The Session 2007
The Session 2007
 
   KIN

Kin are a five piece folk and traditional band from South Ayrshire, Scotland.
 

Kin are a five piece folk and traditional band from South Ayrshire, Scotland.

Having played together in different combinations and under a different name for the past two to three years, the name Kin was adopted just prior to the bands successful performance at Celtic Connections in January of this year. In the past year in particular this emerging band have developed a contemporary approach to the Scottish tradition which is attracting increasing interest from the club and festival scene. Tune set arrangements is an area of particular interest to the band in that they aim at the creative without being flash.
Kin as they are now have come together as a result of involvement in the local traditional and folk scene e.g. local music festivals, The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra (AFO), weekly sessions held in Wellington's Bar in Ayr and family associations. 
 
The band members and their back ground are as follows:


Seán Gray

  

Seán Gray: guitar, flute and voice. Seán's involvement in the folk and traditional music scene goes back to the tender age of nine when with his sister Robyn he attended his first folk club. Whilst attending this club Sean was given his first instrument as a reward for heroically saving a whistle player's pint from falling to the floor....the legend begins! Through out his early teens Seán with his Sister Robyn played at various clubs and festivals through out Scotland. Seán's final year of secondary school was spent at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School in the Western Highlands.

Robyn Gray
  

Robyn Gray: Fiddle and voice. With a similar back ground to her brother Seán in traditional music Robyn presently attends the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music. A gifted fiddler Robyn has won a number of fiddle competitions over the years and is a member of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra's (AFO) senior group Innovations. Singing is another of Robyn's studies at Plockton where her repertoire includes traditional and contemporary Scots song. Her voice has been described as "smokey" by some and "huskey" by others. This unique sound it has been suggested (by some band members) may be due to her passion for conversation!!! That aside Robyn's singing is without doubt an asset to the band.

Ewan Baird
  

Ewan Baird: Percussion and voice. Ewan with his sister Mhairi come from a family long involved in the folk scene. Ewan took up the bodhran only two years ago and in that time has developed a unique style of playing to a standard which is both impressive and the envy of many players, some of who have been tapping at the skin since before he was born. If any one can be said to be naturally suited to one instrument or another, Ewan is most definitely suited to the bodhran. On the singing side Ewan's high ethereal tones bring a rare quality to the bands repertoire. Oh and if your looking for a game of football for some light relief, Ewan's your man. Is there no end to this guy's talents?

Mhairi Baird
  

Mhairi Baird: fiddle. Like her brother Ewan, Mhairi has a long association with the folk scene through her parents Ian & Anne Baird. Mhairi has been a member of the AFO for four years or so and with them has successfully toured Scotland, England and the States. Two years ago Mhairi became a member of the Orchestra's senior group Innovations. In 2006 Innovations released their first CD to popular acclaim.

Ian Morrison
  

Iain Morrison: Flute and whistles. Of course the instruments given are what Iain plays in Kin. A gifted multi-instrumentalist Iain also plays fiddle and bodhran. A long time member of AFO and more recently Innovations Iain has been on three international tours with the Orchestra. To say that Ian has been influenced and is a fan of the Chieftains would be to liken Sherpa Tensing among the greats of mountain climbing. If you want to talk Chieftains, talk to Iain, but make sure your dinner stays warm!