DKOS Artists for Sun 22nd Jan 2023 – Ríl Òg. / Brierdene / The Woods. /. CÀRNAN / Elsa Jean McTtaggart

Brierdene

Brierdene are a Newcastle-based group of young musicians who have grown up playing together, meeting at the Sage Gateshead in youth folk ensembles and then progressing into the EFDSS’s National Youth Folk Ensemble. All multi-instrumentalists, the band consists of a 4 piece blend of fiddle, viola, flute, guitar, piano accordion, melodeon and piano. Through these means they bring their own character, distinctiveness and enthusiasm to live performances.

All hailing from the North East of England, Brierdene have been surrounded by its rich musical history their whole lives. Performing both their own compositions and traditional material, their influence of Northumbrian folk fuses with the close-knit Celtic traditions of Scotland and Ireland and, further afield, music of Scandinavia and the French Breton – creating the fresh sound full of youthful spirit and powerful force that is Brierdene.

Acclaimed performer Kathryn Tickell adds: “Full of exciting arrangements and rock-solid musicianship… don’t miss these fantastic young musicians at the start of their careers!”

Ríl Óg

Ríl Óg are an Irish contemporary traditional band, comprised of multi-instrumentalists & award winners Tomás Mulligan, Dylan Hanly and Setanta Flood. Ríl Óg fuse banjo, accordion and guitar to create a multi layered, truly-enthralling, explosively-energetic and ground-breaking signature sound that has captivated audiences far and wide. Through the amalgamation of these three seemingly acoustic traditional instruments, Ríl Óg produce a bold energetic sound and one truly captivating live show. Throughout their musical course Ríl Óg have been noted as contemporary traditional innovators, pushing new boundaries like never before.

The Woods

“Sinuous musical invention and experimentation” – Clash Magazine
“A cross between Jeff Buckley and James Blake”- Fourculture

The Woods is the music project of singer songwriter & live loop artist Johnny McFadzean. With music featured on BBC 6 Music & WorldwideFM, it’s The Woods’ live set that’s left audiences mesmerised, weaving worlds of ethereal neofolk-tinged electronica in places as diverse as London Fashion Week and as a Clash Magazine live highlight at XpoNorth.

CÀRNAN

CÀRNAN -Louden MacKay / (Breanna Wilson. /. Arthur Brook)
CÀRNAN is an upcoming and energetic Scottish indie folk trio with a funkier take on trad. The indisputable synergy of lively accordion (Louden MacKay), vigorous fiddle (Breanna Wilson) backed by thunderous guitar (Arthur Brook) gives the band a powerful and driven sound.
The fusion of contemporary original tunes and songs, along with a firm connection to the music and culture of their roots (Highlands, Glasgow, and Ireland to name a few) gives them a fresh and unique position within the music scene in Scotland.
The group released their first singles during 2022 – two original instrumental sets,“Calmac Kenny” and “Donnie the Highlander”, a cover of John Martyn’s “Over the Hill” and their own take on a traditional Gaelic song “Fionnlagh”. All received airtime across UK radio stations including BBC Radio Scotland’s “Travelling Folk” presented by Anna Massie and Bruce McGregor.
With the addition of Breanna to the band in January 2023, the group have lots of new and exciting material in the works. Louden hails from Kintail in the Highlands, Breanna from Glasgow, and Arthur from the Isle of Skye.

Elsa Jean McTagart

Elsa Jean McTagart & Gary Lister

These multi-instrumentalists from the Isle of Lewis take you on an eclectic musical journey through the Islands and Highlands of Scotland past and present. From soulful laments to high energy, beautifully arranged sets of jigs, reels, traditional (also Gaelic) and original songs with plenty of laughter, joy, warmth and opportunity to sing along.
Born and raised in Scotland with an MA in Irish traditional music and a lifetime of performing on stage, this ‘Scottish Superwoman of music’ is bringing the violin to new heights.

As quoted by Finbar Furey: ‘You gotta hear this girl play- I’ve never heard anything like her, she’s world class!’

´At first glance Elsa Jean McTaggart may seem like a normal Scottish woman, but do not be fooled because she is actually a Scottish superwoman of music. ´
Three weeks 2012.

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