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Leeds born Belinda O’Hooley is best known till now as the songwriter and pianist on Mercury nominated album “The Bairns” by Rachel Unthank & the Winterset (now The Unthanks). Belinda comes from a long line of musicians originating in Co. Sligo, Ireland. Belinda has teamed up with fellow Yorkshire songwriter Heidi Tidow to create their very own brand of contemporary folk in O’Hooley & Tidow. Heidi brings with her the traditional German music of her grandmother who she recalls playing the accordian in the parlour when Heidi was little, and the Irish songs and stories from her father’s side in Athenry, Co. Galway. Together as O’Hooley & Tidow, they write songs with an unconventional, wryly observant, melancholic and sometimes uncomfortable take on life.

Their debut together was as support for Jim Moray in Whitby at the Compass Club in May 2008. Jim McLoughlin; the promoter, heard one song in their soundcheck and immediately offered them a slot at MusicPort Festival in Bridlington. It was their performance at this festival that launched O’Hooley & Tidow with a packed out theatre performance which guaranteed them more festivals for the following year including Larmer Tree, Shepley & Beverley, representation by Adastra folk agency, plus an opportunity to tour with Chumbawamba in March 2009. From this, plus tours with BBC Radio 2 Folk award winner Jackie Oates, and meeting the talented Jo Freya, O’Hooley & Tidow were invited to record their debut album on the co-operative record label, No Masters. Their album, Silent June was released on 22nd February 2010 on No Masters with distribution by Proper. With piano and two voices as the central core of the album, O’Hooley & Tidow have started from where The Bairns left off, and evolved and migrated the music to something totally unique and ground breaking.

You can listen to their superb arrangement of the traditional Irish tune, Spancil Hill on AGW Acoustic Radio, now playing on our mp3 page.

Websites links:
www.ohooleyandtidow.com
www.myspace.com/belindaohooleymusic