Folk, Roots & Traditional Music - Musicians' Union

Clare Cairns
W : www.myspace.com/
theofficialclarecairns
E : clarecairns@yahoo.co.uk
T : +44 (0) 7704 714 607
Clare is a twenty four year-old singersongwriter
from Edinburgh. She has played
professionally in a number of venues across
Scotland including ‘The Liquid Rooms’
and the BeanScene stores.
Most recently Clare was one of the five
finalists (selected from thousands of
applicants) to perform at the Forth-
One-to-Watch-Awards competition
in November 2008. Clare’s music
also reaches many community radio
stations including Blackdiamondfm
who featured her as their “Local-Hero”,
where her single ‘Such Is’ was played for
5 days during drive time – boosting her
website by 4000 hits. The Evening News
(Edinburgh) also featured Clare on a front
page spread and as their “Ten Questions”
star.
Clare is currently recording new material
and planning a tour around Australia for
December 2009.
Harmony
Ensemble
W : www.harmonyensemble.co.uk
E : eddiemcguire@talktalk.net
T : +44 (0) 141 334 8580
The Harmony Ensemble perform
traditional Chinese music – and,
with composers in their ranks always
include improvisation and new pieces.
Their six members use a range of vocal
styles and Chinese instruments to
present concerts that often soothe and
contemplate but also rouse with the pulse
of dances.
Zheng (zither), Yang Qin (hammered
dulcimer), Bamboo Flute, Violin and
Percussion blend with the unique voices
of Fong Liu (soprano) and Cheng-Ying
Chuang (counter-tenor).
Based in Scotland, they have performed
throughout Britain at festivals and music
societies. They featured in BBCTV’s
‘Silk Screens’ events leading up to the
Olympics in 2008.
The Whistlebinkies are a seven member
ensemble performing traditional Scottish
music as well as new compositions in that
style.
A rich blend of Small Bagpipes, Small
Harp (clarsach), Flute, Concertina, Violin,
Double Bass and Percussion has thrilled
audiences throughout Britain and around
the world. They were the first Scottish folk
group to tour China (in 1991) and have
performed in Europe and USA.
Currently taking the world by storm,
Vicki and Jonny are establishing
themselves as one of the best duos
around on the folk scene today.
Although best-known for their
instrumental skills with Scottish
Smallpipes, accordion and Swedish
Nyckelharpa, the duo are well recognised
for their song arrangements too.
With their blend of traditional material
and contemporary interpretations,
they have developed a sound that is
both familiar and fresh.
Strong believers in letting the music
tradition live and breathe through and
sensitive interpretation, Vicki and Jonny
allow the melody to sing without any
constraints. Their albums have earned
recent coverage on both Radio 3’s
Late Junction and on Mike Harding’s BBC
Radio 2 show.
The
Whistlebinkies
W : www.whistlebinkies.net
E : eddiemcguire@talktalk.net
T : +44 (0) 141 334 8580
Three successful recent CDs have been
issued by Greentrax Recordings and a
new one is due for release early in 2010.
Vicky Swan &
Jonny Dyer
W : www.swan-dyer.co.uk
E : smallpiper@mac.com
T : +44 (0) 7721 519 719
50 Musicians’ Union Folk, Roots & Traditional Music 51