Art

Harp Builder Timothy Des Roches for Harp Talk (Interview)

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Plus: The High Kings and Festival Interceltique de Lorient

Timothy Des Roches: The invisible noodle(string)

The harp  fascinated me since childhood. I owe that to the movies and also the late  Japanese jazz harpist Tadao Hayashi (in grade school) who started me in this path. He made me realize that the instrument can create a lot of sound  textures depending on the player.

With my journey to the discover of Celtic music, it was not hard to fuse the past and the present. Hearing the instrument gives you deeper meaning when you know its history and its construction. How or why does it make such sound? As what poet  Lao Tzu says about traveling..”A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” And also “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” –– Robert Louis Stevenson. Learning is a great journey -by knowing the harp more.

You have to realize this didn’t take place in one day. Tim and I just sent messages and ideas back and forth as we went along:

I got a brilliant idea for the interview. Why don’t we make a picture discussion. I will go ahead and post pictures from your picture  gallery and let you explain further. We will make it as informal and chatty as possible.

Or if you prefer we will make it on the main conference with Scott(Hoye). Anything that makes you comfortable.

After sometime….

He said: This may be mildly interesting to you. I’ve been discussing the build of a traditional wire strung harp with someone for some time now. This person desires a replica harp with an English Walnut pillar and column (the sound box is to be carved from Linden/Lime ,latin: tilia. Our conversations started over a year ago. Well, after about one year I came upon a proper log for the carved sound box (the wood needs to be green/wet), and after countless hours of searching I just found the English walnut in the right thickness (rare) in Southern Poland. Enough for many harps and pleasantly priced – WAAAAY cheaper that it would be from a US vendor, even though the wood is actually more common here than in Europe. It’s very odd to me how these things seem to make themselves available when I’m close to being ready for them even if the odds are stacked against me. Money is always an issue – I have little and wood and transport are costly – and transport is always challenging as I haven’t a car.

In the picture the shorter lengths are about 1.5 meters long and 7 cm thick, the rest is 5cm thick and about 3 meters long. The wood has “seasoned” naturally for five years. Commercial wood is usually kiln dried, which is less desirable for musical instruments.

Now this is a great thread starter 😉

Hey, I know that pic (referring to the picture below).

Let us discuss about wood carving in this picture. How long did it take for you to finish this one?I am actually in your album now.

Hmmmm, 80 hours maybe. But “in the round” like that is a real pain and I never clamped that piece while working on it. Or rather, I clamped it with my left elbow while carving with the right and left hand.

You seem to take harp making a step further by adding intricate designs. How do clients react to your finished products?

The design took longer than the carving – I can take a long time to settle on a design. When it’s for me, as this harp was, I want something I can live with, something that fits the harp. If a carving is for someone else THEY decide; that makes things easier.

What clients? Thus far it’s all for my wife, except one small wire harp. They liked the carving a lot, it made the harp more personal. For myself, I enjoy finding what the wood has within and adjusting to the grain. Thankfully, every piece of wood is different so even if you’re making the same design over and over there’s always something new, but hand carving adds another layer to that.

Interesting!

I didn’t know you have so many” weapons” ( see picture). How did you get into harp building?

I like “les armes blanches!” There’s absolutely no such thing as too many chisels. Grab and air-sickness bag, love got me involved. It was my 5th anniversary that was approaching and I wanted to give Magda something special. The fifth anniversary calls for a wooden gift so I set myself to thinking. I remembered that she had once told me that as a little girl her dream was to play the harp, but in Communist Poland that was beyond the grasp of all but the luckiest of talented youths, so she opted for classical guitar. So, I researched and bought a harp kit from Musicmakers; it was a 26 string Limerick harp in walnut. I did some simple carving to to make it truly hers and found an interest in both harps and carving. Later I made a connection with the harp maker Rick Kemper of Sligo Harps and have been enjoying a kind of intl. apprenticeship with him. Rick’s harps are awesome and he’s been very patient and kind to me. It’s now four summers that I’ve been cluttering his shop with myself and one harp project or another.

