Headmix is a UK dub, folk, reggae, ska and world fusion group. It forms from ex-members of Tofu Love Frogs, Doo The Moog and The Cheap Suit Oroonies, bringing together players with festival backgrounds and creating a line-up built around a mix of dub-reggae, Celtic and folk influences.

Overview

The group is active from the late 1990s into 2002. It builds a reputation as a hard-working live act, playing both indoor and outdoor festival dates across the UK. Its performances are marked by a large and varied instrumental setup and a strong emphasis on rhythm and danceable bass lines.

Style and instrumentation

Headmix combines deep dub-style bass and melodica with instruments associated with folk and Irish music, including penny whistle and Irish fiddle. The group also uses melodica, tin whistle, didgeridoo and accordion, with music that moves between heavier reggae-influenced sections and more skank-driven, jig-like passages.

Line-up

At one stage the core line-up includes Nuala, Sarah, Ed, Bugs and Ollie. Another listed formation names Dougy on drums, Ed on bass, Nuala on violin, Burmese phono fiddle, mandola, accordion and backing vocals, Sarah on vocals, melodica, bagpipes and whistle, Tomo on electric guitar, and Tony on didgeridoo.

Additional musicians include Dave on trumpet, Chris on trombone, Richard on flute and saxophone, Emma on cello, another Richard on acoustic guitar, harp and tabla, Marcus and Al on electric guitar, Molara on backing vocals, and Perch on effects.

Releases and labels

The group issues a series of home-recorded and studio releases, beginning with Bridge The Gap in 1996 under the name Head Mix Collective. This is followed by Birthrights in 1998, Live! in 2000, Reach Out in 2001, and Remixed in 2002.

Headmix records with Universal Egg after a connection with Zion Train, first through support slots and then through guest appearances with that group. Studio work also involves producer Al Scott, who works with Zion Train and the Levellers.

Live profile and reputation

The band plays widely at festivals and venues, moving from smaller festival stages to more organised café stages and later to larger events, including a performance at Oerol festival in Terschelling, the Netherlands, to an audience of over eight thousand. It is also described as a festival band with a strong live reputation and energetic stage presence.

Name and identity

Headmix is also known as Head Mix Collective. The group is described as a kind of festival-focused “supergroup” formed from musicians with a shared background in festival circuits and informal live performance culture.