Bellowhead

Wikipedia:

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. The band includes percussion and a four-piece brass section, and is particularly renowned for its energetic live performances. Bellowhead's musicians play more than 20 instruments between them; with six members providing vocals.

History

Early Years and Burlesque: 2004-2007

The idea for the band came to Spiers and Boden while the duo were in a traffic jam on tour. The longer they sat in traffic, the more friends they thought to invite to join. This led to the formation of a ten-piece band, with Benji Kirkpatrick, Rachael McShane, Paul Sartin, Pete Flood, Brendan Kelly, Justin Thurgur, Andy Mellon and Giles Lewin completing the initial line-up.

Before they had time to rehearse, the band were invited to play the first Oxford Folk Festival in April 2004, which went successfully.

In 2004, the band independently released a five-track EP, publicised as "English World Music", called E.P.Onymous, which generated positive reviews.

In 2006 Gideon Juckes joined the band, primarily playing the tuba, and they released their first full-length album, Burlesque, featuring material from the Napoleonic Wars, the American minstrel movement and sea-shanties from Brazil .

Towards the end of 2007 they became Artists in Residence at the Southbank Centre, making their inaugural appearance with a Christmas Revels event.

Matachin: 2008-2009

In 2008 Bellowhead released their second album Matachin and performed at the Proms which was broadcast live on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3. Sam Sweeney joined the band on fiddles and bagpipes following the departure of Giles Lewin. The following year in August the band were approached about recording music for a 20th anniversary episode of The Simpsons.

Hedonism: 2010-11

In 2010, Ed Neuhauser replaced Gideon Juckes on helicon and sousaphone.

In October 2010, Bellowhead released their third studio album, Hedonism, which had been recorded in Abbey Road Studios. The album was produced by John Leckie. In honour of the new album, the band developed a new ale named after the album. Several band members were involved with brewing process.

Bellowhead also recorded the theme tune on the new The Archers spin-off, Ambridge Extra.

In May 2011, at the 02 Academy in Bournemouth, the band recorded a live DVD, Hedonism Live, which was released in late November.

Fourth Album: 2012-present

The band recorded a new album March, 2012 at Rockfield Studios with John Leckie for release October 2012.

In early 2012 the band undertook a European tour and in November 2012 will tour the UK.