SykesMartin will be joining us for a special Leap Day gig on Thursday 29th February, from Live At Sam’s in Sheffield. Ahead of the gig, we caught up with Miranda and Hannah to find out more about the duo, the kind of music they’ll be playing and what else they’re up to in 2024. Here’s what they had to say…
Hi, Hannah and Miranda! It’s lovely to have you with us. How’s 2024 going so far?
Hannah – 2024 for me has been great so far thanks. I’m just about to go on stage for my first gig with Miranda – I’ve been on maternity leave with my new daughter Joni and my toddler Rosa. It has been wonderful, but I’m also excited to get playing music again.
Miranda – Some very exciting projects on the horizon for me and a great start to the tour, with a packed audience at Downend Folk and Roots!
You’ve both been involved in lots of different musical projects, but the duo is fairly new – what made you decide to come together?
Miranda – We found our voices worked well together during a tour that we did with Steve Knightley’s Wake The Union Band . Then we had a jam after a party and it went from there!
Hannah – We’ve played together over the years many times, but always as part of other people’s projects. Miranda and her husband Dan came over for dinner, and we ended up having a jam which made us feel we should be doing something in our own right!
What’s it like working as a duo, as compared with some of the bigger bands you’ve worked with?
Miranda – I love working with Hannah. So great, and so much space for arranging with just the two of us to consider!
Hannah – The flexibility is great. You can feel more exposed than you do in a larger line up, so you need to have a lot of trust. Miranda is an incredibly intuitive musician – she can play along with anything and find the best harmonies, so it’s very exciting to work with her.
For anyone who hasn’t seen SykesMartin before, what kind of music can we expect?
Hannah – I’d say the project really focuses on our harmony singing. We draw mainly on the tradition, from England but also touching on the rest of the British isles and also transatlantic songs.
Miranda – Traditional and contemporary folk songs with modern arrangement and reworking! I feel Hannah and I now have a style together that is so exciting.
You’ve released an album together called Unquenching Fire – tell us about that.
Miranda – The album is a collection of songs from our repertoires and back catalogues, which takes us back to our shared roots.
Hannah – It’s a collection of songs we’ve both loved for a long time. A chance to sing traditional numbers we’ve always fancied arranging – actually, apart from the title song, which was a fragment I came across online, and enlarged upon with some extra verses.
Any plans for a second album?
Hannah – Now you’re asking…
Miranda – Watch this space!
You’ve both done online gigs before. What are your thoughts on the benefits of online gigs for artists and audiences?
Miranda – I think it is a great way of reaching a larger audience. It’s also a lifeline for many people. It was certainly a lifeline for me during the lockdown and my treatment. There are so many people who aren’t able to easily access live music, and we can make it more accessible very easily now…
Hannah – I hink the accessibility is fantastic. Whether it’s because you’ve got young kids or mobility issues, or simply issues with geography, it’s wonderful to suddenly be able to access all the gigs you want!
What else is in store for SykesMartin this year?
Miranda – We’re touring this spring, and then we also have a couple of festivals.
Hannah – We both have little ones at home, so this is our only tour this year. We do hope to do much more together, so some good strong audiences this time around would persuade us that all the babysitting logistics are worth it!
You’ve both got lots of other projects on the go – from musical collaborations to jewellery making! Tell us about what else you’re up to.
Miranda – I’m recording a new solo album, Out of the Woods, at the moment and will be on the road touring it in May. I’ve got some festivals with Daphne’s Flight this summer. Then, I’m touring in a project with Jim Causley celebrating the centenary of Sabine Baring-Gould, which is going out to festivals over the summer as well as touring throughout September and October. Alongside all of that, I’m continuing to make sea glass and paper bead jewellery, and I’m leading a couple of bookbinding workshops alongside a watercolour artist.
Hannah – I’m touring with Saltlines again in May – it’s a project I’m so proud to be part of, featuring The Gigspanner Big Band and the author Raynor Winn. The Gigspanner team also have some touring lined up for the autumn.
We’re looking forward to welcoming SykesMartin to our living rooms on Thursday 29th February. Find out more about the gig and book your ticket here.