“What are those and how does he do that?”
E’rbody.
To the uninitiated they are clackety-clackers, possibly castinets – both hands whirling and writhing through the air – Rowan Corbett is one of the finest Irish bones players in the nation, possibly the world, and that’s not hyperbole – this led to joint custody with another band : the Carolina Chocolate Drops, with whom he’s toured the world, so that ain’t no small thing.
In addition to playing percussion for ilyAIMY, Rowan’s been seeing an increasing role as one of the band’s songwriters, lending his excitingly aggressive songs to the band’s palette. He writes songs on guitar and banjo and is a welcome addition not only to the SOUND of the band, but to the SETLIST.
Rowan and rob met over pie. He encountered posters for ilyAIMY and wanted to see music that “sounds like the posters look.” He tracked ilyAIMY down and began guesting with the band shortly thereafter. Simultaneously a friend was telling rob that “there was this GUY who plays these THINGS and you’ve GOT TO SEE IT!” It seems to have worked out and the synergy of the two performers has become one of the most memorable takeaways for anyone who has seen the band Live.
Having built his musical credentials while touring across the country with Renaissance Festivals and his Celtic/Irish/Progressive rock band Tinsmith – Rowan is one of ilyAIMY’s most versatile members. Dumbek, Irish bones, djembe and cajon flesh out his percussion kit, but on the melodic side he plays guitar, banjo and bouzouki.
Rowan Corbett Lives with his wife and kid in College Park, MD where he does almost anything he turns his mind to.