ABOUT US
Multi-award-winning, genre-defyingly good music
"Musically set apart from the mass of bands who are just copying what has gone before" Music News
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative acts to come out of the UK in recent years, the sublime genre-defying sound of the Red Dirt Skinners is created by husband and wife team, Rob and Sarah Skinner.
"If there’s a Pink Floyd of folk music, these guys are it. They’re innovative, orchestral and dreamy, and Sarah is the David Gilmour of the soprano sax." Roots Music Canada
If you like songs influenced by Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel, Supertramp, Crosby Stills and Nash, David Bowie coupled with some epic storytelling, humour and heartfelt emotions, you'll love the Red Dirt Skinners
The Red Dirt Skinners have had success in both National and International awards in several genres. The Skinners' refuse to be pigeonholed; their audiences always describe them as ‘refreshingly different'.
Drawing on influences from more genres than would make sense to list, the Red Dirt Skinners’ sound is instantly recognisable.
Comfortably blending exceptional, almost telepathic, harmonies with the unique instrumentation of soprano saxophone and acoustic guitar, audiences fall in love with the Skinners sound.
The band’s current album, Bear With Us, is a collection of ten original songs drawing on such hard hitting subject matters as dementia, homelessness and narcissistic abuse, whilst still managing to produce soaring choruses, catchy lyrics and the ever present award-winning sound of Sarah’s saxophone solos. Bear With Us is an extremely full sounding album from two highly skilled multi-instrumentalists and straddles multiple genres. This album is a triumph to positive thinking and a further development of the bands signature sound.
Discography
2021 - Bear With Us
2018 - Under Utopian Skies
2016 - Behind The Wheel
2014 - Live In Aberdeen
2013 - Sinking The Mary Rose
2012 - Home Sweet Home
2011 - Grass Roots
“Professional, consistent, nice people, the Red Dirt Skinners have definitely been one of the bright spots in the last 18 months that hasn’t really had a lot of bright spots for a lot of people”. Eric Alper
From small beginnings in small venues, the Red Dirt Skinners swift rise in popularity sees them now easily commanding theatre audiences across Europe and North America.
A Red Dirt Skinners concert combines captivating storytelling with knowing lyricism and outstanding musicianship.
In July 2017 it was deemed by Canadian Immigration that the Red Dirt Skinners were "performers of a world class level" and they were invited to become Canadian residents. Having already completed several successful Canadian tours, the Skinners were thrilled and honoured at the invitation and took up residency almost immediately. The duo’s album, Under Utopian Skies, is a testament to their love of Canada and is described by Classic Rock Magazine as ““Substantial, beautifully rendered folk music”.
The duos latest album, Bear With Us, is a triumph to positive thinking in a time we could all use a boost. A Red Dirt Skinners concert combines captivating storytelling with knowing lyricism and outstanding musicianship. The Skinners have a natural rapport with their audiences and their live shows are a wonderful experience; a musical journey to remember. Be prepared for laugh out loud lyrics, followed by songs sure to pull at your heartstrings. Rob and Sarah Skinner will steal your hearts. Don’t miss their show!
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
* The first band in history to succeed in more than one genre in National UK Awards
* International Acoustic Music Awards nominee 2016, 2018 (Best Act)
* Invited to become permanent residents of Canada on the strength that the duo were ‘performing at a world class level’
* Folk/Roots Album of the Year 2016 in several polls across England, Scotland, Wales and Canada
* British Blues Awards – Winner 2014, Runner up 2013, 2015, 7 time nominee (Instrumentalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year)
* British Country Music Awards – Runner up 2013 (Best New Act, People’s choice)
* Top ten artists of the year 2014 – UK Country Radio Awards
* UK Songwriting Awards – 8 times finalist, 8 times semi-finalist
*International Songwriting Awards – 4 times semi-finalist, 5 times Highly Commended
* Sold out tours across UK, Europe and North America