That is the best gift I have ever heard in ages!Look at these gorgeous harps she got.These are wire strung harps right? How many of these are in your house now?

Actually Magda has an irrational preference for nylon or gut strung harps. Those floor harps in the picture are nylon strung (there’s no money in my piggy bank for gut). On the left is the second harp I “built” for her, a Muscimakers Voyageur (another kit) on which she wanted carved dragons. On her right is a cross-strung harp that was the result of my second summer spent in the company of Rick Kemper. So, that’s two, then there’s my little 19 string wire harp (bronze strung) of lime and cherry, a nineteen string wire harp of cherry and maple (strung in brass), the 32 string Lamont strung in bronze and silver, and a small 22 string nylon harp bought before I decided to build a kit harp. That makes 6, and I’m currently working on a triple strung harp (81 strings) for Magda because there’s still room to throw a cat in the music room. Oh, and we live in flat that’s right in the middle of Lodz.

That one is really tiny. I haven’t seen a size like that before.

Small wire-strung, that’s the lime/cherry – fruit flavoured! Except that lime/linden trees aren’t fruit bearing and the cherry is a wild and rather unpalatable fruit bearing variety – better for cabinet making than jam making. That is actually the first harp I made all on my own. The wood for the soundbox came from a tree being felled on my way to work.

Let us talk about construction. What are the yes and no of making levers and of the kind of materials you use?

Whoa! I don’t make levers and wouldn’t want to. Levers are made by elves and dwarves in unknown lands (I do fear that some of this activity takes place in China – at least component manufacture, but I may be wrong…I hope I’m wrong. I have installed levers, and shall likely do more of it in the future although it’s not my preferred way to spend time. The levers in the picture are Camac levers and are very popular for their quality of tone and ease of use – by the harpist. Other brands exist: Truitt, Delacour, Peter Brough, Loveland, Robinson… Each type has it’s advantages and disadvantages.

Peter Brough Brilliant bronze semitone levers

Thanks!

Nylon and steel strings…the difference in sound, construction and the challenges making each?

Wow, esoterica. Interestingly enough, nylon and steel strings both call for just about the same vibrating length. Wire harps are strung (usually) with brass or bronze. Brass and bronze call for shorter (significantly so) vibrating lengths for a given note than than nylon. Nylon, gut, nylgut (a synthetic), or fluorocarbon strings all produce a “typical” harp sound with some being darker, some brighter, some punchier… Brass and bronze strings sound closer to a harpsichord when played with great technical skill. The wire strings have a greater sustain and typically less volume from the harp although in some ways the sound carries better. Steel strings sound more like little bells, more tinkly.

Nylon harps are lighter built than wire harps and requiring a greater length of string material for any given note. Given a wire harp and a nylon or gut harp with the same range of notes, the nylon/gut harp will be bigger. Wire harps tend to be styled after existing historic harps or harps depicted in stone carving or period illustrations. There is a greater freedom of form and materials used that can be perceived in the nylon/gut strung harp arena. Many lever harp players cry out for lighter and lighter harps, one builder even builds in carbon fiber – ultralight. You’re more likely to hear wire harp types clamoring for archaic dry joinery (no adhesives) and specific woods. All types of harps have their merits and uses.

For more on string theory, try to get your head around my friend Rick Kemper’s brilliant explanations:
http://www.sligoharps.com/string.html

Tim, if people are looking for great harp manufacturers, where would you refer them?

Who are they? WHERE are they? What kind of music do they want to play?

Generally I’d tend to go with one woman/man operations. You get more of a dialog, more personal service. USUALLY a better instrument. Big name companies are more interested in NOT having to perform warranted repairs and that forcibly affects building strategies and sound. It’s nice to buy local. If not, make sure a competent luthier lives within a couple of hours drive. A floor harp can be expensive to ship for repair work!

Timothy Des Roches is the guy you might want to look for if you want a harp builder. His bio says:

I live in Lodz (woodge), Poland with my wife, Magda, my son, Mieszko (myeshkoh), and my dog. Life just keeps getting better.

