Dan Walsh

BBC Folk Awards Best Musician nominee Dan Walsh combines ‘virtuoso playing and winning songwriting’ (MORNING STAR). Describing what Dan does is no easy task but at the heart of it is British, Irish and American folk music delivered with a healthy dose of funky grooves – all performed with his unique and dazzling take on clawhammer style banjo helping to challenge all preconceptions about the instrument. Add to all that poignant songs, astonishing musical departures and lively humour and the result is a truly memorable live show which has wowed audiences across the world from intimate seated rooms to huge dancing crowds in festival fields.

Walsh has recorded seven solo albums to much critical acclaim. Most recently he returned to his first love and recorded ‘O’Neill’s Tunes’ – a collection of traditional Irish tunes played in his unique take on clawhammer style which was described as ‘expertly played’ and ‘difficult to find any fault with’ by Songlines magazine as well as receiving airplay on BBC Radio 2. He is an in demand performer with a hectic touring schedule in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and throughout Europe. He has also released two banjo tablature books including a very successful book of clawhammer arrangements of Irish folk tunes which inspired the O’Neill’s album.

Visit his web site

Narrownecks

David Hoffmann and Harry O’Donovan are Narrownecks, and together they make old music in dramatic and inspired new ways. Based in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia, their fast driving fiddle and banjo melodies, and intricate, delicate finger-style guitar and vocal harmonies deliver a unique and intimate acoustic performance.

David is a second-generation old time fiddler, singer and guitarist from the USA. He grew up surrounded by traditional Appalachian music, attending square dances, and playing in family jam sessions. Harry has studied clawhammer, two and three-finger banjo, fiddle and finger-style guitar with some of the best folk musicians in the USA and Australia. He brings an old-world sensibility and a knowledge of eastern and western folk traditions from the past two centuries. Their dynamic stage presence and rhythms will have you alternating between a desire to listen to every detail, and get out of your seat to dance.

David and Harry have performed across Australia as a duo and with previous band members Brother John (Guitar/Mandolin) of the Blues Preachers and Jack Ward (Cello) of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. They can often be seen performing with Skye Evans (Bass), and Rachel Johnston (Cello) and Trent Arkleysmith (Mandolin/Guitar) of Two if By Sea.

Narrownecks also play traditional southern social square dances. Keep an eye out for a dance near you, or book us to play at a festival, fair, small hall or private party.

Visit their website.

Contact the host of Dan Walsh (UK) + Narrownecks @ Humph Hall