"This is a truly phenomenal act, combining the energy of urban street singing with first-rate musicianship, folk roots and traditions from throughout the world. Their body percussion sets are a sight to behold" - Folkworks Magazine
I've just heard something...amazing: a quartet of young women known as moira smiley & VOCO. This is compelling and totally unique music...I'm increasingly blown away by it each time I put a disc in the player. (They) push the envelope of vocal music every which way - go there and be amazed. - Kennebec Journal
To Join Our Mailing Listplease send an email with your contact info. to Moira at: vocoinfo@yahoo.com
moira smiley & VOCO is a visionary blend of voices - redefining harmony singing with the power & physicality of folksong, the avant-garde fearlessness of Béla Bartók and the delicious, vaudevillian accompaniment of cello, banjo, accordion and body percussion. Moira Smiley leads an ensemble of extraordinary musicians who share a passion for spreading powerful, emotional music with lush four-part vocal harmony, cello, accordion and banjo. Original improvisation-built songs steeped in Appalachia and Eastern Europe. Named #1 a cappella group in the U.S. in 2007, VOCO is the energy of street singing and the elegance of a string quartet. Recently featured in Dirty Linen and on more than 100 radio stations nationwide on NPR's "Harmonia", VOCO has released two critically acclaimed CDs in '08-'09: "Small Worlds" and "Circle, Square, Diamond & Flag". VOCO is sweet, hard-driving Americana mixed with crooked eastern European dance and dissonance. It's all rounded out with body-stompin' percussive movement and joyous, magnificent, hair-raising harmonies - music that mourns and dances at the same time. > HEAR VOCO
Artists Associated with VOCO: (click on photos for bios):
Moira SmileyComposer/Arranger
Vocals, Accordion, Banjo, Body Percussion
Ariella Forstein Vocals, Body Percussion, Percussion
April Guthrie Cello, Vocals, Body Percussion
Emily Eagen Vocals, Ukelele, Body Percussion, Whistling