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Featured video: The High Kings – “The Rising Of The Moon”

Check out the new video “The Rising Of The Moon”, from Ireland’s ‘Best Folk Group of the Year’ THE HIGH KINGS. Their new album “Memory Lane” is out now in the US.

Get your copy at Amazon here – http://amzn.to/h53CHG

My appreciation to Christi for posting this on her network. One of the best Irish groups!

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Today in Pictures: Festival Interceltique de Lorient Grande Parade 2012

Copyright Michel Renac- FIL2012

Eamon Doorley : The Bouzouki You’ve Heard Before

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Plus: Manau, Jeremy King,The Levellers,Dead Can Dance New Album Anastasis,Rachael Mccormack, Dom Duff and the spirit of the Olympics!

Be ignited or be gone

-Mary Oliver

Life is about passion. It is inspiring to see people doing something again and again despite being ignored. There are those who do art because for them it is an outlet-or a sickness however you want to see it 😀

folkbyfarr.co.uk

Today, CMF highlight’s the talent of bouzouki player Eamon Doorley. Those who own records of Danu and Julie Fowlis already recognize his name in liner notes. His sound is warm, luminous with the delicate playing style that is his own.

Hearing him play is like listening to a pouring water.  Eamon Doorley and Julie Fowlis had little Aoibhe born on Christmas eve last 2009. 2012 is a good year for the couple. After taking part in the big  animation The Brave, they are back on stage for more musical performances.

More of his bouzouki here: http://www.myspace.com/eamondoorley

Here is a video by Julie Fowlis. The song was used in the movie The Brave. This time, Eamon Doorley gave his bouzouki a rest in favour of a guitar.

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New album by Manau

Fans of Celtic rap artist Martial Tricoche who created  Manau have the reason to celebrate. This year is the release of the new album Panique Celtique. It has been a while since the release of their last album that spawned the hit La Tribu de Dana. That song features a sampling of Tri Martolod by Breton harpist Alan Stivell.

The video of the carrier single La Rumeur  is medieval by design, inspired by the burning of heretics. The new video  is a follow up single called  Le curé et les loups  is now available for viewing. I don’t know if it is just me or the theme of the video La Rumeur borders on S&M?!! Anyway I am glad the Breton rapper is back. It has been years and he is surely missed by fans.

More here: http://www.manauofficiel.com/

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Today in pictures

Happy Birthday Jeremy King of Poitin. May you have more birthdays to come. May you always touch listeners with your music and also inspire young bands to do more and be the best. Slainte!

Listen to The Congress Reel by Poitín

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Flashback: The Levellers

Remember the good old 90’s and this band? We are back to Doc Martens and of course the Celtic folk/rock band  The Levellers. I think I got into their sound at the same time I got into The Paperboys. Back then, Celtic rock was new to me- having been exposed to New Age  music and traditional folk. Great tune. Nice memories.

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Dead Can Dance Are Back!

Dead Can Dance isn’t exclusively Celtic, but they blend Celtic elements to their Gothic/Medieval inspired World Music. I bought my first DCD  album on cassette tape in the early 90’s following Everybody Else is Doing it So Why Can’t We by Cranberries and Banba by Clannad. What can I say? The early 90’s was cool for Irish music and everything unique. After listening to insipid and forgettable music of my high school years, college was an exciting stage in everything  musical.  Dead Can Dance made a huge wave in my musical taste.  How can one forget the haunting quality of Lisa Gerrard’s vocals as she delivered”The Wind that Shakes the Barley”? I think Brendan Perry’s “I Am Stretched on Your Grave “ is still my favorite Halloween music.

I really jumped with joy when I heard that they are now touring and has released a new album called  Anastasis  after 16 years! Wow 16 years. A child born after The Spirit Chaser would already have relationship issues by now! Or a dog would be so old it would have passed away by this time. 16 years….Did you know that they have a track available for free download? All you need to do is  sign up for their newsletter through their official website.

