Saturday 25th February 2017
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Derby Folk Festival October 2018
Songs about cuckolded molecatchers, a lone English oak tree that grows at Gallipoli, care in the community and medieval pilgrims... we can only be talking about the folk experimentalists Harp and a Monkey.
The harp ‘n’ banjo driven electro-folk-storytelling of Martin Purdy (vocals, glockenspiel, accordion, harmonica and keyboards), Simon Jones (harp, guitar, viola) and Andy Smith (banjo, melodica, guitar and programming) is imbued with a deep Lancashire sensibility that shines through in their beautifully crafted and sometimes spooky vignettes of northern life, love and remembrance.
The outfit, who have been friends for more than 20 years, channel the ghosts of summers spent in municipal parks and winters walking on the moors. Ask them about their influences and they are as likely to cite Ordnance Survey maps and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as they are Bert Jansch, Bjork or Bellowhead.
Formed in 2008, Harp and a Monkey have been building up a loyal following via the old fashioned practice of relentless gigging and modern practice of social network sites.
Regulars on the northern festival circuit, in recent years they have expanded their live outreach across the country.
The band are particularly proud of the fact that they have gained a strong reputation for building an excellent rapport with their live audiences and the fact that they have never played anywhere and not been invited back. Such is the strength of their reputation as a quality live act, they have twice been asked to perform at the Homegrownfestival; the annual international showcase of the best of English folk music.
The trio’s melodic and hauntological storytelling, which is always underpinned by a firm commitment to classic songsmithery, has caught the attention and support of the likes of Steve Lamacq, Mark Radcliffe and Mike Harding on BBC Radio 2, Lopa Kothari and Nick Luscombe on BBC Radio 3, Folk Radio UK and many more international, national and regional broadcasters.
The band’s self-titled debut album received critical acclaim on its release in late 2011 and they collected excellent reviews for their contribution to the 2012 ‘Weirdlore’ compilation which highlighted Britain’s most promising practitioners of alternative folk. Their second album, All Life Is Here, was released in April 2014 and again received outstanding reviews, with the likes of fRoots magazine describing them as “undoubtedly one of the most vital and charismatic things happening in English folk music right now”.
The band’s third album, War Stories, was released in July, 2016, as part of their ongoing project (part-sponsored by Arts Council England and The Western Front Association) to mark the centenary of the First World War. The band have been performing new material and re-worked traditional songs (which strive to challenge stereotypes of the conflict) in unusual venues related to the war on British shores. The album has received outstanding reviews, with the likes of The Observer describing it as “bold and brilliant”. Support from BBC Radio 2 has been substantive, including sessions and interviews with Clare Balding (Good Morning Sunday) and Mark Radcliffe (The Folk Show).
Saturday 18th May 2019
After a fantastic performance at Derby Folk Festival 2018, we are pleased to welcome back Harp and Monkey to our venue at The Lawns Hotel.
Award-winning modern folk and storytelling trio Harp and a Monkey specialise in poignant, humorous and melodic short stories (both traditional and original) about life, love and remembrance.
Their work has been described as “bold and brilliant” by the likes of The Observer, “fantastic” and “fascinating” by Mark Radcliffe of BBC Radio 2, “inventive” by Mojo, “excellent” by The Guardian, and “rousing” by The Daily Telegraph. A firm favourite of folk legend Mike Harding, who gave them their first BBC airplay, the band have subsequently appeared in-session on the ‘Beeb’ with the likes of Mark Radcliffe and Clare Balding.
Such is the outfit’s reputation as a quality live act, they have twice been invited to appear at the annual international showcase (The English Folk Expo) that highlights the best English folk acts on the circuit. Their innovative approach has seen them undertake numerous projects with the likes of the Arts Council and leading national galleries and museums.
Previous winners of the ‘best band’ category in the annual folking.com award, the trio (who have been friends for decades) enjoy a fantastic rapport with their audiences.
fRoots Magazine “Undoubtedly one of the most vital and charismatic things happening in English folk music right now.”
