Rowan and Anna (real life sisters) are an alt-folk duo from Sheffield. While the former still lives in much the same part of Yorkshire, Anna is a long term resident of south west France, and brings a lot of that region's influences into their work. Both play a variety of instruments and provide both lead and harmony vocals. And made good use of a pedal board to build up depth in their sounds.
They played music from their latest album, some self penned, some giving their take on music from a variety of folk sources. A Swedish tune, a French song, and English ballad. The theme, if there is really one, they gave as 'optimistic apocalypse' (!). Their talk between numbers was often entertaining and informative, with some funny stories to tell.
The music is fascinating. Rarely exciting, but always interesting, unpredictable, intriguing, charming. There's a lot to like, if not get passionate about. With the exception of their closing number featuring a driving stomp rhythm and energetic dancing, over the layered track they'd created. That was real fun.
I didn't leave feeling I had to get hold of the album, but knowing that if they put in another appearance in Edinburgh I'd be eager to see them once again.
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