The Crooked Fiddle Band

The Crooked Fiddle Band

The Crooked Fiddle Band is a group from Sydney, Australia, active since 2006. It is a four-piece acoustic, mainly instrumental ensemble whose music draws on Eastern European, Celtic and American traditional material, shaped into punk-influenced compositions.

Style and instrumentation

The band’s sound combines elements associated with gypsy, klezmer, punk rock, math-metal, balkan folk, Scandinavian folk, Celtic folk and cinematic post-rock. Their music is described as dark, driving, writhing and ecstatic, with a strong emphasis on melody, energy and intensity. They have used a wide range of instruments, including violin, double bass, drum kit, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, charango, hand percussion and cello.

Activity and performance

Formed in 2006 through a shared interest in traditional world music, the band performs at festivals, bars and warehouse parties in Australia and Europe. They also play more cinematic material in formal concert settings, including the Opera Theatre of the Sydney Opera House.

Names used for the music

The group has referred to its style as “chainsaw folk”, while other descriptions applied to it include “14th century Romanian metal”, “thrash folk” and “whirlwind gypsy”.