Ensemble Toss the Feathers

This folk/rock band are based in Manchester, England, but boast strong Irish roots. Formed in the late 80s, they built a loyal live fan base in the north west of England and London, and their first album was a powerful live recording. The various line-ups of the band have included founder member Dave Smylie (bass, vocals, tambourine), Mike McGoldrick (flutes, whistles, uillean pipes, saxophone), Eddie Sheehan (vocals, guitar, mandola, keyboards), Paul Usher (drums), Che Beresford (drums), Peter Mason (guitars), Sean Regan (fiddle, whistle), and Dezi Donnelly (fiddle). McGoldrick and Donnelly had previously played together as a duo, winning the All Ireland Championship as 18-year olds. In a three-year period Toss The Feathers played an exhausting 650 live dates, including several in Europe. Their recorded songs were constructed on-stage as much as in the studio, and, despite major record label interest, they continue to release albums through the independent Magnetic Music. Their live performances concentrate on a traditional-Celtic rock dance sound. Their studio output has a far less appealing commercial flavour.
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