Bella Gaffney and Painted sky

Double-header folk night with some fabulous musicians

Bella Gaffney

Celtic Connections’ Danny Kyle Award winner Bella Gaffney hails from Bradford. She writes folk inspired songs which she performs along with her own original arrangements of traditional pieces. 2022 will see the release of Bella’s new album, inspired by connections made over the lockdown period.

She has played many folk and music festivals over the last few years, including Celtic Connections, HebCelt, and the Gate to Southwell, to name just a few. And in 2018 she was one of the first recipients of a Friends of Towersey Festival Award for music developmental support and opportunities.

It has been a busy year for Bella Gaffney. Covid-19 has changed the way we operate as musicians and making music has increasingly happened online. New relationships have been fostered by exciting new initiatives such as Global Music Match and Bella has made the most of these new national and international connections with other musicians by creating an album (release 2022) exploring and celebrating these ties. The album highlights artists from across the world – from Canada to Australia to Yorkshire; featuring such luminaries as Sam Kelly (UK) and Hussy Hicks (Australia).

Her latest single ‘Black Water’ celebrates the beautiful River Warfe in the Yorkshire Dales. Bella took comfort over lockdown knowing that this mighty river connected her to family and friends miles away. It seemed fitting to feature Yorkshire based fiddle player Emily Lawler on this track. Produced by the wonderful Dan Webster in York, this track is an homage to the beautiful Yorkshire landscape & Bella’s connection to the land.

Bella also performs with sought-after transatlantic folk band The Magpies.

Painted Sky

‘Painted Sky have only recently emerged onto the UK folk scene, but they have already made a lasting impression with their progressive acoustic sound. Original material thoughtfully balances the duo’s roots in traditional English music. They seamlessly blend tunes from further afield too, from the complex rhythms of Eastern Europe to the stomping fiddle tunes of Quebec, to create a distinct and borderless synthesis of contemporary folk.

Siblings George Brandon (guitar/vocal) and Holly Brandon (fiddle/vocal) have been playing together for as long as they can remember. Recently both have worked on independent projects, with George performing solo and Holly, perhaps best known for being one quarter of transatlantic folk band, The Magpies. But the siblings are always drawn back to each other’s playing and their lifelong musical history is reflected in tight-knit instrumentals and harmonies. Their songs are characterised by honest vocals and timeless storytelling, underpinned by driving rhythms. Whilst their exquisite instrumentals weave delicate finger-picking guitar and soaring fiddle with a dynamic energy.

The duo have played live shows around the UK, with festival highlights including performances at Towersey Festival, Edlefest,Thame Town Music Festival and New Mills Festival. Painted Sky released their debut EP, Dawn, in 2020; a well-received showcase of their live act and progressive blend of traditional and original material.