Neil McMahon
A fiery fiddler from the depths of Cornwall. Neil brings Cornish music to life with an unsurpassable flair and mastery. A foot in the past but boldly treading new ground with his innovative style.
Neil started out playing guitar as a teenager in rock and metal bands. It wasn’t until a few years later during a trip to Ireland that he experienced traditional music and was instantly hooked!
On his return to Cornwall Neil started searching for the Cornish equivalent and found it almost by accident at a session in the old ale house, Truro. Frances Bennett who was already well immersed in the Cornish music scene, immediately press ganged him into joining community fiddle group Bagas Crowd. It was at this point he bought a fiddle and “in a fit of over confidence” headed to Newcastle to study on their degree course in Folk & Traditional Music.
Over the past few years Neil has worked with several line-ups including the bands for Cornish dance groups Hevva and Kekezza. However, he is probably best known for his studio collaboration with music producer Brendan McGreal. Together they formed the Cornish Neo Trad duo that is Fools Rock to experiment with and innovate within the growing Nos Lowen style of Cornish traditional Music.
Following the release of their first full album ‘Hitching Ships’, Neil brought together musicians from all over the Cornwall to form a series of line-ups for their album launch. The sold-out event was such a great success that all three groups are now in high demand!
Neil is available for bookings as a solo musician or in the following line ups…
Tuition
Neil provides tuition either in the form of one to one or small group lessons as well as workshops for larger groups. His teaching style is typically relaxed and informal as he firmly believes that learning a musical instrument should be an enjoyable experience. He works hard to empower, uplift and encourage his students to keep pushing themselves and tailors each lesson to best suit the needs of each particular student.
Bands
Cove is brought forth from the two traditions of Cornish and Irish music, Cove are an instrumental trio comprising Kerensa Wright on hammered dulcimer, Neil McMahon on fiddle and Keith Mountifield on bouzouki, whistle and bodhrán.
Bagas Fellyon (Cornish for the Band of Fools) is a recently formed collective of musicians brought together by the fiddle player Neil McMahon. Initially as a project to promote the album “Hitching Ships” by Cornish studio-based duo Fools Rock. Following this sell-out gig, the band soon took on a life of its own with its boisterous groove centric approach to Cornish Nos Lowen music.
Dyski take their combined knowledge and love of the Nos Lowen dance tradition and offer a delightful fusion of traditional Cornish fiddle tunes and exciting arrangements played with passion and finesse. Whatever the occasion, their music is guaranteed to get you dancing!
