Caulbearers are an eight-piece Manchester band, fusing diverse musical genres. Their music combines a driven, rhythmic bass, drum and percussion back-line with soaring, interweaving textures and harmonies provided by Saxophone, Cello and Electric Guitar. The bands’ two front vocalists provide an electrifying relationship between soulful blues and subtle bittersweet tones. 

Legendary gigs from the underground party scene in Manchester, from Stumblefunk Sound System to Antwerp house (AKA The Mansion), and UK festivals such as Beatherder and Shambala, have cemented Caulbearers’ reputation for high-octane live performances, drawing a passionate, tribal following. 

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 Damien Mahoney, the band’s frontman and song composer, draws on the rhythmic roots of dance music, navigating Heavy Dub to Indian ragas via Acid House. His songs echo a life of political expression and resistance.  A percussionist and experienced music producer and film-maker, Mahoney has released music and remixed under the guises of Defunkles, Fooligan, Currymints and Kangarilla.

Julie E Gordon, frontwoman and inimitable soul diva, has collaborated with world-renowned acts such as Rae and Christian (Grand Central), RSL and Bigg Finn, recently touring the world as co-vocalist alongside Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays, Black Grape). She is renowned for her infectious stage presence and impeccable live performances. A Media & Performance graduate from Salford University and accomplished songwriter in her own right, Julie is working on a solo project that references an eclectic mix of soul, funk, jazz, blues, and gospel styles. See Julie’s personal website here

 
 
Rob Turner’s drumming is the irrepressible driver of the ‘heavy groove orchestra’, dropping sensitive percussion over powerful beats. An award-winning graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Rob plays with a number of acclaimed outfits in anything from Jazz to nu-folk scenes, including the Magic Hat Ensemble, Kirsty McGee and the Hobopop collective, and Chris Illingworth Trio.

  
 
Percussionist Gavin Mullan completes the rhythm section with a smorgasbord of sound, from chimes and shakers to bongos and congas. Born and raised in Derry, Gavin moved to Manchester and has many years experience playing with a number of outfits spanning many styles, from latin to folk.

Bassist Dan Mitchell earths the band with infectious, funk-driven riffs and crunching effects. Although now returned to his native London, Dan has played bass and beat-boxing on the Manchester circuit for years, as well as teaching music in schools and community arts projects.A composer and band leader in his own right, his style and music spans the worlds of jazz, funk, drum and bass and hip hop.

 
 Tenor Saxophone and Keyboard are provided by Will Lenton, 

multi-instrumentalist and afficionado of all things woodwind, coming fresh from a Masters degree in Jazz performance and a busy gigging schedule around the Northwest.A composer of “sonorous yet crunchy” instrumental pieces, Will leads his own Jazz ensemble, Badger the Hermit, as well as collaborating with a number of acclaimed musicians on the Manchester circuit. See Will’s personal website here

 
 
On Cello, Stefan Skrimshire provides haunting melodies, jagged textures and growling riffs, answering guitar and sax and doubling / imitating deep vocal lines. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Stefan has accompanied a number of Manchester acts on Cello, Double Bass and acoustic guitar, and has used music as a creative partner with his work as a writer and academic. See Stefan’s personal website here.