Tracklisting for Anastasis
01 – Children Of The Sun
02 – Anabasis
03 – Agape
04 – Amnesia
05 – Kiko
06 – Opium
07 – Return Of The She-King
08 – All In Good Time

More news here: http://deadcandance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DeadCanDanceOfficial

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Fresh Tunes from Dublin Rocker Rachael Maccormack

 “I can think as far back as 6yrs of age when I’d be tugging at my mams jumper saying I want a guitar, or I’d make one out of a shoe box and shoe laces hahahaha. So Dublin to me is one big song with many choruses. Let’s face it, us Irish know how to party, so adding the music element is like water from a tap: It comes naturally I guess,we’re a nation of storytellers and the songs are there to guide us along the way”.

Taken from her essay Welcome to the Musical Dublin

You can listen to new tunes by Rachael Mccormack here http://breakingtunes.com/rachaelmccormack

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Influential Breton Rocker Dom Duff

Checking what our pal is up to lately.

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The Spirit of Olympics!

Now the link isn’t about Celtic music but it has been getting a lot of shares from my network. . Hmmm  you be the judge who wins XD  http://thefw.com/olympic-diving-funny-faces/

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The Celtic Music Fan mourns for the passing away of someone close to a dear friend. He is flying to Scotland  for the funeral of his  grandmother. He helped me make this site what it is now. My heart goes to him and his family.

Rachel Hair: All Things Celtic Harp(Interview)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments

Plus: Somerset Folk Harp Festival, Athas’tour pic and schedules, Celtic vampire novel by Karen Victoria Smith and Delta Rae …so emotional and beautiful!

Scottish harpist Rachel Hair notes down her tips on how to get into this fascinating musical instrument: The Celtic harp!

It was through my discovery of harp music that got me  started in perusing the web for more resources. I think it was my interview with Scott Hoye and his invite to join the Celtic Harp facebook page  made this interview with Rachel Hair possible. The Rachel Hair trio brings something fresh to harp music. There’s unmistakable groove, atmosphere and optimism the first time you listen to any of their tracks. Interviewing Rachel deepened my respect and admiration for her music and her band. She is one of the great contributors to the forum lately while being out joining the Manx music festival. She kept everyone updated with pictures and links. I even got my Maeve Gilchrist through her recommendation. Everyone in the Celtic Harp community is very supportive of each other. Eric, Scott, Rachel, Corrina, Amy and the rest keep the community alive with their ideas and presence.

Rachel is very enthusiastic to share her thoughts with everyone. Especially those who are planning to study the instrument but might have doubts that hold them back.  I like her in-depth way of answering questions. I am sure you will enjoy this and add it to your bookmarks for reference.

How do you describe the Scottish folk scene these days ? What’s the trend in terms of playing, the instruments and also the general band image that the listeners are warming up to?
The Scottish folk scene has gone from strength to strength and over the past 10 years has had a real upsurge of talent and creativity. I think its one of the most creative folk scenes in the world. You have musicians who know their tradition well and can perform it fantastically but are also creating and adding to the tradition. More than ever musicians and bands are writing new music and presenting it in an ever creative and evolving fashion… its not just about playing tune after tune anymore. Bands are getting really into big arrangements and taking the listeners on a journey to what is becoming the new tradition in Scotland.
Theres a lot of cross genre music making too. I live in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, and a hub of creativity amongst musicians of all styles. Folk, jazz, indie, rock and classical musicians are not only mixing with each other socially but are musically creating new sounds together. The results of this are now being on seen on stage and festivals such as Celtic Connections are a great supportive platform of this allowing it to be brought to the public’s attention.

With friends.

Your tunes are always rhythmic and is also filled with arrangements that glow of atmosphere…how do you value atmosphere in songs? Others are more into technique and speed. Do you think it is essential in every Scottish and Irish recording to have a sense of atmosphere or ambience?

I like to create records and shows which take listeners on a journey, giving them opportunities to tap their feet along, dance but then also give them opportunities to reflect and feel the emotion of the music we create. One of the tunes we most enjoy performing as a trio is the haunting melody “Cancro Cru”. We really get emotionally involved in the tune and this is often felt by the audience and commented to us after.
I don’t think its necessarily essential that every recording gives a sense of this atmosphere but I do think its important that musicians and bands try to give an impression of what the atmosphere their live show creates, through their recordings.

