Money to the Moon

Decorative letter M illustrated by J T Blight in the 19th century

Money to the Moon is a Penzance-based five-piece band playing acoustic Cornish Celtic music from the past 400 years. Our unique combination of two fiddles, mandolin, bouzouki and melodeon creates a multi-textured sound bringing the emotion and energy of beautiful Cornish tunes to any event or occasion. Our Cornish traditional repertoire blends the old and the new, embracing historical processionals and airs as well as contemporary reels, hornpipes and jigs. We play a wide range of tunes and sets that can be shaped for any occasion or event, whether for dancing, to provide atmosphere, or to showcase authentic Cornish culture.

Money to the Moon musicians posing for photograph. Left to right: Pete London (bouzouki), Andy Law (fiddle), John Gallagher (melodeon), Tehmina Goskar (fiddle), Tom Goskar (mandolin). — Money to the Moon. Left to right: Pete London (bouzouki), Andy Law (fiddle), John Gallagher (melodeon), Tehmina Goskar (fiddle), Tom Goskar (mandolin).

Showing money to the moon

Our name is inspired by a folk custom recorded in the 19th century by Cornish storyteller and collector William Bottrell. For good luck and the granting of wishes, the Cornish tradition called ‘showing money to the moon’ was maintained by farmers and market stallholders, who kept their first silver coin as luck-money. At the next new moon they would hold up the silver to the moon, turning the coin and making three wishes.

Original illustration by Cornish artist and antiquarian J.T. Blight

Hear us play

We are all regular players at the ever-popular Penzance Cornish Session, every Thursday night, 8-10pm at the Admiral Benbow pub in Chapel Street. Come and hear us play or have a chat about your event or music idea.

Listen to us play 8 Cornish Tunes straight through as a set we call the “Fab Furries” on the player below, recorded live at Degol Stul 2020 by Brendan McGreal of Cornish Underground.

We also feature on the recently launched charity fundraising album, The Long and the Short of It as Andy Law and Friends. Hear some of our tracks for free on Bandcamp.

Upcoming gigs

25 April 2020 Newlyn PZ Film Festival, Acorn, Penzance.
19 June 2020 Golowan launch party, Acorn, Penzance.

Past gigs

4 January 2020 Degol Stul, Grampound Village Hall.
27 November 2019: Penzance Folk Club. Bath Inn, Penzance.

Contact us

Phone us: +44 (0)7790 709256.

Technical Requirements

When playing live, if a PA is provided, we require the following:

Andy Law: Fiddle
XLR +48v

Tehmina Goskar: Fiddle
DI

Tom Goskar: Mandolin
DI

Pete London: Bouzouki and Vocals
DI
Vocal microphone (Shure SM58 or equivalent)

John Gallagher: Melodeon (x2)
2 x DI
1 x condenser mic (bass side)

Mix:
A touch of plate reverb on all channels