Author: Joyce Hodge

Ardrossan Highland Games are holding a concert in The Laurieston Hotel, Ardrossan on Friday 12th June at 7.30pm featuring Dave Gibb, The Spancil Hillbillies (starring the clubs very own Eddie Dunlop) and Ciaran Sinclair. Tickets priced £10 are available from the hotel or by phoning 07967810550.

Lanarkshire Folk band Haggerdash tops the bill at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 27th May at Vineburgh Community Centre. As each band member plays a minimum of three instruments, chances are that the Club will be awash with instruments if they bring everything they can play! Pity the ‘Roadie’ if they have one!
Haggerdash enjoy what they do and that’s probably why they are as busy as they want to be. The band members have been involved in Folk music for many years playing with bands such as Setanta, Clachnacuddin and Hot Toddy. Their wide range of material reflects the many musical influences they have absorbed over the years.
Alan Jones used to be MC at Irvine Folk Club, but then moved to just outside East Kilbride. He plays Concertina, Bouzouki, Guitar, 5-String Banjo and also does lead vocals. Jack Bethel plays Hammer Dulcimer, Fiddle, Whistle and Concertina. A founder band member is David Logan who does vocals and plays Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, Cittern and Bodhran. Finally there is Billy Stewart another founder member and he plays Bouzouki, Guitar, 5-String Banjo, Harmonica, Bodhran and he sings too.
Haggerdash play at Clubs all over Scotland and do Festivals too including Marymass, the Portsoy Boat Festival, Glenfarg and Orkney. Earlier this month they played at the Girvan Folk Festival.
On Wednesday 27th May expect Haggerdash to play a mix of contemporary and traditional material with an emphasis on entertaining the audience. The Irvine Club starts at 8pm.
Finally, the guest list for this year’s Marymass Folk Festival is now complete and as soon as possible Festival programmes will be available. Watch this space. Helping keep music live in Irvine, that’s what Irvine Folk Club is about.

Martin Wyndham-Read is an English folk singer whose career spans four decades and he is the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 13th May. From January to March of this year Martin was on tour in Australia and he is now on a UK tour.
In his late teens, Martin left his Sussex home and headed off to Australia to work on a Sheep Station. It was while there that he heard old songs and was captivated by them. He moved on to Melbourne and became part of the Folk revival in the ‘60s before returning home. His great affection for Australia has continued throughout his musical career and he is a regular visitor.
Martin plays acoustic guitar and sings songs, ballads and sea shanties. He is particularly interested in folksongs of England and their American and Australian variants and these have featured in some of the 32 albums he has so far released. His most recent album Starlit Skies has Eric Bogle’s Now I’m Easy as the first track, so clearly Martin’s repertoire includes contemporary material as well as traditional.
Maypoles to Mistletoe is a popular and long established concert series instigated by Martin. The concerts do what it says on the tin – they portray the Seasons of the year through song, dance, music and verse. Year on year, new material is added to ring the changes thus keeping the concerts fresh. Martin is also kept busy playing at Festivals across the UK, the US of A and of course Oz.
Therefore, head along to hear Martin Wyndham-Read on Wednesday 13th May in Vineburgh Community Centre at Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
Finally, arrangements for this year’s Marymass Folk Festival – the 48th one – are almost complete. The Festival dates are Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd August and info as it comes to hand is available on www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk

Making their debut appearance at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 29th April is The Kirsty Law Band – three young women all with impressive musical pedigrees and making their mark on the ever expanding Scottish music scene.

Borders born Kirsty Law grew up learning traditional songs mainly in the Scots dialect. As well as being a performer – and with the likes of Karine Polwart and Margaret Bennett in her fan club – Kirsty writes songs and poetry and does workshops in vocal techniques. Her distinctive style is rooted in storytelling and indeed she starts off some songs in the spoken word. Kirsty has a rich and warm voice and her debut album Shift was launched at the end of last year.

Rona Wilkie is a Highland Fiddler and a Gaelic singer too. She was BBC Young Trad Musician of the Year in 2012 and graduated from Newcastle University with a Distinction in her Masters in Music. Gaelic, Scandinavian and Appalachian music are key interests of Rona – expect that interest to be reflected in how she plays.

