The Captain makes his return nearly 22 months after a life changing road traffic accident where both he and his family were caught up in a police car chase resulting in being hit by the stolen vehicle. During the challenges of such a stark rehabilitation, music was miraculously still being created, albeit in a very slow, laboured and somewhat sedate ‘late night fashion’. Where strong painkillers/opioids became ‘married’ to those rare and fleeting moments of energetic impulses that screamed out to be expressed – hence a reflective, healing, contemplative album emerged. The first single/lead track Success In Failure was released on March 14th 2024. The 9 track album Beautiful Ugly is the 5th Captain album which will be released officially on bespoke American label Melodic Revolution Records on 12th Sept 2024. It was made with just 3 players, The Captain on Voice/Bouzouki/Guitar, Damian Clark on Keys/Synths and Wendy Ross on Violin.

Being a writer who follows such persistent whispers, prods and an almost other worldly invitation with a deep reverence to the process, The Captain felt compelled to realise this album into existence despite the circumstances that prevailed. A crowdfunding campaign has been amazingly successful with all monies paying for production, recording, design, engineering, mastering, promotion costs etc. The Captain is an ethereal troubadour, storyteller and free thinking renegade. His musical offerings are inspired by the great songwriters and philosophers of yesteryear. This is visceral music for the mind and body, full of dreamy verses, life affirming choruses and sheer audacity. Where melodic invention meets alternative folk, progressive, world and ambient sounds. Previously signed to Voiceprint under his natural guise Shaun T Hunter and Quiet Rebellion, he released three critically acclaimed albums, two of which were Borders Book Store’s album of the month. Off the back of this he carried out a residency at the famous 12 Bar Club, London. He was also voted Acoustic Roots performer of the year at the Leeds Independent Music Awards in 2005.

He was also voted outstanding songwriter of the year from the Yorkshire Gig Guide Awards 2017. Making music is a communion to the Captain and much of his work has taken place in a music therapy guise. Playing in secure units, prisons, mental health units and hospitals. The connection is always about the most authentic exchanges between an artist and his audience, based on a shared humanity. The Captain was chosen by English Folk Expo as just one of 12 English artists to represent team England in the inaugural Global Music Match 2020, an exercise where 96 artists from 14 countries were featured world wide. ”

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“Fran & Flora’s critically acclaimed releases and captivating live performances have led to their rapid rise to prominence across folk, avant garde and popular musical landscapes alike. Sophomore album Precious Collection (Guardian Folk Album of the Month) presents uniquely reworked Yiddish material and original compositions for cello, violin, electronics, voices and drums to create an intimate, evocative and ‘border-defying’ (Mojo) aesthetic.

The duo draws its material directly from archival recordings, recovered manuscripts and study with traditional music masters from the mountains of Maramureș, Transylvania to Berlin and New York. Far from recreating music from a bygone era, Fran & Flora’s intricately sculpted contemporary and virtuosic sound remains “as experimental as it is accessible” (The Guardian).

Recognised as leading artists in their field, Fran & Flora have mesmerised audiences from London to Montreal performing to sold out crowds at prestigious festivals and venues including Kings Place (Songlines Encounters), Cafe Oto, Hidden Notes Festival, Between the Lines Festival, Shambala, EFG London Jazz Festival, Smugglers Festival, Shtetl Berlin, Ancienne Belgique (Brussels), Casa Del Popolo and KlezKanada (Montreal). Supported by PRS Women Make Music, Help Musicians, BBC Introducing and Arts Council England.  ”