It's always very interesting when friends come together and create a brand new collaboration. Our next LCM featured trio is one great example and one that we think could do very well. Formed by Birmingham based singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Cleverley, the trio also features the very talented fellow 'Company of Players' artists Kim Lowings from 'Kim Lowings and The Greenwood' and Cathy Pilkinton from 'Said The Maiden'. Our LCM #SongOfTheDay is a live version of 'Missing Persons', taken from Chris’s 'Apparitions' album and filmed by Rob Bridge of Redwood Photography.

Developing the solo live sound for which Chris has become well known across the UK, the trio presents fresh and vibrant arrangements of popular original and traditional material as well as exploring new, uncharted territory to stretch the boundaries of what we define as folk music.

Chris says of the new project: “There were two main purposes for assembling this line-up. Firstly, I wanted to reinterpret material from my own back catalogue which I had naturally become disconnected from after years of performance. The dynamism that these two sensational musicians brought to the arrangements made it like performing a whole bunch of brand new songs. Secondly, through gearing up for the recording of my next record, I wanted to introduce hints of the denser, more layered sound that we’ll be creating.”

With a focus on intricate three-part vocal harmonies and detailed, unorthodox instrumentation these three musicians draw on a long history of collaborating to present a richly layered and tightly cohesive live sound. Audiences can expect effects-laden acoustic and electric guitars, ebow, banjos, clarinet, shruti box and keyboard, all underpinning the centerpiece of the trio’s vocal arrangements.

The trio’s inaugural showcase performance offers a rare opportunity to catch this live act in 2018. This event is book-ended by Chris’ Autumn Solo Headline Tour dates, including performances at Orpington, Rothbury, Newcastle, Carlisle, Aylesbury, Oswaldtwistle, Frodsham and Romford.

All the above dates will unveil glimpses of new material taken from Chris’ second studio album, which commences production in November 2018 under the guidance of award winning producers Sam Kelly and Graham Coe. Covering broad and challenging imagery of deteriorating anxious minds, damaging gender constructs, literary heroines and struggling public services Chris’ new material reflects a keen intellect and strong social conscience.

The trio appear at hometown venue The Red Lion Folk Club in Birmingham on Wednesday 26th September 2018. The Chris Cleverley Trio are available for venue and festival bookings from Autumn 2019 onwards.

www.chriscleverley.com