Whapweasel

Whapweasel are no longer the best-kept secret on the English ceilidh-dance circuit. The word is out! After seven years of dignified obscurity, the Whaps were propelled into the limelight in 2003 when their third CD, 'Relentless', shifted wagonloads on the back of heavy national radio coverage, unanimously enthusiastic reviews nationwide and indeed worldwide, and a series of triumphant gigs at the Sidmouth International Folk Festival. 'Relentless' was featured on the prestigious fRoots Top Ten Playlist, and the band themselves were interviewed by fRoots editor Ian Anderson for the magazine's August issue. Further critical acclaim came at the end of the year with their inclusion in Mojo's list of Best Folk CDs of 2003, and their nomination for the Horizon Award (Best New Act) in the annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.

"Sheer quality playing, imagination and variety...What sets them ahead of most other bands in the field is that all their tunes are original...The beauty of these tunes is that they're absolutely in the idiom...Though they must be one hell of a band for ceilidhs, their imagination sustains repeated listening with ease. The best new dance band I've heard in at least a decade."  Ian Anderson, fRoots

"An eight-piece band who can spot a great tune at a million paces and they know exactly what to do with it too...A passionate march of sax, cittern and melodeon."  Colin Irwin, Mojo