BATTLEFIELD BAND Forward with Scotland's Past www.battlefieldband.co.uk email: bband@templerecords.co.uk 2007 PRESS KIT IN BASIC TEXT FORMAT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REPRESENTATION Worldwide Management Manager: Robin Morton Battlefield Band, Shillinghill, Temple, Midlothian, Scotland, EH23 4SH tel: +44 (0) 1875 830 328 fax: +44 (0) 1875 830 392 email: robin@templerecords.co.uk UK Agent: Alan Bearman Alan Bearman Music, 21 Gisburn Rd, Hornsey, London, England, N8 7BS tel: +44 (0) 208 347 4200 fax: +44 (0) 208 340 8734 email: bearman@btinternet.com USA & Canada Agent: Mitch Greenhill, Folklore Productions Inc, 1671 Appian Way, Santa Monica CA 90401–3293, USA tel: 310.451.0767 fax: 310.458.6005 email: mitchg@folkloreproductions.com Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland & Holland Agent: Petr Pandula Magnetic Music, Planie 22, 72764 Reutlingen, Germany tel: + 49 (0)712 147 8605 fax: + 49 (0)712 147 8606 email: info@magnetic-music.com Australia & New Zealand Agent: Barry Gray 39 Milton Street, Colyton, NSW 2760, Australia tel/fax: + 02 9623 2250 email: pipers01@optusnet.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE BAND: Under their banner Forward with Scotland’s Past, Battlefield Band have been performing on the international scene for more than three decades, inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength of the modern Scottish cultural scene. The band, who pioneered the integration of bagpipes with fiddle, keyboards, guitar and voice, mix the old songs and tunes with new self-penned material, playing them on a unique fusion of ancient and modern instruments: bagpipes, synthesizers, fiddles, guitars, cittern, bass, whistles, and bouzouki. Founded by a group of friends in 1969 and named after the ‘Battlefield’ area of Glasgow, Battlefield Band now perform throughout the world, playing to audiences in Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East & Canada, as well as more than 60 cities annually in the United States. Their music is played regularly on National Public Radio’s Thistle and Shamrock program, and they are frequent guests on Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. In September 13th 2003, Battlefield Band were awarded Best Live Act at the first annual Scots Trad Music Awards. The awards celebrate Scotland’s thriving traditional musical scene; the nominees chosen by a panel of Scotland’s traditional music experts, and the winners chosen by popular public vote via post and email to the BBC, with voting open to audiences around the world. Still leading the way after 30 years! This is the band that others measure themselves against. Over the years new members have brought with them new ideas, new music, new instruments, attitudes and influences, leading to continued creativity, freshness and enthusiasm. After 30 years they still lead the way for Scottish music, always involving their ever widening audience as they travel the world. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE BAND MEMBERS: ALAN REID – Keyboards / Accordion / Vocals Alan, a founder member of the band, does much of the group’s singing and songwriting, particularly focusing on contemporary Scottish themes. Highly regarded amongst his peers, his long experience of using the infinite possibilities of synthesizers & keyboards has led to an exciting but tasteful amalgamation of these instruments with traditional sounds. A whole generation of technology-wielding Celtic bands has been inspired by his pioneering work and the quality & depth of his songwriting has found him positioned at the forefront of a living tradition. MIKE KATZ - Highland Bagpipes / Small Pipes / Whistles A fine piper from an early age and a highly versatile all round musician with eclectic influences, Mike comes originally from LA - where he learned and played in the same pipe band as another band alumni; Eric Rigler . Initially moving to Scotland aged 18 to study at Edinburgh University, Mike has lived here ever since, playing in various bands - including the Scottish Gas Pipe Band & Ceolbeg before joining Battlefield Band in 1997 - and in the process earned himself a deserved reputation on the scene as a truly superb musician and tunesmith . ALASDAIR WHITE – Fiddle / Whistle / Bouzouki / Highland and Small Pipes Alasdair comes from the Isle of Lewis, one of the Gaelic speaking Outer Hebrides where music and culture remain strong daily forces. An award-winning fiddler from an early age, he was described at the time as a “13 year-old maestro of the Highland fiddle playing surging strathspeys and reels with maturity and expertise beyond his tender years”. He joined Battlefield Band at the age of 18, as complete a musician and composer as any of us had heard. Since then, still in his early twenties, he has toured the world several times over and worked on many fine albums including a highly acclaimed debut solo CD, confirming his reputation and firmly establishing himself as a unique talent & virtuoso fiddle player SEAN O’DONNELL – Vocals / Guitar Sean was born in Derry, Northern Ireland and has been playing music from a young age. He is a highly accomplished guitar player and singer, and also plays bass, bouzouki and cittern. He moved to Scotland in 1996, quickly becoming actively involved in the live music scene, having played with the award- winning Scots Irish band Bionic and The Emily Smith Band as well as the Michael McGoldrick Band, Deaf Shepherd, and Daimh. When a spot became vacant he was the one we all wanted. The final piece of the jigsaw, Sean’s soulful vocals and driving guitar add so much to the sound. We look forward to