Are We Strangers Now? is proud to present a joint headline show from Hannah Nicholson and Escuchando Elefantes.

Support comes from Nick Ellis, Kevin Pearce, and Ric Birtill.

HANNAH NICHOLSON
http://hannahnicholsonmusic.com

Blending soulful melancholia with the controlled artistry of a classically trained singer, Hannah Nicholson gives voice to the light and dark of human emotion.

Having previously performed as one half of the Manchester based psych-folk duo Bird to Beast, coupled with her extensive session work – including Maz (snarky puppy) and Ellie Goulding – she has now crafted her own individual musical identity: a blend of choral, electro and folk, stitched together with a thread that runs from J.S. Bach to Jane Weaver.

Her first eponymously titled EP (produced by Jim Spencer at EVE studios and released in 2017) sets the tone of what’s to come.

ESCUCHANDO ELEFANTES
http://www.escuchandoelefantes.com

Listening Elephants are two voices that have come to sound like one. The dynamism and strength that they transmit to the public with their songs is due to their passion for playing on the street, in which they have trained as musicians.

They have toured Europe sharing experiences with musicians such as the Oscar-winning Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Paddy Casey, Damien Rice, Bono (U2), Lisa Hannigan, Hozier, Kodaline and Sinead O’Connor, among others.

At the end of 2016 Sílvia and Carlos changed the format of the band and begin to exchange instruments on stage playing both drums and guitars, which leads to a more electric and energetic sound. In that same year, they made the recording of their last album “Hope”, which was subsequently released in March 2017.

NICK ELLIS
https://soundcloud.com/nick-ellis

Nick Ellis is dedicated to the concept of “Song” and “Melody”. Some people call it folk, some just call it good old fashioned song craft.

Currently based in Liverpool, Ellis blends streetscape narrative-noir with a classic British acoustic approach. Using a blend of rhythmic attack and finger-quick lucidity, his sound has been described as “a conversation between Elvis Costello and John Martyn.”

Adult Fiction is the latest album release from Ellis – his third in the space of two years – following the streetscape narrative-noir debut of Grace & Danger (April 2016) and it’s surrealist-folk follow-up, Daylight Ghosts (November 2016).

On his songwriting Ellis says: “I see my songs as chapters and scenes. My albums as movies and books. Except, in this film, these stories are true…”

KEVIN PEARCE
http://www.kevinpearcemusic.com

A veteran of Latitude and Wilderness Festivals as well as tours with Ian Mculloch (Echo and the Bunnymen) & Turin Brakes, Kevin Pearce has been quietly chipping away at his career and now has a fine new album ‘So On’ to unleash and share with the world.

Dreamy, open soundscapes are topped off with a keening, really quite beautiful voice, accompanied live by a fluent and fluid acoustic guitar style.

“Stunning” – Dermot O’Leary, BBC Radio 2

“A keening vocal reminiscent of Cat Stevens” – The Independent

“The Finest Songs” – Mojo

RIC BIRTILL
https://soundcloud.com/ric-birtill

Stylistically taking influence from the psychedelic likes of The Incredible String Band, and the experimental art-punk of The Fall, Ric Birtill’s music is a patchwork of off-kilter folk that has drawn in the plaudits from numerous sources.

It is on the live circuit that Ric has crafted his art and built his reputation. He has travelled far and wide, completing European and UK tours and appearing at festivals including T in The Park, Solfest, Brampton, Hebden Bridge Folk Roots, Musicport and Kendal Calling to name but a few.

He has supported the likes of Jeffrey Lewis, Pat Sansone (Wilco), Ade Edmondson, Adam Green and the cast of Red Dwarf. He has also recorded a number of his songs in Nashville on the invitation of top session musician and producer Chris Donohue who has worked alongside the likes of Ben Folds and Emmylou Harris.