Who we?

Hello. We are an orchestral cabaret-pop band based in London, UK. When we say 'orchestral', we don't mean we're a four-piece rock band with a cellist - we're a proper orchestra with tooty flutes, big brass and a full string section. And a harp. Our only sop to traditional rock is the occasional electric bass guitar and standard drumkit percussion and the closest we get to guitars is the odd ukulele or mandolin. The idea is that we can do a gig without any amplification or soundcheck though for some reason we are still a promoter's nightmare. Perhaps that's because we number anywhere between a dozen and two dozen when we appear live. Hmm.

Our music is an incongruous mix of over-orchestrated comedy songs, eccentric instrumentals and lovely ballads, some with original lyrics, some taken from old (i.e. out-of-copyright) poems.

Sort of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band meets Scott Walker, with a bit of Kurt Weill and The Beatles thrown in, if you can fathom such a monstrous thing. Have a listen and make up your own mind.

You may have seen us at the Bloomsbury Theatre, the Soho Revue Bar or the notorious Boogaloo pub in Highgate. See our live page for forthcoming concert appearances.

The current live line-up, give or take is:

Martin White (accordion, piano, ukulele)
Ruth Stockdale (flute, piccolo)
Helen Arney (oboe)
Jenni Britton (oboe, cor anglais)
Richard Russell (clarinet)
Caroline Mabey (bassoon)
Steve Pretty (trumpet)
Nathan Thomas (French horn)
Jim Bush (French horn)
Kate Dornan (tuba, trombone, piano, glockenspiel)
Kat Arney (harp)
Amy Butterworth (violin)
Louisa Wood (violin)
Will Banyard (violin)
Jeremy Limb (viola, piano)
Jon Clayton (cello)
Catharine Rogers (double bass)
David Reed (percussion)

Guest musicians at gigs and on recordings have included Rhodri Marsden from Scritti Politti on bass guitar, Vesa Haapanen on drums, Tom Marriott from Pest on bass trombone and Tom Moth (Lunamoth) on harp.