Awen…
it’s the mystical power sought by the Bards and Druids, a Welsh word for flowing inspiration. And it’s said that those who find it have the ability to inspire others…
Awen inspiration is exactly what this Bardic Band bring to a stage! Music, storytelling, folklore, discussions, narrative songs and meditation all feature at different times in different sets from a growing and talented troupe who create live shows and play at festivals, earth-orientated gatherings and spiritual events.
BARDS OF A FEATHER
Awen’s Call is led by Michael Sebastien and Elizabeth Jardine, who grew up in the West of England and have been been immersed in esoteric beliefs and practices since childhood. This area, once known as the Kingdom of Wessex, is steeped in folklore, mysticism and Celtic history and is home to many ancient sites including Stonehenge, Avebury, Glastonbury and Bath. The pair now share their unique ‘Bardic blend’ of creativity at events in the UK and beyond.
MICHAEL SEBASTIEN: CREATIVE DIRECTOR
A wordsmith, presenter, storyteller, musician and lyricist, Michael has a talent for making esoteric concepts easy to grasp through music, humour and story. Onstage he plays guitars, in the studio he arranges, also using bass, keyboards and percussion. As a conceptual writer and a former deep-brand director he’s skilled at intuitive thinking in an everyday setting, and in bringing diverse elements together to form a single, coherent, colourful, story – ‘weaving straw into gold‘, you could say!
ELIZABETH JARDINE: BARDIC SINGER
Elizabeth is a vocal musician and songwriter who brings melodies and harmonies to Awen‘s Call. Drawn to the spirituality and culture of Wales she has now lived there for almost forty years and in that time has explored many esoteric paths and traditions, including over twenty years’ practice of Himalayan Meditation.
GINA GRIFFIN: FIDDLE
Gina has been playing the violin since age seven, performing her first rock gig at eleven! Turning pro at eighteen, her career has gifted her with opportunities all around the world, working with a diverse list of bands and clients from XTC and the Discovery Channel to Nigel Kennedy and Nofit State Circus, as well as several tours of Japan. She is now based in Wales.
PETE BROWNBRIDGE: BASS
Pete hails from the North East of England and plays double bass and electric bass, anchoring the band with a percussive solid beat. His background is in swing and jazz, and also plays acoustic guitar, performing with vocalists in his hometown, Bristol.
STEVE E NORTROP: MANAGER & PERCUSSION
Steve is trained in theatre and stage management, with extensive experience touring with and managing a professional rock band over the course of a decade. He now brings character to an Awen’s Call stage, armed with an ever-growing arsenal of percussion, and a growing interest in gongs and sound healing…
LUCY SPENCER: FOLKLORE FORAGER
A seeker of strange tales, an explorer of unusual places, Lucy can be found diving into myth and legend, visiting historic buildings and sites, examining our connection with the invisible world and the beliefs we create about it. Having worked in interior design at a senior level for over twenty years, she is keenly aware of the ‘feel’ of a physical space and is involved in Feng Shui workshops – helping others tap into the energetic aspects of built and natural environments that are easy to miss.
Lucy has also been a guest on UK folklore podcasts, and brings her knowledge and stories to our events!
Our fabulous VIDEO CREW is based in the Midlands, run by PAUL WITHERS who has worked on many commmercial and advertising shoots including projects with Ant & Dec and Channel 4, PAUL ANGIER Director of Photography and JACK BRICUSSE Shoot Technical Manager.