From Norway of Swedish parents, Marit Falt plays Swedish Latmandola and Cittern. Aaron Reid of Old Blind Dogs is a fan of Marit’s, saying that she understands the essence of exactly what a good accompanist should provide. Also a Newcastle University graduate, Marit gained the highest performance mark ever awarded whilst a student there. Along with Catriona McDonald and Patsy Reid, Marit is also a member of the trio Vamm. As is rapidly becoming the norm, gifted musicians often play in more than one line-up.

So, to hear this talented female trio get along to Irvine Folk Club on 29th April for 8pm at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road.

New club flyer is now out.

The new Irvine Folk Club info flyer is now out. It gives Club guests from now until beginning of September plus a list of artists that have been booked to appear at this year’s Marymass Folk Festival 19th – 23rd August. Pick one up at the club and pass them out to your friends.

Siobhan Miller has a remarkable singing voice and along with her Dad Brian, will top-the-bill at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 15th April. It’s a change to the scheduled programme but one that will suit the Irvine Club audience very well.
From Penicuik in Midlothian, Siobhan has been singing since her early teens and eventually went on to study Scottish Music at the RSAMD in Glasgow. She is a twice-winner of The Scots Singer of The Year Award plus, along with Jeanna Leslie won BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Award in 2008. Siobhan sings, plays piano, composes songs and is an experienced singing tutor.
Her debut solo album Flight of Time was released at the end of last year and, in a departure from her traditional repertoire, the album features 10 contemporary songs but all with emphasis on telling a story. Three of Siobhan’s own compositions are included on the album.
Juggling solo gigs, tutoring singing, composing, appearing with new band Salt House plus numerous collaborations with many of Scotland’s top musicians are some of the things that keep Siobhan very busy. She tours extensively in the UK and has added Germany, USA and Barbados to her gig list!
Appearing with Siobhan at Irvine will be her Dad Brian. He is a much respected figure in Scottish Trad music and his chosen instrument is the Guitar. Over a long career, Brain has been a member of many bands including The Laggan, Swan Arcade, The Great Fife Road Show, The Occasionals and, of late, The Stars Band. In fact, Brian will be at this year’s Marymass Folk Festival as part of The Stars Band supporting Arthur Johnstone.
Be at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 15th April for 8pm to hear Siobhan Miller & Brian Miller. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road and it’s BYOB.

Maurice Dickson is the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 1st April and this is most definitely not an April Fool! Belfast born Maurice is a talented musician and plays contemporary folk, blues, as well as his own material

Maurice started playing, singing and writing at fifteen, put together his first band at sixteen and then, three years later traded his engineer’s overalls for a life as a musician. His extensive travelling through Europe and North Africa means that he has soaked up many musical influences as well as gaining valuable experience as a performer. Being exposed to such a wide range of styles is reflected in his choice of repertoire which does not fit any of the usual categories. Stunning guitar skills and a unique stage presence are what come to mind when recalling a Maurice Dickson live gig. The wide travelling means he has accumulated a lot of experience and therefore knows the songs that suit his voice. Maurice also has a quirky sense of humour and freely admits to being prone to meandering song intros – must be the Irish in him!

Maurice has a number of albums to his name and his most recent CD ‘Spirits & Dreams’ is his second one recorded with Catherine Ashcroft. She plays Irish Pipes and Whistles and the CD also features a couple of Maurice’s own songs. When not touring solo, Maurice and Catherine often play as a duo.

Writing, recording and touring in Ireland, England, Scotland, Holland, Denmark and the USA keeps Maurice busy. Right now he is half-way through a UK tour and then in May he is off on tour to the USA.

Guitar players of whatever standard should be at Irvine Folk Club to hear Maurice Dickson, asking themselves ‘ How does he do that?!’ Hear this acoustic guitar master at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 1st April starting at 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre in Caldon Road and remember it’s BYOB.

Virtuoso Fiddler Tom McConville is the very welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th March. This is one not to miss. He is one of the leading Fiddle players of our time and it will be great to hear him again in Irvine.

Tom McConville is a performer, session musician and teacher – and is in great demand on all three fronts. His first experience of traditional singing and fiddle music was in The Globe pub in Newcastle where he was brought up. It was ‘the watering hole’ for many in the local Irish and Scottish communities on Tyneside. That explains why Tom’s repertoire although deeply rooted in his native North East, has strong Scottish and Irish influences.

