Dodging Pheasants are a Bath and Bristol based band named for the often frantic movement found on a ceilidh dance floor. Watching dancers duck, dive and dart around during a ceilidh has some similarities to watching a pheasant running haphazardly across a busy A-road, particularly when a dance doesn't quite go as instructed!
The band is fairly new having formed in 2024. In spite of this, and the (mostly!) young looks of our line-up, we have over three decades of experience playing for various styles of folk dancing. In addition to this, we are all experienced dancers, which helps us to select the best tunes to accompany each dance.
We play an eclectic mixture of traditional, modern and even self-penned folk music and songs, backed up by rich harmonies and driving rhythm. We predominantly play for Ceilidh dances, but also the occasional Contra (a form of American dance) and other dancing styles, making use of our combined members’ respective experiences.
We don’t have a fixed ‘caller’ (the person who teaches and guides the dancers), but unlike many other bands we do play as a ‘fixed’ line-up of musicians. This guarantees tight, rehearsed music for your event whilst also allowing us to pick the best caller for your requirements. If you happen to know a caller who you would like to have at your event, we’re happy to work with them, just let us know when getting in touch!
Dodging Pheasants work as a three piece band (Fiddle, Piano, Drums or Bodhran), plus caller. We can adapt depending on the available space playing with a traditional Irish drum (Bodhran) in smaller venues or for larger venues a full drum kit. Both setups guarantee a fantastic night of dancing.
Read on to find out more about each of us…
Violin/fiddle
Maddy started playing violin/fiddle when she was 6, joined her first ceilidh band, The Downfielders, at age 11, and has been leading ceilidh bands since the age of 15.
Her influences in folk music range far and wide having played with musicians all across the UK, and spent several years playing on the Australian folk festival circuit. She is now the lead team musician for Bath/Bristol based Northgate Rapper traditional English sword-dancing team, who she frequently plays off their poor tappity feet, and can often be found at jamming sessions in both Bristol and Bath.
Maddy’s driving fiddle playing sounds like a band in itself. She likes to keep the others on their toes with fantastic tunes containing syncopated rhythms and glorious key changes!
Favourite Tune (this week…): Woofin’ The Cat
Fun Facts: Diamond doctor; very excessive tea drinker; will try to befriend nearly every cat in sight.
Terrible Joke of Choice: What did the drummer name her twin daughters? Anna One, Anna Two.
Piano
Will has been playing piano for Ceilidh for over 18 years, having grown up attending ceilidhs in his home county of Northumberland from the age of 4.
Currently a member of Brown Boots Boogie Band (another ceilidh band!), Club Debris and dance music duo WillPower, Will brings a lot of experience and uniquely danceable style and harmony to Dodging Pheasants, influenced by years of playing English, Scottish, Irish, French, Scandinavian, American and French Canadian folk, as well as his years in rock covers bands (synthesizers no longer in use!).
Will is also our resident sound techie, having learned the craft at his father’s knee from the tender age of 7, and will work with you to ensure your sound requirements are met for your event.
Favourite Tune: The Reconciliation
Fun Facts: Numbers geek who is too fond of Excel; impressive pint drinker; likes coiling PA cables ‘just so’.
Terrible Joke of Choice: Did you hear about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac? They stayed awake all night wondering if there was a dog.
Drums, bodhran, vocals
Richard is the band's engine room. Folk dance and music has always been a big part of his life. He starting out competing in Irish figure dancing as a young lad before picking up his first set of drumsticks at age 11.
His drumming experience started out in rock and blues, which gave him a grounding in sensitive playing, unfamiliar to many of his fellow percussionists! He has also played the Bodhran (traditional Irish drum) for ceilidhs since 2017.
Richard also provides vocals on a number of tracks - folk dancing to singing is a rare treat and not to be missed. He also plays with Bristol based duo 'the Lilting Banshees', and can otherwise often be found running tune ‘sessions’ in and around Bristol - look him up for social tunes!
Favourite Tune: Anything not in 7/8
Fun Facts: Doesn’t annoy his neighbours too much; first percussionist in history (maybe) to graduate to session leader; sings in alarmingly high keys.
Terrible Joke of Choice: Why did the one eyed bird cross the road? To get to the Birdseye shop.
What we do
We provide music for dancing, and will source a ‘caller’ (see ‘what is a ceilidh’) for your event, unless you would prefer to use someone of your own choosing. This is subject to agreeing terms of business with you including arrangements, fees, cancellation policy, etcetera, and will include us getting to your event at a time mutually agreed, setting up our own sound equipment (unless agreed otherwise), performing the agreed services, and vacating the premises at a mutually agreed time.
What we don’t do
Disco, stage lighting, ‘covers’ music, loan out sound equipment, or play for free.
Within the remit of ceilidh dance bands though, most other things are open to negotiation, and we’re happy to work with you on making your event special!
Boring but important bits:
Dodging Pheasants are insured (by way of a group policy covering one member of the group, and any musical venture/group they are performing with) for public liability. A certificate of insurance is available on request should your venue require this.
All of our electronic equipment (speakers, amplifiers, etc.) is tested and certified annually for electrical safety. The certificate and equipment register is available on request should your venue require this.
If your venue has a ‘sound limiter’ please advise us in advance.
Website artwork by Madeline Tovey, and photography by Richard Chapman, 2024.