Jean Luc Thomas & David 'Hopi' Hopkins

Two of the world’s oldest instruments, in many traditional music cultures a strong symbolic duality exists between the flute (representing Air) and percussion (representing Earth) In Ireland there is little more exciting than a furious reel played on the wooden flute accompanied by the bodhran!

The flute and percussion duo Thomas / Hopkins has a long, rich & varied track record with numerous performances in Poland, Italy and Switzerland as well as at home in Brittany and other regions of France, where they have presented their special eclectic repertoire, switching with ease and virtuosity from a Breton dans plinn to an Irish slip jig passing by a set of Greek dances in 9/4 and 7/8 time!
Both musicians have a deep passion for the world’s musics, old and new and various influences can be heard in their programme (jazz, African, Indian,
Brazilian...)

One of the foremost pioneers of the traverse wooden flute in Brittany, Jean Luc has a solid background in the traditional music of his Breton homeland and of Ireland, but his hunger for new musical encounter also takes him to Brazil, Mali, Kurdistan, etc., where he has enriching exchanges with musicians from those countries.

Hopi’s main instrument is the bodhran and he has been considered as one of its main innovators during the 80s, helping to elevate the Irish frame drum out of its former lowly status. Hopi also plays cajon, djemb, darabukka, bendir, hang, davul, etc. For the last 20 years he has amassed an astonishing collection of over 500 instruments from every corner of the planet.

Jean Luc and Hopi also give conferences on world flutes and percussion instruments. They play together with bassist Yann Honor and pianist Philippe Turbin in Hopi’s group “Horizon”

Trefor & Vicki Williams

Duo from North Wales, both from musical backgrounds - Vicki wrote her first song at the age of ten when she formed her first band! Trefor has appeared in musical theatre and is steeped in the musical culture of Wales, having competed in Eisteddfodau from an early age.

They perform an eclectic mix of traditional (including some Welsh language songs) and contemporary folk, from medieval to self-penned, accompanied by guitars and mandocello, fiddle and concertina enhanced by beautiiful harmonies.

Trefor and Vicki have been featured on radio, including Frank Hennessey’s ‘Celtic Heartbeat’ on BBC Radio Wales, Stan Ambrose and Geoff Speed’s ‘Folkscene’ on BBC Radio Merseyside, Genevieve Tudor’s ‘Sunday Folk’ on BBC Radio Shropshire, and Radio Britfolk/The Music Well amongst others, and were chosen by the 2002 Loch Lomond Festival as the one act to go on to Celtic Connections 2003.

No Fixed Abode

No Fixed Abode are fronted by Una Walsh singing in her own lilting Irish accent and Tony Dean supporting on acoustic guitar. Based in Derbyshire No Fixed Abode have traveled all across the UK over the last three years building up a solid reputation performing at festivals and acoustic clubs.

Their new album Clearwater, due for release 10th April 2007 is an eclectic mix of songs ranging from the pure voice/guitar arrangement of Call Me to a full folk rock sound of School Days with emotional stops all along the way. US radio stations have already spotted the potential of the album and are regularly featuring songs from the album on their play lists.

The album features a number of local musicians including Ashley Hutchins of Fairport Convention fame on bass and the violin virtuoso Patrick Walker from Sheffield. To define a musical style for No Fixed Abode is as difficult as getting a politician to give a straight answer to a question, try Joni Mitchell meeting Bruce Springsteen and having a jam after a bottle or two of wine. If you like your music to have a melody with lyrics you can hear and sung in tune then perhaps this is the best definition you are going to get.

The name No Fixed Abode stems from the fact that Una comes from Ireland and Tony comes from Manchester and they live in Derbyshire, it also reflects their musical style, eclectic.

At this point it is usual to boast of achievements, all too often the build up leads to a disappointment. No Fixed Abode have an old fashioned idea not currently popular that the proof is in the listening so they have made three tracks available to listen to at www.myspace,com/musicnfa You can also see a video of them performing an acoustic version of there song Absent Friends. If you are not on the web they will send you a four track demo free!

In this current climate of safe jaded music take the time to give No Fixed Abode a listen and refresh your belief in real music.

“Una’s voice soars mixing tender emotions and raw power into a heady mixture, the interplay between Una and Tony is absolutely charming” - John O’Regan Irish Music Magazine

Lander Mason

Musicians Fiona Lander and Paul Mason collectively known as Landermason started writing and recording songs together in 2000. Fiona (vocals, piano, whistles and saxophones) and Paul (vocals and guitars) have developed a unique sound displaying their undoubted talents as musicians. They also show the ability to draw influences from a number of styles and then create something new that defies rigid definition.

Their latest CD 'The Reason' (launched June 2007) is a 14 track contemporary folk / jazz album of original songs and tunes (more info). Landermason are currently touring the new album across the UK.