Neil McSweeney/Vera Van Heeringen

Event information

Sheffield resident Neil McSweeney has built a growing following with each release from debut "Remember To Smile" through to brand new album "Cargo". Whilst staying true to his brooding Americana roots, Neil has developed and matured as a writer and musician and it was inevitable that in time his path would cross that of some of the stellar acoustic musicians in and around the city at this time. Hence, Cargo was produced by the much vaunted Andy Bell (Bellowhead/Martin Simpson etc) and featured artists such as Sam Sweeney and Andy Seward. The sound is still pure Americana, although he received rave reviews and huge audience response during the autumn whilst touring as support to Bellowhead. On those dates he shared the stage with musician's musician Vera Van Heeringen, a Dutch country singer really coming into her own after a career with The New Rope String Band.
Vera is originally from Holland, but now settled in the hills of northern Powys, Wales.
She is well known for her big guitar sound and has worked on the acoustic music scene in Europe for the last decade and developed a reputation as a strong back-up player on guitar, bass and fiddle in several Cajun and old-time bands. Vera plays with The Flatville Aces, and toured with Sheryl Cormier, the late Eddie LeJeune, Dirk Powell and Sharon King.
She will pick up any instruments new to her in order to get the sound and feel of projects she’s involved in and is always pushing herself to keep moving musically. She currently goes out a trio but also sometimes accompanies singer-songwriter Neil McSweeney on guitar/mandolin.

She was a member of the New Rope String Band for over five years and charmed many an audience across the country. The straight-faced guitar-picking lady has now left the comedy to one side and recently released her debut album, Standing Tall. She is Dutch, after all. This time we get to hear her do her own songs and tunes. With rhythm at the heart of the music, honest and touching lyrics, melodies always that slight bit crooked. The drive of old-time, the clarity of bluegrass and the swing and ease of musicians having a great time. Recorded at home on vintage microphones by the great Andy Bell, with and among great musical friends and collaborators, good food and good times, the fruits of the project are great and lush. Real music with a raw energy.

In this show, Vera and Neil will play their own sets, help out on each other's songs and play some of the sweetest sounding music you can find.