About PerKelt
Formed in 2008, PerKelt is a unique and energetic contemporary folk band based in London, UK.
Inspired by medieval and Celtic music heritage from across Europe, PerKelt blends many different genres into the characteristic sound they call ‘speed folk’; their fast, complicated, yet powerful rhythms and Celtic melodies have become their trademark over the years; reminiscent of progressive folk pioneers Jethro Tull.
PerKelt blends together the raw vocals, story-telling, and visionary rhythmic approach of their frontman Stepan Honc; the distinctive Scottish fiddling and virtuosic improvisation of Duncan Menzies (Copper Viper); the unparalleled speed, accuracy and energy of their whistler and recorder player, Paya Lehane; layers of psychedelic chants and deep, tribal didgeridoo by Mexican sound-healer, Rubén Yon’Ton; and the uncompromising impact of their drummer Kaya La-Bonté Hurst. Rubén’s shamanic chants and Kaya’s sharp, impactful playing style on the drum kit are the latest additions to their sound; enriching their love for traditional folk instrumentation and celtic melodies with powerful new dimensions of psychedelic folk rock.
Somewhat elusively beyond the usual physical limits, PerKelt reaches deep inside our soul and make us dance, laugh and love…
They met in the mystical underworld of London, and touring the world they invite their audience to enjoy their free spirit, joy of life and love for music. Drawing inspiration from paganism of all kinds, their songs often tell stories from the realm of magic, nature and the beautiful human hearts. Often praised for the energetic authenticity of their performance and the spiritual depth of the journey they take their audience on, PerKelt once made a promise to never stop playing together. A promise to a young child who came to them with tears in her eyes and a big smile on her face….
Keeping up to their promise PerKelt released five critically acclaimed albums, received various awards from the music industry, performed hundreds of shows all over Europe, and thanks to the magic of the internet gathered countless dedicated fans all across the big mummy Earth.
Why are we called ‘PerKelt’?
‘Perkelt’ happens to be a word with meanings in quite a few different languages, each of which suits our band. The main one combines latin, per, and a more obscure spelling of British-English, kelt, which can be translated roughly to mean ‘for/according to a celtic person’
In Lithuanian, perkelt is a version of a verb that means ‘to move’ or ‘to transfer’.
In Finnish, it is very close to the noun ‘perkele’ which means ‘devil’ (originally a pagan god of music and love making).
And finally in Hungary and Slovakia it is indeed a culinary dish, which at least in Slovakia (where Stepan was once studying) has many different versions depending on the ingredients you use.
Reviews
‘An irresistible thrill … Guaranteed to be a festival favourite in 2024.’ ★★★★
– Billy Rough (#200 Songlines Magazine, UK, 2024)
‘Tremendously infectious.’ ★★★★★
– David Kidman (#332 Folk London Magazine, UK, 2024)
‘The band I’m most looking forward to [this year] is PerKelt!’
– David Francis, Priddy Folk Festival (BBC Radio Somerset, 2022)
‘PerKelt perform [with] a synergy unequalled in Celtic music.’
– John Hillman (Exposure Music Awards, UK)
‘I had tears pouring over my cheeks […] Simply awesome!’
– Cliff de Booy (CeltCast, The Netherlands)
Band Members
Guitars / Vocals
Stepan Honc
Czech Republic
Founding member of the band PerKelt, born in the Czech Republic, Stepan graduated from The Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava, Slovakia and graduated with honours at The Conservatory Pardubice, Czech Republic in Classical guitar playing and history of music. In 2002, Stepan won the Guitarreando classical guitar competition. Since 2008 Stepan has been putting all his time and effort into the PerKelt world as the composer, guitarist, singer, producer and the leading dreamer.
Recorder / Vocals / Harp
Paya Lehane
Czech Republic
Founding member and a lead composer of the band PerKelt, born in the Czech Republic, Paya was considered to be a child prodigy recorder player when she was only 4 years old. She has won many recorder competitions, following the methods of her teacher, Jan Milde, and graduated from the Academy of Music in Brno and the Conservatory Pardubice, Czech Republic, in wind instruments and history of music. Previously, Paya has played with many Early Music ensembles and had attended the International Summer School of Early Music in Valtice regularly. She is also a multitalented well of creativity and a shiningly beautiful centre-point of the stage presence …
FIDDLE / VOCALS
Duncan Menzies
Scotland
One could say that Duncan is technically just a cheaper and more funny version of a jukebox on random birthday parties. Another could say he is a savage beast from the country up in the cold North, where the natives still play bagpipes and eat frozen babies. Yet another would admit that he’s obtained PhD and he’s just been interviewed for BBC about his electro-bagpipes project, so he can’t be a bad person… They all would be absolutely right! But YOU get to know him as the laughing fiddle player, the only musician out there who matches the PerKelt craziness, speed and Paya’s height at the same time, and therefore he is allowed to play with us standing all the way up!
And we haven’t mentioned yet that he uses the INTENSITY pedal on stage to make his performance … yep, more INTENSE!!! One gets to love this guy in the way that bears no measure.
DIDGERIDOO / PERCUSSION
Ruben Yon’Ton
Mexico
Born in Mexico City to the native tribe of Nahua, the sound healer and ritual artist Ruben Yon’Ton travelled far and wide across the World before he met PerKelt in London. Just like everyone who meets him, the band fell in love with his spontaneity, playfulness, talent and seemingly limitless craziness. And just like many things that come to his life he said ‘yes’ to the offer of joining our stage without much hesitation. Now bringing the healing power of didgeridoo, various drums and obscure native wind instruments, embracing the chaos of improvisation with his magical chants, we combine forces to give our audience a truly unique, powerful healing super-experience.
Drums
Kaya Le Bonte-Hurst
United Kingdom
Born in London, Kaya started drumming like crazy when she was 9 years old, kept drumming like crazy with various rock bands through her teenage years, and now is drumming like crazy with PerKelt. Given her raw energy, sensitive feeling for music and creativity, she was a natural choice and perfect fit for the band.
Also she’s really cool! 🙂
In the Press
PerKelt reemerges with 5th Album, White Wolf
– Thiago Marques (Mythologica, BR)
Recalling the Czech-ered Past
— Darren Hirst (Twilight Dawning, UK) CCA622
Review of Air and Fire – CeltCast radio (Netherlands)
Review of Air and Fire – Celtic Radio (Canada)