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Based on the Isle of Skye, The Peatbog Faeries have been described as the future of celtic dance music and "the most pumping, uplifting and exciting Scottish fusion you’re ever likely to come across!" Previous highlights for the band have been their main stage midnight appearance at Glasgow’s massive Millennium celebrations, televised appearances at Celtic Connections and dates at all the main festivals around the World. Last year the band played a significant role in the Highland 2007 year of culture, performing at The Hebridean Celtic, The Outsider, Belladrum and Speyfest Festivals. Winners of the 'Best Live Act' at the prestigious Scots Trad Music Awards in 2005, their appearance at the Shetland Folk Festival is long overdue!
As demonstrated on their most recent and fifth album "What Men Deserve to Lose", The Peatbogs incorporate many influences which take them from traditional jigs and reels through jazz, hip hop, reggae and more. Playing at the Festival for one night only (Friday 2nd) come along to hear their high octane Celtic dance music. See how long you can stay in your seat for! The Peatbogs are: Peter Morrison (pipes and whistles), Adam Sutherland (fiddle), Tom Salter (guitar), Innes Hutton (bass, percussion) Graeme Stafford (keyboards) and Iain Copeland (drums), plus The Wayward Boys on Brass.
Since its inception in 2002, Quebec group "Le Vent du Nord" has exploded onto the folk music scene. The group's first recording, Maudite Moisson!, was awarded a Juno Award for traditional album of the year in 2004 and their second album, Les Amants du Saint-Laurent was selected as album of the year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2005 (the same year they were rewarded as North American traditional artist of the year in Austin, Texas).
Now, Le Vent du Nord hit the road with their latest album Dans les Airs, which represents a new vitalizing show, full of authenticity, sensitivity, and fun. The band delight audiences with both original and traditional songs performed in their native French and will have crowds dancing to the sound of fiddle and hurdy gurdy. Their music is both fresh and bound to tradition but the group’s biggest strength is their stage presence which is both energetic and dynamic. Indeed, their energy is unbounding! Le Vent du Nord consists of four singers/multi-instrumentalists: Nicolas Boulerice, Simon Beaudry, Olivier Demers and Réjean Brunet, who joined the group in 2007 and who previously appeared at the Festival with La Volée D’ Castors. Welcome back Réjean!
Texas born Katy Moffatt has earned a substantial cult following among roots-music fans and plenty of critical respect for her blend of country, folk, rock, pop, and blues. The younger sister of Nashville-based singer/songwriter Hugh Moffatt, it is clear that Katy sings and writes with the voice of hard-won authority. With a career spanning 30 years, this unconstrained, red-headed bard first went on the road in 1976 as the opening act for Muddy Waters. Since then, she has frequently played in Canada, England, France and Scandinavia and collaborated on albums with Kate Brislin and the late Country Dick Montana amongst others. She also contributed a track to the acclaimed songwriters' tribute to Merle Haggard, Tulare Dust; did time in The Pleasure Barons with Montana, Dave Alvin, Mojo Nixon, and John Doe; and in 1992 released Dance Me Outside, a duet with her brother Hugh.
With eight solo albums to date, the most recent release Cowboy Girl, sees Katy travel on an old and dusty trail - one perhaps more deeply rooted in her than any she has travelled before. In the words of poet Paul Zarzyski, "... she sticks to each note, spurrin' pretty out into the purple sage and leaving us listeners dazzled by the soulful vistas across which her voice ranges with ease, with grace, with a gritty musical savvy that turns us into believers."
Formed in 2000 by Irish button accordion wizard David Munnelly (who incidentally has toured and recorded with The Chieftans) this band is one of the hottest new bands on the traditional Celtic music scene. With their unique West Mayo style of playing (a wilder, freer style of performing Irish traditional music) David Munnelly and his award winning band are making waves on both sides of the Atlantic.
Combining button accordion, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bodhrán and flute for a high-spirited instrumental sound, this band have exploded onto the scene with hit albums in Europe and Japan, a PBS special in America and a full tour schedule. They color their sound with a bit of jazz and ragtime but top it all off with the wonderful singing of All-Ireland champion Shauna Mullin. "The Irish band to see" (Irish Voice) has won special acclaim for incorporating the sound and feel of the Irish-American dance halls of the 1920s and 1930s as well as bands from that era such as the Flanagan Brothers with its traditional Mayo roots.
