Shooglenifty

Shooglenifty is the primary architect of the 'Acid Croft' subgenre, a pivotal movement in the 1990s Scottish folk revival that integrated traditional Celtic melodies with the rhythmic sensibilities of house, funk, and psychedelic rock. Formed in Edinburgh in 1990, the band emerged from the ashes of Swamptrash, bringing a rebellious, jam-band ethos to the often-rigid world of folk music.

Their sound is defined by the late Angus R. Grant's distinctive, gritty fiddle style and a complex interplay between banjo, mandolin, and a heavy-hitting drum kit. They were instrumental in the global 'Celtic Fusion' scene, notably contributing to the Afro Celt Sound System's debut. Critically, they are regarded as the bridge between the traditional folk of the 70s and the modern 'neo-trad' scene. Their career is marked by a restless global curiosity, incorporating influences from Rajasthan to Cuba, while maintaining a core identity rooted in the West Highland pulse. Despite the loss of Grant in 2016, the band remains a vital live force, continuing to evolve the boundaries of instrumental folk.