red velvet
Welcome to the Red Velvet website!
Red Velvet are more than a band, they’re a close-knit group of friends who look out for each other. As individuals they've had to deal with all sorts of physical and emotional challenges over the years, and they've channelled what they've learned from those experiences into their music. Music is their medicine and their inspiration.
Red Velvet are Deirdre Murphy (vocals), Les Ray (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Gene Thunderbolt (keyboard, lead guitar), Rachel Timms (flute and backing vocals) and Gareth King (percussion).
They mostly perform their own originals: thoughtful, witty, politically engaged songs written by Les, often in partnership with Deirdre. Their covers are for the most part songs by their favourite Irish singer-songwriters and from the tradition.
The key elements of Red Velvet’s style are vocalist Deirdre’s passionate performance, virtuoso keyboard and electric guitar playing by Gene and fine three-part harmonies.
Deirdre and Les formed the original acoustic duo in 2012, and since then Red Velvet have evolved through various personnel changes into today’s five-piece folk band with elements of blues, jazz and country in their unique sound.
So far they've released two albums, two EPs and a number of singles, and they're currently working on new material, so look out for a new album in 2025.