Tech spec and stage plan
www.opland-freeman.com
Downloadable promo pics, bio & press release
Soundclips:
Borderlands, Katyusha and Fair and Tender Ladies
"Played a wonder gig at DFC."
- Mick Elfled Dorking Folk Club 2026
Mike's irreverent sense of humour and Tania's stunning vocals provide the springboard for a rollercoaster musical ride. Hammered dulcimer, guitars, violin, cittern, mandolin and octave mandolin, hurdy-gurdy, harp, recorders, Native American flute, and hand-percussion. They offer an eclectic mix of songs from both sides of the Atlantic, and rhythmic roots from Siberia to Morocco. This Anglo-Alaskan duo forms a unique collaboration bringing their exuberant music and tall tales to audiences around the world.
"A wonderful stage presence. Their repertoire is vast."
- Whidbey Island Folk Festival, Washington, USA
Tania and Mike divide their time between Suquamish, Washington State and Inistioge, Ireland, because anyplace else would be too easy to spell. They have recorded eight albums between them (including two collaborations with best-selling author Anne McCaffrey, in Ireland). They have toured extensively across the UK, the USA and Canada
"Tania and Mike... are definitely a partnership made in heaven. They are quite simply one of the most original and interesting musical combinations you're ever likely to see!"
- Chester Folk Festival, UK
In addition to their concert performances for adults, Tania and Mike also deliver excellent workshops for schools with a variety of topics designed to complement National Curriculum. Before leaving the UK for Seattle, Mike taught for several years in Norfolk. His teaching experience and the duo's natural exuberance make them ideal for classes of all ages.
Tania: Tania's voice is "smooth, powerful and tremendously versatile". Originally from Alaska, she has travelled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Britain. She now lives on a Native American reservation in Washington State. Her vast repertoire reflects the diversity of the communities whose music she has shared. Tania plays guitar, fiddle, octave mandolin, hammered dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, harp, recorders, Kiowa Native American flute, and a teeny tiny ocarina.
Mike: Though born and raised in Manchester, England, Mike's family roots are in Eastern Europe. He plays guitars, mandolins, and a wide variety of hand percussion including the Gambian djembe, from which he draws an amazing variety of sounds. He composes tunes on guitar and mandolin, and adds harmony vocals.
REVIEW: TANIA OPLAND & MIKE FREEMAN
- at Otley Folk Club [U.K.]
What a brilliant night! Eclectic isn't the word for this pair. Or, no, hang on yes, eclectic IS the word. Tania was brought up in Anchorage Alaska, and now has a house in a village on an Indian reservation called Squip... Squoo... er, near Seattle. Mike comes from Crumpsall, but maybe that seems exotic to Tania. From the start the audience was treated to a whirlwind trip round most of the northern hemisphere, starting "Somewhere in America" (-Bogle), ... visiting en route, Norway, Russia and Byelorussia, with a brief aside for an Inupiaq (let's say Eskimo) welcome-dance song. This might not be your usual diet when visiting the local club, but it was far from indigestible, leavened as it was with more usual contemporary and traditional tunes and songs, together with plenty of humour and anecdotes. This was one of those evenings which occasionally comes to the more adventurous folk clubs, where the audience, not having quite known what to expect, finds itself having a really good time, and then wishing that they could instantly import all their friends. So the message is, next time you have the chance to see Tania & Mike, go along. You might not get to sing "Byker Hill", but you won't be disappointed. -Jim Lawton, Tykes' News, England
For all Tania and Mike's gigs outside the UK, see their own website.
Upcoming UK tour
May/June 2027
2027
Tu 2 June
Dartford Folk Club
Dartford WMC, 40 Essex Road, Dartford, DA1 2AU
Tu 8 June
Fo'c'sle Folk Club
Raven and Bine in Carlton Place, Southampton, SO15 2DY
Thu 10 June
Bromsgrove Folk Club, Catshill Social Club, 13 Meadow Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 0JJ
Mon 14th June
Stirling FC
Stirling Rugby Club, Bridgehaugh Park, Causewayhead Road, Stirling, FK9 5AP
Wed 16 June
Edinburgh Folk Club TBC
Sat 18 June
Stonehaven Folk Club Stonehaven Bowling Club, Recreation Ground, Stonehaven AB39 2RD
Mon 21 June
Bridge Folk Club
The Bridge Hotel, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ
Thu 24 Jun
Louth FC
Louth Jazz Club, 51 Queen St, Louth, LN11 9BJ
Mon 28 Jun
Stockton Folk Club
The Moline Cross at Norton Cricket Club, 74 Station Rd, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees TS20 1PE
-o0o-
"A remarkably fine duo ... if you get within 100 miles of a gig - don't miss them!"-StortFolk, England
"Tania has a terrific voice which she uses to full effect in a rich variety of songs." - Mad Nanny Folk Club, UK
"Tania Opland and Mike Freeman provide multinational, multi-instrumental music of a high order." -Huntington Folk Music Society, Long Island, New York, USA
"Very talented musicians with an eclectic selection of tunes and songs." - Folk Northwest, England