KINFOLK are Brian McDaid and Gerry Power.

They are both talented song-writers, but Kinfolk is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Their music can be described as a fusion of folk, Celtic, country and contemporary acoustic songs, with a strong and distinctive vocal sound that is rare in its quality.

This debut album of original songs and instrumentals demonstrates their diversity and ability in songwriting and performing.

Brian and Gerry met in the south of England in 2000. Gerry was busy on the London songwriters circuit, playing support spots to established artistes such as Nils Lofgren, Colin Blunstone, Bert Jansch and Geno Washington. Brian was poised to go the the US, having been offered a recording deal. Since that meeting they have worked together with a number of other musicians , mainly playing live venues throughout England. Since late 2004 they have been drawing on their shared musical heritage to create KINFOLK and their debut album THIS LAND.

Their backgrounds are strikingly similar. Brian was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His parents are from Donegal and Fermanagh in Ireland. Although born 500 miles away in London, Gerry is also of Irish descent, with parents from Cork. Their musical heritage is also similar, both influenced by traditional and contemporary folk music from Ireland, Scotland and England. For Brian, the influence was inevitable - his uncle was the late Irish folk legend Corny McDaid. Without doubt, constant exposure to these influences played an important part in their musical development.

Their first musical playing experiences also followed a familiar pattern. Acoustic guitar folk clubs were a common feature. As they developed into their late teens other, more contemporary, influences became evident. James Taylor, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young were of particular significance, and their influence can be heard in the close vocal harmony style of KINFOLK.

Typical of many young people, their musical experience and experimentation developed over the years. These included rock, pop, jazz, funk and country. However, throughout their musical careers they have always maintained a strong acoustic and folk link.

Brian and Gerry have been playing live music of all types throughout the UK and abroad, and are now very experienced live performers. Gerry is also currently a member of the folk band HERON.

Both Gerry and Brian have been writing songs from their earliest musical careers. Gerry was described in TIME OUT as "an excellent singer-songwriter", and Brian critically acclaimed as "a damned good songwriter". Both were described by another music journalist as having "wonderful voices" and, unusually for singer-songwriters, of having "charisma" on stage.

This meeting of musical experience has now produced a song writing duo that has flourished and developed together. They have produced songs of quality and diversity, appealing across a wide range of folk music tastes. (by KinFolk)

Brian McDaid

Gerry Power