David Rankine- Mountain Dulcimer, Keyboards.
Fernando Villalobos - Percussion.
Influences
The Who, Alan Stivell, Sigur Ros , the Doors, Radiohead, Steve Earle, Pink Floyd, the Strawbs, Hendrix, Dead Can Dance, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Robin Trower, The Clash, Ten Years After, The Grateful Dead, Skorched, Brian Wilson jigs and reels, Persian Music and Santana
Improvisational playing and a dedication to "open space" creativity has allowed Dulcimerhead to create a seemingly endless string of original songs laden with beautiful melodies and infectious rythmns.
The synthesis of numerous folk traditions with classic rock began with the experimental/progressive project "East by West" (Dave Rankine and Billy Fairley) on their "Trancemhor" CD release (Arathusa Records 2006).
Dave went on to form Dulcimerhead in 2007 with the addition of Fernando Villalobos (and initially) Gillian Thomas and Tara Hillyer.
The EP, ALL THAT IS was released in March 2007 folowed by GNOSIS in June and REVEALED STRUCTURE in October 2007.
Each member of Dulcimerhead has brought their own influences into the mix. Dave's love of Indian music, classic rock and progressive rock combined with his years of experience as a bagpiper to create a songwriting and playing style that is hard to define.
Fernando adds a totally unique and original hand percussion style that is based upon his years of experience as a drummer in a number of metal bands (Heavily Medicated, Krakatoa and presently, Skorched).
"Innovative and progressive" are words that are often used to describe Dulcimerhead's fusion of folk, medieval, indo -persian, rock, metal and jazz.
Thank you kindly for the Add. Your music is like enrolling in a condensed philosophy course where one walks away sated and totally relaxed but happily stunned all the same.
WINDFALL ECOLOGY FEST, June 7-8, 2008 at 9:30am!!! Last year's was great, it was about the coolest festival we get in Newmarket. SEE YOU THERE!!! I will come for the music, but I'll *stay* for the henna...
We just got hit with a few more inches of snow here! GRRRR! LOVE the tunes ...wanted to to let you know that,AND have a really nice weekend. (: Susanne
Hey DAVE THE DULCIMERHEAD. Such a good name man. No probs about the request. I'm into the sound of the dulcimer right now, so I just searched 'dulcimer' on myspace music. Your page seemed coolest so I sent an add your way. Thanks so much for saying that you like what I'm doing with my music; it means alot to me. If you can relate to my music though, then you must be a sick, sick man :|. Haha, I'm just kidding. I had a weird childhood. That's partly why my music is so angry, bitter and visceral at times. If you can relate to it, it probably means that you've suffered in some way/endured pain of some kind. Or you could just be mature and have life experience. Who are your favorite composers? don't bother calling me Alexander. Friends call me; Lex
