Bostonist was at the New Bedford Summerfest this weekend, enjoying the refreshingly non-ironic sounds and earnest lyrics of several musicians who appeared to have actually studied their instruments as instruments rather than chick-getting-devices. There was also crowd participation, fried food, and an overwhelming array of nautical crafts for sale. We ended up being suckers for the glass whales and the blowfish. Scrimshaw was briefly considered, but judged both too expensive and too morally questionable. But the festival was about the music, not the accessories. Red Molly, Eileen Ivers, Lucy Kaplansky, Beaucoup Blue, Women in Docs, Mike and Ruthy, and The Kennedys put on some wonderful shows. More details and a photo gallery after the jump.

Red Molly at New Bedford Summerfest (Kerry Skemp)

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Red Molly

Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello paired rich harmonies with alternately raucous and laid-back strumming for both sweet and stunning effects. We caught the NY-based group a few times over the weekend, and were consistently impressed by the musicianship and creativity the members displayed. Gardner’s dobro lent a special flavor to several songs, and MacAllister’s banjo showed plenty of spirit as well. The band also performed some a capella numbers, including a beautiful—if mournful—sea shanty. Red Molly’s latest release, Love and Other Tragedies, is now available.

Songs included May I Suggest, Beaumont Rest Stop, Mind of a Soldier, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Gulf Coast Highway

Lucy Kaplansky

A beautifully husky voice and pared-down yet heartfelt lyrics made Lucy Kaplansky an artist of note over the weekend. Her style could be called family-centered relationship pastoral for the way she so plainly and evocatively depicts interactions with other people. Kaplansky spoke warmly of her daughter, who’s recently developed a Star Wars obsession and is sure the force will always be with her family. She played solo acoustic guitar, which was charming but paled a bit in comparison to other full bands.

Songs included Manhattan Moon, Over the Hills, End of the Day, Amelia, Ten Year Night

Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul

The “Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” Ivers put on an exceptional show in New Bedford. From rousing Riverdance numbers (complete with Irish dancers) to contemporary twists on Irish, Appalachian, and other classics, Ivers and her band (Tommy McDonnell, Buddy Connolly, Greg Anderson, and Leo Traversa) displayed the diverse capabilities of traditional instrumentation. Ivers and McDonnell are both from “County Bronx,” Connolly is from Newark, and Berklee graduate Traversa and Anderson also hail from NYC—but you’d never know it to hear the group play.

The Kennedys

Northampton musicians Pete and Maura Kennedy play competent, traditional guitar-based folk music. They spiced up their set with a few covers, including the Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” and Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison.” The duo’s new album, Better Dreams, is a dream-based concept album that also hinges on our American reality.

Women in Docs

This group of Australian women showed a defiant face to the rainy day in New Bedford by playing several songs about rain, including “Rain on a Tin Roof.” Turns out Australians—in Queensland, at least—often live under tin roofs, which seriously amplify rain. Good thing for us, as it inspired a fun, simple tune the audience could sing along to. Roz Pappalardo and Chanel Lucas are certainly a folk-rock force to watch out for. They’ll be around the northeast for much of the summer, appearing at Tinkers Nest in Warren, Rhode Island, this Thursday.

Beaucoup Blue

Father and son duo David and Adrian Mowry are from Philly, but their soulful acoustic blues might lead you to expect southern roots. David’s Dobro mastery elicited excitement from the crowd and from fellow Dobro player Abbie Gardner of Red Molly. Adrian’s mellow vocals provided steady backup while David’s fingers freaked out on the strings. Freight train love songs and murder ballads rounded out the authentically old-time experience.

Mike and Ruthy (of The Mammals)

Perhaps the only way to describe Mike and Ruthy is “incredibly sweet.” The duo, formerly part of the indie-string group the Mammals, are married with a ridiculously adorable child to add to their set of ridiculously adorable songs. In New Bedford, they played several of their own tunes, including the lovely “All the Time,” as well as covers of artists as diverse as Etta James, Tom Waits, and the Velvet Underground. Ruthy’s remarkable voice couples alternately with guitar, fiddle, banjo, and harmonica to create a contemporary sound that doesn’t forget the classics.

Songs included All the Time, Something's Got a Hold on Me, Beg and Borrow, I'll Be Your Mirror

Benoit Bourque

A French-Canadian accordion player and step-dancer, Bourque played some favorite songs (including “Les fraises et les framboises”), but mostly related interesting stories about the traditions behind French-Canadian music. He noted that the daughters of the family always learn piano from nuns, and explained that musicians step to provide a greater sense of rhythm to dancers. His shoes are fiberglass to amplify the step-noises; he finds the sound of fiberglass more pleasant than metal. Still, Bourque said, traditionally soled leather shoes are all that’s really needed to make a nice noise. He also highly recommended the International Accordion Festival in Montmagny, Quebec, so if you have any accordion interest, head up there this September!