SUNTRAP

 

Suntrap are Sara Byers (voice, accordion, guitar, whistles, bohdran), Debbie Chalmers (violin, viola), Paul Hoad (voice, guitar, harmonica) and Mary Wilson (voice, violin).  Together they perform a mesmerizing array of music including their own material and the best of the traditional and contemporary folk repertoire.  Songwriters Sara and Paul create original, innovative works drawing on English song tradition and American Folk & Country.

Suntrap was born when Sara and Mary met at Cecil Sharpe House in 1996.  They decided very quickly to combine their vocal talents and invited Paul, a colleague from one of Sara’s former bands, to back them up on guitar.  This original three piece line-up played their first gig together at Ware Folk Club in February 1997.  Their debut album 'Long Winter Coat' was released in 1999, followed by 'Red, Red Shoes' in 2001.  

2002 saw the addition of fiddler Nicola Hillary who joined the band initially as maternity cover for Mary but who was later invited to join the band permanently.  Here the band acquired a fuller, richer sound with double fiddle parts, additional vocal parts and the occasional piano part.  This four-piece line up can be heard on the third Suntrap album 'Sweet Fast River', released in 2005.  Following Nicola's departure in 2007 the band was joined by fiddler Debbie Chalmers, thus completing the current line-up.

Suntrap have played all over the UK and Europe at major folk festivals, folk clubs and arts centres.  When not headlining, they have supported such artists as Kate Rusby, Kathryn Tickell, Martin Simpson, Waterson Carthy, The Albion Band, The Oyster Band and Vin Garbett.  Suntrap have been privileged to open Cambridge Folk Festival, Skagen Folk Festival and Warwick Folk Festival.  Radio features have included the Mike Harding Show and a live performance on Radio 4’s Loose Ends.

“Suntrap dazzle... definitely recommended” Froots, May 2006

Suntrap are renowned for their strong and beautiful voices and in particular their shimmering harmonies.  'Harmonics Anonymous' is a workshop designed to give attendees a chance to meet the band, share some of their secrets and above all to do lots of singing.  The workshop covers warming up, harmony singing, dynamics and the chance to learn a Suntrap song as well as sing more traditional material.  The workshop is suitable for singers of all levels.

 

"Beautiful slip-sliding harmonies" Froots

“Rich harmonies, dazzling folk fusion”  Time Out