Traditional and folk music, including Basque
The Fireants play Caribbean Basin dance music from northern Wyoming, USA-two-steps and waltzes from Cajun and Creole Louisiana; polkas, waltzes, chotises, huapangos, boleros, and cumbias from the conjunto tradition of Texas, calypsos from Trinidad, sones from Cuba, cumbias and vallenato from Colombia. Now and again, they play a little frolic from the North Carolina black stringband tradition, reels from Quebec, Basque-American and Basque music from the Basque Country, and original tunes and songs that have been inspired by their love of traditional music. "Our hope is that we can create a dance scene in which all can take part and which can serve as a way to bring people closer to one another." As a group they started in 1992 and they have played many performances, meetings and gatherings, and also at Basque celebrations.
The Fire Ants have performed throughout Mexico including Guerrero, Pungarabato or Ciudad Altamirano, and Mexico City. In the US their performance venues include the Festival of Cultures held in Bismark, North Dakota, Billings, Montana and Washington state. They have played at Basque celebrations in Buffalo, Wyoming including its annual picnic held on the Feast of the Assumption on August fifteenth, the NABO Basque National Festival in Reno, Nevada and many others. The leader of the group is also the accordionist for Zaharrer Segi, Buffalo's Basque dancers. The Fireants recordings 'Bury My Clothes' (Mochomo Music, Buffalo, Wyoming, 1980) and 'Ants on Ice' (Mochomo Music, Buffalo, Wyoming, 2000) are available on compact disc and cassette. Band members are:
Cindy Baker (bass and vocals), Margo Brown (percussion, piano, and vocals), Courtney Caplan (guitar, flute, and vocals),
Peter Langston (guitar and vocals),
Caitlin Romtvedt (alto sax, fiddle, and vocals) and
David Romtvedt (button accordion and vocals).
Street address: 457 North Main
City: Buffalo
City code: 82834
State/Province: Wyoming
Country: United States (USA)
Phone: 1 (307) 684-2194
E-mail: romtvedt@wyoming.com