Since 2003, Welsh Folk-fusion band One String Loose have been
exciting audiences around the UK and Europe with their complex, dynamic
arrangements of traditional and self penned tunes, performed with jawdropping
virtuosity and infectious joie de vivre. Their innovative style of
folk – fusion has been captivating all manner of people: fellow musicians,
casual listeners, purists, grandmothers, teenagers and gyrating hippies.
Their performances are impressively tight, yet a sense of fun and the ability to throw a curve are never far away. Front man, fiddler and banjo renaissance man Scott has a natural,
self-deprecating humour which creates that relaxed, inclusive atmosphere
that is the hallmark of any really great live band, and the craic between
Scott McKeon and fellow band mates Joe Brady, Jack Stewart, Baz
Barwick and Mike Griffiths draw the audience further into the weird and
wonderful world of One String Loose: a world of pineapple shops, moose
and hypnotic cheese. The musical talents of the band have, from their performances over the years, developed
into a show.
One String Loose began as a two piece band seven years ago when Scott (fiddle, banjo) and Jack (bodhran - 2 times All Britain bodhran champion) from Caldicot (now 21 and 16 respectively) came together to play tunes through a local Celtic music and dance group. As this group evolved within the Newport branch of Comhaltas, the widened musical net brought them into contact with Joe (16) from Weston, who impressed them with his extraordinary whistle playing.
In 2005, the band played at the Royal Albert Hall ‘Schools Proms’ after winning 2 awards for outstanding performance and best new composition at the National Festival for Youth Music. Mathew ‘Baz’ Barwick (16) became the fourth member on bass guitar soon after this, both learning and fitting in with the music surreally quickly. Recently, in early 2008, Mike Griffiths joined the group on the drums, adding the craved 'full band' sound.
In the past few years, One String Loose have played over 60 shows to audiences around England and Wales as well as in Europe. The year 2008 has been exceptional for One String Loose, seeing
them reach the finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, followed
with a polished performance at the highly prestigious Glastonbury Festival
on the Avalon Stage, in addition to international performances in Poland and
France. More recently the band have been recording their second studio
album “KUMQUAT” ready for release in 2009, a year set to be their biggest and most active yet.