You have been active these days especially during festivals. What are the things you learned being musician, in terms of traveling with ease? Tips you can give us? I remember what Scott Hoye said about harpists..it’s not like playing the fiddle where you can toss it and go. Harpists carry this huge instrument.

Preparation is the key! I often fly with my harp. Living on a large island (Britain!) means that any gig I do outside the country means a flight. I always phone up the airline in advance and let them know I’m taking a Celtic harp and ask them to make a mark on booking. I’m always very casual on the phone and make it clear that its not that bigger than a suitcase, weighs less than 20kg (normally less than my suitcase!) and that I fly all the time without difficulty.
It used to be that I could take it for free, but now you just have to accept that you have to pay for it. Most of the large airlines just see it as an extra piece of hold baggage and this can usually be paid for in advance which makes life easy.
Its always important to be sure that the car that will pick you up will have room for you, your suitcase and your harp. To be honest mine is actually quite small in its flight case so this is normally no problem.
I also have a protective fibre class flight case for my harp which is very easy to move around and protects it well. I tend to tape up the clasps on it too for safety too. I also put pieces of polystyrene pipe round my levers inside its cover, to protect them further.

What are your suggestions for both artists and enthusiasts about this type of music and making it grow? We have the technology and tools but what do you think are the things that each of us can do to improve and expand the scene.

I like to use social media to connect with people… through Facebook, twitter and youtube. Its a great way of keeping in touch with your fans and new people are discovering my music through these ways every day. It also gives me the chance to promote other music, that isn’t always mine. Bands and groups that I like that I think deserve to be heard. I like to post videos etc. of them to help their music grow and get to new people. Its definitely a worthwhile thing to get into….facebook, twitter and youtube and free to use so you’ve nothing to loose!

What tell young people who find harps fascinating and want to study it?

Rocking out the Scottish reels
— with Maeve Gilchrist.

Get yourself to one of the harp festivals and try it out for yourself! I’m on the organising committee for the Edinburgh International Harp Festival and it coming along to a festival like it really is a great way to discover harp music. You can join a beginners course and have a go, visit the harp exhibition which has all the top makers in Europe showing of their harps and you can go to some of the concerts. Harp festivals really are a great way of experiencing everything “harp”. You also get the chance to meet harp players young and old, of all levers from beginner-to professional. We’re all a very friendly bunch.

Who are people who influenced your growth as an artist through the years?

When I was at university in Glasgow, studying music, my harp teacher was Corrina Hewat. She was an incredibly encouraging teacher who really pushed me to discover my own style of playing. We don’t really play in the same way and I think that’s a testament to her as a teacher.
A lot of my friends are professional musicians, Jenn and Euan who play in my trio, Jamie Smith who plays in the group Jamie Smiths Mabon and Gaelic singer Joy Dunlop. We’re all very very head strong and passionate at what we do and we’re very good at encouraging each other to keep going and achieve our dreams and success in music.

What’s your biggest goal in life.

Well to be happy, and to be fulfilled both in my personal life and in my musical life. simple!

Rachel Hair – Harp
Jenn Butterworth – Guitar / Vocals
Euan Burton – Double Bass

Follow her band in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelhairharp

http://www.rachelhair.com/

http://www.youtube.com/rachelhair

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Somerset Folk Harp Festival

Everyone got a harpful for 4 days! People who are very enthusiastic about harp music(including yours truly) will keep this festival on the calendar. Some of the big names in the community attended: Chris Caswell presented Guerilla Music Theory. There’s also Breton dancing( this is really fun!) led by harpist Clotilde Trouillaud. For people who wanted to pick up a handy instrument enjoyed the tin whistle workshop. Maeve Gilchrist whom we presented in this site was also there teaching techniques.

Other notable musicians:

Peacocks Feathers: entertained with Irish & Scottish tunes & songs during the lunchtime concert in the Atrium.

