Who are Dragonsfly? Maya Preece on vocals, bagpipes, guitar and recorders; Daygan Robinson on mandolin, bouzouki and vocals; Tom Simenauer on tabla, percussion and vocals; Duncan Moss on hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, saxophones, flute and rauschpfeife; Iccy Slade on electric bass, and Thrisha Haldar on tabla. Where in Somerset are you from? Cheddar, Butleigh and the surrounding areas. When did you form?
 | | Dragonsfly's music crosses world traditions |
In 1997 How did you get together? We started jamming at festivals and realised we loved the same types of music. There was a real creative spark between us all. How would you describe your music? - A musical landscape across world traditions.
- Celtic and Eastern flavours.
- Groove-driven, passionate and entrancing. We also play for ceilidhs (French and Breton). How did the band gets its name? The Dragon symbolises the land and its powerful energy, as well as our connection to it. We gave our dragon wings to symbolise our music being carried over this land and beyond. Who are your musical influences? We listen to music from all over the world like Bulgarian choirs, Hungarian hurdy-gurdy music, Bokros Zenekar, Hedningarna, and La Chavenee. We also like bands such as Malicorne, Steeley Span, Pentangle, Nick Drake, Blowzabella, Labi Siffre, Ravi Shankar, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Jamiroquai, Velvet Underground, and Jimi Hendrix. What is your most memorable gig so far?
 | | Dragonsfly would like to play on Jools Holland |
There are many great gigs we remember, but the best one we think was probably St. Chartier instrument makers festival in France. Where would you most like to play? Our hurdy-gurdy player has played on Jools Holland with Page and Plant, but we would really like to get the whole of the band on the programme. And, of course, Glastonbury Festival acoustic stage - we have applied! Finally, tell us some interesting facts about yourself. Maya and Daygan are both interested in stone circles and ancient sites, and regularly visit them whilst on surfing holidays. Maya also has a Master Craftsmanship in hand silver engraving. Daygan's great grandad owned Aintree Racecourse, and there is still a road named after him - Bakers Lane. Iccy has built his own motorbike. Three of the band members are into motorbikes. Tom is from New Zealand where he used to be a heavy metal drummer. Duncan is a virtuoso on any instrument he picks up. Dragonsfly played live on the Saturday Breakfast Show on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Somerset Sound with Adam Thomas in July 2005. You can listen to the interview, plus two live tracks from the band, by clicking on this link:
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You can also see photos of Dragonsfly on the Avalon Stage at Glastonbury 2005, and listen to an interview with the band, by clicking on this link:
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