biography

Biography

"Any head banging, heavy metal musician would envy the driving, chest thumping beat this group can pound out of their traditional instruments. Clapping and foot stomping was irresistible every time they played. They rock!"
- Jay Moore, Cambridge Now (Canada)

"...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

"The atmosphere (often the most difficult thing to explain to someone who is not present) was like having your best friends on stage, giving it some welly – and all especially for you."
- Mark Morpurgo, Argyll News

Rallion are a four piece contemporary folk group, hailing from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perthshire. They bring a wide range of musical influences together to create their powerful persuasive music.

Their unique sound is based around the double fiddle powerhouse of Fiona Cuthill and Andrew Lyons, the voice of Marieke McBean and the virtuoso playing of Steve Lawrence.

In 2006 they released their first album "For No-one and Everyone" to very favourable reviews. Their second album "One for Sorrow" was released in 2009.

Marieke McBean (née Smegen) was born in The Netherlands, but moved to Scotland in 2001 due to her love of traditional Scottish music. She was an active participant in the Edinburgh session scene for several years. In early 2008 she moved up to Loch Tay, Perthshire, an area where she's now involved in various musical projects. Marieke is one of the vocalists on "The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill - Volume 2". She also performed at its launch concert during Celtic Connections 2010. 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. Stevie also regularly performs with the successful "Red Hot Chilli Pipers".

Andrew Lyons is from south of the border. He has played fiddle for most of his life but also plays the mandola, cittern, mandolin 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 was born and bred in Glasgow and has lived there all her life. She was classically trained in violin by Bill Baxter, who played in the renowned Halley Orchestra. After leaving school, she studied more traditional styles of playing and spent the next 10 years playing in ceilidh bands and sessions all over the country.

Fiona has been a member of several traditional/folk bands in her career so far, including Whirligig, Canterach, and Real Time. She is currently touring with Real Time and has appeared on their latest release, Border Skies.

Fiona is in demand as a session musician and has appeared on CDs including releases by prog rock band Abel Ganz, Stevie Lawrence, pipers Judy Barker and Donald Campbell and The Clydesiders. She is also a prolific composer and one of her tunes was recorded by Quebecois band Le Vent du Nord.

Download our Rallion brochure on the press page.