"An intense, no-fluff Celtic Rock act" - Overhear Music The Mandate The need for young blood in the Celtic music scene has never been more prevalent. The Crofters have answered this call; bringing together some of the best talent the region has to offer, the Crofters ensure a rollicking good time for one and all! Growing up around Glengarry county, Ontario, the boys in the Crofters have been raised on a healthy dose of Scottish, Irish and Acadian music. By blending these genres, as well as facets of Canadian folk and contemporary favourites, the Crofters present a sound that is both dynamic and conducive to many a night of toe-tapping shenanigans! Courteous and professional, the Crofters look to entertain, and are thus very serious about providing fun for all! The History and The Band The idea to start the Crofters began a few years ago, when brothers Ewen and Stephen 'Stevo' McIntosh began to 'rock out' some of the traditional Scottish music passed down to them from a long ancestry of Glengarry musicians. The idea was to explore and push the limits of these tunes; they needed to keep their traditional makeup, yet be played with the intensity that a younger audience craves. Ewen offered his services to well known celtic performers'The Glengarry Bhoys', and played bass with them for three years. During that time he traveled much of the U.S. and Canada, performed on their third release 'The Gathering' and provided musical direction as co-producer on their fourth record 'Exile'. His yearning to share music on his own terms grew over time, eventually marking a part with the Bhoys to pursue his own creative aspirations. With a basement studio, much coffee and little sleep, Ewen self-recorded 'Unit no. 1'. This first solo effort is a collection of original songs and a few traditional tunes; all of the instruments on the recording were remarkably played and mixed by Ewen, thus achieving a truly 'solo' work. Stephen, meanwhile, had been playing bass, mandolin, tin whistle and bagpipes with celto-ska-punkers 'The Peelers', and had shared the stage with many celtic acts, notably as support for the Mahones on the Eastern leg of their Canadian tour. Both Stephen and Ewen have played on various Peelers recordings. After having gained much experience both on the road and in the studio, the brothers McIntosh grew fully prepared to form the Crofters. They recruited long-time friend (there's baby pictures to prove it) William "Wehlly" McKiver. Along with Ewen, William is a former MacCulloch Dancer. With years of rhythm behind him,Willie is a very creative and enthusiastic percussionist, and is right at home on the drummer's throne. As a talented multi-instrumentalist, Willie helps deepens the musical capability of the band. When not pounding the skins, Willie is saving peoples' skin as a nurse-in-training. To fill out the bass end of the Crofters sound, the boys added Jeff Dewar. Not only is Jeff one of the area's premier bassists; his family has been on the same Glengarry farm since his ancestors emigrated from Scotland many generations ago. Jeff's calm, cool demeanor shows the comfort he receives in promoting the music of Glengarrians to a new generation. Jeff also owns "Broken Recordz", an alternative record store in Cornwall, Ontario. On any given night the Crofters play, one can expect to hear an intense barrage of traditional and original celtic much they like to call Scotch Rock. With this approach the Crofters confidently introduce Celtic music to vast new audiences who never knew, in the words of one particular Crofters-convert, that "this celtic stuff could rock so hard before!" So, when you are in need of getting the Scotch rocked into you, come see the Crofters... they know just the right 'shot of the cure' for you!