CHIMERA

Annie began working as a caller in 2015 and has been a regular on the ceilidh and festival circuits since then, having called with bands such as Banter, Monster Ceilidh Band, Whapweasel, Brown Boots Boogie Band, and The Diatonics, at festivals such as Sidmouth Folk Festival, Towersey Folk Festival, and Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Hailing from the island of Guernsey, Annie initially trained as a classical musician (and continues to do study it in tackling her PhD) but came to folk music through youth workshops and developed a keen interest in folk music whilst studying Music at the University of Manchester.

Arthur Geoghegan – Fiddle

Our band leader extraordinaire! Arthur is a fiddle player who hails from near Brighton on the South Coast and drives the bus known as Chimera’s music (without the aid of a safety net or driving licence).

Arthur started life in Brighton, but wisely moved up to Manchester for University, where he first studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, before completing his undergraduate degree studies in music at the University of Manchester. Originally classically trained, he was cornered in a dark alleyway by folk music in early 2018 and has never looked back. Arthur plays violin with the band, occasionally sings, and when the rest of them aren’t looking, morris dances like his life depends on it (which it frequently does).

Jerome McGuinness – Violin, Viola, Whistles, Flute

Jerome hails from deepest darkest Crewe in the supposedly posh county of Cheshire, which is known for its folk scene. He started learning how to play the Violin around the age of 8, but later took up the Viola after his teacher gave him one to try due to his “violist-like” stature.

Jerome came to Manchester to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Viola. When he’s not panicking about performing classical music convincingly, Jerome enjoys playing in sessions around his home county and Manchester. With Chimera, he plays the Violin, Viola, Whistle, and Flute interchangeably, but enjoys brandishing the big fiddle the most.

Joseph Myer Dawson – ‘Cello

Joseph grew up in Birmingham and eventually moved to sunny Manchester to study ‘Cello at the Royal Northern College of Music, and has remained in Manchester ever since.

After somehow avoiding the folk scene in Manchester all throughout music college, Joseph eventually got around to going to a folk session, and it turned out that the music actually quite suited him. Whilst learning new tunes at sessions, Joseph has discovered the ideal amount of cider to maximise folk playing abilities is roughly two pints; one for energy and one for confidence. “Any more and you start forgetting how to play your instrument.”

Zak Osborne – Drum Kit and Percussion

Zak is the newest member of Chimera, and their cheeky charm has immediately become a core and essential part of the band. The youngest member of the group, Zak has been drumming for 13 years, with a background of everything from Rock to West African drumming styles.

After immersing themselves in Manchester’s grassroots scene in bands like Ladybarn and DeafHaus, they have recently gained an interest in various folk musics and cultures as a connection to land, people, and community. Their favourite folk artists include Fairport Convention, The Incredible String Band, Nick Drake, and Richard Dawson. Favourite pastimes include foraging, cooking for friends, skateboarding, and spending time with their cat, Molly.

Alex “AJ” Jones – Trombone

Hailing from Yorkshire on a tide of brass, AJ is Chimera’s resident monster with a devastating wit and humour. Whether he’s sliding around with his Trombone or bellowing verses about ships, AJ is easily the band’s most recognisable member with his trademark top hat.

AJ first came to music through Brass and Jazz bands as a child, having picked up the silliest-looking instrument he could find and blowing it as loudly as he could. His interests in folk music come through his studies in history, with a particular interest in broadsides and songs that carry the history and culture of people. He can usually be identified at distance by one ridiculous hat or another. AJ at times sings, plays the Trombone and the Guitar for Chimera, but is most often found playing the fool.