Fernhill

Fernhill is a Welsh folk group from the United Kingdom, formed in 1996. The group begins with the meeting of Ceri Rhys Matthews and Julie Murphy at art college in Maidstone. Murphy returns to Wales with Matthews, and the two start performing Welsh songs with Matthews accompanying Murphy’s vocals on mandolin.

Early line-up and formation

The project later expands to include piper Jonathan Shorland. Later in 1996, Andy Cutting joins on squeezebox, and the group becomes Fernhill in its established form.

Recordings and repertoire

Fernhill’s early albums include Ca’ Nos and Llatai, which explore links between Welsh traditional songs and tunes and the music and dance of Brittany. The band’s third album, Whilia, features Murphy, Cutting and Matthews, with Tim Harries on double bass and Cass Meurig on fiddle.

Members

The group’s listed members include Andy Cutting, Christine Cooper, Ceri Rhys Matthews, Cass Meurig, Julie Murphy and Tomos Williams.

Style

Fernhill works within celtic and folk music, with a focus on Welsh material and its connections to broader regional traditions.