Choir of Outsiders is a North West based music promoter specialising in contemporary and experimental folk. Come join the chorus.
Mikey Kenney and Chris Roche
Mikey Kenney is a respected musician, writer and researcher from Liverpool, England, with a speciality in the traditional fiddle music of North-West England and Ireland.
Loudon Temple, of Bloody Great PR, writes:
“There are some who go to extraordinary lengths to show that they are original and different – kinda like “forcing” rhubarb to make it extra succulent. A few are just born that way. It’s in their genes and as natural as breathing.
A traditional fiddler held in high regard by his peers, Mikey has a reputation for making quality music and producing wondrous flourishes of superb creativity. A multi-talented and in-demand collaborator, he enjoys the company of others who are well established on the circuit; Vinicio Capossela, Alabaster dePlume, the Band of Burns etc.
Liverpool-based, his playing is redolent in both English and Irish traditions.
Listen to the latest album, The Reverie Road, and you’ll hear a rich diversity of influences. You may be transported to a different time or place. At fRoots magazine, the album won a 5-star rating and Steve Hunt had this to say: “Mikey Kenney is an artist for whom music is a calling, not a career choice, and this CD represents the work of a singular and inspiring talent… unfettered by expectations of geography or genre, and a wanderer of worlds both seen and invisible, Kenney is an authentic free spirit”.
Chris Roche has been playing piano accompaniment for over 10 years with various members of Liverpool’s branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Society of the Musicians of Ireland) and other musicians across Liverpool. He is also a talented vocalist and an All-Britain fleadh winner. When accompanying, Chris blends both syncopated and traditional accompanying styles to add plenty of variety to a set when accompanying a melody player.
The Hermit
Based in Liverpool England, The Hermit reimagine traditional Irish tunes and Old
English ballads with psychedelic and jazz sensibilities – alongside their own compositions with airs of improvisation. Named after the John Renbourn song of the same name, they’re led by Charlie McKeon (Pistachio Kid); a remarkably talented fingerstyle guitarist and singer-songwriter.
Formed in the summer of 2020, The Hermit have built a reputation for sensitive and dynamic live performances. Using a Tascam 4 track, they have self-recorded their arrangements live to tape with a range of traditional folk instruments.