The Craic Horse

Two of Singapore’s most established Celtic musicians team up with rock and indie artists to create a punchy folk-rock-punk-funk hybrid. Combining electric fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, tenor sax, electric guitar, bass, drums and bold vocals, The Craic Horse has been hailed as one of Singapore’s most original acts. With their energetic and irreverent style, this is music to drink and dance to!

The Musicians:

Alex Gow – fiddle, mandola, mandolin, banjo, vocals

A veteran of the Singapore Celtic folk scene, Alex has played with Gan Ainm, The Disclaimers, and Beul Mòr, as well as under his solo moniker Wee Alex. The Craic Horse emerged from Alex’s desire to explore new and creative directions with the music of his Scottish and Irish roots.

Nev Smith – whistles, tenor sax

As a fellow member of Gan Ainm and Beul Mòr, Nev has been Alex’s "partner in crime" for nearly 17 years. One of the foremost practitioners of Celtic music in Singapore, he has also been a driving force in the band’s experimentation and creativity.

Zhong Ren Koh – bass, vocals

Originally joining in 2015 as a “temporary” stand-in on bass, Zhong Ren, better known as ZR, has become the backbone of the band, bringing a broader musical sensibility to the creative process. Best known as a singer-songwriter under the pseudonym Halcyon and for his days with the power trio Basement in my Loft, he is also an accomplished cellist who has made guest appearances with some of Singapore’s top artists.

Jordan Issakiddis – guitar, vocals

Straddling the line between folk and rock while imbuing it with several shades of other musical genres, Jordan’s guitar work has consistently altered the tone and direction of familiar material. His appreciation of traditional music, combined with a willingness to deconstruct and reinvent every song, has significantly influenced the band’s creative evolution.

Kunal Katarya – drums

Having debuted with The Craic Horse as a wide-eyed youth in 2016, Kunal disappeared to study at university before rejoining the band in 2022. During his time away, he experimented with a variety of genres, which he is now throwing into the mix to continue the band’s tradition of experimentation.