Folk trio Lonan blend original and traditional songs to explore Leeds’ industrial past, social themes, and human resilience.

With carefully honed arrangements and socially conscious lyrics, the band deliver thought-provoking original and traditional material with delicacy and conviction. Their upcoming release Oddy Locks sets the group’s delicate musicality in contrast with the post-industrial landscape of West Yorkshire, exploring timeless yet contemporary issues such as incarceration, gender, workers’ rights and migration, with a recurring theme of resilience in the face of adversity.

The title track is a lilting jig; a tribute to the band’s favourite part of the canal in Leeds, surrounded by old factories and chimneys, as seen in the cover artwork. The post-industrial theme continues with “Maerdy” (Dave Rogers), which tells of the hardship suffered by a community after the closing of the last pit in the Rhondda, and a sombre rendition of “Rothwell Debtors’ Prison”, an institution not far from Leeds where people were locked away for poverty alone. In “The Shearing”, a traditional Scottish ballad, a woman has been abandoned by a soldier after a violent and non-consensual encounter, and we hear her quiet defiance in their confrontation; whilst original song “Sands of Dover” tells of a hotel worker from Nepal who wishes to pursue a love marriage with someone outside of his caste, and dreams of flying to a distant land where they could live in peace. A vibrant rendition of Richard Thompson’s “Beeswing” closes this release, recorded during the 2020 lockdown for Chapel FM live session and dedicated to the memory of its sound engineer, who was always a great supporter of the local folk music scene. Prior to release, ‘Oddy Locks’ has already had extensive radio play, including featuring on Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Radio 2 ‘The Folk Show’ and BBC Radio Ulster and Lincolnshire to name but a few.

The trio brings together the unique musical voices of bluegrass mandolinist Evan Davies (The Often Herd; Ancient Infinity Orchestra), balladeer and folk flautist/whistle-player Katy Ryder (Living With Machines) and klezmer fiddler and troubadour Robin Timmis (Kibitz; Lisbon-based Malotira). Having met through the dynamic folk and world music scene in Leeds, their diverse styles organically converged around Timmis’ self-penned songs, as well as a shared love of lively instrumental tunes and ballads of the industrial north. 

Their debut album Forever Has Flown was recorded in 2020, when after hearing news of the impending lockdown, they quickly moved in together and assembled a home studio in their basement. Their first single ´Following Orders’ was released in April 2021, and in-keeping with the story of the song, proceeds went towards Leeds homeless charity, St George´s Crypt. The album was then released in August 2021 to a sold-out show at Seven Arts in Leeds, and was followed by a UK tour.

Lonan have since performed at festivals including Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Hebden Bridge Folk Festival and Northern Green Gathering. Their music has been played on shows such as Mark Radcliffe’s The Folk Show BBC Radio 2, Mike Norris’ Classic Folk and Ian Anderson’s Podwireless, as well as a living room concert live on Chapel FM.

Oddy locks is available in CD or download here

“Engrossing and magical”

“They blend vocal harmonies and music exquisitely, that is compelling in its refusal to shy away from sorrow, while always offering a flicker of hope”  

Folk and Tumble Magazine 

“From old material to modern classics and original lyrics, they vividly depict people and atmospheres with the precision of neo-classical miniatures and the warmth and intimacy of an impressionist painting.” 

Bright Young Folk

"Brave song-writing [...] raw materials in spades"

Dai Woosnam, The Living Tradition.

"Wonderful vocal harmonies, delicate arrangements and slick musicianship. With bags of personality and an infectious passion for great folk music, Lonan are a trio not to be missed!"

Marc, MEWL Music.

“Incredible [...] a lovely, lovely album!”

Tim Walker, BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Social media/contacts:

Website: https://www.lonanfolk.com 

Bandcamp: https://www.lonanfolk.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lonanfolk 

Email: [email protected]