Filkin's // Drift
The duo that walked 870 miles…
Filkin’s Drift reimagine traditional melodies through pizzicato grooves, intricate guitar tunes, and boundless improvisation. Their 870 mile foot-powered-tour, described as ‘committed and fascinating’ by BBC 6 Music’s Cerys Matthews, has recently propelled them into the spotlight. This radical approach to sustainable touring has earned the duo global attention from major news outlets including BBC News, Billboard, The i, Radio New Zealand, Canadian Broadcasting Company, and The Times.The music of Filkin’s Drift captures the essence of their 870 mile walk, ‘weaving together a tapestry of shared experiences’ (Songlines). Their compositions are sophisticated, yet rooted in tradition. From delicate Welsh folk-songs to traditional English dance tunes, the pair blend fiddle and guitar with their ‘gorgeous close vocal harmonies’ (Folk Radio UK).
Seth Bye and Chris Roberts have earned widespread acclaim with extensive national airtime on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4, 6 Music, and BBC World Service. Renowned for their live performances, characterised as ‘utterly mesmerizing’ (Bristol 24⁄7) and ‘hugely entertaining’ (RnR), the duo have enchanted audiences across the UK including FolkEast, Warwick Folk Festival, St George’s Bristol, and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Filkin’s Drift are dedicated to exploring innovative avenues in music creation. In tandem with their groundbreaking commitment to sustainable touring, the duo’s latest endeavor involves the formation of Filkin’s Ensemble, a 15-piece orchestral-folk band.
‘committed and fascinating’
BBC 6 Music | Cerys Matthews
‘Exquisite tune playing mixes effortlessly with irresistible grooves’
Dan Walsh | BBC Folk Awards Musician Of The Year Nominee, Urban Folk Quartet
‘weaving together a tapestry of shared experiences’
Songlines
‘a lovely performance’
BBC Radio 3 | Katie Derham
‘two musicians have taken sustainable touring to the next level’
BBC News Homepage
‘They are utterly mesmerising’
Bristol 24/7
Live in Concert
Renowned for their live performances, characterised as ‘utterly mesmerizing’ (Bristol 24 / 7) and ‘hugely entertaining’ (RnR), the duo have enchanted audiences across the UK including FolkEast, Warwick Folk Festival, St George’s Bristol, and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
You can see our upcoming shows by clicking the button below.
Upcoming Shows
Live in Concert
Renowned for their live performances, characterised as ‘utterly mesmerizing’ (Bristol 24 / 7) and ‘hugely entertaining’ (RnR), the duo have enchanted audiences across the UK including FolkEast, Warwick Folk Festival, St George’s Bristol, and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
You can see our upcoming shows by clicking the button below.
Personalised Folk Tune
For centuries, folk musicians have written tunes to celebrate people and places. We can make you part of that tradition today.
A personalised folk tune is a unique gift for the music lover, the folk musician, or simply the one who doesn’t need any more ‘stuff’. Guided by you, we will write and record a folk tune dedicated to a special person, place, or memory.
Get in touch to discuss, or see more details on our Etsy page.
Email Seth
Personalised Folk Tune
For centuries, folk musicians have written tunes to celebrate people and places. We can make you part of that tradition today.
A personalised folk tune is a unique gift for the music lover, the folk musician, or simply the one who doesn’t need any more ‘stuff’. Guided by you, we will write and record a folk tune dedicated to a special person, place, or memory.
Get in touch to discuss, or see more details on our Etsy page.
Seth Bye
Seth Bye is a violinist, composer and educator. He has performed in venues from the Royal Albert Hall to the Cecil Sharpe House and at festivals including Boomtown, Greenman and Shambala.
Aside from Filkin’s Drift, Seth performs with long acclaimed Balkan band, The Destroyers, recently featured on BBC 1 opening the commonwealth games.
He has toured with Giffords Circus, playing fiddle, banjo and accordion. When he is not on stage, Seth loves to climb trees and swim in rivers.
Chris Roberts
Chris Roberts’ training in classical guitar means he soars effortlessly through jigs and reels with an unrivalled purity in his steel-string playing. His performances across the UK and Europe have been praised for their “beautifully varied timbres, real virtuosity” and for being “simply mesmerising” (The British and International Federation of Festivals).
As well as playing with Filkin’s Drift, Chris tours with pop singer Tanita Tikaram, writes lullabies with new parents, and delivers workshops in SEND schools. When he’s not playing music, you can usually find Chris up a hill or by some water. But he’s probably still thinking about guitar.
