| Tinderbox | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dublin |
| Genres | Folk |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1994-present |
| Website | www.tinderboxacoustic.com |
| Members | |
| Monique Houraghan Dan Tucker |
|
Tinderbox are an acoustic duo featuring vocalist Monique Houraghan (born 1976) and guitarist Dan Tucker (born 1974). The pair met at university in Yorkshire in 1994 and soon began writing and performing together. After four creative years living in Dublin between 1998 and 2001 the duo travelled the world for two years, performing in over seven countries, before eventually settling in Bournemouth, England. The duo married in September 2008.
In recent years Tinderbox have sometimes been accompanied by additional musicians including Catherine Burke (Whistles), Bobby Burke (Bass/Guitar/Piano/Harmony Vocals), Gavin Jones (Drums/Percussion), Pete Christie (Guitar), Kevin Dempsey (Guitar), Julian Leon (Drums/Percussion), Mike Hamling (Guitar) Patrick Morrow (Violin), Wendy Morrow (Harp/Flute), Simon Stanley-Ward (Harmony Vocals) Pete Read (Harmony Vocals) and Martyn Oakland (Bass).
Since 2006 Tinderbox have been regulars on many regional radio stations including BBC Southern Counties,[1] BBC Radio Solent,[2] Original 106FM, and Forest FM. Tom Robinson recently featured one of their tracks 'The State Of Play' on his BBC6 'Introducing' show.[3]
The duo have recently returned from a successful tour of the US to promote their new album 'The State of Play'.
Contents |
Tinderbox have so far released three official studio albums. 'The Boy and the Moon' was produced in September 1997 and enjoyed a limited release. Actually only 700 original cassette format albums were produced. Although little known, this first album spawned recent favourites such as 'Oranges For Breakfast', 'Behind The Smile' and 'Golden'.
The album also features the tracks 'Caressing Nowhere', Timely Reminders', 'Empty Heads and Breathless Kisses', 'Peanut Hatstand', 'Said Before', 'Forget This World', Half a Life' and 'Nonsence We All Are'. Most of these tracks have not been included in live sets since 1997. There are rumors of a digital re-release of 'The Boy and the Moon'.
The second album 'The Fire's Inside' was released ten years later in April 2007 and includes 'Coming Back To You', 'Fallen' and 'Walk Away'; tracks that have featured in a number of major film and television productions including 5 Talent Entertainment's US television series 'Trinity', Irish RTE television production 'Aisling's Diary' and award winning US independent feature film 'The Bilbee Boys'.[4] 'The Fire's Inside' was followed a year later by 'Golden'.
May 2008 saw the release of Tinderbox's third Studio album 'Golden'. In April 2009 'Maverick' Magazine[5] described 'Golden' as "Quite inspirational...a bit of a masterpiece". Maverick then went on to describe Tinderbox as "Poised to ignite the acoustic folk world...". The album received a stunning review by Musician's Union Magazine Musician, branding it 'Delectable...'. In August 2009 'Golden' was also praised by Acoustic (magazine).
'Golden' features some of what have become the duo's standards including 'Travelling', 'Fall Down', 'Out On My Own', 'Ordinary Day' and 'Waiting For The Summer'.
New album 'The State of Play' was released on April 17, 2010. Another collection of self penned material, 'The State of Play' features tunes that have already been made popular through live performances and radio play over the last 12 months. As well as the eponymous track, these include, 'Broken Trees', 'For You Dear Emily', 'Inside Out', 'Pieces', 'Hold On' and the haunting, gospel-tinged 'River To The Sea'.
'The State of Play' has been very well received in the UK with five star reviews in a host of national magazines including 'Acoustic' and 'Maverick'; as well as a covermount feature in June's edition of Rock N Reel. BBC 6 Music's Tom Robinson described the music as 'gorgeous...'
Produced and mastered by Arthur Rathbone-Pullen @ Faustuss Studios International, Thorney Hill, Dorset.
The State Of Play album was launched on Saturday April 17, 2010 at The Centre Stage in Bournemouth. Record pre-bookings saw a capacity audience treated to a truly memorable evening of musical excellence, with strong supporting sets from Simon Stanley-Ward and Rob Joy from Black Bart, Patrick & Wendy Morrow, Catherine Burke and Bobby Burke, all of whom performed on the live set from Tinderbox themselves, joined by Kevin Dempsey, Pete Christie and Julian Leon, the latter of whom guitarist Dan said "made the stage more cool".
The band performed the full track listing of The State Of Play plus old favourites such as "Travelling" and "Coming Back To You". Sections of the audience were moved to tears by "Broken Trees", described by singer Monique as "the song most people are probably waiting for." S.E.T.
Tinderbox have played hugely successful headline shows for many years, and since settling in Southern England they have played support for the likes of Cara Dillon & Sam Lakeman, Jon Allen, Ben's Brother, Kris Drever, Ralph McTell, Uiscedwr, Chris Difford, Megson, Ade Edmondson & the Bad Shepherds, Chas & Dave, Aswad, and The Searchers.
So far in 2010 Tinderbox have played a hugely successful promotional tour of the US and featured at a number of UK summer festivals including The Isle of Wight Festival, Wimborne Folk Festival, Chagstock and more...