Uiscedwr
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 in Manchester, England |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Manchester , England |
| Products | Folk music albums, instrumental lessons |
Uiscedwr (pronounced "ish-ka-dooer") was a British folk ensemble known for merging traditional British folk music with diverse global influences. Established in Manchester in 2002, the trio secured the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award during their inaugural year. They managed their own label, Yukka Records, and provided instrumental lessons in fiddle, guitar, and bodhrán.
History
In 2002, Anna Esslemont and Cormac Byrne met in Manchester and formed the group by bringing together an Irish guitarist along with Esslemont's sister to complete the original lineup. After earning the BBC Young Folk Award, the initial guitarist departed and was replaced by Ben Hellings.
Operating as a trio consisting of Esslemont, Byrne, and Hellings, they released Everywhere in 2003, which led to a Horizon Award nomination at the 2005 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Their musical style fused British folk traditions with elements from Celtic, jazz, European folk, and world music genres.
Prior to the 2005 Folk Awards, Hellings left the band and was succeeded by guitarist and vocalist Kevin Dempsey. In 2005, Esslemont was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, resulting in limited touring activities and postponed recording sessions. After undergoing a successful bone marrow transplant in late 2006, Uiscedwr resumed live performances by mid-2007 and actively supported fundraising efforts for the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.
Dempsey exited in December 2007 to explore other ventures; subsequently, Shropshire guitarist James Hickman joined in January 2008. That same year, Uiscedwr signed with the folk agency Iconic Music. Accordionist Karen Tweed appeared as a guest musician between 2008 and 2009.
Their third studio album, Fish Cat Door (2009), comprised eleven tracks; its title playfully alludes to how the band's name is pronounced. Early in 2010, Nick Waldock became part of the lineup, sharing guitar responsibilities with Hickman.
Uiscedwr wrapped up their activities following their final tour towards the end of 2011.
Members
Anna Esslemont, co-founder originally from Wales, contributes fiddle playing and vocals. She left the Royal Northern College of Music to pursue a more liberated musical path. Raised in Wales, she began violin studies at six years old and performed with both the North Powys Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.
Cormac Byrne, also a co-founder hailing from County Waterford, Ireland, specializes in bodhrán, percussion, and drums. He previously performed with Tommy Hayes' percussion group Spraoi Drummers and has toured extensively with Seth Lakeman’s band. Byrne was awarded a BBC Fame Academy Bursary that partially supported recording their second album, Circle.
The duo of Anna and Cormac perform alongside a supporting guitarist. Since January 2010, guitar roles have alternated between Nick Waldock and James Hickman (with Nick also handling bass guitar). Nick initially collaborated on Uiscedwr’s 'big band' project in 2008; James joined at the close of 2007 as Kevin Dempsey’s replacement.
Uiscedwr Big Band
In 2008, Uiscedwr expanded into a six-member 'big band' incarnation which debuted at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. This ensemble combined Celtic-inspired folk with jazz, klezmer, gypsy, Latin American, and American folk fiddle traditions.
The Uiscedwr Big Band released a live recording titled Naked and Dangerous and appeared at the Association of Festival Organisers Conference showcase.
Discography
- Everywhere (Released 7 June 2004)
"Feathers" "A-part before the Swing" "Mr and Mrs" "The Drunken Mouse" "Waterman's" "No Going Back" "Everywhere" "Set in the Woods" "All About Flying" "Mind the Gap" "La Peri"
- Circle (Released 24 July 2006)
"Everyday Cynic" "Esta Levista" "America" "Escobar" "Ceol Aine" "The Beast" "The Music Bringer" "Not The Hurricane" "Tut-Tut" "Yorkshire Tea" "Tree" "Flea Circus"
- Naked and Dangerous (Uiscedwr Big Band, limited edition, 23 November 2008)
"Esta Levista" "Forever my Beloved" "Naked & Dangerous Part I" "Naked & Dangerous Part II" "Waterwater" "Storm" "Deise" "Yorkshire Tea"
- Fish Cat Door (Released May 2009)
"The Dirty Nine Steps" "Prescription Junkie" "Sunshine" "Seven Letters" "Tip Tap Baby" "Germs" "Girlyjig" "End of the Day" "Crucked Reels" "ESP" "Neptune"
External links
- "Anna Esslemont: Aren't Us Folkies Lucky?" BBC Radio 2, Folk & Acoustic; 23 September 2009