introducing another great musician to our worldwide audience… -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT THE PRESS SAY ABOUT BATTLEFIELD BAND: "It was a wondrous, perfectly paced display by musicians firmly in command of their art...a highland jam that rang the barns rafters...the band's chemistry at this point is uncanny...the best Battlefield Band in years" Buzz McLain Washington Post, 10th November 2006, Vienna VA, Wolf Trap "What the internationally renowned Irish band, the Chieftains, has done for traditional Irish music, Battlefield Band is doing for the music of Scotland …" Jeff Nesbit, BILLBOARD "They knit the Scottish tradition into a sound that still sounds fresh, alert and relevant and belies their veteran status. No trick, no gimmicks, just very fine music." Colin Irwin, reviewing ‘Time & Tide’, MOJO 2003 "The Battlefield revival continues as young fiddle lion Alasdair White beds down, bringing new zest to the instrumentals in a doughty framework that’s made the band such a bedrock of Scottish music for over three decades. You can’t knock an album that begins with a tune called Ms Dynamite of Benbecula." Colin Irwin, reviewing ‘Out for the Night’, MOJO 2004 "While many ‘traditional music’ groups today are trying to make their mark by using various blends of traditional /modern/ethnic music styles, the Battlefield Band adopts a different approach. Simply put, they rely on the strength of their Scottish heritage and their superb playing skills. This is a an approach that allows them to stay upfront with the very best” Geo Meadows, reviewing ‘Out for the Night’ Thefolkmag “A quarter of a century after their foundation, the Battlefield Band are still getting great reviews and are in great shape, as the four current band members showed last weekend in the two most traditional and crowded folk festivals of Galicia. The Scotsmen were the major attraction of the 19th Festa da Carballeira de Zas (A Coruña), and last night they more than satisfied the expectations in Festa da Musica e da Arte de Pardiñas, in Guitriz (Lugo), a show that for the last 24 years has attracted no less than 10,000 people on every first Sunday of August". Fernando Neira for EL PAIS, Spain "Back by popular demand, Battlefield Band wowed the full house at Atwood Concert Hall … with a combination of great talent, engaging humor and delightful music." S.L. Guthrie, ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS ‘The Battlefield Band are turning into a national treasure, and exemplify the ongoing nature of Scottish musical tradition. Not seen them yet? Shame on you". Kaye McAlpine, Edinburgh Evening News "All the energy of Battlefield Band at the opening of the 'Traversées de Tatihou'. Battlefield Band easily marries passion, energy and joy with the rich heritage of Celtic music. On the stage the synthesiser and guitar harmonise beautifully with the fiddle, flute and bagpipes into fantastic musical bouquet. The band were poetry in motion and the public fully appreciated the true value of the Scottish tradition in Battlefield Band's hands." Jean-Charles Letrecher, LA PRESSE DE LA MANCHE, France -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT THE PRESENTERS SAY ABOUT BATTLEFIELD BAND: Laura Henrich, Evening Programs Director PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART "The impetus for the letter is having just presented The Battlefield Band at the Wednesday Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art series on August 7th. I have to laugh imagining that these four, seemingly unassuming musicians, can capture the hearts and souls of the audience within seconds, yet they did just that. Their banner and their music is such a great combination. And, to be able to witness the screams and standing ovation at the end of their concert was very gratifying." Rod Gomez, Artistic Director SAUGA FESTIVAL Cantabria Spain "Dear Robin, The boys simply delighted everyone around here. And I have to tell you that this has been a GREAT honour for me (both dealing with yourself, and with the band and their soundman). I'd love to have them in our schedule again despite the fact that we usually don't repeat performers that soon, I know the audience would be happy. " Catriona Macphie, Managing Director FREED CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Ohio Northern University "Just a quick note to let you know that the Battlefield Band were a roaring success on the first night of their tour here at Ohio Northern University. The crowd absolutely loved them and I am envious of the people in Pittsburgh tonight. We also had a great reception for the underwriters which the band also enjoyed. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that they did a wonderful concert … we had a good crowd and a healthy smattering of kilts!" Mike Glynn CELTIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION Des Moines, Iowa "Thanks so much for helping bring these talented musicians to Des Moines, Iowa. Celtic Music Association has been bringing in groups for fifteen years. Battlefield Band’s support network and management company were the most professional we have ever encountered. From advance CDs & posters to contacting media they were great support in helping us promote this concert.” Barry Gray PIPERS OF DISTINCTION Sydney, Australia "There are other Celtic bands but there’s only one Battlefield Band. I’ve heard them all but these guys are the best I’ve worked with. Easy going, pleasant & well organized, with a great support network, and then they play such fantastic music when they go on stage. The audience loved them and they’ll be back next year if I have my way!”