Both Peter Knight and John Spiers have made long lasting and significant
contributions to the English folk scene via their work with Steeleye Span and
Bellowhead respectively, and each in their own way has changed the perception of
what traditional music can be, introducing it to much wider audiences. As members
of the Gigspanner Big Band, they have expanded those boundaries ever further.
'Folk A-Listers', 'Folk Royalty', 'Folk Icons' are terms frequently applied to them, but
what it means in reality is that they bring the best of traditional music to any stage
they play.
The exquisite explorations of the liminal space that exists between traditional and
classical music is what makes the music of Peter Knight and John Spiers so
compelling and beguiling, ultimately rendering genres irrelevant.
In the words of Tradfolk: As a duo, they have developed into thrilling exponents of
traditional tunes and songs, repurposing the material as jumping-off points into the
most enchanting exploration.
It’s largely through touring as a duo that they’ve been able to cultivate what has
become an extraordinary partnership, giving them the confidence to record their
latest studio album, Both in a Tune, chosen as one of the ‘10 Best New Albums from
Around the World’ by the influential music journal, SONGLINES.
The pairing of violin and melodeon is a classic one, but in the hands of Knight and
Spiers, improvisation and invention meet the listener at every turn. Together they
have created a musical document that resonates with history, but also something to
inspire future generations of musicians to engage with Britain’s folk music heritage.
