About PerKelt
Formed in 2008, PerKelt are among London’s most accomplished and distinctive folk musicians.
Inspired by early medieval music, folk songs, and speedy bluegrass, PerKelt blend many different genres into the characteristic sound they call ‘pagan speed folk’; their furiously fast, complicated, math-rock-inspired rhythms mix with playful, Celtic melodies to deliver a truly unique sound.
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; the unparalleled speed, accuracy and energy of their recorder player, Olivia Petryszak; layers of psychedelic chants and deep, tribal didgeridoo by Mexican sound-healer, Rubén Yon’Ton; and the uncompromising impact of their drummer Stefan Macierewicz. Rubén’s shamanic chants and Stefan’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.
Technically grounded, but 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.
PerKelt have released five critically acclaimed albums, received various awards from the music industry, performed hundreds of shows all over Europe (including Glastonbury Festival in 2025), and thanks to the magic of the internet gathered countless dedicated fans all across the big mummy Earth.
We hope you will join us on the journey ♥
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
‘PerKelt made The Pogues sound like The Chieftains!’
– Paul Whimpenny (Velvet Thunder Magazine, UK, 2025)
‘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
Czechia
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
Olivia Petryszak
United Kingdom
Olivia is British-Polish, born in Cambridge, trained in London, Amsterdam and Kraków, and has basically made it her life mission to prove just how ridiculously badass the recorder can be. She improvises, composes, experiments, has played on everything from early music albums to Thom Yorke’s latest record (yes, really!) … and now she’s bringing her magic to PerKelt.
She fits so naturally into our sound, and the energy she brings is unreal!
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 a PhD and has just been interviewed by the 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, who can only keep his shirt on for an average of two songs, and proudly sports London’s best-looking moustache.
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
Stefan Macierewicz
United Kingdom
A rising star and ‘absolute beast’ behind the drums!
Born and raised in Sheffield, Stefan began playing in his school orchestra before playing with bands as a teenager. He later relocated to London to study music at LCCM, focusing primarily on drums. Since then he has performed with a range of projects across the city, and happily stumbled his way into PerKelt (a band he describes as ‘simultaneously the coolest and hardest music I’ve ever had to drum to!’)
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)