FOLK
ORBIT
Updated
25 October 2009

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Website Designed by
Helen Armstrong

Website Updated by
Colin Matthews
 
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Folk Links
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Button to Top of Page Bands

  • 3 Hand Star Barn Dance Band: Barn Dance, Ceilidh (kaylee) or Hoe Down with "Maca the Caller"- we are a Leicestershire based band covering the Midlands and ready to give you some great entertainment!
    http://www.barn-dance-band.com
  • Alec Martin: Founder of the Buskers Ball of Bolton, England. Alec has played a large part in the new singer/songwriter revival. Former resident singer at Poynton Folk Centre (the year it was voted Melody Maker's Club of the Year), music journalist and broadcaster.
    http://www.folkalley.com/openmic/artist.php?id=384

  • Alistair Russell: Folk singer and one time member of the Battlefield Band. Singing from the heart because he believes in the words.
    http://www.alistairrussell.co.uk

  • Anne English: Superb North West UK Singer Songwriter
    Contact 07786 306576

  • Anthony John Clarke: Intelligent and eloquent lyrics coupled with beautifully crafted melodies, leave the listener in no doubt that this is the work of a true craftsman. Anthony John Clarke has class.
    http://www.anthonyjohnclarke.com

  • Bandersnatch: The musical styles of Bandersnatch are as diverse as the lineup would suggest. The band has the ability to move seamlessly from rendering Eric Clapton, one moment, to a Cecil Sharp collection the next.
    http://www.bandersnatch.org.uk

  • Battlefield Band: The Battlefield Band play Celtic music with a rare passion, mixing the old songs and music with a new self-penned repertoire, all played on a fusion of ancient and modern instruments - bagpipes, fiddle, synthesiser, guitar, flutes, bodhran and accordion.
    http://www.battlefieldband.co.uk

  • Berkana: Yorkshire Trio Berkana are Neil Benton, Terry Armitage and Lou Finch who love to perform traditional, contemporary and self-penned folk material. Together they perform an ever expanding list of traditional-idiom material on a variety of instruments, featuring their own arrangements and unaccompanied close harmonies.
     http://www.berkana.org.uk

  • Bernard Cromarty: Manchester based Singer & Multi-Instrumentalist. His songs are tender, loving, melodic, raucous, dabbling in protest and heavy metal.
    http://www.bernardcromarty.co.uk

  • Bernard Wrigley: Bernard is a nationasl treasure and well loved singer, actor and comedian. He is sometimes known by the nickname "The Bolton Bullfrog". Is there a Folk Club or Festival that he hasn't graced?
    http://www.bernardwrigley.blogspot.com

  • Bill Malkin: Singer/Songwriter. A regular at The Raven Folk Club in Chester, and The Hungry Horse Acoustic Folk Club in Ellesmere Port, Bill has focussed over the years on crafting his diverse repertoire of fine original songs
    http://www.billmalkin.co.uk

  • Black Brothers (Shay, Michael & Martin): The brothers are regarded amongst the finest and most popular singers in Ireland. They are noted for their strong voices: Shay's is robust and hearty, Michael's a thrilling tenor, and Martin is known for his deep-chested counter harmonies. Their solos and close harmonies display an unalloyed joy in singing
    http://black-brothers.com

  • Blowzabella: Blowzabella combine hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, violin, diatonic accordion, saxophones, clarinets and bass to produce an inimitable, driving drone-based sound played with a fabulous sense of melody, rhythmic expertise and sheer feeling.
    http://www.blowzabella.com/

  • Bogtrotters: National and international gigs. Musical direction leans mainly towards their own arrangements of traditional Irish and Scottish music and a mixture of country and cajun along with modern material combined with original songs composed by Tim Flaherty and other band members.
    http://www.thebogtrotters.com

  • Bram Taylor: National and international entertainer with a distinctive voice and relaxed stage presence who gives an evening "Taylored" to suit his audience. Bram calls on a large repertoire of traditional songs, together with contemporary and humorous material, performed on acoustic guitar, duet concertina, or unaccompanied
    http://www.bramtaylor.com/

  • Bourbon Street Preachers: Cheshire based soulful blues, cooking cajun and stomping zydeco. A sound that would reflect the rich variety of music emanating from New Orleans and the wider reaches of Louisiana and the Mississipi Delta
    http://www.myspace.com/bourbonstreetpreachers

  • Brian Preston: Brian is more than just a guitar in hand folk singer. He's a complete character, with stories, humour, and a spontaneity that defies description.His repertoire ranges from ancient to modern
    http://www.brianpreston.co.uk

  • Britannia Bluegrass Band: Four piece band playing a variety of styles within the bluegrass idioml ranging from traditional songs in the Monroe mould, through more modern bluegrass material to Hank Williams, the Louvin Brothers and to traditional banjo and fiddle tunes
     http://uk.geocities.com/britannia_band@btinternet.com/

