MALINKY's striking vocals and song-based repertoire, as well as their instrumental flair, define one of the most distinctive sounds to emerge from the Scottish folk-scene over the last decade. fRoots described the band's debut CD Last Leaves (Greentrax CDTRAX 190) as, "one of the most memorable and refreshing debuts to have passed this way in a long time", and the major Scottish Sunday paper, Scotland on Sunday, chose it as one of the outstanding international folk-roots CD releases of 2000.

2002 promises a new CD and a dynamic new line-up for the band. The voices of Karine Polwart and Steve Byrne remain at the heart of the material, as do their sympathetic string accompaniments. Karine was recently nominated by Kate Rusby as the UK folk-roots artist to watch out for in 2002 whilst Scotland on Sunday newspaper chose her as Folk Performer of 2001. Steve was himself a finalist in last year’s BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition.

Malinky’s original whistle and bodhrán player Mark Dunlop diversifies on to flute and, drawing on his native Irish traditions, steps forward for the first time as a singer in his own right. New member, Jon Bews, adds his swinging fiddle style, a dash of mandolin and yet another fine singing voice. But the most exciting development sees Malinky expand from four to five members with the addition of the wonderful Irish box and whistle player Leo McCann, renowned for his inventiveness and energy both as a soloist and accompanist. The new five-piece Malinky maintain an acoustic approach to traditional and original songs and tunes but their subtlety, power and live presence are greatly enhanced.

Since their initial 1999 success as Danny Award winners for new talent at Glasgow's prestigious Celtic Connections Festival, the band have played across the UK and Europe including appearances at Cambridge, Sidmouth and Tonder (Denmark) Festivals. They have recently returned from the annual (January-February 2002) Scottish Folk Festival Tour of Germany. They record the follow up to Last Leaves (Greentrax CDTRAX 190) on their return and this new Malinky CD is scheduled for release on Greentrax Recordings in August 2002.