News
November 2022
Reunited, and it feels so good! I’m ecstatic to be back with the inimitable Show of Hands and historian and broadcaster Michael Wood OBE FSA for Songs of the People. The show takes us on a chronological journey through 800 years of English radical songs. Michael provides the historical context and the three musicians create the musical settings to songs that are the soundtrack to the People’s History. From the Great Famine and the Peasant’s Revolt in the 14th century, the English Civil War, the Diggers and Levellers, Peterloo, the Chartists and Tolpuddle Martyrs these songs shine a light on the lives of ordinary men and women through times of struggle and hardship as they fought for the rights that are ours today. We'll be touring throughout May and tickets will be on sale soon - I'll update with full details asap!
I'm so excited to be working with the amazing Ciderhouse Rebellion on a new album that tells the tales of some historic jobs that, for whatever reason, don't usually make it into folk songs. In early November, fiddle player Adam Summerhayes, accordionist Murray Granger and I spent a week together in the beautiful Yorkshire moors devising, writing, and recording, and I can't wait to share the album with you. Adam and Murray are both incredible musicians, with a unique and exciting way of working, and - I might be biased! - but I think we've created something pretty magical. We'll be touring the album at some point next year, watch this space for more information and for dates to be announced.
Last, but very much not at all least, I'm delighted to be continuing the Life and the Land project with virtuosic guitarist and player-of-all-stringéd-things Ben Walker. Ben and I are currently in the process of researching and writing songs for a follow up EP to Life and the Land, which we hope to release some time next year. As well as UK dates, we're also planning on taking the show overseas! In January Ben is also releasing a new solo album, which I'm honoured to be on, alongside a lot of other very special guests indeed, so make sure you follow him for information about that.
