Cap in Hand are Nigel ‘Muddy’ Walters and Dave ‘Fingers’ Spira – a duo who share a common love of the subtle tones and contrasting dynamics of a wide variety of acoustic instruments, which they blend together to produce a refreshing and enchanting mix of songs and tunes…..both old and new.
Nigel sings, plays cello mandolin, dulcimer, guitar, harmonica, spoons and more….and is well known to Australian music lovers through his work over more than a decade with the iconic Wheeze and Suck Band (subsequently reincarnated as Traditional Graffiti).
Dave plays exquisite finger style acoustic guitar in a range of different tunings.
Nigel and Dave both write their own material as well as drawing on a treasure-chest of traditional and contemporary acoustic music from around the World.
A Cap In Hand gig is typically replete with songs that tell stories and includes a mix of delicately rendered songs and instrumentals, as well as up tempo tunes, singalongs and ‘classics’.
With a repertoire that spans at least six centuries be prepared for an emotional roller-coaster ride that will take you from the ‘deep and meaningful’ to the ‘light and whimsical.’
Traditional Graffiti (aka ‘The Trads’) rose from the ashes of the popular Wheeze & Suck Band. The regular band members are:
- Ian “The Pump” Macintosh – guitars, melodeon, vocals.
- John “Johnny Red Tips” Milce – percussion, jokes.
- Brad ‘Stix’ Newhouse – percussion.
- Nigel “Muddy” Walters – mandolin, guitar, vocals.
- Clive ‘Dodger’ McFarland – guitar, vocals.
Nigel and Ian are both solo performers in their own right. Ian is also a prolific songwriter, being awarded the Australian Songwriters Award in 2006 for ‘Rag and Bone’. Nigel is also a member of the duo ‘Cap in Hand’. Ian is a member of Sydney blues trio ‘The RBJ’s, and UK contemporary music trio, ‘TRI’.
John and Ian have a long history of involvement in traditional dance both here in Australia and in the UK, and Traditional Graffiti include threads and themes of the tradition in their repertoire.
The ‘Trads’ also continue their reputation for fun, and audience participation. As Traditional Graffiti, and Wheeze & Suck Band before, there have been nine albums released, plus various solo albums from Muddy and Pump.
The Trad’s perform at various Folk Festivals in Australia, plus Folk Club and pub appearances. The band perform a mix of English traditional and contemporary folk music, (including some favourites from the Wheezers repertoire), and many self-penned compositions.
Visit their website.