Hedera

Hedera is a chamber folk project from Bristol featuring Lulu Austin (violin), Maisie Brett (violin, viola), Tamsin Elliott (accordion, harp), Beth Roberts (double bass, violin) and Isis Wolf-Light (clarinets). They perform original and traditional pieces inspired by music from England, Scotland, France, Bali, Georgia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia and beyond, translated through a prism of experimental minimalism and contemporary classical influences. Their eponymous debut album is a collection of twelve original & traditional tunes that reflect their craft as composers, tune-interpreters and collaborative arrangers (due for release in February 2026).

In 2020, the five musicians began meeting informally to play tunes around winter bonfires, limited to a small gathering due to the ‘Rule of Six’ pandemic measures. They discovered a shared love of deep listening, slow playing and improvisation as they taught each other tunes from different traditions.. Over time, the ensemble has evolved into something more structured, but still retains the intimacy and conviviality of its beginnings.

In 2022, their debut track ‘Waterwheel’ premiered on KLOF Magazine and they performed their first highly acclaimed gigs at Fire in the Mountain festival and The Greenbank, Bristol. In January 2024 they sold out most gigs on their debut UK tour, performing in prestigious arts centres including King’s Place (London) and Upfront Arts (Penrith), as well as prominent community venues such as Black Fen Folk Club