From a mixture of musical backgrounds, this group of multi-instrumentalists found themselves thrown together in a way musicians often do, linking via many varied musical connections and impromptu jam sessions. The unifying catalyst for The Knights of Mentis was a shared interest in folk, roots, American string band music and rhythm & blues. The band comprises: Peter Graham: Guitar, vocals Jed Dale: Dobro, Weissenborn, vocals Keith Birnie: Banjo, vocals Francis Leneghan: Mandolin Jeremy Bourgein: Keyboards, Accordion Malachy O’Neill: Double Bass Matt Walsh: Drums Sally Baden: Fiddle Simon Baker: Harmonica The virtuoso line up delivers a distinct and flavoursome brew of Americana, country, folk, and roots music, taking inspiration from artists such as Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show and The Band; however you can also hear influences from other great British bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Peter Graham, Jed Dale and Keith Birnie’s vocals deliver homespun lyrics inspired by “Things we’ve felt and seen, places and people we know”, in rich three part harmonies.
