Christi Andropolis - Fiddle Player and Singer

Originally from New York State, Christi Andropolis is a singer and fiddler whose musical inspirations range from the Southern States of the US to the UK, exploring the connections between different folk genres on both sides of the Atlantic. From delta blues to Appalachian tunes, she combines the influence of her American roots with a flair for traditional Scottish and English fiddling, establishing a new voice for transatlantic roots music.

Christi’s performances in the UK have taken her across the country from Sidmouth and Towersey Festivals to The Sage, Gateshead and Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Her dynamic fiddling, expressive vocals and onstage charisma have quickly gained her a reputation as an exciting and engaging performer, and her performances - whether appearing solo, as a duo with guitarist David Newey, or with her band - have been enthusiastically received. Other current projects include Rubus, a new trio featuring the fantastic vocal talent of Emily Portman of The Devil's Interval, and performances with 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee Jim Causley.

With irresistible energy and passion, Christi’s performances display a unique style and creativity, making a mark on the scene and expanding the boundaries of the ever-evolving genre of folk.

Photo by Todd Cliff

David Newey - guitar

David Newey is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer currently performing solo, with Christi Andropolis, and with the group Rubus, featuring Emily Portman of the Devil’s Interval. In the past few years he has also played with folk five piece Nandobinyan and roots rock band Arlen.

David’s playing features on a few current albums; his own 2006 solo debut ‘A List of Names’ features ten original songs backed by David’s guitar style, mixing fingerstyle and flatpicking to form a unique voice. This album received praised from Tom Robinson of BBC Radio 6 who called it ‘Exceptional song writing..original and austere’, and from Netrhythms.com who said that David was ‘Not your average singer-songwriter’.

Performing has taken David around the UK, playing all the major festivals including Sidmouth Folk Week, Larmer Tree, Towersey, and Broadstairs and everywhere from Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall to London’s Troubadour. In both a teaching and performing capacity he has visited North America a number of times and has played in Brittany and Southern France. David teaches workshops and lessons in guitar and song writing to adults and children alike.

Sean Taylor - bass

Hailing from Northumberland, Sean began playing bass in his early teens on a small scale Kay catalogue Gibson SG copy handed down from his musically inept older brother!
His father Keith, founded Cramlington Folk Club, one of England’s longest running folk clubs, where a young Sean listened to and learned to appreciate many different styles of music.
He learned his trade with, among others, the vocal harmony group Legend (Barrie and Ingrid Temple) the Robert Whitehead Scottish Country Dance Band, and various dreadful punk, rock, reggae and indie bands on the local scene.
After studying music and music technology at Newcastle, Sean went on to become MD for The Drifters and to play with bands as diverse as Cuig and Bucks Fizz! He engineered and performed on two of Vin Garbutt’s albums and is currently working on a third.
His understanding of the fretless bass with Irish music has been universally admired, “Such tasteful bass guitar” Irish Music Mag; “that ingenious mix of African and Celtic” Steve Dietrich Celtic Airs Radio, USA; “slap bass Township style with a capitol T” fRoots.
Sean’s most recent projects include the North Country Dance Band (an offshoot from Cuig performing traditional music from all over Europe); Los Twangeros (with singer songwriter Terry Fletcher); and alt country band Diesel Therapy. He is also producing an album for banjo player extraordinaire Martin Matthews.
He has performed on various recordings with Legend “Not Before Time”; Cuig “Prospect”; Tom Leary “Off The Rocks”; Vin Garbutt “Word Of Mouth”, “Vin Garbutt Songbook” and “Persona Grata”; and Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies “Doolally”.