Nish As Rish

Nish As Rish are a five-piece collective that bring joy and verve to performing, writing and arranging folk music. Captivated by traditional music and influenced by the five musicians’ patchwork backgrounds, Nish’s sound-world never stands still.

Rooted in the Celtic folk tradition, they draw Manx, Scottish and Irish threads together, but move confidently beyond them to reference rock, Klezmer, mediaeval and classical.

Their sound is surprising. Pandering to no-one, side-stepping predictable, foot-stomping repetitions of the same tune or the saccharine sentimentality of some contemporary Celtic vocals, these are accomplished, interdisciplinary musicians up to something new.

Nish have demanded international interest, performing at major festivals and touring in England, Norway, Brittany, the Isle of Man, and Italy; have performed live for radio broadcast; and were the 2011 champions of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient’s ‘Trophée Loïc Raison’ for best new band.

Members: Anna Goldbeck-Wood (fiddle, voice); Vanessa Hutchinson (double bass); Ruth Keggin (voice, flute); Karl Kramer (mandolin, guitar, bodhran); David Pearce (guitar)