“When so much music fusing global traditions can drain it of its specificity, this is an album that masterfully twists together its influences, intensifying their colours” – The Guardian ****
“Dramatic & deftly played…” – FATEA
“If I was still booking gigs and festivals… a band who would be high on my A-list”
– Ian Anderson
“Hedera have a certain bewitching power… almost to be able to harness the elements” – Bristol 24/7
Hedera is a chamber folk ensemble from Bristol featuring Lulu Austin (violin), Maisie Brett (violin, hardanger d’amore), Tamsin Elliott (accordion, harp), Beth Roberts (double bass, violin) and Isis Wolf-Light (clarinets). They perform original and traditional pieces inspired by music from England, Scotland, France, Bali, Georgia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia and beyond, translated through a prism of experimental minimalism and contemporary classical influences.
Their eponymous debut album is a collection of twelve original & traditional tunes that reflect their craft as composers, tune-interpreters and collaborative arrangers, and has been named has been The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Month.
Hedera began meeting informally in 2020 to play tunes around winter bonfires, limited to a small gathering due to the ‘Rule of Six’ pandemic measures. As they taught each other tunes from different traditions, they discovered a shared love of deep listening, slow playing and improvisation, which naturally evolved into collective writing and arranging.
To launch their debut album, they completed a major 20-date UK launch tour in January & February 2026, with almost all performances sold out, including King’s Place (London) and The Mount Without (Bristol), and a live session on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune.
They have had two videos premiered on KLOF Magazine – ‘Waterwheel’ (2022) and ‘Sterretjie’ (2025). Other notable gigs include Bristol Folk Festival and Folk East Festival in 2024; many attendees at both festivals expressed that Hedera was the highlight of their weekends.
Hedera’s early informal sessions (‘Moon Jams’) have evolved into co-facilitated workshops with a focus on gender inclusivity, collective listening and improvisation. They create a safe space for accessible tune sharing & learning across a number of traditions – get in touch if you’d like to book a workshop alongside a gig.
Find their main website & contact info here.
Cuculi Records 