The December Flowers Album Launch gig

Event information

The December Flowers album launch gig with Banjo Jan and The Burner Band (Leeds).

The December Flowers debut album 'See it Through' will be released on 7th February 2025. See it Through was recorded at Sheffield’s Crystal Ship studios and Balcony Recording Company with Chris Wilkinson (Rhiannon Giddens, T Bone Burnett, Alison Krauss) the Grammy-winning former chief engineer at East of Iris Studios in Nashville. The Album features guest musicians including world-renowned pedal steel guitar player CJ Hillman, and Ambient Americana visionary (and fellow Sheffielder) Bobby Lee.
The opening track and lead single ‘Dream Again’ confirms the band’s evolution from acoustic duo to expansive, psychedelic folk-rock 5-piece, but the range, warmth and candour of Gemma Gray’s voice and song writing remains at its heart.
The defiant yet dreamy title track ’See it Through’ is adorned with majestic swells of pedal steel, as is the hypnotic ‘Beautiful Day and the frazzled Americana of ‘My Joshua Tree’. ‘Mind Game’ best showcases the band’s hallmark interplay of Wurlitzer piano and electric guitar - 60’s nostalgia abounds throughout but the timeless nature of the songwriting shines through in Gemma’s vocal. ‘Anyhow’ and the upbeat Beatles-y waltz of ‘No Words’ are lent further retro authenticity by cosmic chimes of Lee’s 12-string.

The Burner Band
The Burner Band are a hard-working and prolific unit with an original sound. They combine country, bluegrass and roots influences. After two solo albums (Dog Songs, 2018, Dark Wheels, 2020), front man Lewis Pugh collaborated with bass man Ian Blackburn to forge a collection of songs ranging in subject matter from mental health, murder, migraines and Liverpool’s campaign to rid the city of The S*n. This became 2021's debut album 'Signs & Wonders' on Leeds indie label Shed Load Records, receiving strong reviews in Saving Country Music, Americana UK and Folk Radio. The band released their 2nd album ‘Age of the Liar' in 2023 on Shed Load Records to even more rave reviews. The sound expanded to feature some roots rock flavours as well as their string band influences. Currently working on their 3rd full length of original songs, the new record is scheduled for release in 2025. The band have toured the UK, and have appeared at some of the UK's top festivals, including Country Cantina, Hexham Bluegrass Festival, Deer Shed Festival, Maverick Festival and Buckle and Boots.

Banjo Jen
Original Americana with Yorkshire personality.

Sheffield-based artist Banjo Jen is difficult to categorise but easy to fall for. Her unique brand of folky Americana, with insightful observations and an eclectic original repertoire, has seen her gain a growing reputation as one to watch on the UK singer-songwriter scene. With razor-sharp songwriting, percussive Appalachian step-dancing and engaging between-song banter, her refreshingly original live act is guaranteed to win the heart of every crowd.

'What more do you need to gladden the soul?' - Metro newspaper
'Smart and sassy' - Maverick magazine
'A standout figure in the UK's singer-songwriter scene' - Aldora Britain Records