THE BAND
"Any head banging, heavy metal musician would envy the driving, chest thumping beat this group can pound out of their traditional instruments. Clapping and foot stomping was irresistible every time they played. They rock!"
- Jay Moore, Cambridge Now (Canada)
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"...the audience response and superb reviews from other venues has convinced us that this is a must-hear experience. Every one of the band are extremely talented as solo performers and multi-instrumentalists and when they come together for a set it’s definitely something that is inspiring.”
- Fiona McPherson, Inverclyde Folkclub
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"The atmosphere (often the most difficult thing to explain to someone who is not present) was like having your best friends on stage, giving it some welly – and all especially for you."
- Mark Morpurgo, Argyll News
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Fiona Cuthill was classically trained in violin by Bill Baxter, who played in the renowned Halley Orchestra. After leaving school, she studied more traditional styles of playing and spent the next 10 years playing in ceilidh bands and sessions all over the country.
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Fiona has been a member of several traditional/folk bands in her career so far, including Whirligig, Canterach and Real Time. Fiona is in demand as a session musician and has appeared on CDs including releases by prog rock band Abel Ganz, Stevie Lawrence, pipers Judy Barker and Donald Campbell, The Clydesiders and Raintown. She is also a prolific composer and one of her tunes was recorded by Quebecois band Le Vent du Nord. To her delight, Fiona performed live with this band at Celtic Connections 2012.
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Rallion are a three piece contemporary folk group, hailing from Glasgow and Perthshire. They bring a wide range of musical influences together to create their powerful persuasive music. Their unique sound is based around the fiddle powerhouse of Fiona Cuthill, the distinctive voice of Marieke McBean and the virtuoso guitar and bouzouki playing of Steve Lawrence. They released two albums to very favourable reviews.
Marieke McBean was born in The Netherlands, but moved to Scotland in 2001 due to her love of traditional Scottish music. She was an activeparticipant in the Edinburgh session scene for several years. In early 2008 she moved up to Loch Tay, Perthshire, an area where she's now involved in various musical projects. Marieke is one of the vocalists on "The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill - Volume 2". She also performed at its launch concert during Celtic Connections. Marieke was classically trained in singing from the age of eleven upwards, but now prefers the more traditional style.
Stevie Lawrence was a mainstay with Iron Horse for 3 years, releasing 3 albums and touring extensively. After leaving the band, he toured and recorded with Anna Murray, Tannas, Canterach, Chris Armstrong, Mick West, Wendy Weatherby and Duncan McRone.
More recently Stevie toured and recorded with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. He is currently a member of leading new UK Country band Raintown.