Having started the thread that lead to this debate may I say that my intention was not to define a new genre of music, the music is the same and as recognisable as any other folk music. The distinction comes only in where it is played and to whom it is played

Some artists, and I am increasingly forming the opinion that it is relatively few artists, are leaving the comfort zone of the folk clubs and festivals where an offering of two consecutive notes in tune will bring a round of applause to go out into the wider world where the audience are not folkies and where you impress or die (in the stage sense!)

Musically any difference is purely that which is necessary to please the wider audience and achieve a rebooking. At times you sell your soul with the ninety ninth rendition of Wild Rover or Fields of Athenry but the satisfaction comes from slipping in the obscure and self penned and winning people over and getting reactions like these

"You've just converted someone who hates Folk Music - I was meant to be going home an hour and a half ago"

"I don't know much about folk music, but I do enjoy watching/listening to you guys"