The Linzi Murphy Band was formed in September 2012. Linzi, having worked with many different musicians decided to start a new project. Working with both Suzanne and Lorne on several occasions and playing in sessions with Eamonn and Grainne, made the choices easy for Linzi. With a wide range of influences and a variety of styles the band come together well to create a sound which incorporates so much from both Scottish and Irish roots!
LINZI- Second time semi-finalist in the BBC radio Scotland young traditional musician of the year award, Linzi Murphy was raised in the village of Neilston, where she still lives. While attending St Thomas'Primary school Linzi was a member of the school choir, and sang at many functions including her first competition and stage performance of a Burns song, at age 8. Linzi has always had an extremely strong interest in all aspects of Scottish tradition, and has sung traditional songs from as far back as she can remember. At age 9, Linzi began guitar lessons, and studied mainly classical guitar for several years before leaving high school and going on to study at college. Being a member of the East Renfrewshire senior guitar orchestra for a number of years, led to many opportunities for Linzi, including performances in theatres and meeting well established guitarists. After college Linzi worked in Administration before having her son Arran in early 2005. Linzi has been fortunate in being able to work with some of her favorite musicians on the folk scene today whilst making her EP this year, and also performing with bands such as The Paul McKenna Band.Through all of this, the singing and guitar playing that we hear today was developed. Linzi enjoys few things more than festivals and sessions of which she attends many on a regular basis. Over the years Linzi has had many influences from a variety of people such as, Dick Gaughan and Karine Polwart. Attending many concerts and folk clubs in and around Glasgow, has influenced her repertoire and style, as have all the festivals she has been to. Linzi has developed a great respect and love for the tradition that we have here in Scotland.
GRAINNE- Fiddler, Grainne hails from Co. Cavan, Ireland. Taught from a young age by her father, from whom she is heavily influenced, her fiddling style developed from playing with family and in local folk sessions. In her late teens she began to branch out, playing regularly at traditional music festivals throughout Ireland from which she rapidly began building a vast repertoire of tunes. Her playing style incorporates mainly music from Counties Cavan, Leitrim and Clare and continues to develop, more recently from Scottish influences, since basing herself in Glasgow, Scotland. As well as being an accomplished performer, Grainne is a keen composer of music. She also enjoys teaching fiddle to students of all ages and abilities, delivering her own unique way of teaching, which ensures the student is always enthusiastic to learn and practice. Alongside playing with "The Linzi Murphy Band", Grainne is currently embarking on another musical project with fellow musician and friend Tina Jordan Rees (piano). Grainne's enthusiasm for learning from fellow folk musicians, combined with her skill for composing new tunes, makes her fiddle playing adaptable to different types of music and she is sure to have an exciting future ahead of her.
EAMONN- Eamonn Nugent began playing Bodhran at the age of 13 after a trip to All-Ireland fleadh in Letterkenny. Heavily influenced at an early age through St.Patrick’s branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in Coatbridge, Scotland. This grounding has seen Eamonn compete at various levels and receive numerous acknowledgements for his musicianship. Recognised in every age group and level from Scottish to the All Ireland fleadh Eamonn has been equipped with the skills to continue and develop as an exciting exponent of Bodhran playing. A subtle yet driving style allows his playing to enhance the music and build a dynamic accompaniment. Eamonn has been fortunate enough to work with artists such as Eamonn Coyne and Kris Drever, Mano and has also did a 3 month tour of Ireland with dance group The Turning Tide.
LORNE- Three times BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the year finalist, Lorne MacDougall is one of Scotland's leading young pipers. He was born and brought up in Carradale, in the piping stronghold of Kintyre. On leaving school, Lorne studied for the BA Scottish Music - Piping at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, graduating with honors in 2005, one of the first graduates on the RSAMD's piping course. He has played in Grade 1 pipe bands from an early age including leading bands like Scottish Power. A versatile musician who plays Highland bagpipes, smallpipes, Border pipes and whistles, Lorne is in constant demand to perform for various concerts and recordings throughout the world. He was the co-producer of all the Red Hot Chilli Pipers albums including “Bagrock to the Masses” which achieved a UK Gold disc with over 100,000 sales and the CDs have sold over 250,000 combined. He recorded the pipe parts for a recent BBC Children in Need single and arranged and performed highland and border pipes for the 2012 Disney Pixar movie "Brave" under the leadership of Patrick Doyle, also performing on the red carpet at the European Premiere for the stars. He also composed and recorded for a recent international VisitScotland advert. He provided the pipes for Manran and Michelle McManus' STV Appeal single "Take You There" released in August. He will also appear on BBC One's upcoming primetime crime drama Shetland. He has toured Scotland performing at many significant festivals including Lorient, Aviles, Celtic Connections, Mull of Kintyre, Jura, and Orkney Folk Festival, Shetland Folk Festival and the Cambridge Folk Festival.He released his solo album, “Hello World” in 2010 and has formed a gigging band on the basis of it consisting of some of the most respected musicians in Scotland. As a composer his tunes have featured on albums from such bands as Skerryvore, Deoch ‘n’ Dorus, Stuart Cassells, Inveraray and District Pipe Band, the House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and he composed and performed the theme music for Sky Sport's SPL football coverage from the 2009 season to date. He produces and presents an online piping podcast PlanetPipe and also has presented BBC Radio Scotland's Celtic Zone many times. He also performs with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and was a member of Bodega in 2011 until they split although now continuing to perform with the surviving members under the new name – “Howlaa”.
SUZANNE- Suzanne Houston is a pianist with her style deeply rooted in Scotland’s traditional music, and a singer of Scots and Gaelic song. She studied for 3 years at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, before receiving a 1st class honours degree in Scottish Music from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Suzanne’s solo album, "Stay Tuned", features a variety of original works, as well as arrangements of traditional melodies. Her compositions continue to be feature at live events such as 2012’s Distil Showcase. Suzanne has performed across Scotland and further afield from a young age at events such as the Ceòl Nam Fèis tour 2007 and Runrig’s ‘Beat The Drum’ festival 2007. At Celtic Connections 2008 Suzanne won a prestigious Danny Kyle award alongside fiddler Neil Ewart. She plays regularly alongside fiddler Rua Macmillan at events such as Live Music Now engagements.
