Saturday 10 October 2015 @ 09:00pm : Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley |
Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley are one of the brightest young acts on the folk scene today. Playing music from a remarkably broad range of sources, their new album ‘Boundary’ crosses genres with a healthy disdain for arbitrary pigeon-holing of styles and traditions. Some songs just need to be sung. Having met at Loughborough University, through presenting a folk show on the campus radio, the duo grew out of a wish to perform the music they loved. Over time, Gren developed a distinctive passionate song writing style that manages to push boundaries, whilst staying respectful to the traditions. Tom’s fiddle style has grown with the material, switching between a delicate, subtle accompaniment to a fiery torrent of sound. The range of material is the key to a performance from Tom and Gren. Equally at home with original songs, or old English dance tunes, it’s more than just something for everyone. Rather, they’ve developed a voice that suits the material and gives it a fresh edge. Combine this with the rapport they’ve developed, both with the music and for each other, and you’ve got a lively, engaging duo who are capable of performing to any audience. Tom Kitching In March 2015, he released his solo album, ''Interloper'', a deeply personal project to capture the state of the English instrumental tradition and define the role of the fiddle within it. Gren Bartley
Links: www.tomkitching.co.uk Press: “The instruments spark, with the combination of the bright fiddle and the acclaimed finger picking style of Bartley giving a lovely flow to the tunes" ~ Maverick Magazine “Bartley proves to be an accomplished songwriter, with a restful voice that lulls its way into the mind and heart." ~ Allmusic.com “Tom must be one of the best young fiddlers in England, with a fluid style equally at ease with the English, American and Irish traditions" ~ Living Tradition “Their own compositions really do sparkle with commitment and creativity in their bright eyed and idiomatic playing" ~ Froots |