Debbie Brewin-Wilson lead the 3-day Basically Beginning workshop.

Nicolas Carter on the first of his 3-day class on Paraguayan harp. He’ll also help out Tracy Gorman in the Paraguayan Dance class at 3:30pm.
There’s Billy Jackson in his workshop on Scottish Harp of the 17th century yesterday. Right now he’s teaching Composing in a Traditional Style. By the way I have one of his albums!
Thanks to Scott Hoye who is up to date. He’s the source of this news.
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Today in Pictures: Athas on Tour

Amy thought she ordered the large Bloody Mary-Jeff Ksiazek

Between gigs, the band unwinds.
Follow the band’s tour schedule here: http://www.athasmusic.com/schedule/
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Book curiosity:

Dark Dealings by Karen Victoria Smith
Synopsis: At thirteen, Micaela O’Brien was found wandering a pasture in Ireland, the sole survivor of a mid-air explosion. Now, as a successful investment banker, she will discover that Wall Street has fangs and claws. When international power brokers, creatures hiding in plain sight, threaten her and those she loves, will this heiress to a Druid legacy deny her power and let loved ones die again?A thrill ride of money, monsters and murder across the globe.
According to the author
: 2 DAYS left to get Dark Dealings for Kindle on sale for $1.49. 1/2 royalties 2 Kick #Cancer Overboard.BUY,read,review amazon.com/Dark-Dealings-… Read the novel described as Trueblood meets bluebloods with a 4.4/5 rating on Amazon. Price goes up August 1
Tataratat! The Gothic Celtic in me loves it! Twilight fans sorry but I think Karen Victoria Smith does more than Stephanie Meyer. Nothing is better than Vampires and Celts in one book.

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Our featured band Delta Rae

Take a look at this official video by Bluegrass fusion band from North Carolina  Delta Rae. I love the concept. It is both funny and creepy. The voice of Brittany Holljes has a powerful quality in a pop sense but with New Age delicacy. There are also male lead vocals occasionally. The music has a knockout rocking quality but with  the atmosphere of Sarah McLachlan. It is a band that will  appeal to fans of music categorized as folk/rock or country with chillout moments. My favorite track from the band is Holding On To Good because it is really explosive and glorious and the sound just floods through you. So beautiful! But wait till you hear Surrounded, a moving and mesmerizing track that builds up into a glorious release- a crashing wave of sound, angelic harmonies and earth ravaging meteor or emotions.

Members:

Ian Holljes (vocals/guitar)
Eric Holljes (vocals/keyboard/guitar)
Brittany Holljes (vocals/percussion)
Elizabeth Hopkins (vocals/percussion)
Mike McKee (drums)
Grant Emerson (bass)

Info:

http://www.deltarae.com/

Music: http://www.myspace.com/deltaraemusic/music

Corrina Hewat: Smooth and Jazzy

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 7 Comments

 

After a few days of trivia and news about tours and album reviews, it is time to relax and listen to an artist. This is one of the things about my writing that I take delicately. Knowing an artist can sometimes be an illusive thing because you might just be talking about a certain point in an artist’s development. There are times when the challenge of getting the right material is ever present.

Harpist Corrina Hewat is an artist that tells you right away  to expect the unexpected. Just hearing the first few bars of the percussive Suntrap and Ratman told me  that I have to take aside my long-established notion that all harpists sound in a certain way. Well, her sound has that distinctive Celtic flavour but there are also elements of jazz , classical and world music. This is an artist who listens to Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, Ella Fitzgerald, Nirvana, Earth Wind and Fire and Debussy among others. Vocally, her impressive range shines like satin sheets.  It gives you that relaxed feeling. Like night flowers, wine and the cool  breeze. Things that intoxicate the senses with promise.

