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Van Eyken
Tim Van Eyken came to our ears via some of the sessions we did with Lou Rhodes, and boy are we glad he did. Tim is in the studio soon working on some new material for his next release.
Those who saw Tim van Eyken win the 1998 BBC Young Folk Award knew there would be a glittering career ahead of this young musician with a passion for traditional English music. His career as a solo artist looked promising, but then an offer came along he just couldn't refuse: folk's first family invited him to become the fourth member of Waterson:Carthy and he has recorded and toured the world with them for the last 5 years. It was the apprenticeship of a life-time and the experience has not only honed his instrumental skill but also seen him develop in to one of the most assured and captivating singers around.
When Tim decided to form his own band he drew together a stellar cast
from the folk world to help realise his dream. Joining Tim on fiddle is
Nancy Kerr, whose partnership with James Fagan is established as one of
the most acclaimed and enduring acts on the folk scene. No stranger to
Folk Awards herself, Nancy has with James previously picked up the Best
Duo and Horizon awards. On electric guitar is Olly Knight, Lal Waterson's
son and collaborator on their landmark albums 'Once in a Blue Moon' and
'Bed of Roses'. Olly is also a successful composer, musician, arranger
and record producer. On percussion is Pete Flood, currently riding high
on the Bellowhead wave of success as well as performing with The Farmyard
Animals and the Treecreepers. On double bass is Colin Fletcher whose sublime
bass can also be heard in the Lisa Fitzgibbons band.
In just eight months Tim and his new band Van Eyken have made a huge impact
on the folk world. Since making their debut performance at Wychwood Festival
last June Tim and his all-star band have released the highly influential
album 'Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves' which has received spectacular reviews
in the mainstream press and been acclaimed everywhere from 'MOJO' to 'The
Sun'. They have performed at most of the top UK folk festivals and are
now winners of a prestigious Radio 2 Folk Award, with 'Barleycorn' picking
up the award for Best Traditional Track at the 2007 BBC Folk Awards.
