Marcus Holden Australian Fiddler

Composing

I love writing all sorts of music, everything from classical pieces like "Boolavogue" (from Scotland the Brave) and the Mozartian decomposition "Eine Klein Nutmusik", Eastern European ones like "Talkin' Balkan", "Tinkers Way" (parts one and two) and "Galva Polka", countryish tunes "Strung Out" and "Brittany Road", dance tunes like "Musical Priest" (part two), more funk influenced "Catgut Strut" and "Get Stuffy" as well as songs (collaborations) like "Wornsaw Concerto" and "Fiddlers Curse". Then there is arranging traditional pieces like "Humours Of Westport" and "Give me your Hand", jazz pieces like "How High the Moon", comedy such as "Holiday for Strings" and even the "Devil" (went down to Tamworth). I'm constantly writing and arranging new material and Fiddlers Feast, my main composition vehicle has four CDs, Live, Strung Out, Get Reel and Frenzee. Check out Hear my music for more examples.

I love writing tunes, but like any art form some days are easy and some are like pulling teeth. My early attempts, especially at songwriting were pretty naff and there's always the chance that an idea will go in any direction, but some poeple have a natural ability to fashion musical and lyrical ideas with the grace of a ballerina. I just keep doing it... but like a good chef I don't bring the disasters to the table.

Apart from my own compositions, arranging strings for other artists seems to be my forte. Check out "Diesel and Strings Live at the Vanguard, Solid State Rhyme and Coathanger Antenna", EJ Barnes' "From Here to There", Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell "Whitchita Lineman"..there's heaps more.