The band are: David Munnelly (box), Fergal Scahill (guitar and fiddle), Kieran Munnelly (bohran/flute/snare), Daire Bracken (fiddle), Shauna Mullen (vocal) and Nic Gareiss (dancer).
One of today's finest young fingerstyle guitarists, Kansas born Andy McKee is hailed by many musicians in the acoustic world as the most promising fingerstyle guitarist to arrive on the scene in some time. Over the last thirteen years, Andy has cited numerous influences from Metallica, to Bjork, to Don Ross, to Tchaikovsky, and has created a unique voice on the acoustic guitar by drawing from these inspirations. Still in his twenties, Andy McKee has in recent years begun international touring including performances in Taiwan, China, Japan, England, Germany, Austria and Belgium. Having developed a mastery of the 6-string guitar and the harp guitar, his rarely-seen style of playing and compositional talent has earned him a huge fan base.
Live performances featured on YouTube have achieved well over 12 million hits, with his flagship song "Drifting" peaking as the highest rated music clip on this site. McKee is currently on world tour promoting his music, including his latest album Gates of Gnomeria, released by Candyrat Records.
Henrik Jansberg is one of the most talented young fiddlers on the Danish folk music scene. A graduate of the Carl Nielsen Academy in Odense, he has already played in many countries including Denmark, Canada, Estonia, England, Finland, USA, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Japan (and now Shetland!). Born into the Danish dance music tradition, Henrik Jansberg has the touch, the rhythm and the right swing, which is the essence of this music. He has gathered inspiration for his playing from many sources, as is demonstrated on his double award winning debut CD "SIGNATUR" and the brand new CD "OMNIVOR".
The band are Henrik Jansberg on Fiddle and Viola, Rasmus Zeeberg (Guitar and Mandolin), Rasmus Brylle (Percussion) Steffan S. Sørensen – (Double-Bass and Fiddle) and Perry Stenbäck (Guitar, Mandolin and Nyckelharpe). Fans of Danish band Zar, who appeared at the 24th Shetland Folk Festival, should recognise one or two faces in the line up!
From Croatia, Afion is an acoustic band whose members are drawn together by their love for playing traditional songs. They brew a diversity of styles into their repertoire, performing with both traditional and classical instruments. The roots of their music are traditional Croatian, Macedonian and Bosnian songs but with influences from Armenia and Kosovo too. Through their ritual songs, cheerful dances, love as well as more humorous songs, they aim to depict the widest range of human experiences.
In the past couple of years, the band has been touring regularly in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia – each time winning audiences over their dancing and emotion. Afion are Lidija Dokuzovic on vocals; Tatjana Bijelic on flute; Danijel Maodus on guitar, twelve-string and charango; Nenad Kovacic on djembe, tarabuka, drums/percussion as well as guest bass player Lisa De Boos who hails from Belgium.
It's not very often that any band gets invited to play at the Shetland Folk Festival two year's running...but the committee simply couldn't resist inviting this bunch of handsome men back to entertain us once more (especially since they've gone to all the effort of changing their name!) Welcome back Lazy Boy Chair – or The Chair as you are now known.
Winners of the Danny Kyle Open Stage at the 2007 Celtic Connections, this Orkney band are a riot of fiddles, accordions, banjos, guitars, drums, bass and percussion. They boast a stellar cast of musicians: Fionn Macarthur and Douglas Montgomery on fiddle, Gavin Firth on guitar, Bob Gibbon on accordion, Robbie Thomson on percussion, Chas Milne on bass guitar, Erik Lauchton on drums and last but certainly not least is Brian Cromarty on banjo and vocals (who has previously appeared at the Shetland Folk Festival as one half of Saltfishforty along with Douglas).
"The Chair" was put together for the Orkney Folk Festival in 2004 and since this time the boys have gone from strength to strength, bringing their high energy "stomp" music to the dance floors of the Northern Isles, Mainland Scotland and even Belgium ever since. In December 2007, they launched their debut CD, "Huinka" which is certain to be a hot seller at this year's Festival!
Described as Beijing's most soulful band by China's leading music magazine, Hanggai are pioneers of China's folk rock scene. At Hanggai's musical core are two of the world's oldest instruments – the horse headed fiddle and two string banjo. Steeped in the rhythms and sounds of horseback riding, many of their songs use a throat singing technique that has been handed down over the course of two millennia. While China's capital may seem like a surprising place for a Mongolian folk revival, Hanggai has established a large following in Beijing's rock saturated music scene with their refreshing interpretations of the traditional songs of their steppe.
