true delight! Danielle Enblom (fiddle/step dance), Hannah Flowers (harp/vocals), and Cory Froehlich (flute/vocals). Twin Cities, MNHannah Flowers - HC.Harpist@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/upsetandcurl/
Wild Colonial Bhoys Irish Acoustic Rock Adam Coolong adam@wildcolonialbhoys.com www.wildcolonialbhoys.com
Willow Brae Celtic harpist Andrea Stern and traditional wind player/singer Laura MacKenzie, offering concerts and community programs. Twin Cities, MN Laura MacKenzie, (651) 398-5055 Laura@lauramackenzie.com andrea@andreastern.com www.willowbraemusic.com
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