Horse to Water is a well-known folk-rock trio on the North London music scene, having been together for many years. They play in pubs and cafes and their style of folk-rock-americana music is very popular. They play guitars, banjo, electric mandolin, tin whistle, violin and sing. Catch them if you can!
I often photograph performers and the job requires patience, coping with dreadful lighting and a vantage point where the punters are not obstructed by me. If you want to take images like this, you need a camera with a fast sensor as well as decent but unobtrusive lighting (bounce-flash / reflector / light box). I make time for preparation with the band and the venue so that surprises are minimised.
Buzz Loveday is a dementia expert by day, but also sings and plays violin and tin whistle with the band. Her versatility over a wide range enables her to sing in many styles, and her talents with violin and whistle are impressive.
Steve Yentis sings and plays guitar and banjo. Looking at his fingering shows how accurately he holds his hands over the banjo strings. His voice range enables him to back Buzz as well as to lead singing.
Ian Wainer plays many guitars and electric mandolin. I have shown him before in his studio, where he plays a variety of guitars over a large set of styles. Seeing him as part of a band, rather than as a solo artiste, shows the observer how musicians adapt their performance to fit in with others.
The result of all this talent and rehearsal is that they contribute far more to the performance than sticking to a single instrument would achieve. Their following packs out wherever they are playing.