FIL CAMPBELL & TOM MCFARLAND
PRESS KIT
“Tom's superbly judged and sensitively understated percussion and
vocal harmonies are a perfect foil to Fil's glorious singing ”
David Kidman, Living Tradition Magazine.
Northern Irish duo Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland make
their first tour of Australia with their blend of original,
traditional and contemporary Irish songs and a fun set full of
banter and great choruses.
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REVIEWS ........................................................................................................... 2 BIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................... 3 WORKSHOPS .................................................................................................... 4 THEMED CONCERTS ...................................................................................... 5 PROJECTS ......................................................................................................... 6 STAGE PLAN .................................................................................................... 7
PUBLIC LIABILITY ………………………………………………………… 8
REVIEWS “A great mix of traditional and contemporary Irish songs with the expert percussion
skills of Tom perfectly complimenting Fil’s exquisite vocals.” Falkirk Folk Club Feb 15
“Tom's superbly judged and sensitively understated percussion and vocal harmonies …
a perfect foil to Fil's glorious singing” David Kidman, Living Tradition
"Ein Kleinod von einem Konzert, sympathisch, bescheiden und mit grosser Klasse."
Kieler Nachrichten / 16/04/12
(A jewel of a concert, likeable, humble and with great class - Kiel News, Germany) ..
“Rhythm and voice, the perfect combination” Zitty Mag, Berlin
“They say nothing's perfect, but your gig at Bacca Pipes on Friday came pretty close.”
Tony Charnock, Topic Folk Club, Bradford
“Tom McFarland, sensitive percussion on legs” Tykes News, Yorkshire
"Gute Idee und schöne Lieder" (Great Idea and lovely songs) writing about A Place of My
Own - Irland Journal, Germany 2013
"… there’s never any doubt that she really gets to the heart of a song"
" … a matchless rendition of The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby – Net Rhythms, David Kidman
Nov 2012
"RTE have a real winner on their hands with the new Songbirds series."Irish Mirror.
"Campbell's warm lulling voice is eminently suited to old fashioned gems like 'Love's
Old Sweet Song' and “The Homes of Donegal”, and the musicianship is top notch".
Sarah McQuaid, Evening Herald, Dublin
“(Songbirds) …a totally lovely collection of songs, affectionately performed by Fil in her
characteristically warm, sensitive yet commanding vocal style. The songs all suit her
down to the ground, and she luxuriates mildly in the expression of these old-fashioned
sentiments.”
Living Tradition
“The Songbirds series has been a resounding success for RTE Television” Irish Mirror.
"This series takes an in depth look at world famous Irish female singers who where
recording in and around the 1950s." Irish Independent - Pick of the Day.
“Fil Campbell has assembled a fine collection of songs (Dreaming) and given them
effective, understated arrangements which highlight her own intimate, lilting voice.” ”
Dirty Linen (USA)
“Fil Campbell has a gently commanding way with a song she draws you in slowly until
it’s a case of sweet surrender. ” Folk Roots
“With her deceptively fragile, almost childlike voice, she could pass as a third
McGarrigle Sister” Glasgow Herald
BIOGRAPHY
Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland “Tom's superbly judged and sensitively understated percussion and vocal
harmonies … a perfect foil to Fil's glorious singing” David Kidman, Living Tradition
Fil (pronounced Phil) Campbell and Tom McFarland have been part of the folk
scene since the early 90s. With the combination of vocals, guitar and
percussion and a varied repertoire, they have garnered a following for their
fun shows that always have the audiences singing along.
A new CD of contemporary songs, Back There, Fil’s 7th solo CD and this
time also featuring Tom on lead vocals on a couple of songs, is released this
July, 2015 at Fiddlers Green Festival in Rostrevor. The couple play and sing a
mix of original, traditional and contemporary Irish songs with occasional
nods back to the popular Irish folk songs they grew up with. Their set is full
of fun and banter and Fil’s passion is to get everyone singing so there are
always lots of choruses, so be prepared!
With 6 solo CDs to date, and several project recordings (see below) over the
past few years, Fil’s repertoire is varied and eclectic. She is particularly known
for a large body of work for Irish TV entitled Songbirds that profiled the
women singers of the past, which she researched and presented herself and
some of these songs still feature in their set.
.
