
Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin
May/June Tour 2019
Frank and I are delighted to be going on another tour at the end of May and beginning of June and are pleased to announce the first dates at some of our favourite venues. There are still some gaps to be filled, so if you know of a venue that would be interested in having us play, or if you are interested in putting on a house concert, please do get in touch. We very much look forward to seeing you as we get out and about!
…two musical minds entwined creatively, each gifting the other with their presence and personality, producing music that’s at once emotional, beautiful and graceful – savour. The Living Tradition
- Thurs 23rd May: Kirkcaldy Acoustic Music Club, Fife
- Fri 24th May: St George’s Church, Wall, Northumberland
- Mon 27th May: Rosslyn Court, Margate
- Thurs 30th May: The Swallow Theatre, Dumfries & Galloway
- Fri 31st May: Private House Concert, Edinburgh
- Sat 1st June: The Church of St Nicholas, Guisborough
Details of all the concerts with ticket links can be found on the Event Listings page for Stewart & Frank.
Sacred Spaces, Secular Sounds ~ July 2018
This summer, Stewart and Frank had a great time heading around the UK trying out some of the best acoustic sounds of our wonderful Sacred Spaces in which to play their music. Some of these spaces are still used for their original purpose, but others have been converted. However, the acoustics remain as glorious as they ever were, and Stewart & Frank were delighted to fill them with their music.Thank you to all who came and supported the live concerts, and to those wonderful hosts who helped to advertise and fill the venues.
Folkest ~ June 2018
We were delighted to be asked to play at Folkest in the beautiful region of Northern Italy this summer. You can read a little more about our trip here.
The Gift
We are very excited to announce that our new album, The Gift, was released on 3rd April 2018. After many months of recording and mixing we were delighted to get this material out there. We took the new CD to the Star Folk Club in Glasgow on its release date and then held the official album launch on Wednesday 4th April in Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. It was a great evening with a lovely atmosphere and lots of supportive audience! We then had a fabulous time on our 8-day tour of the Netherlands and Germany, with fantastic venues, lovely people and terrific hospitality. You can see some of Frank’s photos on the Facebook page.
The album is available to order from the shop, in both CD and album Download form.
Many thanks to Richard Werner (B & B Studios Edinburgh) for recording, engineering and mixing; Jon Astley (Close to the Edge) for mastering; and to the lovely Christine Jeans for the fantastic artwork and album layout.
Autumn 2017
Stewart and Frank have had a very successful summer and early autumn this year, spending lots of time recording the tracks for their new album at the B & B Studios in Edinburgh with the extremely talented sound engineer, Richard Werner. It has been very exciting and plans are taking place for an album launch next year (you can’t rush these things!) It was great to play out some of these new tracks at a recent House Concert in Gateshead – thanks to all who came along to support us.
Six videos have been released that were recorded live in concert at Gallery 45 in May. They are all available to view on YouTube – check out the Stewart Hardy Music Channel and playlist here. Below is a favourite, “Bonnie Bell Fog” which comprises the lovely air Bonnie Dundee from the manuscript of Thomas Bewick; a cracking Northumbrian jig, The Bellingham Boat; and another jig, Fogabella, sometimes dubiously attributed to James Hill. In celebration, here is the sheet music to the set, so you can learn the tunes! Download the pdf.
Filmed live at Gallery 45, Felton, Northumberland by Andy Craig Photography on 20th May 2017.
www.limelightimages.co.uk
Stewart and Frank met at a festival of Scottish music in Northern Bavaria. From the start, it was clear that they held common musical values and shared many musical influences. Initially contributing to each others projects, the fun they had working together led them to establish a formal collaboration.
“Stewart and Frank gave a stunning display of musical talent that seemed to go from composing, interesting depth of knowledge and wonderful ability on their instruments. Being close as we were to see the connection between the two was fascinating, especially Frank whose amazing skill of accompaniment was a real treat to watch” Peter
Together they compose, produce and perform music of tremendous variety. As a duo they perform traditional and contemporary tunes stripped back to the bare essentials of fiddle, guitar and Scottish smallpipes. With their long-term collaboration, they have achieved a deep and instinctive understanding of each other’s musical interpretations.
“Stewart is an amazing fiddle player and combined with accompaniment on guitar by Frank the music was sublime!” Caroline
The unique and versatile approach Stewart and Frank bring to their music, combined with their ability to draw on a wide variety of styles, produces an uplifting and joyous performance.
“a lovely evening with fantastic entertainment. Made me want to take up the fiddle….. ” Jenny
If you like the these tunes (“Storm” composed by Frank, and “No Party Tonight” composed by Stewart) we have made the dots available for download. Please help yourself – we hope you enjoy them!
Storm is also available on the album “Compass“, or you can buy just the track here.
Tour Dates – May 2017
Stewart and Frank are delighted to announce that they will be heading up and down the UK in May playing at some lovely venues, interspersed with a few gorgeously intimate house concerts.
Fri 12th May: Swallow Theatre, Dumfries and Galloway, 7.30 pm
Sat 13th May: The Hearth, Horsley, Northumberland, 7.30 pm
Sun 14th May: Private House Concert, York
Mon 15th May: Private House Concert, West Dulwich, South London
Tues 16th May: CB2 Bistro, Cambridge, 8 pm.
