Kerfuffle
Encyclopedia
Kerfuffle were a four-piece English folk
band, originally formed in 2001 around the East Midlands
and South Yorkshire
regions of the UK, initially comprising Hannah James (accordion, piano, vocals, step dancing), Sam Sweeney
(fiddle, percussion), Chris Thornton-Smith (guitar) and Tom Sweeney (bass guitar). Thornton-Smith was replaced by Jamie Roberts in 2007. Kerfuffle disbanded in August 2010.
The word kerfuffle is originally from the Scots language
, meaning disturbance, commotion, or fuss.
Assembly Rooms. Sam had previously won this, and was attending the 2001 competition in this capacity. After playing together in the foyer, the trio decided to form a band. After going on to win the under-18 category of the 2002 Wiltshire
Folk Association Young Folk Award, another competition that Sam had previously won as a soloist, the band sought a fourth member and Hannah introduced the band to guitarist Chris Thornton-Smith. Having won the WFA competition, the band was given a showcase performance at the 2002 Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
.
After a number of appearances at folk clubs, Kerfuffle recorded their first album in the spring of 2003. Produced by multi-instrumentalist Steafan Hannigan and recorded at his Oisín Studios, Not to Scale
was released on the newly founded RootBeat Records on 14 June 2003, to coincide with the band's appearance at the first Festival of the Peak, a festival held at Carsington Water in Derbyshire. In the summer of 2003, Kerfuffle appeared at a number of other UK folk/traditional festivals, including Sidmouth Festival
and a return to Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
.
For 2004's K2
, the band decided to utilise the sound engineering skills of guitarist Chris Thornton-Smith, and the album was recorded by Chris. The album was released in time for the band's summer festival appearances, which included Cleckheaton Festival, Priddy Folk Fayre, Stainsby Festival, Saltburn Festival, Whitby Folk Week, Towersey Festival, Bromyard Festival and a slot at the Show of Hands
summer concert in the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
. In December 2004, the band were finalists in the 2004/5 BBC Radio 2
Young Folk Awards.
Summer 2005 saw the band appear at Cleethorpes Folk Festival, Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival, Priddy Folk Festival, and Saddleworth Folk Festival. Also in 2005, the band's performances began to diversify into venues such as theatres and arts centres, as well as folk clubs, most notably including a performance as the post-show entertainment at the Linbury Theatre, a studio theatre attached to the Royal Opera House
, Covent Garden. The same year, Kerfuffle recorded a live session for BBC Radio 3
's Late Junction
.
In early 2006, the band released Links
. Appearances that summer at Bromyard Folk Festival, Brampton Live, Festival at the Edge and other events followed. A track from Links
was included on the compilation Folk Rising released in July 2007.
In late 2007, having had a successful summer including appearances at Fairport's Cropredy Convention, Derby Traditional Music and Arts Festival and Shrewsbury Folk Festival
, the band announced they would start work on their fourth album, their first featuring new guitarist Jamie Roberts, who had replaced Chris Thornton-Smith earlier that year. The album, to be entitled To The Ground
, is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2008.
2007 also saw Sweeney join 11-piece folk band Bellowhead
, having already played some gigs as a deputy for Giles Lewin
.
In April 2010, Kerfuffle announced that after nine years Kerfuffle, in the current line up, would come to an end. That summer included "farewell" visits to festivals including Sidmouth and Priddy. Their final performance was at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in August 2010.
In December 2010, Sam Sweeney, James and Roberts toured Lighten The Dark. Tom Sweeney was replaced by special guest Rob Harbron. They were supported by Hannah James' band Lady Maisery, and the set included clog dancing.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band, originally formed in 2001 around the East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
and South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
regions of the UK, initially comprising Hannah James (accordion, piano, vocals, step dancing), Sam Sweeney
Sam Sweeney
Sam Sweeney is a multi-instrumental English folk musician.-Career:Sam has been playing fiddle since he was six, he now plays and teaches fiddle. Since 2002 Sweeney has been at the forefront of East Midlands-based folk band Kerfuffle, playing fiddle, viola, and cajon, and singing...
(fiddle, percussion), Chris Thornton-Smith (guitar) and Tom Sweeney (bass guitar). Thornton-Smith was replaced by Jamie Roberts in 2007. Kerfuffle disbanded in August 2010.
The word kerfuffle is originally from the Scots language
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
, meaning disturbance, commotion, or fuss.
History
Kerfuffle formed initially as a three-piece after Sam and Tom Sweeney met Hannah James. James was competing in a traditional music competition, the In The Tradition Award, held at the DerbyDerby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
Assembly Rooms. Sam had previously won this, and was attending the 2001 competition in this capacity. After playing together in the foyer, the trio decided to form a band. After going on to win the under-18 category of the 2002 Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
Folk Association Young Folk Award, another competition that Sam had previously won as a soloist, the band sought a fourth member and Hannah introduced the band to guitarist Chris Thornton-Smith. Having won the WFA competition, the band was given a showcase performance at the 2002 Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
Village Pump FestivalStarted over 30 years ago in a barn at the lamb Inn Trowbridge, it then moved to Stowford Manor Farm, Farleigh Hungerford, England...
