This trio is forged in the traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America, but cast and tempered in new and unexpected ways. Like the rivers and seas that inspire them, their music is turbulent, meditative, untamed, ever-changing and powerful.

Kalos is drawn to water. Every performance is like stepping into a river: they never play a song the same way twice. Their album titles (Harbour and Headland) honor the meeting point between the land and sea, and their music springs from maritime traditions: songs about shorelines, seafarers and drownings. They revel in the driving danceability of Irish tunes, but also take inspiration from the pastoral melodies and naturalistic metaphors of Scottish music.

The trio spans three generations, three cities and two countries. All three band members come from Scottish immigrant families, so even when they venture beyond the edges of traditional Celtic music they remain deeply connected to past centuries and forgotten folkways. Ryan McKasson (violin, viola, voice), Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, voice) and Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano, voice) met over the years at highland games, contra dances and fiddle camps across North America. They made their first recording in 2016 and have been touring together since 2019.

Kalos prizes the magic of live performance: breathing, dancing and weaving together like high-wire acrobats. They are as generous as they are virtuosic. Like nature itself, their music is full of chaos and chance yet always feels spacious and balanced. Their concerts are more an exposé than a performance — they are immersive, trance-inducing experiences. With music that enlivens the human spirit, Kalos brings warmth, grit and exuberance to every performance.