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Karen Donnelly – flute & fiddle
Starting out as a a classically trained flautist, the multi-talented Karen comes from a musical family and was immersed (or indoctrinated !) in the folk world from an early age, playing in her first ceilidh band at 12 years old!
Having gone on to play in flute choirs and perform solo classical recitals, before joining The Cakes she was also performing solo in local folk clubs. Early influences on her playing were celtic bands like Silly Wizard, Boys of The Lough, Bully Wee and Flook. Karen also teaches the flute, is a fashion designer and wonderful artist/photographer (check out the cover of our sampler EP to see some of her artwork!). As if that were not enough, she is also currently studying fiddle under the guidance of the fab John Dipper, and since working with Carol & Clive, becoming inspired to compose her own tunes! |
Clive Batkin – guitar & mandolin
Inspired by the likes of John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Antonio Forcione and Eduardo Niebla, Adrian Legg - to name but a few - Clive has perfected his art to the standard of a much-sought after session and performance musican & teacher.
When not with The Cakes, Clive also plays with folk/country outfit Navaro, with the world music jazz trio of BatkinRobertsAndrews, and top soul band Soulfish. He has performed on Channel 4 and Channel 5, at the Queen's Jubilee concerts at Buckingham Palace and at Proms in the Park to an audience of 40,000, as well as performing at the National Theatre, The Stables at Wavendon and supported such acts as Karine Polwart, James Kerr & Nancy Fagan, and Fairport Convention. Clivey also writes a blog about some of his musical projects (including The Cakes, of course!) as well as some of the sculptural and creative activities - visit his blog here >> |
Carol Lodge – cello
Although her backgournd was in classical piano and cello, Carol has been playing in numerous and varied genres of groups and bands since 1998, regularly playing a variety of small local and London music venues. In 2006 Carol found folk music, influenced by modern folk cellists like Natalie Haas, Rushad Eggleston, Renatta Bratt, and her playing took on a whole new direction. Bringing to King Alfred’s Cakes a wealth of experience, skill and creativity, Carol’s imaginative playing provides depth, rhythm and harmony and is an essential component to the completely unique sound of ‘The Cakes’. Carol is also a member of the wonderfully quirky ‘Glue Ensemble’, who play regularly in and around London. |
