Morrigan

Morrigan are (according to their manager!) the newest, oldest Celtic folk band around! Individually, they have all been knocking around the folk scene in their native Greater Manchester, for longer than any of them will admit, and played the odd gig together over the years. On St. Patrick’s Day 2005, Sam and Stu played a gig together and rediscovered how well they worked together, and how much fun it was. They decided to formalise things in the autumn of that year and become a "proper" band by inviting Lin to join.
Lin is a relative newcomer to the gigging scene, having only learnt to play bodhran in the last decade. Having expressed a yearning to learn, her family clubbed together to buy her a bodhran for her birthday one year. She picked up the beater and has never looked back. Her technical ability is so admired that there are actually fans that come to see the band just to listen to her play!
In contrast, Sam and Stu are old hands at this music lark.
Stu is the band’s songs man, with influences as diverse as The Corries, Jethro Tull and Bill Bailey. Although he first learnt to play classical guitar as a young teenager, he now plays folk, but with a rock attitude. This can lead to unintentionally hilarious moments when he forgets that he’s not as young as he once was, and drops to his knees whilst playing, then can’t get up again! He has been gigging since Adam was a lad, both solo and in various bands, including a band that headlined the Isle of Wight Folk Festival.
Sam has been playing professionally since the age of 13 and is well known and respected throughout the northwest, not just for his playing, but also his wide knowledge of traditional tunes. During his career he has played everything from local pubs (with just the bar staff as audience) to Reading Festival.
Whilst there are many traditional folk bands out there, some of whom are extremely good; Morrigan decided they wanted to be a little different. They decided to place the focus on the tunes, and any songs that they do tend to be upbeat, rather than the standard dirges. The emphasis at a Morrigan gig is on having a good time, with damn good music that you can't sit still to...not listening to stuff that makes you want to throw yourself off the nearest picturesque bridge!! In the relatively short time since the band formed, they have gigged solidly, secured a weekly residency, played several local festivals, and recorded a live CD. They have also recently returned from their highly successful “Folk on the Rock” mini-tour of the Isle of Man, and have also hosted their very own folk festival, featuring such talents as Liz Ryder, Julie Collings and The Hall Brothers. Morrigan’s brand of energetic but traditional folk has won them a solid fan base and proved to have great cross-over appeal; drawing audiences aged 8-80, including traditional “folkies”, bikers and even the odd Irishman!
Morrigan are at their best live, and it was for this reason they decided that their first CD should be a live one. The aim was never to make the perfect record, more to capture the essence of Morrigan live. As it says on the CD blurb "Music is organic; a living, evolving energy. To hear it at its best, it should be heard live. It might not be perfect, but it is honest. This CD is an aural snapshot of how, and what, we played in early Spring 2006:a permanent gig for you to enjoy at your leisure."