In the late 1990s, three musicians stepped into the recording studio to create what would become a truly iconic folk album – English Hurdy Gurdy Music.
Nearly three decades later, The Duellists have come back together for a one-off performance of English Hurdy Gurdy Music, showcasing the very best of what the hurdy gurdy has to offer.
We caught up with Nigel Eaton, Chris Walshaw, and Steve Tyler to see what they’ve been up to, and whether a full-scale reunion of The Duellists could be on the cards in the future.
It’s incredible to have you back with us for this exclusive gig – what inspired you to revisit English Hurdy Gurdy Music after nearly 30 years?
Back in October we put the CD out on Bandcamp, and we were delighted with the response from fans. Cat (McGill, co-founder of Live to your Living Room) saw us post about it on Facebook and said it would be great to have us do a gig to celebrate the album.
Unfortunately Cliff (Stapleton, who played hurdy gurdy on the album) couldn’t be with us for the show, but Steve valiantly stepped in – it’s amazing to hear the duelling hurdy gurdies again!
English Hurdy Gurdy Music has been called “true music,” “enormously subtle and satisfying,” and “bewitching.” When you were creating the album, did you think it would stand the test of time in the way that it has?
Chris: We put it together in what seemed like a really short space of time at Nigel’s place in Crystal Palace, with Nigel engineering and mixing as we went. It was my first-ever recording, so I had no expectations.
But it did seem to capture something primal – even my sisters like it, and they’re not into folk music at all.
Nigel: Yes, I believe it has stood the test of time thanks in great part to the enthusiasm and encouragement from our friends, especially those on the continent.
Our French friends seem to be determined Anglophiles in spite of much recent provocation. Players such as Patrick Bouffard seem proud that their influences have travelled beyond borders, and it’s touching they remain fans of our work.
You’ve all been busy with exciting individual projects recently, including tours and soundtracks! We’d love for you to tell us a little about what you’ve been up to.
Nigel: I’ve been writing tunes these last few years and a little soundtrack work too, most notably on House of Guinness and the new Peaky Blinders movie. Tunes pop into my head mostly fully formed, so I’ve had to learn a lot more about recording and production to help present them in the way I want.
I’ve been doing some remote recording for many artists too, mostly for North Americans, but also for Boris Grebenshchikov, a famous Russian singer.
Chris: I’m mainly busy with my other bands: Oscina, also balfolk, and Ceilidh 360, a rebrand of the Climax Ceilidh Band. Plus, my occasional Ibiza-inspired solo sax ceilidh project, SaxBox.
Steve: I’ve continued playing medieval music, and I’ve also been teaching hurdy gurdy in the UK, US, and Europe.
Last year I took part in a tour of PlayStation: The Concert – music from the games arranged for a band of 15 with projections behind us. I was asked to do this as the hurdy gurdy features in God of War. I got a few solo moments with the hurdy gurdy as well as a few chances to improvise.
It’s not much, but with venues like Wembley Arena having about 5,000 people in the audience, it’s a great opportunity to introduce the hurdy gurdy to new people.
I’ve also been accompanying a puppet version of Beowulf with early music, improvisation and sound effects, working on some collaborations, including with a Chinese player of the sheng, and getting back into balfolk.
The big question – would you potentially be up for reuniting The Duellists in the future?
Chris: Definitely! I’d love to take it to some festivals.
Nigel: Absolutely. It’s been such fun having Steve available to play with us, especially given his awesome sense of pace and groove combined with his chord gurdy. The double keyboard gurdies have really helped add richness and depth to our new repertoire in a way impossible to achieve without backing tracks or loopers.
We’d love to play some European festivals and finally be able to present the album as I’d always intended it to be heard, something we’ve not been able to offer until now. Something completely new.
Steve: Yes, it would be great to continue with this.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Chris: I’ve got some summer festivals coming up with various projects – Sidmouth with Oscina and Ceilidh 360, Folk East with Oscina and Shrewsbury with Kerry Fletcher.
Steve: I’ll be teaching and playing in Barcelona with Katy Marchant, returning to the US, and continuing with medieval music concerts and the Beowulf show.
Join The Duellists for an exclusive playthrough of English Hurdy Gurdy Music on Sunday 8 March, from the comfort of your own home. Buy your tickets on the Live to your Living Room website.