Gilles Chabenat, Blowzabella, Jethro Tull,French Dance Music, Wendigo, Leo Kottke, Angel Brothers, Eel Grinders..and we both find the CDs "Tramé" and "Movements Clos" an inspiration (both are Gilles Chabenat)
Sounds Like
Medieval undertones (both are Medieval musical instruments!)
But with a modern twist!!
The music is a fusion of traditional french dance and more contemporary
dance rhythms, with drones and percussion providing the driving force to the sound!
Clare Hines and Pete Coleman were 2 members of the now defunct French Dance Music Group ~ Dulzaina, and now as Metheglin, they play a more concert based repertoire of original compositions on Hurdy-Gurdy and English Bagpipes, sometimes featuring samples/percussion and noises! They have now been joined by the fabulous Mike Gulston on Octave Mandola and Acoustic Guitar.
The music is progressive folk music ~ a blend of dance, contemporary and experimental sounds and rhythms. Metheglin hope to bring the sounds of the bizarre, medieval instruments they play to a wider, modern audience. So be prepared for music unlike anything you have ever heard before from their new album "Raining in Paradise" due to be released in June this year.
"Oh, super stuff! Really lovely" ~ Genevieve Tudor - "Sunday Folk" BBC Radio Shropshire
"A Very Talented Duo" ~ Johnny Coppin BBC Radio Gloucester
The English bagpipes are Jon Swayne "G" and "D" pipes.... the gurdies are both French - Denis Siorat electro-acoustic and a traditional lute backed Boudet.
About the name Metheglin:
Metheglin is type of mead drink - along with Melomel, Cyser, Hydromel, Pyment and probably others too. In French Melomel is known as Chouchenn. Anyone who has been involved in the French dance scene in the UK for any length of time will recognise at least two of these as band names - and we decided to go with the trend! The name Metheglin has a further significance, it is derived from the Welsh word meddyglyn, meaning "medicinal liquor" but was a very common Cornish mead. Until recently, Pete lived in Wales and Clare lived for many years in Cornwall - so the name brings these two influences together.
Pete is also one of the country's leading engineer/producers of rock music,
having worked with bands like AC/DC, Paradise Lost,etc in his long industrious career!
The background graphic to this site is based on the drawing on the front cover of Making Mead by Bryan Acton and Peter Duncan.
Just stopping in to say hello. Hope you're all well. Your music is superb. Love it very very much ! Wish you many success !! Have a fabulous weekend ! Musical Greetings, Rose-Marie, Belgium
Congrats Fair Lady and Gents. Raining in Paradise gives me wonders of calm and tranquility...and dancing among trees...! Very beautifull music and well played. A MUST!!! Cheers
Hello Pete & Clare, good luck for the new CD, see you soon and will have a jam. Im going to the AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE for the SUMMER SOLSTICE ~ DRUMMING to the rising SUN & MOON.
The Cosmic Energy of the Stone Circle Deep in the Earth & Universe The Vibration of Sound Eternal Deep in the Rhythms of the Drums The Spirit & Soul of Mother Earth Deep in the Heartbeat of the Drummer The Light of the Sun & Moon Shining as One Forever Cosmic
Likewise, great to see you and loving the CD - fantastic production - pipes and gurdy sound so sweet. Oh, and the playing's not half bad either! Lovely xxx
The CD arrived today - thank you! I like the cover, it looks lovely. Just packing to take my kids camping later, and will listen to the CD over the weekend.
Thanks for your few words. It's always a pleasure to get some news from you. Unfortunately, we aren't sure to go to St Chartier finaly. And I think we'll be able to know it a few days before the festival... I'll tell you.
I would be pleased to see you, and to see (before listening to it) your new CD !
Phew - made it back in! Thanks for having me back, I feel settled already. I lost everything of course - every single message, photo, blog - you name it!!
All on top of being snowed under after spending 6 fabulous days on Orkney. xx
I put you in our toplist. It's my present to inaugurate summer ! I just listened the new tracks there. Really beautiful... I love Silk Road Excerpt... The chords of the flute make me thinking about the Bothy Band (I know it's a bit old, but I'm a bit old too). Look forward to listen to the whole album !
Take care. See you (I hope) at Saint Charstock ?!?
Thanks for adding Rambles. NET to your friends' list!
Hey, if you would like your music to be considered for a feature on our site, be sure to send a couple of review CDs our way. (You can find the mailing address on our page.) We love to share new music with our readers!