Tom is a scintillating Fiddler. He has rich and warm vocals and a dry Geordie wit. The Irvine Club audience should be prepared for a rollercoaster of fast rhythmic dance tunes through to beautiful slow airs and great singing – with at all times his inimitable sense of humour and style in tow. When Tom plays at the Irvine Club, he will have just returned from a three day stint at the Costa Del Sol Folk Festival!

As well as performing solo, Tom tours with a variety of line-ups and accompanists including Guitarists David Newey & Andy Watt, Phil Murray on Acoustic Bass and Accordionists Shona Kipling & Leonard Brown – the latter plays Keyboards too. Back to Scotswood released last year is Tom’s most recent album and is described as being perfectly executed and a real pleasure to listen to.

Some years ago, because he had a continuous shoulder problem, Tom was advised to give up Fiddle playing. He heard about the Alexander Technique and has never looked back. The Alexander Technique is about gaining better freedom of movement through better health and better posture. Tom went on to take a three year course and is now a fully qualified practitioner in this technique. Musicians feature among his many clients.

Do your very best to be in the Irvine Folk Club audience on Wednesday 18th March at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road for 8pm. It’s BYOB.

Arthur Johnstone is the special and always very welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 4th March. Arthur has been playing in Irvine for a wheen of years. In 1974 Arthur was appearing at The Eglinton Arms as part of the talented band Laggan. He is a fine solo singer and it’s testament to his talent and deserved popularity that he continues to be in demand.

It’s Arthur’s fine voice, warm charisma plus large doses of humanity and humour that remain his strengths. When bringing Arthur to mind, people tend to recall him with arms folded, his voice filling the room with songs like The Tinkerman’s Daughter, Bandiera Rosa, Freedom Come All Ye, Your Daughters and Your Sons…. the list goes on.

Glasgow’s Star Folk Club was founded by Arthur and for many years he was the organiser. He has also worked in the theatre. He did the music in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart. A play about being born into poverty, Arthur’s singing punctuated each scene and significantly contributed to an acclaimed production.

Arthur appeared at the recent Celtic Connections. The title of the gig was Arthur Johnstone and Friends and there was no shortage of Friends – on stage or in the audience! He is admired by many and has inspired many of today’s current generation. When Arthur appeared last at the Irvine Club he was with The Stars Band. The man is in much demand.

Get along to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 4th March and enjoy Arthur Johnstone. Irvine Folk Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

The AGM of Irvine Folk Club will be held in Vineburgh Community Centre on March 11th at 7.30pm.
All members welcome.

Kieran Halpin

Kieran Halpin is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th February and that puts it in the ‘unmissable’ category. The man with the passionate, gravelly voice is back.

A career that started in 1974, with 20 albums to his name, thousands of gigs played at venues all over the world, a prolific songwriter of great quality are the key musical facts about Mr Halpin. What the facts don’t tell you is his continuing search for new approaches to present his songs nor does it describe the powerful nature of a live Kieran Halpin performance. This unassuming man has an easy stage presence and a wry sense of humour and he connects with his audience so very well.

Kieran plays acoustic guitar, regales the audience with explanations of where each song comes from and links it all together with some very funny asides. He is a man of very, dry wit. His thought-provoking lyrics and memorable melodies can make you think, laugh or cry. Numbers like ‘Nothing to show for it all’, ‘Berlin Calling’, Closing time in Paradise’ are some of his songs that come to mind.

Kieran Halpin has played on a number of occasions at the Irvine Club. He is always invited back because he is such a unique writer and performer. Kieran is also one of the hardest working artists with upwards of 160 gigs each year with all the travelling that entails and still he finds time to write songs. His 21st album will be launched on St Valentine’s Day at the Davy Lamp in Washington and then he takes off for Germany for a long tour.

It would be a mistake to miss Kieran Halpin at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th February. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Finally, David Todd of Greenwood Academy won the North Ayrshire Traditional Musician of the Year award last week. The award which is competed for annually, was donated by Irvine Folk Club. David plays the Bagpipes. It was an excellent evening, hosted by Irvine Folk Club and organised by North Ayrshire Council’s Music Service. Congratulations David. It is worth adding that Irvine Burns club put up a Quaich in the name of the late Joe Caldwell for competition at the Young Trad event. As many will recall, Joe was ‘mine host’ at The Eg where Irvine Folk Club started.