Wed 17th May: Private House Concert, Sussex
Fri 19th May: Both Sides The Tweed, Rosslyn Chapel Midlothian (with Mick West), 7.30 pm
Sat 20th May: Gallery 45, Felton, Northumberland, 7.30 pm
Recordings
Sample from Root2, track 11:
Bonnie Bell Fog
(Bonnie Dundee; The Bellingham Boat; Fogabella)
Fiddle virtuoso Stewart Hardy and Scottish guitarist/piper Frank McLaughlin posses a rare musical kinship, holding listeners spellbound with their interplay as they explore music rooted in the traditions of Scotland, the Borders and Northumberland while incorporating sensibilities from the worlds of classical, blues, klezmer and jazz. In 2010, Stewart and Frank released two CDs of their work together, Root 2 and Compass, showcasing a broad range of their music. Stewart and Frank also work together as a writing and production team. Highlights include a commission to co-write and perform music for three silent films as part of the Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema (2013); production of the acclaimed album, “A Scots Chorus” (Claytara, 2013) with Mick West and Choral ensemble “Muldoon’s Picnic” and recording and filming for the ITV drama series Distant Shores (Yorkshire television).
Recordings
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Upcoming Events
Jan20Wed7:00 pm NEFS 2021 Block 1 – Online @ Online - Videos & ZoomNEFS 2021 Block 1 – Online @ Online - Videos & ZoomJan 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pmNorth East Fiddle School returns with a new block of fully online materials. Technique and tunes are taught through video tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you...Jan27Wed7:00 pm NEFS 2021 Block 1 – Online @ Online - Videos & ZoomNEFS 2021 Block 1 – Online @ Online - Videos & ZoomJan 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pmNorth East Fiddle School returns with a new block of fully online materials. Technique and tunes are taught through video tutorials which are added to weekly and can be accessed indefinitely after that so you...Jan29Fri7:00 pm January 2021 Workshops: Play-alo... @ Online - on ZoomJanuary 2021 Workshops: Play-alo... @ Online - on ZoomJan 29 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pmJanuary 2021 Workshops Play-along Session in Harmony for Mixed Instruments This will be a Zoom call open to intermediate players (and above) of any instrument. Notation will be provided in advance for all the tunes,...Jan30Sat10:00 am January 2021 Workshops: Fiddle W... @ Online - on ZoomJanuary 2021 Workshops: Fiddle W... @ Online - on ZoomJan 30 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pmJanuary 2021 Workshops Fiddle Workshop 1 This workshop will provide a warm-up, technical session and will teach a tune which illustrates the use of the technique explored. Suitable for players from competent beginners to upper... Facebook Feed
1 week ago
Gearing up for a new block at North East Fiddle School!
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A new year, a new block of online fiddle tuition!
We begin again at NEFS on Weds 13th Jan and bookings are now open. There will be five weeks of material - video tutorials to teach techniques and tunes, and live Zoom workshops for Fiddle Practice techniques and learning core repertoire tunes. Recordings of the workshops will be available afterwards too, so you can access all of the materials at any time you choose!
Full details are on the website linked in the event information below. (Sadly the course isn't free as the event shows 🙁 I can't get the FB event to show the price unless it's a Paid FB event! There are also 5 weeks of video tutorials and Zoom workshops, but I couldn't find the event scheduling feature - is it just me today?!?!?!)
We hope you can join our friendly community of fiddle players!
www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/classes/ ... See MoreSee Less4 weeks ago
Another year of The Holly and Ivy road show is complete! Thanks to the schools who hosted our smaller shows this year. Wassail! ... See MoreSee Less
2 months ago
Support local folk musicians this Christmas! So many brilliant musicians to choose from - buy direct for CDs, books, workshops and lessons!
Here's one for starters.... 😆
www.stewarthardy.co.uk/shop/
Plus Chloe & Sophy at The Violin Company for all your violin accessories and set up needs, and for the little ones in you life, the lovely Laura has a new shop for Little & Loud - jingle bells all the way!
#FolkForChristmasShop through #FolkForChristmas this Black Friday. Check out our previous video recommendations, and those from other artists. Give a meaningful present to a young person this Christmas.
Our offerings are here: www.shackletontrio.co.uk/store But why not get 'em something by one of these fine fiddlers from our Isles:
The English Fiddle Ensemble
Jim Boyle & Dave Gray
Ross Couper
Sam Sweeney
Kinnaris Quintet
Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll
Thomas Kitchen
Kate in the Kettle
Bryony Griffith and Will Hampson
Alden, Patterson and Dashwood
John Dipper
Nancy Kerr and James Fagan
Intarsia
Jon Boden
Eliza Carthy
Blazin' Fiddles
Bruce MacGregor
Stewart Hardy Music
String Sisters
Tom McConville
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham
#folk #fiddle #blackfriday #christmas #shopping #presents #music #newmusic #introducenewmusic #folkmusic ... See MoreSee LessTags
30 Years Collection Bill Elliot Bottle Bank Band CD Launch Community Strings Fiddle Day Frank McLaughlin George Welch Graham Dixon Halsway Manor HISS Holly & Ivy James Hill Jimmy's Fiddle JSArts Maddison's Thread Mick West Trio Minstrelsy Morpeth Gathering North East Fiddle School Northumbrian Shop Solo TFA workshop