  • Camine: Camine are twin sisters Zinta and Ramona Egle . Zinta playing guitar and vocals, Ramona playing whistles / low whistles, fiddle, harp and vocals. Andy Renshaw on percussion - bodhran, darabuk and djembe)
    http://www.camine.co.uk

  • Dave Shepherd: is one of Englands innovative performers of traditional music, well known for his work with Blowzabella, as a solo performer, workshop leader, and more recently, in a duo with accordeonist Becky Price.
    http://www.fiddling-dave-shepherd.com
  • Demon Barbers: Youthful, enthralling, charismatic, and with bags of attitude, combining solid traditional acoustic instruments and songs with the added oomph of a superbly tight rhythm section, making a unique and captivating sound
    http://www.thedemonbarbers.com

  • Down Trodden String Band: Four musicians with long experience of playing acoustic music of all kinds, we first came together to provide music for an Appalachian dance group based in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Since then we have gone on to play concerts, barn dances and festivals all around central England. A line -up which features two flavours of mandolin plus banjo and guitar produces a distinctive, driving style on the tunes and most songs feature three or four part harmony.
     http://www.downtrodden.org.uk

  • Dulaman:
    http://www.dulaman.co.uk

  • The Family Band: The Family Band Barn Dance and Ceilidh band is a barn dance band in the Chester, North Wales, Cheshire, Wirral and Merseyside area. We play for barn dances and ceilidhs for all occasions including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and parties, and don’t mind being in any hall, barn, marquee or even outside. The Family Band Barn Dance and Ceilidh band is an "all night" band, providing complete entertainment for your evening, you get the band and a caller. We are quite happy to play with discos if you are having one. We are a very flexible barn dance and ceilidh band.
    http://homepages.which.net/~katriona.moulton/index.html

  • Jigsmith: are an exciting new folk & ceilidh band featuring a line up of melodeon, flute, guitar, bass guitar, bodhran and violin. The band includes players from many musical traditions from classical to jazz and we can provide our own caller. With Jigsmith you can be assured of the very best in danceable music.
    http://www.jigsmith.com

  • Jill Fielding: Contemporary Traditional English and Irish Acoustic Music. Guitar, Bodhran, Vocals, Keyboards, Mandolin, Banjo, Flute, English Concertina and Whistle.
    http://www.jillfieldingband.co.uk

  • Miv Cameron Band: 4-piece band from Anglesey and the Wirral, playing many festivals and clubs.  Details of their CD, 'The Empty Seat' available from the site.
    http://www.mivcameronband.co.uk

  • NowThen: That folk band from Barnoldswick and Earby!
    http://www.nowthenfolk.co.uk/index.html

  • Orbit : North West duo singers and guitarists covering Irish Music, Folk & Blues , Tony Ballard & Colin Matthews. Available with PA or acoustic for Festivals, Clubs, Pubs, St Patrick's night, and Private Parties. Tel: 01244 313892 or 01244 880805

  • Reckless Elbow: a five-piece band producing their own interpretation of traditional, modern and self-written folk music with Celtic influences.
    http://www.reckless-elbow.com

  • Scolds Bridle: These two girls know what entertaining is all  about - they've been captivating audiences all over the country for a number of years. Their vitality and original presentation make them such a popular choice for any Festival, Concert or Folk Club listing.
    http://www.scoldsbridle.co.uk/

  • Small Town: Small Town come from Leigh, nr Wigan. and have played a 1 hour live spot on Chorley FM and have played various well received gigs in the North West. All their material is their own, mainly upbeat folk/jazz. 07935 225 005
    http://www.myspace.com/smalltownbands
  • Solan: emerged as a band in July 1999 when Frances Wilkins, Richard Chaff and Chris Henderson started playing together in Shetland. Frances on Concertina, Richard on guitar and vocals, and Chris on fiddle.  From this base, Solan have toured extensively in Norway, Holland, Denmark, Germany and mainland Britain playing Shetland, Scottish, North American, Irish and original tunes and songs.
    http://www.cds-studio.shetland.co.uk/solan.htm (e-mail: solan@music.shetland.co.uk)

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Button to Top of Page Instrument Makers

  • Louis Accordions:  Malcolm Manning is the UK's only maker of Lousiana Cajun style diatonic 10-button accordions. Branded 'Louis Accordions', after his eldest son, these instruments are hand made in small batches, using the finest Italian steel reeds. Call Malcolm for more details.
    http://www.mannings-musicals.co.uk/

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Button to Top of Page Internet Madness

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Button to Top of Page Magazines

