User:Simplymarvellous/sandbox

Aidan O'Rourke (Musician)
Aidan O'Rourke is a Contemporary Folk musician, who grew up in the Port of Oban in the Scottish Highlands. He has released three solo albums but it is for his work with the folk trio, Lau, alongside Martin Green and Kris Drever, that he is best known. He also play in Kan.

Career
Aidan O'Rourke grew up in Scotland listening to Irish traditional music (his family has roots in Ireland). He began formal training on the fiddle at the age of 8, learning different styles from various Highland teachers. By the age of 14, he was touring the United Kingdom, Europe and North America and had won multiple prizes in Scottish competitions.

In 1998, he joined Blazin' Fiddles, headlining festivals in Europe and North America.

In 2006, O'Rourke released his debut solo album, Sirius, and was named Instrumentalist of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

The previous year he had formed groundbreaking folk trio, Lau, with accordion player Martin Green and Singer/Songwriter Kris Drever. The band released their debut album, Lightweights & Gentlemen, in 2007 to wide acclaim. This was followed by Arc Light in 2009 and Race The Loser in 2013. They have also released two live albums (2008, 2012), an album of remixes (2013) and several EPs.

Lau have been named 'Best Group' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards four times since 2008 and have been nominated again in 2014.

Following on from Sirius, Aidan O'Rourke released An Tobar in 2008 and his third solo album, Hotline, in 2013.

In 2010, O'Rourke formed Kan with Brian Finnegan, formerly of Flook. Kan released their debut album, Sleeper, in 2012.

Teaching
Recently O'Rourke has begun sharing his knowledge by teaching. He has appeared as a fiddle tutor at the Celtic Connections Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival and in Ireland. During his international tours, he runs popular fiddle tuition days and has recently taught in Tokyo, Japan.

Solo

 * Sirius (2006)
 * An Tobar (2008)
 * Hotline (2013)

With Lau

 * Lightweights and Gentlemen (2007)
 * Live (2008)
 * Arc Light (2009)
 * Race the Loser (2012)
 * Lau: Remixed (2013)

Scots Trad Music Awards

 * 2006: Instrumentalist of the Year - winner

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

 * 2008: Best Group - winner (with Lau)
 * 2009: Best Group - winner (with Lau)
 * 2010: Best Group - winner (with Lau)
 * 2013: Best Group - winner (with Lau)