Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Virtuosic, otherworldly alt-folk from one of the world’s only Welsh triple harpists: Cerys Hafana transmutes traditional Celtic ballads into haunting sonic tapestries, full of cinematic scope and experimental textures. Ancient roots with modern resonance FFO: Lankum, Gwenno, Lisa Knapp, This Is The Kit."
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A gig held at Strange Brew on Sunday 23rd March. The event starts at 19:00.
Ear Trumpet Presents: Cerys Hafana. Standing show (with some unreserved seats) at Strange Brew, 10-12 Fairfax St, BS1 3DB - Ages 14+ (Under 18's to be accompanied by a responsible adult)
Doors 7:00pm Show 8:00pm
Cerys Hafana is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. She explores the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, and is also interested in found sounds, archival materials, and electronic processing. She comes from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea.
Cerys has won over audiences from Green Man to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Celtic Connections with her magical, progressive sound.
Her second album, Edyf, drew inspiration from material found in the Welsh National Library’s online archive, including fragments of Psalm tunes, hymns about doomsday, and philosophical musings on the length of eternity, along with some original compositions. It was selected as one of The Guardian’s Top Ten Folk Albums of 2022.
Cerys’ latest EP, The Bitter, released earlier in 2024, is an innovative exploration of some dark English and Scottish ballads.
“Eerie folk fusion and creative use of harp and found sounds. Innovation abounds… likely to take a song that we all know so well and tilt it to one side.”
— Tradfolk
"…she’s an adept shapeshifter, entwining tradition with direct and personal interpretations to create music that’s both progressive, profound, and inspiring."
— Alex Gallagher, Folk Radio UK
"Hafana explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day in a contemporary, creative way... she uses her harp as a percussive, jagged-toothed tool… sings movingly, her high voice like an indie-pop soprano shorn of its sweetness."
— Jude Rogers, The Guardian
Mara Simpson is a multi-instrumentalist, performing artist, songwriter and composer. Her work seamlessly blends electronic, acoustic and orchestral instruments, exploring her love for tape delays, analogue synths and field recordings. Her new album Living Matter comes out this May on Republic of Music.
Her genre-defying musical works include scores for the TV series SILO (2024) and magical-realist film Blue Hour (2023). Her 2019 album, 285 Days starred in Rough Trade’s Album Club, followed in 2020 by, In This Place an album which gained support from BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 3 Unclassified with Elizabeth Alker and BBC Radio Scotland. In 2024 Mara’s self-titled EP was featured in Electronic Sound Magazine. Mara was also awarded a PRS Foundation, Women Make Music grant to produce a series of remixes.
Mara has performed over 300 shows, both on festival stages and intimate concerts, recent stages include Fusion (Germany), Kaltern Pop (Italy), Together the People (UK), Sazavafest (Czech), and live sessions at the iconic Real World Studio. She’s become known for captivating audiences with her rich lyricism, captivating voice, unassuming charm and wicked laugh.
“A natural observer, her lyricism contrasts curious narratives and inquisitive character sketches with personal detail." — Clash Magazine
eartrumpet
Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Doors 7:00pm Show 8:00pm
Cerys Hafana is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. She explores the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, and is also interested in found sounds, archival materials, and electronic processing. She comes from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea.
Cerys has won over audiences from Green Man to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Celtic Connections with her magical, progressive sound.
Her second album, Edyf, drew inspiration from material found in the Welsh National Library’s online archive, including fragments of Psalm tunes, hymns about doomsday, and philosophical musings on the length of eternity, along with some original compositions. It was selected as one of The Guardian’s Top Ten Folk Albums of 2022.
Cerys’ latest EP, The Bitter, released earlier in 2024, is an innovative exploration of some dark English and Scottish ballads.
“Eerie folk fusion and creative use of harp and found sounds. Innovation abounds… likely to take a song that we all know so well and tilt it to one side.”
— Tradfolk
"…she’s an adept shapeshifter, entwining tradition with direct and personal interpretations to create music that’s both progressive, profound, and inspiring."
— Alex Gallagher, Folk Radio UK
"Hafana explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day in a contemporary, creative way... she uses her harp as a percussive, jagged-toothed tool… sings movingly, her high voice like an indie-pop soprano shorn of its sweetness."
— Jude Rogers, The Guardian
Mara Simpson is a multi-instrumentalist, performing artist, songwriter and composer. Her work seamlessly blends electronic, acoustic and orchestral instruments, exploring her love for tape delays, analogue synths and field recordings. Her new album Living Matter comes out this May on Republic of Music.
Her genre-defying musical works include scores for the TV series SILO (2024) and magical-realist film Blue Hour (2023). Her 2019 album, 285 Days starred in Rough Trade’s Album Club, followed in 2020 by, In This Place an album which gained support from BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 3 Unclassified with Elizabeth Alker and BBC Radio Scotland. In 2024 Mara’s self-titled EP was featured in Electronic Sound Magazine. Mara was also awarded a PRS Foundation, Women Make Music grant to produce a series of remixes.
Mara has performed over 300 shows, both on festival stages and intimate concerts, recent stages include Fusion (Germany), Kaltern Pop (Italy), Together the People (UK), Sazavafest (Czech), and live sessions at the iconic Real World Studio. She’s become known for captivating audiences with her rich lyricism, captivating voice, unassuming charm and wicked laugh.
“A natural observer, her lyricism contrasts curious narratives and inquisitive character sketches with personal detail." — Clash Magazine
eartrumpet
Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio
Other folk gigs
— Rough Trade Bristol
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folk
singer-songwriter
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