Mawkin

Originally a duo, Mawkin were formed in 2002 by teenage brothers Dave (guitar) and Jamie Delarre (fiddle). The name was taken from a piece of local dialect for a scruffy, unkempt person or scarecrow, which they felt apt (though according to my research it can also mean a slovenly woman…). read more...

Later the same year they added Danny Crump (bass) to the line-up, after he had been playing in an Iron Maiden tribute band with Dave. With an outstanding invite from the brothers’ previous band, the trio played the Dartmoor Folk Festival that summer, and then with increasing interest in their instrumental performances, they added Alex Goldsmith on melodeon.

The band released their debut recording, a six track EP, in March 2005. Recorded live over two days at ’So-Called’ Studios in Thaxted, Extended Procrastination, was well received by the press. Their music is taken from many influences, but is essentially traditional, borrowing from the likes of John Kirkpatrick and Jonny Cunningham, and Living Tradition described the debut EP as “reminiscent of a pub session, ….. a pleasant one [album] just to sit back to and enjoy”.

The EP was followed in January 2007 by their debut full length album ’The Fair Essex’. The album was recorded at Hertfordshire University and produced by Mawkin and breakbeat DJ Lee Richardson of ’Diverted Traffic’. MOJO magazine gave the album four stars, stating it as ’Unconditionally Mighty’.

Since 2007, they have been collaborating with vocalist Jim Causley as Mawkin:Causley, and garnering more praise.