The band takes its name from an ancient world that refers to an ideal combination of the best of the Mongolian landscape – azure skies, imposing mountains and flowing rivers. Dressed in traditional Mongolian costumes, playing Mongolian instruments and singing folk songs, they try to transport audiences back to the original place of the music they make - a place they call "Hanggai".
American fiddler and folk singer Lissa Schneckenburger grew up in Maine, New England as an active member of the folk music and dance community. She cut her teeth as a musician at a very young age and has blossomed into a seasoned musician, performing for audiences all over the world. She graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 2001 and as depicted by UK’s Folk Roots Magazine, “Lissa blows out the cobwebs in no uncertain fashion……Schneckenburger’s name is one we ought to be hearing more of”.
While embracing a diverse pallet of musical influences, she still stays true to her New England roots. Her eponymous album (2005) is a rich and cohesive mix of traditional and original material brought together by the warm tones of her fiddle and sweet vocals throughout. Add to that the energetic buzz of a top-notch band and you've got a match made in heaven! Acoustic guitar, double bass, mandolin, viola, cello, and percussion all add to the traditional fiddle tunes and ballads. A new Lissa Schneckenburger album is to be launched prior to the 2008 Shetland Folk Festival, which is certain to be a hot seller.
Joining Lissa in Shetland will be world class musicians Keith Murphy (guitar), Stefan Amidon (percussion) and Crooked Still’s very own Corey DiMario (bass).
Martin Harley is a mesmerizing singer/songwriter whose music draws on influences from old time blues and folk to world music to make a sound that feels so familiar you think you've grown up with it. Songs about living in cars, worn out shoes, love lost and found and meandering around the world are continuing themes.
Martin's skillful finger style and lap slide guitar playing are the cornerstone of the music along with his bourbon soaked vocals. Tight harmonies and snaking rhythms on the worlds smallest drum kit and obscure instrumentation from Peter Swatton weave their way around the guitar. The line up is completed by double bass and balalaika bass sometimes bowed sometimes beaten by Graeme Ross.
An obvious love of music and a telepathic level of communication between this unusual three piece make for a dynamic live performance. For the past couple of years the band have been touring constantly and recording in remote cottages during storms, in caravans and at the kitchen table on equipment begged, borrowed, stolen and sometimes hauled from the bounteous skips of Surrey. They have played numerous festivals in the UK and Europe, appeared on Channel Four, Sky One and on compilations alongside with J.J. Cale, P.J. Harvey and Eric Clapton.
Mambo Jambo are two musicians with a growing reputation for serving up a range of hot sounds from around the world, using all acoustic ingredients. Appearing at the Shetland Folk Festival in 2001, Pete Jack and Frankie inspired audiences with their many styles and rhythms of Cuba and the Caribbean, Brazil and Africa blended with jazz, boogie, bluegrass and even European styles. This time they are appearing with their larger line up - with bass, congas and percussion added to the mix.
Formed in 2004, Quinteto Mambo Jambo serve up a highly flavourful mix of Latin dance floor styles including salsa and son, chachacha, cumbia, samba and rumba, with the influence of Congolese and other African sounds adding spice and freshness to their infectious mix. QMJ are PETE JACK - guitar, tres, cavaquinho, percussion, vocals FRANKIE - sax, flute, clarinet, guitar, percussion vocals GARY McKEOWN - congas, bongos, percussion GRANT ARDIS - timbales, percussion and ANDY SWIFT - electric and double bass, percussion.
Australian singer songwriter Rory Ellis has spent many years touring locally and internationally with his alt country slash blues based music. The Melbourne native takes inspiration from his homeland and the varied histories of its people, as well as from his own eventful life. Audiences at Rory's numerous festival appearances and intimate performances have been captivated by his powerful vocal command and subtle acoustic instrumentation that bring the vivid stories to life. In 2006, Rory completed his 4th successful tour of the UK, supporting acts such as Eric Bibb, Chumbawamba, The Beautiful Girls, Rory McLeod and Gordon Haskell.