Originally from Belleek in Co. Fermanagh, Fil has been gigging regularly
since she was a teenager and together with Tom who hails from Belfast, they
have performed all over Europe, Ireland, the USA and UK, at festivals and
folk clubs, on radio and TV. For several years she presented folk radio
programmes for BBC Radio Ulster and also worked in concert promotion for
various organisations in the North.
Tom has played drums and percussion for singers as diverse as David
Knopfler (ex Dire Straits), Finbar Furey and Ben Sands and has his own
recording studio and film-editing suite specialising in acoustic and spoken
word recordings.
www.filcampbell.com
www.tommcfarland.co.uk
www.youtube.com/user/FilCampbell
www.facebook.com/filcampbell
www.soundcloud.com/filcampbell
WORKSHOPS Fil presents:
Singing Workshop
Join Fil Campbell for a one- hour workout for your voice. With fun warm ups
and lots of lovely rounds to give you instant harmonies, this workshop is
suitable for all abilities whether you think you can sing or not.
Songs from the Mountains
Join Fil Campbell for a one-hour themed singing workshop. With fun warm
ups, lovely rounds and simple songs from around the mountains of the world,
this workshop is suitable for all abilities whether you think you can hold a note
or not.
Tom presents:
Percussion For Song Accompaniment
Tom McFarland has been described as “the most sensitive accompanist on the
British folk scene”. Join him to explore the do’s and don’ts of accompanying
songs on percussion. And learn how to use a shaker!
Bodhran for beginner
Join Tom McFarland for a one-hour workshop for absolute beginners playing
the Irish drum. Bring along your own bodhran and learn the basics of jigs and
reel rhythms.
Intermediate Bodhran
Join Tom McFarland for a one-hour workshop to improve your bodhran
playing. Exploring different styles – traditional, and top-end/single end – and
looking at more advanced rhythms - polkas, hornpipes, slides and mazurkas.
THEMED CONCERTS If I Were A Blackbird - A Tribute to Delia Murphy
Delia Murphy was arguably the most influential person in Irish folk music
- the first to be recorded singing in her own accent. As such she was the
mother of Irish folk music. She was married to Ireland’s first Australian
ambassador, TJ Kiernan and was also posted to the Vatican and to America.
This one hour tribute in songs and stories includes songs like If I Were A
Blackbird, Teddy O'Neill, the Spinning Wheel, and the Connemara Cradle
Song.
Delia Murphy sang the songs that were popular around the country in the 1930s
and 40s – songs that most Irish people will have heard their grandparents or
parents singing.
Come along for a trip down memory lane and join in with the songs that
generations of Irish grew up with.
Just A Song At Twilight
A nostalgic concert of popular Irish songs and stories from the 30s and 40s
Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland present an affectionate tribute to the Irish
folk songs that generations of Irish grew up with – songs that were recorded by
people like Delia Murphy, Bridie Gallagher, John McCormack, the McNulty
Family and Mary O’Hara many of whose lives Fil documented in her RTE
documentary series Songbirds.
These songs from a gentler era are guaranteed to have you singing along in
chorus - including the Old Maid in the Garrett and The Spinning Wheel,
Love’s Old Sweet Song, Let Him Go Let Him Tarry and many more old
favourites.
PROJECTS The Emigrant Women’s Tale (2015) A story in poetry and song Poet Csilla Toldy comes from Hungary on the Eastern most edge of
Europe. Singer-songwriter Fil Campbell comes from the Fermanagh-Donegal
border on the western most edge of Europe.
Together they have forged a story describing Csilla’s escape from Communist
Hungary as a teenager juxtaposed with Fil’s growing up on the Irish border
throughout the Troubles and the common themes that emerged when they
met.
These are captivating stories beautifully woven in poetry and song. An hour
not to be missed!
Further details at
http://www.filcampbell.com/the_emigrant_womans_tale/
Jaimidi In 2001, Fil and Tom along with 3 other musicians from the Rostrevor area
created a show in song and poetry for the Summer Solstice.
Including traditional and original pieces, the 5 piece vocal band only ever gave
3 performances. A live CD of the songs was recorded by Colum Sands.
STAGE PLAN Fil Campbell & Tom McFarland Stage Plan
Tom (seated)
1 x Vocal Mike
1 XLR cable with
phantom power (for
bodhran mic)
1 percussion mic
Fil (seated)
1 x Vocal Mic
Guitar – DI
Monitor
AUDIENCE
PUBLIC LIABILITY
Insurance Certificate – Musicians Union, UK – automatically updated every
February