An evening with Paper Sparrows at Cafe No9

Event information

Formed in 2018, Scotland’s roots folk/Americana trio Paper Sparrows bring together
roots folk, americana and a touch of Scottish trad with a contemporary approach with
their twin-guitar lines, double bass and close harmonies. Amongst festival
performances at Celtic Connections, Ely Folk Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe and
FolkEast, a recent highlight was being invited to represent the Scottish folk music
scene at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2024.

Following shows and the realease of their debut EP and album, the band were
described as 'highly recommended' by Celtic Connections and as having 'infectious' songwriting by AmericanaUK. Shindig! Magainze said the band has “a bright future”
and a “rich songwriting craft”. RnR Magazine said “the epithet ‘debut album’ belies
the depth of skill and experience behind of the band members”.

The band comprise David Hershaw on lead vocals and guitar, Ross Fairbairn with
intricate lead guitar and vocals and Colin Morris on double bass and vocals. A tight
group, the 3 members write together and shape each new composition using lead
guitar lines or vocal melodies at its root before building in other instrumentation and
the all-important harmonies. Lyrics, a big part of the band, are folk story based or
using social commentary.

'Top drawer stuff. Really, first class!' - Frank Hennessy, Celtic Heartbeat, BBC Radio Wales
“Impressive folk/Americana” - Jeremy Searle, RNR Magazine
“Highly recommended” - Celtic Connections
“Rich songwriting craft” - Shindig! Magazine
“One of the finds of the festival” - The Folk Club Radio Show

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Andrew Metheven is a lofi/alt-folk songwriter. He released his first EP, A Quiet Life, in
March 2022, and his first album – Sister Winter – in June 2024, and has since
performed at grassroots venues and festivals across Yorkshire.
Still living in his native Bradford, his songs are about births, hills, loss, birds,
daydreams… his live performances – characterised by his melodic guitar finger-
picking – are unapologetically raw and unfiltered.

He tries to avoid just writing songs about birds, but sometimes that’s hard.

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Please note this ticket price DOES include a BYOB fee should you wish to bring alcohol to the venue.

All additional purchases of drinks and sweet treats from the cafe counter are always very much appreciated.