Chatterbox with Mel Biggs

Lisa Jarvest (née McDermott) is one of the most rock solid and uniquely stanced melodeon players on the English folk dance music scene.After a summer spent playing together or Domesday Morris, she joins me on the sofa to chat all things Morris, playing for All Blacked Up ceilidh band and my replacing her in the band, plus she opens up about her experience living through episodes of debilitating anxiety and depression.Content warning: this episode contains discussions of mental health, with mentions of parental loss and suicidal ideation. If you need to skip this section entirely, skip from 40:05 to 56:18 . If you need support, please check the links further down in the show notes.Lisas' links:YouTube | Domesday Morris Facebook GroupReplay Lisa's & I's 'deconstructed masterclass' Melinar tutorial:https://www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/posts/173890281Sign up to my Patreon to support the future of this podcast! Choose your membership tier:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/membershipLivestreamed house concert from my kitchen! Grace Smith Trio + Archie Churchill-Moss 29th NovemberOnline tickets include 72hrs playback if you can't make it live on Zoom:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Melodeons In Wolvercote, Nr Oxford 13-15th November 2026 - last spaces remaining!https://www.bellowsandbuttons.co.uk/courses/o26index.cfmIf you or someone you know is struggling with your mental health, know that you're not alone and help is available to you.In an emergency: Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.NHS urgent mental health: Call 111 or use NHS 111 Online to find local crisis teams.Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, confidential 24/7 emotional support for anyone in distress.Shout 85258: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 text support.CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily) for suicide prevention and supportHub of Hope: Link to the Hub of Hope, the UK's largest mental health support directory to find local, grassroots, or national services by postcode.Mind: Direct to Mind for advice, legal rights info, and local branch locators.Rethink Mental Illness: Link to Rethink Mental Illness for severe mental illness support and carer guidance.Mental Health UK: Use Mental Health UK Downloadable Resources for practical guides on stress, burnout, and talking to a GP.Intro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram | Patreon | Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rees Wesson - timeline 1974 – Mike James turned up at our folk club with a melodeon. I was smitten. Bought a Hohner Pokerwork for £30 and off I went. Learned to play on the night shift in a cheese factory in West Wales. Early influences, Rod Stradling of The Old Swan Band and Reg Hall of The Rakes, then Oscar Woods and Percy Brown. Discovered Sidmouth Festival. Spent much time in Wales, the West Country, East Anglia and elsewhere talking to the older generation of musicians. 1984 – Began importing Castagnari instruments and fixing up old Hohner accordions. 1988 – Went to Italy and Louisiana to meet accordion builders. Started trading at UK festivals. 1989 – Joined Edward the Second and the Red Hot Polkas. Much touring in Europe and America. Regular trips to Italy and Ireland to meet makers and players. Began teaching melodeon. Honed my tuning skills to a professional standard. 1992 – Formed Joe Le Taxi Zydeco Band. 2007 – Started building single row accordions (melodeons, same thing). I was a skilled engineer, wood was different! Steep learning curve. Pictures on my website Gallery at www.melodeons.com 2026 – Joined Pogue McClone. Joe Le Taxi is now 34 years old. I have a new ceilidh band, May Contain Nuts. I'm still playing gigs of all types. Currently recording another CD of folk tunes.Rees' links:Website | Bandcamp | Joe Le Taxi | Willie Badger | FacebookReplay Rees' Melinar tutorial:https://www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/posts/melinar-rees-in-171004965Livestream concert from my kitchen!Grace Smith Trio + Archie Churchill-Moss 29th November:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Absolute Beginners L1 October 31st:https://stables.org/workshopsIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram | Patreon | Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moya Sweeney, is an accomplished Irish traditional musician and tutor, having performed across Ireland and Europe. Moya graduated from Ulster University with a First-Class Honours in Music in 2021, and completed a PGCE in Music in 2024. Moya has appeared on various television and radio programmes, such as BBC Two’s ‘I Lár an Aonaigh’, RTE Radio 1’s ‘Céilí House’, TG4’s ‘Ceol ón Earagail’, along with various BBC Radio Ulster Programmes such as The Eve Blair Show and The Mark Patterson Show. Moya has performed in Michael Rooney’s ‘Famine Suite’ at IMBOLC in 2019, while also performing as a member of the IMBOLC Orchestra in 2020 and 2023, along with Four Men & A Dog. She is also a member of the Ulster Folk Orchestra, and has performed Michael Rooney’s ‘Ómós na nUltach’. Most recently, Moya has released her debut EP 'From The Aa' with Archie Churchill-Moss.Moya's links:Bandcamp | Instagram | FacebookReplay Moya's Melinar tutorial:https://www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/posts/melinar-moya-in-167229371Live Folk Music in Swadlincote (DE11)Kilnside Folk Events presents Janice Burns & Jon Doran 13th September:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Session Survival Skills 3-part online workshop series:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product/session-survival-skills-workshop-series/Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Absolute Beginners L1 October 31st:https://stables.org/workshopsIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram | Patreon | Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara Connaghan is an Irish traditional fiddle player from Co. Donegal with more than 35 years' experience performing, teaching and participating in Irish music sessions. She is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast 'In Tune with Tradition', where she has interviewed many of the leading voices in Irish traditional music to explore the musical, social and cultural dynamics that shape great sessions.Through hundreds of questionnaire responses, interviews and decades of lived experience, Tara has developed a unique perspective on why sessions can feel so welcoming for some musicians and so confusing for others. Today, Tara speaks internationally on session etiquette, cultural fluency and what she calls "Navigating Session Uncertainty", helping musicians make sense of the unwritten side of Irish music sessions.Her talks, workshops and educational programmes help players move from uncertainty and self-consciousness to confidence, belonging and a deeper understanding of the session itself. Her work is used by music schools, festivals and musicians around the world who want to experience the joy of Irish music sessions while contributing positively to the tradition.Tara's links:Instagram | Facebook | Podcast | Podcast FB page | Podcast YouTube channelReplay Tara's Melinar tutorial on her S.H.A.R.E. session etiquette educational programme for FREE:https://www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic/posts/165251222Join my PATREON to support the podcast - extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusicVisit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.uk7-9th August join Judy Minot & I at Halsway Manor 'Practise Smarter, Play Happier' course:https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/practise-smarter-2026Live Folk Music in Swadlincote (DE11)Kilnside Folk Events presents Janice Burns & Jon Doran 13th September:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Intro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Petkevich is a professional multi-instrumentalist, composer, and musicologist currently based in Novi Sad, Serbia. After graduating from the St. Petersburg Conservatoire, she worked for many years as a composer for art-house animation, with films featuring her music receiving awards at international festivals.She has long been immersed in the world of European folk music, performing with numerous bands and taking part in diverse collaborations. Over time, she has developed her own playing and compositional style, inspired by music from across continental Europe and the British Isles. She plays a wide range of instruments, with the diatonic accordion and hurdy-gurdy as her primary ones.Sophie's links:Facebook | YouTube ChannelJoin my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusicVisit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.ukSession Survival Skills 3-part online workshop series 14th, 21st + 28th July:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product/session-survival-skills-workshop-series/Intro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Pack is a musician and dancer with a long-standing interest in European traditional dance, performing in duos with Blowzabella's Dave Shepherd (R.I.P.), Nigel Eaton, Hekety's Jo Veal and in the trio Oscina.Anna and I have travelled together to many a festival and workshop in England, France and Belgium. We've also been lucky enough to share the stage a couple of times to play with legends Riccardo Tesi and Naragonia Quartet! I've learned a lot from her over the years and always admired her vast skillset and dedication to her artistic talents. I hope you enjoy our conversation!Anna's links:Oscina Bandcamp | Ravelry knitting patternsVideos of Anna & I on stage with famous bands:Riccardo Tesi 2020 | Naragonia Quartet 2023Join my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusicLearn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Improvers L2 June 27th:https://stables.org/workshopsVisit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.ukIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick has performed and taught professionally since 2010 after completing the BMus Folk and Traditional Music with a 1st from Newcastle University. Since then, he has been part of various musical projects both in the UK and abroad. In 2015 Nick joined the Germany-based Irish music trio ‘Iontach’ with Siobhán Kennedy and Jens Kommnick and toured all over the country performing and giving workshops in both fiddle and diatonic button accordion. More recently since returning to the UK, Nick became the third member of the balfolk trio ‘Woodwose’ with Steve Tyler and Katy Marchant, specialising in playing for Balfolk dancing and with an emphasis on newly self-composed melodies. Nick’s musical style stems from a blend of inspirations and music traditions including Great Britain, Ireland, France and Scandinavia.Nick's links:Iontach | WoodwoseThe arrival of the Queen of Sheba / Padraig McGovernJoin my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusic16th May Birmingham Balfolk event 2-5.30 pm, The Woodman Pub, Curzon St, B4 7XG:https://fb.me/e/biKTQc1JWKILNSIDE TICKETS: Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly 29/05:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Improvers L1 May 23rd:https://stables.org/workshopsVisit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.ukIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Howson, often thought of as a one-row player but these days she plays mainly D/G, is best known as a driving force in a number of significant English ceilidh bands including the Old Hat Dance Band and PolkaWorks, playing melodeon and harmonica. She grew up in the East Anglian tradition, playing alongside legendary musicians such as Oscar Woods and Dolly Curtis, but all along, she has had a very eclectic wider repertoire stretching from south west Ireland to the south west states of America, and north east England to north east Australia. 