Expect jazzed up traditional tunes played through her crystalline harp sound.

http://www.corrinahewat.com

http://www.myspace.com/corrinahewat

The ‘official’ Biography:

Within a few minutes of hearing her, the energy and the timing, the depth and the colour of her music will touch you. One of the leading Scottish Harp players in the world today (nominated Instrumentalist of the Year 2004 at the STMA) Corrina has toured through Europe, the Far East and Canada taking the Small Harp to a new level of excellence, combining traditional style music with contemporary attitude. She is also blessed with a stunningly earthly voice, which resonates with years of soaking up Scotland’s musical tradition, while exploring contemporary elements and jazz. She is in demand as a player, composer, arranger and teacher, and her appeal grows larger as more and more people hear and meet her. She has an astonishing ability to create and collaborate with others and this has led her to recording over 30 albums in the last twelve years. She plays a Camac Aziliz Harp (she calls it ‘Little Yellow’) and the “Big Blue” electroharp.

Corrina Hewat is co-founder & co-musical director of the extravagantic 22-piece Unusual Suspects – the folk big band dubbed The Scottish National Folk Orchestra “one of the most exciting bands I’ve ever seen” quote Mike Harding Radio 3. She is also a skilled and innovative composer and arranger, having written many large scale commissions, while also musically directing shows such as ‘Voices of the World’ 2008, ‘Songs of Conscience’ 2007, ‘Scottish Men’ 2006 and the TMSA Young Trad Tour since 2005. Corrina is a founder member of distinct bands such as Bachue, Chantan and Shine and has been involved in awarding winning and pioneering shows such as My Ain Countrie and Scottish Women.

Recent projects include a duo with Kathryn Tickell, exploring the Scottish and Northumbrian Borders traditions and vocal trio Grace, Hewat, Polwart with Karine Polwart & Annie Grace. “The world needs to hear this!”

Corrina is also developing her own one woman show for tour, incorporating a range of original and traditional music, songs and stories from her background growing up in the Scottish Highlands through to her surroundings now in the Scottish Borders. She is a stunningly versatile singer “She blends a jazz singer’s flexibility, a blues singer’s economy and a folk singer’s heart into a style that’s both natural and her very own” with an incredible range and velvety tone while also possessing a creative and powerful technique on the harp, both on the Scottish small harp and electric harp. “A range of expression and depth of technical assurance… dazzlingly nimble finger work and liberal deployment of the instrument’s big bass end”.

Corrina’s teachers in college were Sanchia Pielou and Maire Ni Chathasaigh whose tuition and style she still refers to today. She is a core tutor on the Traditional Music Degree courses at Newcastle University and the RSAMD, as well as teaching workshops and courses on harmony singing, arranging and vocal techniques.

Her recently published music book, with accompanying CD, ‘Scottish Harp’ has received critical acclaim from teachers and pupils alike. It comprises of traditional-style pieces and compositions for solo harp (Taigh Na Teud music publishers http://www.scotlandsmusic.com). Her second book is due out in 2008.

She also has six 30 minute videos available for download on for intermediate players. www.ayepod.net

DETAILS DETAILS…

Born in Edinburgh 21st December 1970
Brought up on the Black Isle, Ross and Cromarty, Highlands of Scotland

 

Hillside Festival and Riverside Celtic Society (Updated)

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It is an exciting year for award-winning Canadian bodhran player/teacher Jacob McCauley. Apart from the upcoming album launch, his hands are busy playing and teaching:

Looking forward to teaching a Bodhrán workshop at the Hillside Festival this year! I’m also very happy to have some musical support from James M Law and Graeme McGillivray playing some good ol’ traditional tunes mixed up with some of our own modern compositions. Should be a hoot!-Jacob McCauley

http://hillsidefestival.ca/#/performerInfo/performer/drum_dance_bodhr_n_with_jacob_mccauley

Below is a slideshow from the recent Riverside Celtic Society Performance, plus some old pictures they have. According to Jacob:

“We sadly had a recent friend and musician pass away so we uploaded many of some old photos”.

And of course a nice update:

“My trio’s EP is releasing soon and I should have a track to post soon as well so I will let you know about that as soon as I have more info. I also have been testing the new drum. Fun times!”

They have a nice site: https://www.facebook.com/RiversideCelticSociety

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