Mike Harding “Absolutely top stuff… very, very interesting and unusual songwriting.
An Incredible String Band for the 21st Century.”
Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 2 Folk show "Charming - impossible not to like"
Saturday 5th February 2022
Melbourne Assembly Rooms
Harp & a Monkey return to Village Folk for the first time since we relocated to the Melbourne Assembly Rooms.
In the meantime the band have released their stunning fourth album 'The Victorians' which has received outstanding reviews.
“Inventive. Interesting sounds and great stories.”
Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 2 Folk Show
“Great fan. They come in from the leftfield but are steeped in the tradition and have created a fine body of work. The Victorians is a cracker!”
Mike Harding Folk Show
The band have also been busy working on projects including a commission for Wisbech Museum in Cambridgeshire as well as contributing to a documentary about a former mining community in Warwickshire. You may also have seen them in the recent Sky Arts documentary film about Ewan McColl.
"Unique sound – I really love the unusual soundscapes they create behind their songs.”
Kathryn Tickell BBC Radio 2
“Great storytelling… engaging, melodic and thought provoking.”
Boff Whalley
"Remarkable storytelling, remarkably unique band – innovative and different!”
BBC New Traditions
Songs about cuckolded molecatchers, a lone English oak tree that grows at Gallipoli, care in the community and medieval pilgrims... we can only be talking about the folk experimentalists Harp and a Monkey.
The harp ‘n’ banjo driven electro-folk-storytelling of Martin Purdy (vocals, glockenspiel, accordion, harmonica and keyboards), Simon Jones (harp, guitar, viola) and Andy Smith (banjo, melodica, guitar and programming) is imbued with a deep Lancashire sensibility that shines through in their beautifully crafted and sometimes spooky vignettes of northern life, love and remembrance.
The outfit, who have been friends for more than 20 years, channel the ghosts of summers spent in municipal parks and winters walking on the moors. Ask them about their influences and they are as likely to cite Ordnance Survey maps and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as they are Bert Jansch, Bjork or Bellowhead.
Formed in 2008, Harp and a Monkey have been building up a loyal following via the old fashioned practice of relentless gigging and modern practice of social network sites.
Regulars on the northern festival circuit, in recent years they have expanded their live outreach across the country.
The band are particularly proud of the fact that they have gained a strong reputation for building an excellent rapport with their live audiences and the fact that they have never played anywhere and not been invited back. Such is the strength of their reputation as a quality live act, they have twice been asked to perform at the Homegrownfestival; the annual international showcase of the best of English folk music.
The trio’s melodic and hauntological storytelling, which is always underpinned by a firm commitment to classic songsmithery, has caught the attention and support of the likes of Steve Lamacq, Mark Radcliffe and Mike Harding on BBC Radio 2, Lopa Kothari and Nick Luscombe on BBC Radio 3, Folk Radio UK and many more international, national and regional broadcasters.
The band’s self-titled debut album received critical acclaim on its release in late 2011 and they collected excellent reviews for their contribution to the 2012 ‘Weirdlore’ compilation which highlighted Britain’s most promising practitioners of alternative folk. Their second album, All Life Is Here, was released in April 2014 and again received outstanding reviews, with the likes of fRoots magazine describing them as “undoubtedly one of the most vital and charismatic things happening in English folk music right now”.
The band’s third album, War Stories, was released in July, 2016, as part of their ongoing project (part-sponsored by Arts Council England and The Western Front Association) to mark the centenary of the First World War. The band have been performing new material and re-worked traditional songs (which strive to challenge stereotypes of the conflict) in unusual venues related to the war on British shores. The album has received outstanding reviews, with the likes of The Observer describing it as “bold and brilliant”. Support from BBC Radio 2 has been substantive, including sessions and interviews with Clare Balding (Good Morning Sunday) and Mark Radcliffe (The Folk Show).