Wild Biscuit Pipers and Drummers MOVE with the times – into Celtic Connections

Scottish Highland Bagpipes and Breakdance may not seem the most likely of combinations even in the mash-up world of 2012. Neither might you expect to see a multi-platinum selling and twice Brit award winning drummer on stage with west coast pipers and drummers,.

However, Argyll-based production company, Wild Biscuit, has spent the last eighteen months bringing together exactly that.

Now,MOVE, a dynamic and energetic fusion of funk-tinged Pipe music, samples, beats, urban break dance and a five star live band can be seen at the 02 ABC in Glasgow, on Sunday 22nd January, as part of Celtic Connections Festival 2012.

Get it in the diary now – hand on heart, this really is an event not to miss. It is utterly unique, hugely enjoyable, mould breakiing – and it’s made in Argyll:  7.30pmin the 02 ABC Sauchiehall Street, in a double bill with Shooglenifty and Plan B.

The cast features multi instrumentalist, Fraser Fifield, guitar virtuoso John Goldie, Travis drummer Neil Primrose and a team of pipers and drummers and young vocalist from Argyll. Edinburgh based choreographer Tony Mills and Breakdance crew, Random Aspekts complete the east-west collaboration. Musical direction  – no straightforward business here but a cracking challenge, comes courtesy of bass player and arranger, John Saich, a former member of Scots Gaelic band Capercaillie and now Wild Biscuit Director.

The Wild Biscuit Pipers and Drummers, all hailing from Argyll, have worked with John over the past several months in a series of workshops and rehearsals to create new compositions and routines for MOVE.

The fifty minute show, supported by Creative Scotland through a Quality Arts investment programme, now contains many Argyll originals bringing a special sense of place to this unique and exiting production. Some captivating signature dance sections have also been created involving many members of the cast, again showcasing the outstanding talent abundant within the team and their exceptional capability of embracing the techniques and professional performance direction.

The strength of collaboration between artists has been exceptional, as has the hard work and determination of the Argyll based cast members in such demanding roles.  Professional commitmemnt, precision and  and discipline are Wild Biscuit’s hallmark, with hugely developmental results for everyone.

Pipers and drummers taking to the stage on 22nd January 2012 are from Ardrishaig, Crinan, Lochgilphead, Furnace, Slockavullin and Helensburgh, with the new compositions written by Thomas McCulloch, David Provan, Chris Coates and Sally Hall. Each has its own individual style, originality and personal significance and takes the sum of original compositions from the area in the set list to a staggering nine.

John Saich says: ‘It’s a pleasure to be able to provide an outlet for these compositions and fitting additions to the set list and to see the imaginative choreography of Tony Mills and the Random Aspekts Crew taking shape around them.’

Simon Thoumire of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards says: ‘MOVE embodies modern Scotland – vibrant, inclusive and not scared to take chances’.

The full Argyll cast line up is:  Bill Halliday, David Provan, George Hall, Bethan Phillips, Orla Ward, Chris Coates, Sally Hall, Ashley Kilgour, James Dunkley, Maddy Ward, Thomas McCulloch, Colin Brown and Kim Carnie.

• Find out more about MOVE here. Or phone:  +44 (0)1546 810394.
• Tickets are available on line here at Celtic Connections.