biography

Biography

"...the audience response and superb reviews from other venues has convinced us that this is a must-hear experience. Every one of the band are extremely talented as solo performers and multi-instrumentalists and when they come together for a set it’s definitely something that is inspiring.” - Fiona McPherson, Inverclyde Folkclub

"Rallion play with great strength & persuasion, with powerful folksong in meaningful mode and instruments played with flair, dash and precision." - The Star Folk Club, Glasgow

Rallion are a four piece traditional folk group, hailing from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The current line-up is Marieke McBean (vocals, bodhran, djembe, guitar), Stevie Lawrence (guitar, bouzouki), Andrew Lyons (fiddle, cittern) and Fiona Cuthill (fiddle, whistles, recorder). Rallion has been playing together since early 2003.

Marieke McBean (née Smegen) was born in Orvelte, The Netherlands, but moved to Scotland in 2001 due to her love of traditional Scottish music. Over the past six years she has been an active participant in the Edinburgh session scene. In early 2008 she will move up to Loch Tayside, an area where she's already involved in various musical projects. She also works as a freelance journalist and photographer. Marieke was classically trained in singing from the age of eleven upwards, but now prefers the more traditional style.

Stevie Lawrence has been a mainstay with Iron Horse for 3 years, releasing 3 albums and touring extensively. Since leaving the band, he has toured and recorded with Anna Murray, Tannas, Canterach, Chris Armstrong and Mick West, and worked on many recording sessions as musician and producer. He rejoined Iron Horse in 2003 for their final album and continues to work as a session player and producer for various projects.

Andrew Lyons is from south of the border. He has played fiddle for most of his life but also plays the mandola, cittern and anything else he can lay his hands on. He has performed music in a wide range of situations ranging from leading symphony orchestras to touring the Netherlands and Belgium playing traditional music. Andrew also writes, performs and is recording his own music.

Fiona Cuthill is a Glaswegian Clinical Psychologist by day and a musician by night. She has been involved primarily in the ceilidh scene for the last ten years, playing with many different bands. She has also been involved in various recording projects as a session musician and teaches fiddle at the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop.