Tom McFarland – percussion and vocals

“…one of the most sensitive accompanists on the folk scene” - Folk Roots

Tom McFarland is a talented multi instrumentalist, backing vocalist and studio recording engineer who comes from Belfast where he started studying drums as a teenager. In recent years his studio interests have expanded to include video editing and web design.

Tom’s interest in percussion stretches to instruments from all over the world - in his live work he plays, among others, the bodhrán, the African Djembé, Latin American congas and bongos, the Spanish cajon, and basically anything else that can be shaken or hit. For recording, he also plays drum kit.

Tom has toured with his wife Fil Campbell since the early 90s and the duo built up a very loyal following right across Europe, and earned the following quote in Berlin’s Zitty Magazine – “vocals and rhythm, the basis of music”. He has also toured for a while with David Knopfler and worked on his CD “Wishbones” (David founded Dire Straits with his brother Mark); he has also toured with Ben Sands of the world renowned Sands Family; has guested on stage with Finbar Furey and has recently been working with Irish uilleann piper and singer Tomás Lynch with whom he is currently recording an album.

Tom’s recording credits include work with the late John Wright, with Tommy Sands, Rosemary Woods, Briege Murphy, Colum Sands, and Ben Sands.

Between tours and sessions he teaches drums and percussion to adults and regularly presents workshops in percussion for handicapped adults and for cross community groups in Northern Ireland. He is also a passionate computer buff.