CrossCurrent is an instrumental and vocal group based in the North East of England. Members of the band originate from the Scottish Borders, England and Ireland. They formed their musical friendship at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne where they are currently in their final year studying for a degree in folk and traditional music. CrossCurrent have performed at various major festivals and venues throughout the U.K. and Europe and are all accomplished teachers of traditional music. Whilst rooted in their own individual styles, it is the innovative crossing of their traditions that makes CrossCurrent such a musically diverse band. CrossCurrent are: Damien O’Kane tenor banjo, guitar, voice - Damien from Coleraine, Co. Derry in N. Ireland stems from a very musical family. He is All-Ireland tenor banjo finalist on three occasions and is keen to increase the popularity of the tenor banjo within traditional music. Rachael McShane voice, ‘cello, fiddle, irish step dance - Rachael from Penistone in South Yorkshire has been performing from an early age, and won the Performing Arts Development Service ‘Young Musician of the Year’ in 2001 on ‘cello. She is a member of Bellowhead, the John Spiers and Jon Boden big band David Wood guitar, bouzouki, voice - David from Grindleford in Derbyshire is regarded as one of the leading guitarists on the folk scene today due to his innovative, rhythmical accompaniment style. Shona Mooney fiddle, viola - Shona comes from a very musical family where she grew up playing fiddle and viola in the Scottish Borders town of Lauder. She is actively trying to re-popularize the Border fiddle style and is a key member of the Border Young Fiddles who released their debut album in July 2004. Lillias Kinsman-Blake flute, fiddle - Lillias also grew up in the Scottish Borders where she began playing flute and fiddle with other musical families as part of the Small Hall Band. She has developed her own distinctive style of playing traditional music on the silver flute and has performed with seasoned musicians such as Cathal McConnell.
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