SOME of the finest traditional music heads to Darwen’s Library Theatre next month when the House Devils will be in concert.

The band combine Irish and American traditional songs to great effect winning fans wherever they play.

“Although we predominantly play Irish traditional music we have, over the past few years, introduced much more music from Appalachia,” said Mat Walklate, the band’s renowned harmonica and flute player.

“Settlers from Ireland and Scotland took their traditional music over the America and you find that melodies and songs will have a place on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Alongside Mat, the House Devils include vocalist and guitarist Matt, banjo player Jonny Hulme, Anthony Haller on bass and Young Tradition finalist Graham Mackenzie on fiddle.

“Although our music may be classed as traditional we still do it our way,” said Mat. “For example we may have a song which was recorded in the Thirties but just by us playing it the way we play will give it a new life.”

In traditional folk music song collectors played a major part in keeping the music alive, travelling across thousands of miles in the 1920s and 1930s and recording the songs from an area.

“Matt our singer has got a lot of songbooks from these times,” said Mat. “Sometimes they are just a set of lyrics and he will create a melody to go with them to bring them back to life.”

When people think of Irish music it often conjures up images of having a good time.

“Oh we’re not averse to the craic,” laughed Mat. “Not everything we do is up-tempo but we do like to put on a show for people.”

As well as working with the House Devils, Mat also plays in blues bands and is in demand for his harmonica work – he also teaches the instrument. Leading folk figure Mike Harding has gone so far as to describe him as “one of the best harmonica players on the planet”.

“There is definitely a groundswell of younger people in folk and traditional music,” he said. “Although when I’m teaching harmonica it does tend to be men of a certain age who have promised themselves that they will take up an instrument.

“But younger musicians are discovering it too. The portability of it is a great thing, you can carry it around in your pocket – but I’ve got hundreds of the things so it’s not so easy for me!

“But with anyone learning an instrument, whatever it is, the important thing is that it has to be their choice. If they don’t really want to learn it then it’s not going to happen.

  • The House Devils, Darwen Library Theatre, Friday, October 4. Details from 01254 706006 or King George’s Hall on 0844 847 1664.