WOMAD

Tarras

From United Kingdom

2001 BiographyThose who still think that ‘folk’ is the dirtiest of four-letter words need to take their fingers out of their ears and pay some attention to a new breed of English traditionalist which includes, as well as young solo stars like Kate Rusby and Eliza Carthy, a sprightly forward looking outfit by the name of Tarras. The nucleus of the group features Joss Clapp on vocals, guitar and bass, Ben Murray on vocals and keyboards and Jon Redfern on vocal and guitar. The newbies in the band are violinist Lousie Peacock, drummer Sam Murray and cittern player Rob Armstrong. After their debut album ‘Rising’ had critics far and wide foaming at the mouth the group have toured, written, experimented and moved forward in the kind of devil may care fashion you might expect from a bunch of young, ambitious and supremely talented musicians. Their follow up ‘Walking Down Mainstreet’ was produced by Richard Evans, one of the mainstays at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, and released earlier this year on the Topic label. Tarras play music that will appeal to anyone who appreciates dazzling virtuosity, innovation and a fine tune. Ultramontane traditionalist folkies might feel their facial hair getting slightly singed by the shameless iconoclasm of the Tarras sound but anyone else, beard or no beard, should have no trouble succumbing to their fine musical seduction.Biography by Andy Morgan, May 20012001 Short biographyOutrageously young and outrageously talented, Tarras are part of English folk music's defiant and undying heritage. The nucleus of the band comes from the Border Country of northern England and their music both embraces yet transcends its traditional background. They'll be famous very soon!May 2001