A new band for Irvine Folk Club, The Mile Roses are the special guests on Wednesday 19th June and perhaps there might be an explanation during the evening of how their name came about.
The band describes themselves as a contemporary British folk band with a nod to Nashville. Kate Bramley, Simon Haworth and Kari Macleod are the band members – three singer songwriters with eclectic and diverse roots. Their set list includes haunting ballads, swinging country, celtic roots and driving folk choruses.
Kate and Simon have most likely played in Irvine before as members of the excellent Jez Lowe & the Bad Pennies. A multi-instrumentalist, Kate is best known as a Fiddler and she does vocals too. She is also a member of Montana based band Sweetgrass and is an established playwright.
From Morpeth, Guitarist and vocalist Simon has toured as accompanist to Tom McConville & Pauline Cato among others and also plays in ceilidh band Real to Reel.
Most recent Mile Roses member Kari Macleod hails from Tain in Ross-shire and is now based in Newcastle. A virtuoso Fiddler, Kari’s unique vocal style is well suited to Americana music. This week The Mile Roses release their new CD Blue Skies. It features 12 new original songs on the Tantobie Records label.
The Mile Roses are known for close three part harmonies and playing guitars, fretless bass, cittern, mandolin and fiddle. Hear them at the Irvine Club on Wednesday 19th June at Vineburgh Community Centre starting at 8pm.
Elsewhere, the Stonehaven Folk Festival is on from 11th – 14th July and, down in the heart of Galloway, the Newton Stewart & Minigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will be in full swing from 12th – 14th July. And from 2nd July – 20th August there are events galore at the Skye Festival: well-nigh two months of music, theatre and events all over the island. Just go!