Suthering

Evocative and distinctive, folk duo Suthering (Julu Irvine & Heg Brignall) transport audiences with their exquisite vocal harmonies and their message of hope during hard times. Described at “Two excellent singers” by BBC Radio’s Genevieve Tudor, their harmonies soar above the cascading piano and delicate, fingerstyle guitar. It’s the duo’s beautifully matched voices and their fresh approach to folk which makes their songwriting stand out.

They made their full-length studio album debut with If We Turn Away in 2022, co-produced with Lukas Drinkwater, which was heralded for its distinguished sound and “Hard-hitting, beautiful songs” (Folk Wales Magazine).

2024 marks the release of their second studio album Leave A Light On. Produced by BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner, Sean Lakeman (Levellers, Seth Lakeman), the album is a bold new direction in sound for the duo. A poignant and powerful exploration of themes affecting the social and political landscape, Leave A Light On is a collection of personal reflections, captivating stories and modern-day songs of protest and unity. The album will be released on Bessie Records on October 4th 2024 and will coincide with a UK tour.

Known for their chemistry and humour on stage, they effortlessly intertwine their important messages about the state of our climate, social conscience, and the importance of community and connecting with nature. They champion female characters, creating new narratives for women and unearthing the female heroines of folk.

Suthering found their duo name in a book called Landmarks by Robert MacFarlane. The word, meaning “the sound of the wind through the trees” comes from a John Clare poem and it perfectly captures the duo’s love of nature, a theme which can be found woven into their music.

They moved from Bristol to Devon in 2019, just before the pandemic hit, in a bid to create a more connected life on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. The wild expanse and history of Dartmoor, influences and inspires their music, which is rooted in the landscape that surrounds them.

Suthering have toured extensively since the release of If We Turn Away, playing at venues and arts centres across the UK and have received recognition and features from the BBC, R&R magazine, FATEA Magazine, Folk Wales, Folk Expo, folking.com and more. They were featured as artists at the EFDSS concert series at Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2022 as well as appearing at many festivals across the country in 2023. They have previously appeared at Costa Del Folk, Priddy Folk Festival, Beardy Folk Festival, Fire in the Mountain, Green Man Festival and many more. In August 2022 the duo took part in the second instalment of the Songs of Separation project called All Sing! on the Isle of Lismore, recording a cappella versions of the original 2015 Songs of Separation album. They have also been selected for the Rural Touring and Applause schemes, taking gigs to rural locations across the country.

Alongside their duo, Julu and Heg they delight in bringing communities together; they run two community choirs (Wheelhouse Folk Choir and The Great Sea Choir) and they also run their company Suthering Singing Retreats which offers singing workshops for adults.

In 2022, they made history by setting up the first-ever pride event in their hometown. Tavistock Pride received acknowledgment from national and local press, radio and received an endorsement from Olympic athlete Tom Daley. Tavi Pride continues as an annual event which includes a large parade and festival.

Julu and Heg are passionate about advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and for the rights of women and other marginalised people, through their music and through community engagement.

“Beautiful harmonies. Two excellent singers” – Genevieve Tudor, BBC Radio

“Excellent musicians, beautiful harmonies and a fresh approach to traditional music” – FATEA Magazine

“Suthering’s strength lies in their uniqueness” – RnR Magazine