Folk Bands and Artists
Sarah Lloyd & Ian Kennedy
Now widely recognised as superb harmony singers, singing together didn’t occur to Sarah and Ian until they got involved in the South East London folk scene about 12 years ago, having spent most of their lives making a wide range of music including classical orchestras and church choirs, Javanese Gamelan and classical Thai music. Although they had loved folk music for many years, it was hearing local singers at singarounds that inspired them to take part themselves, singing solo and in harmony.
Ian and Sarah have a repertoire of mostly traditional and mostly unaccompanied English folk songs, initially drawn from the singing of Martin Carthy, Fay Hield, and the Silly Sisters. Having grown up in West Wales, Sarah will sometimes sing a Welsh song. They continue to play violin, whistles, bodhran, concertina and cello and occasionally accompany their singing.
As well as being residents at Dulwich Folk Club, Sarah and Ian are regulars at The Goose is Out! where they have been privileged to support guest artists, such as The Eliza Carthy Trio, and Nancy Kerr and James Fagan as well as performing in festivals, art trails, folk clubs, libraries, book shops, cemeteries, woodlands and boats!
Ian and Sarah are long-standing members of Dulwich Folk Choir which Sarah still attends regularly while lockdown drew Ian into the world of Collaborative Vocal Improvisation, a practise he continues to maintain.
Sarah completed an MA in Traditional Music studying both the folk community and folk song history and contributes to Folk London magazine. She has recently been involved with The Sweet Thames Heritage Project and Access Folk Project.
Genre: Folk revival
