Flower and Iron

Malinky are one of Scotland’s finest song and instrumental bands, currently comprised of Fiona Hunter (vocals, cello), Steve Byrne (vocals, bouzouki, cittern, guitar), Mark Dunlop (vocals, whistles, bodhran), Mike Vass (fiddle) and Dave Wood (guitar, bouzouki).

This is Malinky’s fourth album for Greentrax, and it clearly illustrates their vocal strength and remarkable depth of strength instrumentally.

Ranked among today’s foremost young exponents of Scottish song, Malinky combine an array of vocal talent with a highly distinctive instrumental palette, in fresh yet timeless arrangements of both traditional and contemporary material. Their fast-track progress on the international Celtic scene since forming in 1998 has been underpinned by outstanding musical prowess, fruitful artistic evolution and maturity well beyond their years.

Following the success of their third album, Malinky have had a busy international touring schedule in 2008 with dates in the USA, Canada and Germany, as well as UK gigs which included another headline date at Celtic Connections. Their amazing progress shows no sign of slowing.

Malinky first emerged at Glasgow’s prestigious Celtic Connections festival in 1999, as winners of the Danny Kyle Open Stage award. At a time when most new Scottish bands were focusing on instrumental sounds, their song-centred repertoire immediately marked them out from the crowd.

Line-up changes have not altered the band’s instrumental sound, and now with three singers – Fiona, Steve and Mark – the vocal sound is strengthened. (Greentrax)