Tom and Chris Kastle are merchant-adventurers, who regularly sail out, by ship as well as by van, on voyages of trade and discovery. Their eyes and their ears are keen and discerning, and it must be a short and routine voyage that does not yield a new and glittering treasure. As singer-songwriters and storytellers, they aren't content just to acquire jewels of beauty and insight, they're driven to shape and polish, to create an ingenious setting that displays their discoveries to best advantage. They have been internationally acclaimed for their lush harmonies, varied instrumentation (primarily guitar, octave mandolin, concertina and whistles) and captivating stories in live performance as well as on their recorded works.
Called “Chicago’s first family of maritime music” by WTMX radio, Tom and Chris are known for their interpretation of traditional material as well as their original works. The duo has performed in concert and at festivals, schools, libraries, and on radio and television throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe and New Zealand. They have experienced, first-hand, the traditions and cultural diversity of life at sea, serving as crew aboard tall ships and other traditional sailing vessels. Tom is a Coast Guard licensed captain and is currently master of the square topsail sloop, Friends Good Will, out of the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven. They have released numerous recordings including their latest CD, Familiar Waters.
