Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin

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.

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).