biographical info
We started out in the summer/fall of 1998, playing primarily Irish traditional music, and wanting to explore a fusion with early music. Since then, our vision has expanded dramatically to include basically, whatever we want. :)
The vast majority of our repertoire comes from various folk traditions, though we do also have some original pieces. Sometimes, we've written a new tune for an existing song; sometimes we'll tinker with a folk tune until it becomes something else entirely.
Our current regular complement of instruments include Celtic harp, mandolin, mandola, cittern, flute, penny- and low whistle, recorder, Scottish small pipes, bodhran, dumbek and assorted percussion. We have lots of other instruments at our disposal, including Appalachian dulcimer, Irish uilleann pipes, accordion, banjo-mandolin, French bagpipes (cornemuse du centre & cornemuse du Berry) and others. New instruments are always being collected, in eternal pursuit of the "perfect sound" for a given piece. We're also actively interested in instrument making. Several of the above-listed instruments have been made in one of our workshops, and new and different projects (currently Northumbrian Smallpipes) are always ongoing.
lineup
Darren Giles Band member
Eric Reiswig Band member
Jude Pelley Band member
Adam Iredale-Gray Band member
Lael Whitehead Band member
Sara Quist Band member
influences
John Renbourn
La Nef