.
After a number of appearances at folk clubs, Kerfuffle recorded their first album in the spring of 2003. Produced by multi-instrumentalist Steafan Hannigan and recorded at his Oisín Studios, Not to Scale
Not to scale
-Track listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
was released on the newly founded RootBeat Records on 14 June 2003, to coincide with the band's appearance at the first Festival of the Peak, a festival held at Carsington Water in Derbyshire. In the summer of 2003, Kerfuffle appeared at a number of other UK folk/traditional festivals, including Sidmouth Festival
Sidmouth Festival
Sidmouth FolkWeek , is a folk festival held every year in the first week of Augustin the coastal town of Sidmouth in South West England. It offers a range of activities including concerts, ceilidhs, pub sessions, workshops, dance displays, and children's activities...
and a return to Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
Trowbridge Village Pump Festival
Village Pump FestivalStarted over 30 years ago in a barn at the lamb Inn Trowbridge, it then moved to Stowford Manor Farm, Farleigh Hungerford, England...
.
For 2004's K2
K2 (Kerfuffle album)
-Track listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
, the band decided to utilise the sound engineering skills of guitarist Chris Thornton-Smith, and the album was recorded by Chris. The album was released in time for the band's summer festival appearances, which included Cleckheaton Festival, Priddy Folk Fayre, Stainsby Festival, Saltburn Festival, Whitby Folk Week, Towersey Festival, Bromyard Festival and a slot at the Show of Hands
Show of Hands
Show of Hands is an English acoustic roots and folk duo comprising singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer. In recent years they have been accompanied on tour and in the studio by jazz double-bassist Miranda Sykes.-Origins:...
summer concert in the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens near the village of Abbotsbury, Dorset, southern England, are gardens that are open to visitors. They were originally founded in 1765 by the Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden for the nearby castle...
. In December 2004, the band were finalists in the 2004/5 BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
Young Folk Awards.
Summer 2005 saw the band appear at Cleethorpes Folk Festival, Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival, Priddy Folk Festival, and Saddleworth Folk Festival. Also in 2005, the band's performances began to diversify into venues such as theatres and arts centres, as well as folk clubs, most notably including a performance as the post-show entertainment at the Linbury Theatre, a studio theatre attached to the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
, Covent Garden. The same year, Kerfuffle recorded a live session for BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
's Late Junction
Late Junction
Late Junction is a music programme broadcast on three nights a week by BBC Radio 3. Billed as "an eclectic mix of world music, ranging from the ancient to the contemporary", the programme has a wide musical scope. It is not uncommon to hear medieval ballads juxtaposed with 21st century electronica,...
.
In early 2006, the band released Links
Links (album)
-Track listing:-Bonus tracks :-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
. Appearances that summer at Bromyard Folk Festival, Brampton Live, Festival at the Edge and other events followed. A track from Links
Links (album)
-Track listing:-Bonus tracks :-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
was included on the compilation Folk Rising released in July 2007.
In late 2007, having had a successful summer including appearances at Fairport's Cropredy Convention, Derby Traditional Music and Arts Festival and Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Shrewsbury Folk Festival is an annual festival of folk and world music and traditional dance held in the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England....
, the band announced they would start work on their fourth album, their first featuring new guitarist Jamie Roberts, who had replaced Chris Thornton-Smith earlier that year. The album, to be entitled To The Ground
To The Ground
-Track listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Jamie Roberts *Tom Sweeney...
, is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2008.
2007 also saw Sweeney join 11-piece folk band Bellowhead
Bellowhead
Bellowhead are an English contemporary folk band originally brought together by John Spiers and Jon Boden. The eleven-piece band plays traditional dance tunes, folk songs and shanties, with arrangements drawing inspiration from a wide diversity of musical styles and influences...
, having already played some gigs as a deputy for Giles Lewin
Giles Lewin
Giles Lewin is a British violinist and bagpiper.He was born in Essex in 1960 or slightly earlier. Aged nine, he sang the female lead in Mozart's "Bastien et Bastienne". At Cambridge University he acquired a love of Irish traditional music. His admiration for William Lawes led him to join a group...
.
In April 2010, Kerfuffle announced that after nine years Kerfuffle, in the current line up, would come to an end. That summer included "farewell" visits to festivals including Sidmouth and Priddy. Their final performance was at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in August 2010.
In December 2010, Sam Sweeney, James and Roberts toured Lighten The Dark. Tom Sweeney was replaced by special guest Rob Harbron. They were supported by Hannah James' band Lady Maisery, and the set included clog dancing.
Discography
- Not to ScaleNot to scale-Track listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
(2003) - K2K2 (Kerfuffle album)-Track listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
(2004) - LinksLinks (album)-Track listing:-Bonus tracks :-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Chris Thornton-Smith *Tom Sweeney...
(2006) - To The GroundTo The Ground-Track listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Jamie Roberts *Tom Sweeney...
(2008) - Lighten The Dark: A Midwinter AlbumLighten The Dark: A Midwinter Album-Track Listing:-Personnel:*Sam Sweeney *Hannah James *Jamie Roberts *Tom Sweeney...
(2009)