User:Stonecraft/sandbox

Stonecraft is a Welsh/Norwegian acoustic roots and folk duo comprising multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Andrew Morgan and guitarist and singer-songwriter Viil Hov Fjøse.

The two singer-songwriters have developed their own unique style and write and perform their own songs and instrumentals. The sound has been developed from a wide variety of influences, Andy starting up as an electric guitarist who developed a love for Welsh and Celtic traditional music and Viil coming from a classical background with roots in the traditional music of Norway.

History Stonecraft was formed after Andy and Viil left the alt country cover band Ridgebacks – looking to take their music in a more acoustic and traditional direction without drums and bass. The band also wanted to play their own original material.

​This new direction was enhanced when the violin player Charles Oakley joined the duo briefly. His involvement was the start of the line up with Viil on guitar and Andy using either the cittern or bouzouki to create the sound they have today.

After developing the sound on the local circuit in Swansea they went on to record their first album in 2008 which was recorded and produced with the assistance of engineer Lawson Dando at Albany Studios in Cardiff. The album consisted of nine songs and two instrumentals. Acoustic Magazine wrote at the time: A fine debut which shows much promise.

They followed up the Call with 2010's Moving Tides recording ten new songs. They were joined on by three other musicians on Chris Pitson on bouzouki, Huw Rees on gacon and percussion and Kenny MacDonald on flute and whistle.

The release of Moving Tides coincided with a period of personal development and travel when they travelled extensively throughout France and Spain. After they finished travelling they settled in Saint Malo where Andy had played extensively in 1997.

Throughout 2011 the duo played many gigs in North Brittany including the Mardi Zicos festival in Saint Malo and the Route D'Cidre in Dinan. The duo then put their energies into a new album and started the work on this in early 2012 whilst also playing in and around Saint Malo.

Having been booked for a festival in Norway where Viil's family comes from, they decided to change the backdrop for the recording of the album and spent two months recording at Viil's uncles farm in Rollag, Norway.