His latest album "The Rushes" like his debut CD "Ride" earned him star reviews. Jeff Glorfeld captures the essence of this Australian artiste - "When the big fella opens up his chest and lets fly with that lusty, rumbling voice, even then it's as if he's pulling back on the reins in fear of what might happen to innocent bystanders - it's that potent".
Ladies be warned, his voice is pulse-raising!
Playing music of yesterday and today like there's no tomorrow, Brother Mule is an acoustic power trio featuring Brian Wicklund, Ben Winship and Eric Thorin. In concert, Brother Mule is a musical conversation between three of America's most gifted acoustic musicians.
The bandmates share the spotlight in a three-ringed circus of extraordinary talent and variety. Brian Wicklund ignites the stage with his fiery fiddling, Ben Winship plays tasty mandolin as he croons one of his finely crafted songs, while Eric Thorin pushes the boundaries of bass playing as an extreme sport.
Their debut recording, Big Twang, earned them the Indie Music Award's Best Americana CD of 2005. It's a showcase of original and traditional vocals and instrumentals spanning genres of swing, old time, Celtic, old country and acoustic funk. Ben Winship appeared at the 2002 Shetland Folk Festival with Growling Old Men and has been keen to return ever since. Welcome back Ben!
Scottish firebrands Breabach are one of the most talked about new acts on the folk scene. Their innovative celtic style blends double bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, song and Scottish stepdance. This brings to the stage a certain flare, excitement and diversity rarely seen from such a young group.
Formed in 2003, Breabach won a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections 2005. This proved to be the springboard from which they launched into 2006 - signing to Vertical Records - being nominated for "Best Up and Coming Act" at the Scots Trad Music Awards - and most recently signing to Active, Scotland's leading international music agency. Breabach have generated great momentum in their short history, and with 2007 seeing the launch of their debut album "The Big Spree" and first UK tour, they are ready to create a storm in the world of traditional and roots music.
They are made up of Calum MacCrimmon on Pipes, Patsy Reid on Fiddle, Donal Brown on whistle and guitarist and singer Ewan Robertson, who is winner of the 2008 BBC Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award. Great music and fabulous entertainment, Breabach certainly produce a show not to be missed.
Comprised of two skilled musicians from England who make a high energy comedy circus show, they brand themselves as "the smallest banjo orchestra, with circus tricks, in the world." The Cloghoppers Banjo Circus duo play blistering bluegrass combined with acrobalance, equilibrium, lasso, juggling, unicycling, rola-bola and music. Their musical performances demonstrate their vocal abilities as well as banjo, slide guitar, violin, double bass and what they call "plenty of yeeeha."
Having already performed at many major Festivals all over the world (including Woodford in Australia and Glastonbury), it’s now Shetland’s turn to witness all their trickery and entertainment.
This Norwegian session band is comprised of Shetland fiddler Mark Laurenson (now residing in Oslo), fiddler Erlend Viken from Oppdal, vocalist Åshild Vetrhus from Suldal in Rogaland and jazz guitarist Andreas Berg from Oslo. Together this quartet frequently share music (and no doubt drams!) at Oslo's traditional music sessions.
Mark is well known in Shetland’s musical circles, playing with Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag and Drop the Box, amongst others. Since moving to Oslo, he (rather unsurprisingly) has been heavily involved in the session scene. Erlend and Åshild, who are both currently studying at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, have played with numerous bands. Amongst others, Erlend plays with Norwegian folk group Filibuster as well as bluegrass outfit Colonel Laceration whereas Åshild is an active folk singer through the trio of Tindra and other musical projects. Andreas Berg is a very talented and much in demand professional guitarist. Currently studying jazz, Andreas has become heavily involved in the traditional jam session scene during the last year.
Glaswegian fiddler Christina Smith has pulled together a one-off gathering to provide us with some extra session muscle. Christina has played the fiddle since the age of eight and traditional Irish music since she was ten. She is admired for her relaxed East Galway style of playing but has a large and varied repertoire of both tune types and styles from Co.Clare and Galway through Donegal as well as tunes from her native Scotland.
In Shetland, Christina will be appearing with Kerry box player Padraig O’Neill who has played in numerous bands and musical collaborations through the years, including Beneche who played Shetland in 2003 (with Christina’s brother Jamie Smith on fiddle!). Completing the band line up is bouzouki and bodhran player Richard Creasey, who performed with Cushtie when they won their Danny Award in 2005. With this particular line up, Christina’s Gathering is certain to punch above their weight on the sessions front!
