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GREENROSE FAIRE

Following the Wind

_{Philippe Cousin}

Let's turn to Northern Europe, and more particularly Finland, where a Celtic folk-rock band called Greenrose Faire has been in existence for some fifteen years.

Nothing predestined the two founders of the band to this type of music. Tomi Hyttinen and Niilo Sirola both played in a hard rock band. However, as they were passionate about fantasy and medieval literature, they decided one day to turn to folk and acoustic music. After recruiting four accomplices, all of whom were also involved in Celtic music, they launched the band under the name Greenrose Faire.

This band plays a relaxed and catchy folk rock with medieval and Celtic influences. The Finnish sextet skilfully mixes violin and bouzouki with drums, bass and keyboards. Their music sounds unmistakably lively and modern, while not neglecting the nostalgia of ancient times, and adding the sometimes disturbing accents of Finnish melancholy. Both epic and grandiose, their new album Following the Wind, their fifth, touches the heart of the listeners thanks to a dynamic that never fails.

Eleven tracks, led by the magnificent voice of singer Salla Rimmi, cross without restraint the territories of a Nordic folk that integrates melancholic ballads inspired by the sea shanties, flirting with Celtic folk and borrowing without complex from bluegrass or rock. All the melodies and lyrics are original, composed by the band members. A new music to discover.

Friendly Folk Records FFR21036 - www.greenrosefaire.com