Twmpathology - North Wales Ceilidh and Barn Dance Band

About us....

Twmpathology at Hwyl Festival, Cecil Sharp House

Twmpathology met through dancing and playing for the local Morris dance team, Cadi Ha from Bangor University, North Wales. Being both dancers and musicians, we know exactly what it takes to get people up and dancing.

An evening of ceilidh/twmpath dancing is ideal for community events as it gets everybody, of all ages, including children, joining in, mixing together and having fun.

We have performed our "Wild Welsh Twmpath" in London at Cecil Sharp House as part of the Hwyl Festival, promoting Welsh music and arts. We have also appeared at the Green Man Festival in Brecon Beacons.

Alice - Fiddles, Banjo, Bodhran, vocals,

Alice has played for dancing since first taking up the fiddle – as a member of different ceilidh bands and as a musician for clog dancing, morris and eastern European circle dance. Her musical influences are many and varied including; blues, bluegrass, Swedish fiddle music and Welsh ffidl.

Alice was part of the burgeoning folk fiddle scene in Newcastle sparked by founder members of the Old Rope String Band; Joe Scurfield and Pete Challoner before moving to North Wales where she is now part of an equally burgeoning folk and fiddle scene. More recently she has started singing in the band with Jan.

Jan - Accordions, Banjo, vocals,

Jan has been singing, dancing and playing most of her life. She started singing in the folk clubs around Huddersfield. She has morris danced with various teams in the Hertfordshire area including Wicket Brood and currently dances and plays with Cadi Ha Morris in Bangor. Jan is also a member of the No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra and is half of the harmony duo Elles Belles.

Jan has composed some of the band's tunes. Her tune Weasel's Revenge is a very popular with Morris dancers throughout the UK and abroad and is used for the dance Worcestershire Monkey (written by Martin).

Danny - Fiddle, Bass, vocals

Danny is a gifted young fiddle player who has been creating some lovely arrangements for us. At a recent fiddle workshop, Bruce Molsky (BBC Transatlantic Sessions) described Danny's playing and arranging as "beautiful and soulful". Danny is also a great asset to the band as he reduces the average age considerably!

Fantastic up and coming fiddle hero, singer and bass guitarist.

Bruce - Guitar, Bass, vocals

Bruce originally hails from the Wirral and has played in various bands in North Wales and Cheshire areas.

He is a very accomplished singer/songwriter and has added to the band's vocal repertoire.

Bruce is the rhythmic power-house behind Twmpathology's tunes.

Martin - Dance Caller

Not only is Martin one of the most sought after dance callers in North Wales but he has also been a champion Town Crier. He can get everyone up and dancing with his own special brand of good humour.

Martin is also a talented melodeon player and percussionist.