"A gentle voiced singer with a sure way with traditional songs and adventurous accompaniments on string instruments." (Vic Smith, Folk at the Royal Oak, Lewes)
Mike Gulston sings songs of love and longing, ballads of heroines and lovers, betrayals and happy-ever-after, accompanied by his own arrangements on guitar and octave mandola. Most of his material draws on traditional English folk songs (especially the ones with a decent body-count by the last verse). His voice conveys unerringly the emotion of the song, and his lyrical, imaginative arrangements make each one his own.
He performs as a duo with Blanche Rowen - English ballads, French dance songs, Welsh folk songs and strange and unique hybrids of any or all of the above.
He’s also known for his playing of dance music from France and Brittany, recently as a new duo 'Avant Deux' with fiddler Mark Prescott (Penda’s Fen, Vivant) which with the addition of Meriel Field (Allan yn y Fan) becomes Avant Trois.
His latest musical incarnation is as part of the ambient-prog-folk-frenchdance sensation-to-be that is Metheglin, hitherto a duo but in the process of becoming a trio. Mike guested so comprehensively on their forthcoming album that they've signed him up as a permanent fixture.
And then there’s GIG CB! (ie the George Inn Giant Ceilidh Band) with whom Mike plays in England and Europe, encouraging our continental neighbours to strip their willows. Which they do, with glee.
His debut CD ‘Mike Gulston at Kinnersley Castle’ came out last year, recorded in a one-take session by producer Jürgen Grunert, and featuring fifteen songs from the English tradition and three original instrumental pieces.
Oh, and he does a mean Teddy Bears' Picnic, too.
If you'd like to reach him but aren't part of the Myspace network, (and aren't in a hurry) you can email him at mikegulston [at] hotmail.com
Hello Mike, Many thanks for the add (again). I think you've recognised the guitarist of Valsepareille, who went with us in Kinnersley. I hope to see you soon. Sandrine and I, we listen very often your CD, and the one you made with Blanche. Regards. Stéphane
There're some new tracks to be heard on our site; & poems too! We've now added two new members who come complete with their own action photos... click the link. xXx from Cornwall & Gloucestershire...
Hi Mike !
Happy to find you there !
Sandrine and I, we listen very very often you album. It's always the same pleasure.
Hope to see you, perhaps in Saint-Chartier ?
Best regards.
Stéphane
Hello Mike - yes I would expect us to have quite lot of friends in common! Were you at Blowzabella in Banbury - can't remember if I saw you, but it was so busy....
