The Dolmen are an English, Weymouth, Dorset-based, Celtic rock/folk rock band that incorporate elements of Celtic, folk, pagan-themed, and historically based musical works into their largely original repertoire. Current group members are singer and songwriter founder/member Taloch Jameson, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Josh Elliott, bassist and vocalist Kayleigh Marchant, drummer Chris Jones, and flautist Anja Novotny.
Essential non-musician members of the band are lyric contributor and collaborator, Mark Vine and sound engineer Kirsty Kelly.
The majority of the band's songs and music are composed and produced by multi-instrumentalist Jameson. Guitarist Josh Elliott and bassist Kayleigh Marchant have collaborated with Jameson on the most recent albums, contributing lyrics, musical composition and production assistance.
History
The Dolmen began rather informally in or about 1990, with their first public appearance at The Duke of Albany pub in Weymouth, Dorset, where they debuted as a mainly folk music oriented group. Since that time, they have become well known on the local and surrounding areas music scene, appearing over the years for repeat performances at many major UK music venues and festivals; among them the Glastonbury Festival in 1995 and 1997, the Farnham Jazz and Guilford Festivals, The Children of Artemis Witchfest, and The Pagan Federation festivals. They have also appeared frequently at Stonehenge in support of The Dolmen Grove, a United Paths Pagan organization based in the South of England.
In 2007, members of The Dolmen were invited special guests at the first New Seven Wonders of the World ceremonies in Lisbon, Portugal, Jameson's original composition having been chosen as the official anthem of that year's "Wonders" contest.
In 2011, the band debuted the continental European leg of their "Storm Tour" with performances at the Elf Fantasy Fair in Haarzuilens, Netherlands.
The Dolmen also appeared over the summer of 2011 at the Keltisch Midzomer Festival, Fantastyval Wouwse Plantage, the Sneek Festival; and in September 2011, at the finale of the Highland Games, in Hank, Netherlands.
Summer 2012 tours for the band included several festival appearances from June through September at the "Mittelalterlich Phantasie Spectaculum" in Germany and also in the Netherlands. 2013 saw the inauguration of the band's "Nuada God of the Sun" tour.
In August 2014 the band performed at Castlefest in Lisse, Netherlands. In October 2014 they performed at the Gothic & Fantasy Fair in Rijswijk, Netherlands and in December 2014 they performed at the Midwinter Fair in the Archeon in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.
In 2019, The Dolmen were named "Best International Live Band", at the Bastaard Fantasy Awards, where they also won "Best Album Of The Year" for their 2018 album, "Wytches and Cunningfolk". In addition, The Dolmen were named "Best Pagan Band UK" in the 2018 "Pagan Events UK" competition.
Music
The Dolmen are an independent, self-published group. Their musical style covers a wide range from traditional Celtic folk music to electric rock, including modern interpretations of historical material and events.
In 2008, the band released "Winter Solstice", a collection of original carols and songs inspired by the ancient pre-Christian themes of the season, drawing heavily upon the pagan traditions and mythology of the British Isles associated with the celebration of Yule.
The Dolmen's early 2010 album, The Crabchurch Conspiracy is a departure in many ways from their general offerings in that it is a musical re-telling of the events of a little-known but decisive battle of the English Civil War taking place in February 1645 at the strategic Dorset seaport of Weymouth. Based on the book of the same name by author/historian and Dolmen collaborator Mark Vine, the album utilizes both song and spoken word to recount the daring exploits of the Sydenham brothers, William and Francis, who thwarted the Royalist conspirators in their bid to seize the town, culminating in The Battle of Weymouth. Professor Ronald Hutton of the University of Bristol, a leading expert on 17th century Britain, speaks a stirring introduction to the album.