The busy summer of Folk Festivals may come to an end, but there are some great folk gigs coming up at The Harrison to sweeten your autumn.

Regular sessions at The Harrison include:

Klezmer Jam - first Sunday of every month

Eastern European Jam - every second Thursday of the month

Irish Jam Session - 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month

Old Time & Bluegrass Jam - 3rd Sunday of every month

The special treats for September start with Desiderii Marginis & Shadow Biosphere on the 10th. 

Of the Swedish wave of ambient acts from the 1990’s, Johan Levin, the mastermind behind Desiderii Marginis, has created and developed his own unique sonic palette merging digital and analogue: melancholic electronica with electroacoustic elements and intravenous rhythms. From early on his music met with positive reactions resulting in albums on legendary Cold Meat Industry label, and Cyclic Law.

Shadow Biosphere’s first album ‘Parallel Evolution’ was released in Autumn 2014, to excellent reviews. Shadow Biosphere’s two members, Caroline Jago and Lesley Malone, form the core of Seventh Harmonic; are long-standing members of Sol Invictus; and have also performed as part of the live bands of S o R I A H, Monica Richards (Faith and the Muse), Peter Bjärgö (Arcana), Der Blaue Reiter, and Narsilion. Shadow Biosphere follows a completely new electronic/dark ambient/ritual musical direction however. Sonically drawing on bio-acoustic, primeval, abyssal and imagined sound worlds, ‘Parallel Evolution’ evokes the hidden life within and beyond our known realms. Richly textured ambient soundscapes are infused with found sounds and the organic pulses of natural forces, to summon immersive new perspectives on subatomic and multiversal dimensions. From the powerful opening title track, ‘Parallel Evolution’ is a compelling exploration of unseen biospheres and hidden lifeforms. Inspired by astrobiology, quantum theory, eastern travels, William Blake, Alan Watts, improbability, the interplay of science and art, the multiverse and ‘a world in a grain of sand’, Shadow Biosphere’s atmospheric conceptual soundscapes connect the eerie whirl of planetary forcefields in the solar system’s outer reaches with dark deep terrestrial worlds and the lifeforms that inhabit earth’s uninhabitable places.

New Roots will be presenting two events: Ferris & Sylvester & Benedict Benjamin & Matthew Fulloon on the 15th and The Bara Bara Band on the 16th. 

In early 2016 London based duo Ferris & Sylvester’s alt-country tinged fine harmony and superbly crafted songwriting caught the ear of legendary producer Youth (Paul McCartney/ The Verve/ Beth Orton). He invited them to to record at his studio in Spain, where they recorded their soon to be released debut EP, ‘Save Yourself’. Greenwich Village 1966 is a clear reference in their catchy folk sound, from the Lovin’ Spoonful to Mamas & Papas, with contemporary nods to the likes of Laura Marling and Conor Oberst completing the picture.

Benedict Benjamin is Ben Rubinstein, formerly of The Mariner’s Children and Peggy Sue (Wichita). His debut album ‘Night Songs’ is a collection of timeless compositions recorded in a series of churches, bedrooms and kitchens across London and Kent with producer Dan Blackett (Landshapes, Bella Union). Ben is first and foremost a classic songwriter, his wonderfully cinematic songs are shot through with the heartbreaking swoon of Roy Orbison, the soothing harmonies of the Everly Brothers and the honesty of Jeff Tweedy. His music undercuts the dreamlike beauty of early 60s pop with lyrics frank and poetic, taking you to a David Lynch-like world that makes the heart swell and the head spin.

The Bara Bara Band will be launching their new album "The Seeds Inside". Describing themselves as “an alt-folk quartet drawing promiscuously on old-time Americana, country and 60s psych as well as soaking up influences of traditional English folk music” The Bara Bara Band hail from the old mining town of Church Gresley, South Derbyshire. The band were formed by Ruth Jacob (The Lorcas) and Rupert Browne (Juniper Leaf), and completed by Boris Ming (of Juniper Leaf and The Precious Mings) on fiddle and Will Dobson on percussion. Tonight they launch their second album ‘The Seeds Inside (The Grapes Upon The Table)’ .

Rupert and Ruth also run the monthly folk club TOOTING FOLK, which has become a firm favourite on the London folk scene.

‘a wild feel…a real sense of freedom’ FATEA Magazine

‘ranges between innovative old-time Americana to psychedelia-tinged British folk’. Folkworlds.

‘destined for great things’ American Roots UK

New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves – for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.

On the 30th, following sold out shows at The Hug N Pint and Glad Cafe in Glasgow, the Songwriter Circle that is Panic Anchor, Katee Kross and Mick Hargan bring their show to London at The Harrison for the first time as part of a small tour.

Panic Anchor is the moniker for Glasgow based songwriter Andy McBride. Starting in early 2014 he played 100 plus shows throughout Glasgow, Scotland and Europe. Panic Anchor released their debut EP – The Tennessee Sundays EP in July 2014 and promoted it during a 4 week residency at The Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. 2016 saw the follow up release ‘Codeine, Wine & Patsy Cline’ which included a full UK/IE tour and will follow this up with a headline European tour in September this year.

“There’s a hint of John Prine here…”
Americana UK
“Imagine a bluesy Lou Reed and you’re half way there….” – Glasgow Living

Katee Kross is a 20 year old singer/songwriter from Bishopbriggs who has already worked with some of the big Names In the Scottish scene.

Mick Hargan released his 2nd record in 2015 – he signed with Chicago based publishers GO DIY – Since The summer of 2015 he has completed 3 Self Funded tours of the United States Culminating in a show at The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. He has also toured the United Kingdom and Ireland thrice and been making appearances in Reykjavik Iceland – Hargan also provides a platform in Glasgow for up and coming songwriters as well as touring musicians running and coordinating some 5 live gig / Showcases per week, justifying his moniker of being the hardest working musician.

“Mick’s a man after my own heart… uncompromising hard graft, no shit and relying on no-one but himself to make things happen” – Dave Arcari

Plus the regular fortnightly events from the Folkroom label on the 13th and 27th.