Finding a Fresh Start in Tintangel

The Celtic-based folk music of Tintangel would seem to have little in common with the explosive, three-chord assault of punk rock. Yet, it’s punk’s anyone-can-do-it attitude that drove five women in their 40s to start their own band.

Tintangel, a name loosely based on the mythical birthplace of King Arthur, formed 18 months ago as part of a birthday wish of member Anne Horrigan. Because her birthday falls on St. Patrick’s Day, Horrigan decided that her closest friends had to do something Irish to celebrate.

Said Jan Wood-Cochran from her home in San Juan Capistrano: “We just casually played some traditional Irish tunes . . . me on the violin and Anne playing the Appalachian . . . dulcimer that’s how it all got started, really.

“Then my sister [Dru Wood-Golden] wanted to be included on the hammered dulcimer, and I asked another friend of mine [Lisa Jaenicke], who plays the flute and bass, to join in. Finally, Melanie [Nolley] and her fiddle turned us into a full-blown quintet.”

Tintangel, which plays in Laguna Niguel on Saturday at the Southern California Dulcimer Heritage benefit, plays mostly faithful versions of Celtic standards in local coffeehouses. Slowly, the members hope to work more of their personalities into the mix.

“Lisa is a Deadhead; Melanie has played mariachi and classical music, and Anne has roots in the folk scene,” Wood-Cochran said. “In time, we’d like to use our various influences to put our own avant-garde, humorous spin on things.

“We’ve already worked-up a few originals, including this little ditty titled ‘Hair Raisin’ ’ that features the hitting of a bongo with a braided rope. Dru and I sometimes fight over who gets to play percussion on that one.”

Pillars of enthusiasm, the 45-year-old twins say this adventure beats going through the standard midlife crisis.

“I’m sure we never imagined we’d be doing this kind of thing at this point in our lives,” Wood-Golden said from her home in Laguna Beach. “We had no expectations, so even if this goes nowhere, it’s like we’re on an E-ticket ride because of the good times we’re sharing.”

“Sometimes we can’t believe we’re a bunch of housewives playing music for an audience,” said Wood-Cochran. “It’s like we’ve been reborn again in our later years. We were all friends before Tintangel, and we’re still friends now. Isn’t that amazing, especially for a group of females?”