Bryony Holden: Lead Vocals, 25 string Celtic harp, Indian Shruti box
Erin Holden: Martin 000036 custom guitars. Fylde signature octave mandola and cittern.
Kathryn Wheeler: Accordion, Viola, Violin, Vocals.
Tinkerscuss are the Gloucestershire based trio who play a mixture of both traditional and Celtic based music. Erin and Bryony first cut their teeth on the rock and blues scene of the mid 70’s to early 80’s playing covers of Free, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell and other blues based bands. It was during this time that they discovered Pentangle, Clannad, The Bothy Band, John Martyn, and Planxty. It was the Scottish musician Dick Gaughan who took them down an altogether different route by entering the world of 'Celtic' folk music and DADGAD. The guitar style seemed so different and the sounds were almost ‘harp’ or ‘pipe’ like and that fascinated Erin and so studied the ‘modal’ guitar styles of Dick Gaughan and Al Petteway.
Bryony's rich, resonant vocals and harp playing were always a 'crowd stopper' so in 2003 they formed the duo ‘Tinkerscuss.’ Their music encompassed dark eerie songs to light, joyous ones about the turning of the year. But whatever the subject matter, Tinkerscuss have always created an atmosphere of melody and ethereal beauty. Tinkerscuss played across the county of Gloucestershire in folk clubs, pubs and local festivals until in 2008 after advertising for a ‘fiddle’ player, they came across the multi-talented Kathryn ‘Pixie’ Wheeler. Kathryn originally took up the accordion many years ago after seeing a Ceilidh band on the Isle of Rhum. This inspired her to turn her talents to folk music. She quickly adapted her viola/violin playing from her classical training to folk as well. Kathryn’s dynamic and yet subtle playing are a testament to her skills. The three gelled instantly, on and off stage and Tinkerscuss became a trio, continuing to play festivals and folk clubs.
In the spring of 2010, after releasing their CD 'NINE TREES' Tinkerscuss met up with folk legend Jake Walton after recording a version of the song ‘Black Sarah’ from his 1991 CD ‘Songs from the Gurdy Man. They decided to do some summer dates together playing some of Jakes older songs as well as some of the latest ones from his current CD ‘Emain.’ By the end of the summer of 2010 and a dozen or so gigs later, Tinkerscuss and Jake Walton started recording together. They hope to have a CD released in 2011.
DISCOGRAPHY
“A Tangle of Isles”
Produced in 2003 on their own “Fae Folk Music” label. The title is a play on the term “tangle of the isles” referring to the mixture of smells of peat, heather, machair moor and the sea .. and also the rich and diverse blend of culture and music from the scattered islands around Britain as the album included songs from Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and England.
“Of Darkwoods and Bright Fires”
Followed in 2006 and still kept a “Celtic” theme blended with some traditional English songs. During 2006/7 Tinkerscuss continued to perform to folk clubs and music festivals throughout the UK.
“Mythago”
Came next in 2007 with its strong mythical references. Now Tinkerscuss were becoming identifiable with the storyteller or Shanachie of old – whisking the audience away from the mundane world of everyday life.
The review by FolkWords (www.folkwords.com) says it all:
“Delicate, powerful beauty. Mythago from Tinkerscuss is a rare, rich treasure of story and myth delivered with refined atmosphere and edge. Mythago encompasses depth, power and force delicately applied. Just a touch is all that's needed to reach out and enthral the listener. There is within this album a mix of love, fear, darkness and light that carries a dreadful beauty. To Make You Stay is gentle soft seduction, while The Cursing Song has a guitar that slithers up and down your spine. And their outstanding version of Long Lankin will linger in your head for a long time. Fine Horseman is magic - probably best listened to in front of a single candle in the dark - just to make sure you're spooked. An album of passionate music.”
“Nine Trees”
Released February 2010 is an enchanting combination of rich vocals, acoustic guitar, mandola, harp, shruti box, accordion, violin and viola. Available at Tinkerscuss performances; from their MySpace site www.myspace.com/tinkerscuss and as a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD from all good download sites.
NINE TREES
An enchanting combination of rich vocals, acoustic guitar, mandola, harp, shruti box, accordion, violin and viola. Weaving a musical path to the twilight world of dreams…