Miranda Sykes - vocals, double bass Imogen O'Rourke - flute Peter Miln - fiddle, mandolin, vocals Daniel James - cittern, guitar, vocals John Harris - celtic harp, mandolin, guitar, vocals
firebrand are an acoustic five piece band playing traditional and original material in a contemporary and unique style. In addition to playing music from the four corners of the British Isles, their set incorporates music from mainland Europe. All their material is arranged with sophistication and sensitivity, with many of the traditional songs and tunes being reworked to give a new vitality. Elements of jazz, classical and even funk can now be detected in their set which is played entirely on acoustic instruments.
Firebrand started life as a trio comprising Peter Miln, Daniel James and John Harris. They first performed together in December 1997, and rapidly became a highly respected act, performing at festivals, folk clubs, arts centres and venues such as the Mean Fiddler.
In 2001 the band increased their line up to a five piece, adding the talents of Miranda Sykes - one of the country’s hottest young vocalists – and flute virtuoso Imogen O’Rourke. The addition of Miranda’s vocals and bass and Imogen’s flute to the substantial array of string instruments and vocal harmonies has yielded richer textures and an altogether bigger sound.
Firebrand have recently released a new album entitled “Lost Lady Found” which is getting fantastic reviews in the folk press and proving highly popular on radio stations up and down the country. The new Firebrand line-up performed a handful of festivals and a 10 date tour to promote “Lost Lady Found“. The scope of their appeal to audiences is such that they are attracting a huge amount of interest on the folk scene. Festival organisers are queuing up to book them for 2002 and they have just signed up with Steáfán Hannigan’s booking agency.
Tracks from previous Firebrand albums have recently been used on two compilation albums – “Best of British Folk” and “A Feast of Folk” - alongside artists such as Fairport Convention, Show of Hands, The Albion Band etc. Firebrand have also appeared on national TV.
Firebrand can be contacted via the agency or directly. For details see the contacts page
The Band
Miranda Sykes has been playing the double bass since the age of nine. Classically trained, she also played bass guitar in rock and country outfits until, at the age of twenty, her roots in folk music lured her back to tour Europe and America with folk-rock band Pressgang. She has built up a solo repertoire of refreshingly unusual songs from her native Lincolnshire as well as other traditional and modern material. She performs solo at folk clubs and festivals across the country accompanying herself on double bass. Miranda is increasingly in demand both as a double bass player and singer and joined Keith Angel and Roger Wilson in The Bill Jones Band last year. She tours regularly with The Robb Johnson Trio, Steáfán Hannigan's Mahogany Gaspipes and The Bill Jones Trio as well as Firebrand. Miranda is regularly used as a session musician in Steáfán Hannigan's 'Oisin Studios' and also works as a soloist on the Live Music Now! Scheme, taking her music to special schools and day centres all over England.
Peter Miln has played fiddle from an early age. An initial interest in traditional music, inspired by the great Tom Anderson at Stirling summer school, was nurtured by Scots fiddler Bill Eddie every year at Sidmouth Festival. Many years of session playing have increased the scope of his interest and knowledge to include many celtic traditions. He has played in many outfits including the duo with Dan James which has notched up a tally of well over 1000 gigs. He has played on over 20 albums including several as a session musician. Peter has managed Firebrand since it started and has co-produced and co-engineered all the Firebrand albums to date.
Dan James developed an interest in traditional music through attending the infamous Swindon folk singers club and the related sessions. Dan played guitar and banjo for many years before taking up the cittern. He is now one of only a handful of professional cittern players in the country. Dan started numerous bands over the years including folk rock outfit "Reincarnation" whose other members included Pete Miln and the current rhythm section of the Phil beer band - Nick Quarmby and Steve Crickett. Dan is also a seasoned session musician.
John Harris is a producer as well as a musician and has worked with many well known artists in the studio including June Tabor, Ron Kavana, Phil Beer, Afterhours, Alan Burke and Dezi Donnelly. John took up the harp about 10 years ago; he was already an accomplished guitar and mandolin player. John toured Europe playing harp and guitar with Alan Burke and fiddler Giles Lewin before joining Firebrand as a full time member a few years ago. Currently he plays a Camac electric harp live with the band but still records and does solo gigs with his acoustic harp.
Imogen O'Rourke took up the flute at the age of nine. Having played in various Cardiff bands, Imogen did a music degree at Dartington College. It was here that she developed an interest in Irish traditional music, by frequenting the local sessions. In 1999 Imogen joined Irish band "The Wingers" who were based in Portugal. Whilst there, she started picking up French, Galician and Portugese tunes from the locals musicians. She joined Firebrand shortly after meeting some of the band at St Chartier festival in France.
