Signs of Life

Simon, demon fiddler. Learnt classically. Recovered in early 20s, having discovered celtic music. Hitched with fiddle around Scottish islands for inspiration. His playing sparkles, sometimes with the flash of mad bluegrass fiddling, other times with the subtle lilt of the celtic tunes; Sometimes a heart-rending lament. His mastery of many styles lends the music authority and richness of texture, as well as heart and depth. Likes to sail boats around the exquisite coast of Southwest England.

Tim, double bassist extraordinaire. The big heartbeat, a driving force....and with the deepest voice in the world. But also guitarist of great competence, with a love of gypsy swing. Persuaded into the ranks of SOL in 2001. Deviation into klezmer clarinet, adding another, wilder dimension to the music, while the eerie sounds of bowed bass resonate through the repertoire. Likes to climb mountains in driving sleet in January; and rescues people who get lost or injured on Dartmoor.

Lynn, amazingly versatile player of a beautiful Italian accordion. Adds some flashy finger-work to the tunes, and holds the centre ground, with great warmth and energy. Got an accordion, got a party, as they say. Lynn is also a fine pianist. Sometimes she is moved to sing a song in one of the languages she likes to collect, from Romany to Yiddish to Cajun French. She can call dances from the celtic lands, as well as village dances from Europe. She likes to write fanciful stories and is finishing an esoteric eco-thriller at present.

After many years of experience in teaching, running workshops, community events and musical collaborations for theatre, Signs of Life can offer a range of educational and community activities.  These can be single events or as part of a larger programme or festival.

Community Dance

A celebration to involve everyone! Dances from all over Europe and beyond are explained simply and quickly, so that everyone can take part, moving to Signs of Life’s “World Ceilidh” music.
(‘Ceilidh’ is a Gaelic word, meaning a gathering of people in celebration, usually with music and dance).

All abilities can be catered for.  See All Abilities section below.

Music Presentation

Signs of Life can present an engaging themed ‘concert’ taking the audience on a journey across Europe from East to West and beyond, introducing their instruments, and demonstrating the cultural richness and diversity of the different musical styles encountered on the journey.

Instrumental Presentation

Suitable for those who can already play their instruments to a certain standard.  Signs of Life can give workshops to develop knowledge of, and ability with the various styles of fiddle and accordion music.  Experienced teachers guide you through the steps with appropriate material….you can choose to work by ear or from the music.

Collaborations

On short projects involving music for  theatre, circus, community entertainments, parades, etc.  We can provide  music from our extensive repertoire or we can devise  new music with the group in question, for the event.

 All Abilities

Signs of Life has extensive experience of working with people with a range of abilites, including those with physical difficulties and those with learning disabilities.

Lynn, with many years experience as a special needs music and dance teacher, will guide the audience through the dances.  Everyone is included in the fun.
In order for the event to reach as many people as possible, we will need to discuss the level of staff support necessary.

The aim of a Signs of Life event is that everyone has a good time.  The band generates an atmosphere of intimacy and warmth wherever they play. 

Whether presenting a concert or making a party happen in a field, they enhance the mood of the moment.   Often, a few blazing riffs on the fiddle or an infectious blast of double bass rhythm will start things off.  Carefully crafted playlists are sometimes abandoned because a Scotsman, hearing a strathspey, wants to dance; or an expatriate Spanish lady, moved by hearing the music of her homeland, wants to hear more from Galicia. 

The band will adapt, drawing on a truly vast repertoire, and the party will take off – with everyone present contributing to the enjoyment.  This type of music survives because it is real and vibrant, touching people in a way that commercialised music seldom does.  Remember that this music is passed on from person to person, and that each musician changes the music a little - making it both unique and universal.   It never stands still and is always fresh.

Signs of Life have travelled widely in Europe, sharing tunes with fellow musicians as they go.  They enjoy bringing music from various regions together, creating eccentric combinations, without losing the character of each:  not so much ‘Fusion’ as ‘Welding’!  These blends work well to enhance each other in the same way that party guests from different cultures usually enjoy each others’ company; it makes for vivid cultural encounters.

Many Westerners have lost touch with their own roots, but can often relate to ‘the exotic’ – such as gypsy music.  However, such music placed alongside music of a similar character and structure, from their own culture, can open eyes to the vibrancy of the home-grown.  Living traditional music in the British Isles is no longer the province of vicars on bicycles diligently collecting rural ballads before they die out entirely.  We have to thank them for that; but things move on.

Our own vicar, a keen Morris dancer, is passionate about having pan-cultural events in the 12th century church – and actively encouraged Signs of Life to lead a Bosnian dance through the aisles and around the font during one of their eclectic concerts.  A poignant Yiddish lullaby set beside a Scottish lament touches people universally, whatever their background or belief system.

This music brings people together, and the band salutes all the dancers and singers, fellow-musicians and audiences who join with them to celebrate life.  Human hearts still beat to the old rhythms, and whether joyful or sorrowful, soothing or fiery, this music joins us together.

The band is sometimes asked how come they play Irish music if they aren’t Irish-born or Gypsy music if they are not Roma.  They usually reply that they also play Mozart, and they are not Austrian either.  Music crosses borders, and flows in around the gaps between peoples.  Music links us all by the heartbeat.  This band understands that and encourages it to happen wherever they go.

On their travels, they have often been asked to play for family or community celebrations, and the community dance element is always popular.  The band’s versatility allows for spontaneous developments to arise – such as an outbreak of tango dancing, followed by a sensitive backing for a fado singer (Portuguese christening party) – or the spontaneous spoons-playing workshop for kids (Poland) – the massed Spanish chorus of Cockles and Mussels accompanied by Asturian pipers (Northern Spain) - or the vodka-fuelled four–am Irish ceilidh dancing in a tiny bar in Northern Poland – or Palestinian folk dances to Scottish reels (honest!)

The band feels honoured every time people take them and the music to their hearts.  A big thank you to  the good people who know what this music is and value it...

Let us all help to keep these gatherings alive.