  • Entertainment in Shropshire: Welcome to the only online directory of Entertainment & Leisure in Shropshire and surrounding areas including Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Birmingham, North Wales, Manchester, Stoke on Trent, Derby, Chester, Wrexham, Staffordshire, Cheshire, West Midlands and beyond.
    http://www.entertainmentinshropshire.co.uk/
  • Mr Red's Mid West: (Folk Venue/Festival/Radio & Dance Diary lists in Gloucestershire & surrounding area)
    http://www.cresby.com
  • Yorkshire Folk Arts: Yorkshire Folk Arts exists to raise the profile of the folk arts - principally, traditional song, music, dance, drama and storytelling. We are working with the Arts Council of England, Yorkshire Arts, and folk arts organisations throughout Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire and beyond, to develop new audiences, venues and performers.
    http://www.yorkshire-folk-arts.com/directory/index.html

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Button to Top of Page Miscellaneous

  • BritFolk (British Folk): is a self-help organisation for UK-based professional folk performers, including singers, instrumentalists, dancers, callers and storytellers. Membership is restricted to performers living, working or seriously touring in the UK and earning all, or a significant part of their income in that way.
    http://www.britfolk.co.uk/
  • EXR Extraordinary Rendition: We are a musician's collective based in S. Manchester, and have 3 years experience in hosting regular live music nights throughout the region.  However, we are now focusing on affordable rehearsal rooms (including all equipment) for bands that are established or just starting out. We do PA hire, printing services and festival management as well.
    www.exr.org.uk
  • Folk Images:  Over the past twenty five years I've been to many Folk Music events, based mainly in the North West of England. As a result, I have amassed a number of photos that have never seen the light of day. The Photo Galleries include a selection of these photos.
    http://www.folkimages.com

  • folkWISE: is a new organisation run by performers for the benefit of performers. Our aim is to support and encourage professional folk performers from Wales Ireland, Scotland and England in all aspects of their work and career.
    http://www.folkwise.org

  • Geoff Rodgers: Acoustic Music. available now. Tel 07884157373
    http://www.webfolk.net e-mail: email@webfolk.net

  • The Jake Thackray Project: promotes the live performance and recordings of the songs of the late, great Jake Thackray.
     http://www.jakethackray.com

  • The Yorkshire Musical Saw Player: aimed at musical saw players and would be players (especially in the Yorkshire area). It provides tips, humour, suggestions for music and instructions for playing.
    http://playthesaw.co.uk/

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Button to Top of Page Music & Lyrics

  • All Tabs Music Tablature is a free source of music tablatures, sheet music, and midi sound files for 5-string banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, tenor (4-string) banjo, and dulcimer.
    http://www.alltabs.com
  • Bluegrass Guitar Home Page: designed to be a convenient source of information about the acoustic flat-top guitar and it's use in Bluegrass music. Our goal is to help promote traditional guitar and assist players and fans alike.
    http://bluegrassguitar.com/
  • Chris Peterson Traditional Music:  This is a collection of (mostly) traditional music to look at, listen to, or download at your convenience. The emphasis is on traditional Celtic tunes, but there are some others you may find interesting, as well.
    http://www.cpmusic.com/tradmus.html
  • Concertina Music:  The concertina music site.  Your source for free sheet music with notation for the Chemnitzer concertina.
    http://www.concertinamusic.com
  • Contemplator: Folk and Traditional Music and Popular Songs, with Lyrics, Midi, Tune Information and History behind the folksongs and ballads. Irish, British and American Folk Music including Francis J. Child Ballads and Sea Shanties.
    http://www.contemplator.com/
  • Fiddling Around the World: Welcome to a world of fiddles. A world bursting with celtic fiddles, American bluegrass, old-time and western swing fiddles, mariachi fiddles, klezmer fiddles, gypsy fiddles, jazz fiddles. Ancient fiddles from China and Mexico, Hardanger fiddles from Norway, a double-necked electric monster from India. A world teeming with fiddle players famous, infamous and obscure. Street fiddlers, million-selling fiddlers, mythical fiddlers. Five continents stomping and swaying to the music of countless interconnected fiddle styles.
    http://www.fiddlingaround.co.uk/
  • Mudcat Café: Excellent USA Blues and Folk Site - download your own lyrics database of over 8000 songs
    http://www.mudcat.org/
  • The Traditional Music Database: the traditional music database, where you can search our database of traditional tunes and store your tune information for the benefit of all.
    http://tunedb.woodenflute.com/
  • A Traditional Music Library: A traditional and folk music archive of songbooks, tune-books, sheet-music, lyrics, midis, tablature, plus music reference, chord diagrams and music educational materials.
    http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/index.htm

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Button to Top of Page Music Agents UK

