Folk rock duo returns for San Juan performance

Pacific Northwest-based songwriter duo Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer voyage even further out to sea on their latest self-produced and recorded release “Off-Grid Lo Fi.” McGraw and Fer have called the San Juan Islands home for the last five years when they aren’t touring from Alaska to Amsterdam.They return home to perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at San Juan Community Theatre and will hit the stage as a trio with drummer Andrew Lauher.

Their latest album was recorded entirely with solar- and wind-powered electricity on a nearly uninhabited, remote island. McGraw and Fer have ventured into new territory, both geographically and artistically.

“Off-Grid Lo-Fi” is an intimate, authentic and refreshingly honest exploration into the genres of folk, rock and roots music. Known as a standout electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Fer is unafraid to dominate the stage for an extended guitar solo. McGraw’s emotional songwriting riffs on natural elements of the world around him.

Together, their exceptional vocal harmonies, coupled with Fer’s pioneering electric guitar work, have become a vehicle to carry them around the world.

Acoustic Guitar magazine recently said, “’Off-Grid Lo-Fi’ is chock full of roots-rich gems,” “Fer shreds,” and their music is “a delicate blues madrigal.” Roots music journal No Depression said, “these guys play some of the best (music) I have heard.”

The duo’s 2014 release “Maritime” charted at number one on the EuroAmericana chart for two consecutive months and was praised by The Telegraph for “soulful songs, intuitive musicianship and fine singing.”

For more information on the band, visit www.daveandmandymusic.com. Tickets are $17 or $5 student rush at the door and can be purchased at sjctheatre.org or at the box office (378-3210), which is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays.