Irish, Scottish and Norwegian folk Tempest tunes it up for beach faithful
Posted to: Music

By Jeff Maisey
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 12, 2008

Virginia Beach has long been a favorite port of call for Lief Sorbye, and this year it is a must-stop.

A tall pirate of a man with his long hair and cavalierlike goatee, Sorbye wields a double-necked electric 
mandolin and sings for Tempest, the San Francisco-area band that's touring America and Northern Europe for 
two reasons: to support "Prime Cuts," a best-of compilation, and to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a band.

"Starting in the mid-'90s we got a regular home in Virginia Beach at the White Horse Pub," Sorbye says. 
"It became a tradition for us that whenever we toured the East Coast we'd play an intimate show for our 
regular following, until it fell apart two years ago when the owner, Larry Mercieca, sold the venue and 
moved away."

Tempest, which mixes elements of traditional Irish, Scottish and Norwegian folk music with 1970s prog rock 
a la Jethro Tull, will perform a free concert Tuesday at Murphy's Irish Pub (2914 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach, 
9 p.m.).

Sorbye says he has received an outpouring of e-mails and calls from fans in Virginia Beach asking for Tempest's 
return.

"I always looked at Virginia Beach as a place I wanted to come back and play. The audiences there are really 
sympathetic and enthusiastic about folk music. It's important to us that we do play to the people of 
Virginia Beach."