Describing themselves as ‘Broadly Celtic with American, Canadian and English influences’, Brandistock have been satisfying the ears of folk lovers for ten years.
After their fourth member left the band to work in Sierra Leone, Dennis Bennet (banjo, bodhran and vocals), Rick Harding (guitar, mandolin and vocals) and Gaffer (Concertina and wind synth) have continued as a three piece and are now entering their second year.
Playing at the Stables bar in Betws Y Coed on Friday the 15th of March, Brandistock kicked off the Saint Patrick’s celebrations with a flying start. Brandistock’s fresh and lively approach towards Celtic folk is traditional while also being distinctive. The banjo and the guitar were fitting for an evening of Irish celebration. However, replacing a fiddle for an English concertina made me feel that I was listening to something a little different. But different is often refreshing, and I wasn’t in an Irish bar after all, so who said it needed to be 100% Irish!
Brandistock play their instruments in a variety of different combinations and add vocal harmonies to a great deal of their numbers. Again this produces a traditional sound, which contrasts impeccably with the English concertina. I felt that his gave their Celtic folk all the more texture.
The music feels spontaneous and impulsive in tone. It is light, cheerful and bounces between the ears. You could almost use the exact same description to describe the band members themselves. When asking Brandistock about their plan for the future, I was answered with “The plan is to remind Dennis to find the diary!”. Brandistock ooze charisma and charm, and I felt that these traits were picked up, expressed, and transferred perfectly upon the audience throughout. These guys were not just telling a story, they were part of one – and one I would certainly like to have a role in!
The atmosphere at the Stables was lively and energetic and it was a perfect venue for an evening of jigs, reels, and polkas!
For more information and upcoming dates, take a look at the Brandistock facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brandistock-Celtic-Band.
Also, to see, Brandistock in action, find them on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/theBrandistock
To contact the Stables Bar about performance slots phone 01690 710 219
To view the published review please visit http://northwalesmusic.webs.com/live-and-dangerous
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