Twilight Programme at Groundswell Festival 2024

TUESDAY 25th JUNE

India Bourne

Tuesday 25th June – 19:30

A classically trained musician, India has long been a core member of childhood friend Ben Howard’s team and live band, singing and playing bass, cello and percussion, together having toured the world several times over. She’s also just performed two shows sold out shows at The Minack with Cornish supergroup A Blaze of A Feather and has made appearances on albums ranging from Sam Fender to Seth Lakeman.

Her debut solo record The Garden under the name Tender Central, India lends her delicate ear for musical arrangement to the realm of electronica and folk, resulting in productions that evoke the sounds of her ethereal electronic forebearers Massive Attack, Lamb and Zero 7, and the unmistakable vocal similarities to legends such as Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. However excitingly for Groundswell her set will be refreshingly different and stripped back. She will feature alongside a trio of female singers from her choir (The Big Skirts) playing cello and piano as well as singing a few completely acappella.

Smith and Brewer

Tuesday 25th June – 21:00

A classically trained musician, India has long been a core member of childhoo Ben Smith and Jimmy Brewer met at an event organised by Joan Armatrading for the acts she had chosen to support her on her 2015 tour. Although they originally planned to just write together, they soon realised that their different guitar playing styles and voices complemented each other and they started performing together regularly after their inaugural gig supporting Joan Armatrading in front of a thousand-strong crowd.

Since then, they have played together all over the UK, toured with 10cc, Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention, amongst a busy performing schedule, and have played hundreds of shows together.

In summer 2023, they spent three days at Studiowz, a beautiful studio in a converted chapel in rural Pembrokeshire. Using a single stereo ribbon microphone, they recorded nine new songs in single takes. The recordings were then mastered for stereo and Dolby Atmos, and Vinyl at Abbey Road Studios in London. The Album is due for release in 2024.

Krinks

Tuesday 25th June – 22:00 – 00:00

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WEDNESDAY 26th JUNE

George Cosby

Wednesday 26th June – 18:30

A strikingly-voiced, talented and poetic songwriter, George Cosby immersed himself in music from an early age to find his own unique, haunting and soulful sound. An unparalleled range, combined with a raw and endearing stage presence, makes George’s live performances speak volumes.

Mr Pash’s Midnight

Wednesday 26th June – 20:00

Mr. Pash’s Midnight is the songwriting project of Oliver Pash – UK based multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger. With lyrics combining a refined feel for ‘noir’ with a yearning sense of romantic mysticism, set against irresistible melodies, which grab you by the hand and dance you serenely through perpetually shifting harmonic quicksand; you could say ‘they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore…’. Oliver has performed internationally as a member of Beach Baby, his former group, with whom he released two studio albums. Currently he combines a career writing for stage and screen (recent work being performed at Northern Ballet), with a work as a session musician; most notably with the ‘Skinshape’ live band, who will be touring the USA, EU and UK in the autumn of this year.

Kasper and the Swamp Dogs

Wednesday 26th June – 21:00

Kaspar has been obsessed by the blues and vintage music since he was 12, half a lifetime ago. He has been described as a 100 year old soul in the body of a 24 year old as he continues to baffle people with a raw sound in the 2020’s. He was born in London and moved to Hertfordshire when he was 9. A family friend gave him his first guitar on the condition he’d learn how to play it. At 12 he discovered Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Pride and Joy on Guitar Hero and quickly realised this was the blues. This would send him on a path of education and revelation.

Kaspar went to New Orleans to celebrate turning 18 where he performed in B.B. Kings Blues Club (and was discovered by producer Harold Marcho music producer). Harold invited Kaspar back to the States to record his first single Sailing.

He mostly performs as three piece, Kaspar & The Swamp Dogs. The band consists of Ian Davidson on bass or cello and Mia Casey on drums or washboard! Ian and Mia also “hold down the bottom end and smash the crap out of the kit” on The Notion. But also goes out as a duo with Ian Davidson on cello (!), or as a solo performer with his trusty Resonator.

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Special rather tall and legendary Guest

Wednesday 26th June – 22:30 to Middnight

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THURSDAY 27th JUNE

Carry the Can

Thursday 27th – 17:45

Hertfordshire based songwriter, Simon Smith is known as the founder member and frontman of Carry the Can. Formed as a duo in 1996 with mandolinist Dave Notman, Carry the Can has always been a place for showcasing Simon’s songwriting. Described as indie folkrock and roots, the current lineup includes: Simon Smith, vocals and guitars, David Cripps on percussion and Jennie Beasty on fiddle. The songs are rooted in experiences, events, places and contemporary themes. The band’s music takes Simon’s songs to new heights. Then in 2022 David Cripps rejoined Simon to form a duo and headline at The Saracen’s Head in Ware for a charity concert. Fiddle player Jennie made a notable appearance for one song and impressed with her improv skills and her playing. She then joined regular rehearsals and Carry the Can developed their current musical style.

Interstellar Duo

Thursday 27th – 19:15 to 21:15

Interstellar Duo are sisters Charlotte and Heather Sterland. They play original compositions influenced by folk, jazz and classical music. Their projects range from live concert tours, to film soundtracks to live stage and dance productions. Performing vocal arrangements from their soundtrack album ‘Adventure 112,’ the duo create a folklorish stage atmosphere, with a show which is both charming and intriguing. From desert safaris, to being pushed to their limits across dangerous moorlands, and surfing by the beach, their music speaks to all, and tales always contain something of the unexpected… Finalists for UK Country Duo in 2022, their work has been described as “beautiful, haunting and delicate”, with precise vocal harmonies and instrumentals which produce an “ethereal sound