​2022 Biography

Midnight Skyracer have come a long way in a very short time...

​

Since forming in 2017, the Anglo-Irish all-female quintet have become festival sensations across the UK, Europe and Australasia, toured regularly at home and released a critically-lauded debut album. They also carry the distinction of being the first British act nominated for an award by the International Bluegrass Music Association. 

​

Their all star lineup boasts Leanne Thorose, with her powerhouse vocals and driving mandolin; the virtuoso banjo playing and delicate vocals of Tabitha Benedict; Eleanor Wilkie and her rock solid bass grooves; the versatile Laura Carrivick, equally adept on both fiddle and dobro; and the lightning guitar playing of Charlotte Carrivick. Not only are they all masters of their respective instruments, but the vocal harmonies shared between the five women are second to none.

​

Following the release of Fire in February 2018, the band released their follow up album in June 2020 on Island Records. Shadows On the Moon, recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Wiltshire, is a scintillating mix of hard-driven bluegrass and mountain balladry, both edgy and infectious, tender and tough.

​

“...there’s a sassy sense of fun and an ear for a pure pop hook amid the hard driven bluegrass and mountain balladry that can’t help reminding you of Alison Krauss & Union Station” - **** ~ Songlines

​

“…these varied aspects of their musical personalities contribute to the greater good of a band playing for the song, for the singer, for the music.” ~ Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station

​

“This is a band and this is an album that can go toe to toe with anything on offer from bluegrass’s spiritual home on the other side of the Atlantic.” **** ~ RnR Magazine 

​

“A conflagration of a debut bluegrass album: hot stuff” **** ~ Songlines

​

“…probably the best bluegrass I have heard from a non-American band.” ~ fRoots

​

“‘Fire’ combines seven self-penned pieces, traditional and bluegrass classics – tradition and contemporary working hand in hand and no sign of a join, and it’s seriously good. Harmonies to die for, delicious voices and succulent instrumentation.” 

~ FolkWords

​

“you can’t fail to sit there open-mouthed at the astounding dexterity of the playing, which is brilliant even by championship-standard bluegrass standards – for there’s sensitivity in shading and dynamic balance too alongside and inside the high-octane note-spinning virtuosity.” ~ Folk Radio UK

​

“Midnight Skyracer has all the vital components to compete with other bluegrass outfits not only in the UK but also on an international scale.” ~ Northern Sky