Artist description "They are among the hottest acts in the folk world today." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe Cape Breton's The Cottars, named for the peasants who were transplanted from the Scottish highlands to their native Nova Scotia, are two brother-and-sister duos aged 12-15, who perform traditional and long-forgotten Celtic music and folk songs in a fresh new way. As Cape Breton's youngest, and most talked-about Celtic band, these youngsters are following in the footsteps of other island exports like Natalie MacMaster, The Rankins, The Barra MacNeils, and Ashley MacIsaac. With lively, yet intimate performances that make you feel "part of the clan," The Cottars are bringing the warmth and energy of Cape Breton "kitchen parties" to the rest of the world.

Music Style Celtic/Folk

Musical Influences The Rankins, The Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster

Artist History The Cottars met a few years back when the two duos were performing at the same festival. Their similarities in age and musical tastes, and their perfectly matched instruments created an undeniably powerful combination that can only be attributed to synchronicity. Since that fateful meeting, The Cottars have remained inseperable, and have given hundreds of performances in Canada and the US to standing ovations.

Group Members Jimmy MacKenzie, guitar, 15 Ciaran MacGillivray, keyboard & vocals, 14 Fiona MacGillivray, vocals, bodhran, tin whistle, 13 Roseanne MacKenzie, fiddle, 12

Instruments fiddle, guitar, keyboard, bodhran, tin whistle, vocals

Albums Made in Cape Breton (debut), May, 2002

Press Reviews "Remember the name Fiona MacGillivray. At age 12, this Cape Breton phenom already has a voice reminiscent of early Alison Kraus." - "Sing Out!" Fall, 2002 "Fantastic" - Shelagh Rogers, CBC Radio One "The Cottars are so good, and so young, they seem both a miracle and a pure jubilation." - The Boston Herald "A stunning debut CD" - The Boston Herald "Who dares to share the stage with this overachieving foursome." - The Boston Globe "Astonishingly supple artists, they are among the hottest acts in the folk world today with their prodigious fiddles and flutes, and gorgeous Gaelic harmonies." - Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe "Folk Scene" "The Cottars will take America by storm." - John McDermott "Thrilling music..." - The Halifax Herald "Unbelieveably talented..." - Fairport Convention "Made in Cape Breton is brilliant, beautiful, and marvelous to listen to for hours." - Pittsburgh Irish Gazette

Additional Info Made in Cape Breton features guest vocals by Irish tenor John McDermott

Location Cape Breton, Nova Scotia - Canada

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