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"...an outstanding young fiddle player" – The Folk Diary
Rowan grew up in the foothills of the Burren on the west coast of Ireland surrounded by traditional music. Both his father, Charlie (of De Dannan) and his mother, Frances (who taught him the fiddle) were key figures in his musical development.
The author of two successful tunebooks, he has also written articles for several magazines and led fiddle workshops at festivals all over the country. A familiar face in ceilidh bands across the UK and a constant of the Irish session scene, he first performed at folk clubs & festivals with the Georgia Lewis Band, with whom he recorded an EP and full-length studio album. Rowan also plays in a duo with BBC Young Folk Awards finalist Rosie Hodgson, with whom he released Rise Aurora, and in their new trio, The Wilderness Yet, with guitarist & flautist Philippe Barnes. His solo album, Mountscribe, was released in 2018 to critical acclaim after winning the "Future of Young Folk Award" at Bromyard Folk Festival. In 2019, Rowan received a creative bursary from EFDSS for his SONGHIVE compilation album which he set up to raise awareness of the plight of the bees; he took over the running of Brighton Acoustic Club; and also started a research project on sean-nós singing in the Connemara Gaeltacht with an award from Help Musicians UK.
Recently, Rowan has been performing and writing with his new trio, The Wilderness Yet. Their debut album was released in 2020 to critical acclaim; called a "timeless and heady mix of traditions" by Folk Radio; and featured regularly on BBC Radio 2's Folk Show. |
Media Mentions
Reviews
"An experienced performer with an eclectic and impressive musical pedigree... somehow you can tell that Rowan Piggott is a likeable fella, just from the way he hits a fiddle with a hairy stick. That's a rare gift."
"There are many accomplished fiddle players playing today, old and young. Rarer are those who can combine their playing with singing of such clarity and quality. Rowan Piggott is assuredly the latter... Accentuated by the crispness of his fiddle playing, his vocals are a standout among the increasingly crowded group of emerging talents on the British scene."
"...a perfect illustration of Rowan’s talents... his life-and-soul energy is inclusive and infectious...his singing has a nimbly sprung quality which mirrors the deft sweep and agility of his fiddle strokes... a proud and very assured debut which will surely enhance Rowan’s existing high profile even more considerably!"
"...not only does Piggott demonstrate a deep understanding of and ‘feel’ for tradition, he also exhibits a fine ability to add his own edge to this music. The blend of songs and tunes fit perfectly, each combination revealing a consummate skill... Mountscribe is a debut long waited for; many will be pleased to hear of its arrival, and none will be disappointed..."
★★★★ "Craggy and luminous prospects, yet dense and earthy at the point of intersection... one of the best young musicians on the folk scene..."
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