2026 will be her 50th year playing the melodeon, which will be marked by a solo presentation “Carry on Squeezing” at summer festivals.As well as being a musician and educator, Katie is also a researcher, historian and writer on various aspects of traditional music, song and dance, with several books and websites to her name. She has made various media appearances including film and TV. Together with her late husband John Howson, she founded and ran the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust from 2000 to 2017. During this tenure she produced the annual “Melodeons and More” workshop days which were much-loved events in their day, and organised five melodeon-building courses led by Emmanuel Pariselle. In 2010, she was awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge Award.Katie's Links:Website | Bandcamp | https://www.eatmt.org.uk/ | www.unsunghistories.info | www.eastangliandulcimers.org.ukJoin my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusicDerbyshire Makes Festival, Swadlincote Hub Day 25th April 10-4pm with events across the county April-May:https://www.derbyshiremakes.co.uk/whats-onKILNSIDE TICKETS: Cosmos Chocolat bal (28/04) & Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly (29/05):https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Learn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Improvers L1 May 23rd:https://stables.org/workshopsVisit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.ukIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Mel this month as she sits down for a long-awaited catch up with Filippo Gambetta since meeting him at Halsway Manor Melodeon Study Week 2023. During that week, Filippo shared stories, videos and field recordings that he had made across several trips to Madagascar. During his time on the island, he has been able to visit different communities, take lessons with native diatonic accordion players with their unique style and application of the instrument, and even be invited to witness and take part in spiritual posession ceremonies. Tune in to find out more about this fascinating traditional culture.Filippo Gambetta (Italy) an accomplished accordionist, clarinetist and mandolinist, has performed hundreds of concerts around the world, performing his music including three tours of major Canadian folk festivals. He has released four solo albums (Stria, Andirivieni, Pria Goaea, Otto Baffi), in addition to the duo and trio albums. In 2016, he won the most prestigious Italian award for traditional music, the "Premio Città di Loano", with his album Otto Baffi.He is currently a member of the groups Choropo and Maestrale, with which he has performed at numerous acoustic music festivals. He has collaborated with leading world music artists, including Riccardo Tesi, Jean Michel Veillon, Nuala Kennedy and Oliver Schroer. He has also composed stage music for the Teatro della Tosse in Genoa and collaborated with dancers and actors such as Fabrizio Matteini, Gioele Dix, and Aline Nari. He has performed live on Italian (RAI), Belgian (La Premièere) Finnish (YLE), Swiss (RSI), Austrian (ORF) and German (WDR) national radio stations. As an accordion teacher he has held courses throughout Europe. Attention to the "balfolk" repertoire and Brazilian and Venezuelan music are his current strong interests.Filippo's Links:WebsiteJoin my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusicLearn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes - Improvers L2 Mar 14th:https://stables.org/workshopsTickets on sale for Cosmos Chocolat bal (29/04) AND Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly (29/05) at Kilnside Folk in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire:https://melbiggsmusic.co.uk/product-category/live-music-events/Halsway Manor Melodeon Study Week 2023 Vlog:https://youtu.be/TpjtG0qFoVYVisit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.ukIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Freya is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and composer based in Nottinghamshire, England. Over an extensive career spanning five decades she has been part of some of the most groundbreaking acts on the British Folk Scene. Her journey started when she was 14 in The Old Swan Band – a band that explored and reaffirmed the joyousness of English traditional music, at a time when most English folk musicians were playing celtic music. From this healthy foundation of tunes and song she was invited to join Blowzabella - and the rest is history.Jo is a prolific writer of songs and tunes, as well as shows. Her music is played across festivals in Europe and she has performed extensively both solo and with groups such as Fraser Sisters, Coope Boyes & Simpson, Narthen, Moirai, Token Women, Freyja, Tanteeka, and Maalstroom. Jo is a busy music educator, having run many schemes including 'Komposit' her young people's composition project . She is currently the artistic director of England's National Youth Folk Ensemble and was recently awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge for outstanding contribution to folk music.Jo and Mel met at a series of music workshops held in Wantage, England, and from there Jo invited Mel to form a band - and Moirai was born. Moirai performed across the UK folk scene for nearly a decade, and recorded 3 albums, including their self-penned 20-track show 'Framed: The Alice Wheeldon Story'.Jo's Links:Website | Facebook | YouTube Join my PATREON for extended episodes, guest tutor Melinar tutorials & learning resource archive:www.patreon.com/melbiggsmusicLive @ Mel's & ONLINE Airboxes house concert 2nd February 2026:Info & TicketsLearn DG melodeon with Mel at The Stables, Milton Keynes Mar 14th:https://stables.org/workshopsEvesham Melodeon Playgroup & concert Feb 7-8th:https://www.melodeonplaygroup.org/https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fleeceinngrasroots/1942129Visit my website for on demand classes, courses, live dates, merch & more:www.melbiggsmusic.co.ukIntro & outro music:'Dream Big' by Mel Biggs. All rights reserved.Listen to the full track on my album 'From Darkness Comes Light':www.melbiggsmusic.bandcamp.comGet in touch: [email protected]'t forget to like/subscribe/follow:YouTube | Instagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.