  • Arcadia Music Agency: Home Counties based agency providing ceilidh bands, function bands, Irish bands, string quartets, minstrels, pipers, Scottish dance bands, barn dances etc. Application form on website.
    http://www.musi.co.uk/
  • Atlantic Edge Music Services (AEMS) UK: We offer a world-wide service from the generally remote Shetland Islands. This may seem to be ambitions, but geographical location has not proved to be a stumbling block in this respect as many of our 'international clients' will testify to.
    Tel: 01595 695675 e-mal: davie.gardner@btinternet.com
    http://www.atlanticedgemusic.com
  • Bradys Irish Music Agency: London based agency serving the UK and Europe specialising in Irish duos, solos, dancers, pipers, fiddlers, Ceilidh bands and anything Irish for weddings, private parties, corporate functions, pubs and clubs!
    Tel: 08452 265324 e-mail: enquiries@bradysmusic.co.uk
    http://www.bradysmusic.co.uk

  • Brookfield Knights: Scottish based agency, promoting Roots Music; singer - songwriters, bands and artists from the USA and Europe for live bands, tours, gigs in Britain
    Tel: 101505 706346 e-mail: info@brookfield-knights.com
    http://www.brookfield-knights.com

  • Music For London: Music for London is an innovative live music marketing company promoting and representing London's professional musicians for corporate events, weddings and parties in the UK and Worldwide. Music for London's primary role is to market their services, deliver prospective clients to them and administer the contractual commitments of each party.
    Tel: 0845 2262971 e-mail: info@musicforlondon.co.uk
    http://www.musicforlondon.co.uk
  • Wildfolk: Dedicated to promoting fine folk performers from Yorkshire . The staff at Wildfolk are themselves all folk music lovers, and are actively involved in music and dance in Yorkshire .
    Tel: 0781 6085 494 e-mail: info@wildfolk.co.uk
    http://www.wildfolk.co.uk

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Button to Top of Page Music Shops

  • Frailers: specialist in American guitars and banjos.  To view a list of items in stock, click here (Note this is a large file and will take a long time to load!)
    http://www.frailers.com/

  • MGL Industries:  Leading Manufacturers & Wholesale Exporters of Pipe Bands Uniforms accessories & requirements, Musical Instruments & accessories
    http://www.mglind.com/index.htm

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Button to Top of Page Organisations

  • The English Folk Dance and Song Society: preserving and promoting the traditional song and dance of England.
    http://www.efdss.org/

  • Devon Squeezebox Foundation: a Not For Profit Organisation set up to encourage interest in playing music, primarily from the folk traditions of England, on free reed instruments e.g. piano and button accordians, concertina, melodeon etc in the County of Devon and through out the West Country.
    http://www.devonsqueezeboxfoundation.co.uk/
  • Folkus: Folkus is the Folk Arts Network of the North West. FOLKUS is a folk arts organisation founded by enthusiasts to celebrate, support, and build upon the continuing vitality of traditional and contemporary folk music, song and dance within the North West region.
    http://www.folkus.co.uk/

  • FolkWISE: A national organisation run by performers for performers to provide an information network and backup for independent folk music makers trying to earn a crust in an increasingly commercialised music scene. Networking, advice, workshops, moral-support. Give and get-back.
    http://www.folkwise.org/

  • The Morris Ring:  The Morris Ring was founded in 1934 to encourage the performance of Morris Dancing, to maintain its traditions and to preserve its history. The Ring is an Association of two hundred dance clubs - sides.
    http://www.themorrisring.org/

  • Mr Kite: Mr. Kite promotes live music entertainment with all proceeds from these Benefit events going to charity. A £100 donation is guaranteed to charity from every Benefit and musicians are carefully selected to guarantee satisfaction.
    http://www.mrkite.org

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Button to Top of Page PA Hire

  • Massive Technical Solutions: Massive Technical Solutions started in 2001 dedicated to providing High Quality Equipment to Professional Artists who might not otherwise get the technical support they deserve. Since then the company has expanded and now provides complete systems to everyone from solo singers to 18 piece Big Bands.
    http://www.massivetech.co.uk/

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Button to Top of Page Podcasts

  • FolkCast: We are a UK-based podcast covering folk, folk-rock, singer-songwriter and roots-based music, featuring interviews and features. A new show is released on the first Saturday of each month.
    http://www.folkcast.co.uk/
  • It's a Frog's Life Acoustic Podcast: The idea behind this podcast is to showcase some of the best podsafe acoustic music from here in my home town of Liverpool and also from across the UK.
     http://graham.itsafrogslife.net/11.htm
  • TransAtlantic Acoustic Show: The TransAtlantic Acoustic Show brings you Folk, Blues, Alt Country, Bluegrass, and even a classically structured guitar or piano tune once in a while. Whatever the genre, it is always acoustic.
    http://www.indieheart.com/podcasts.php

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Button to Top of Page Poetry

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Button to Top of Page Radio

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