A Brain reaction: Starting with Chris Brain and Henry Parker, then moving to David Ian Roberts and finally Katie Spencer, a tip from a friend sends Steve Peck down a rabbit hole into the thriving Yorkshire folk scene—all within the span of an hour or two. These younger artists are poised to keep the British folk and singer-songwriter traditions vibrant for decades to come. Hop on down if you love sublime guitar work, thoughtful songwriting, and resonant voices.
Chris Brain – photo courtesy of his Facebook page
A couple of weeks ago, a good friend sent me a link to a superb version of Robert Burns’s Now Westlin Winds performed by a rising artist named Chris Brain. Both the song and the performer were new to me, and I was immediately transfixed.
This sharing of Now Westlin Winds set off a fast-moving chain reaction in my musical universe.
I was enchanted with Brain’s version and accompanying video, which was filmed in 0°C weather at his allotment. I loved his misty voice and understated guitar playing. Naturally, I had to hear more.
His 2023 album Steady Away immediately drew me in. I was struck by how he incorporated a strong Nick Drake influence into a set of songs that clearly demonstrated his own originality and talent.
Brain’s song Please must be a direct homage to Drake’s classic Fly. They share a similar chord structure, open with the word “please,” and refer to stars and flying. Brain’s voice has some of the same hazy quality that Drake possessed.
His arrangement reminds me of Bridget St John’s breathtaking cover of Fly, which appeared on a Nick Drake tribute CD compiled by MOJO magazine.
Make no mistake, Brain is no Nick Drake clone. His graceful guitar playing has its own sound, and his lyrics are more wide-ranging. It’s music made for walking under an open sky amidst grassy fields.
While doing my research, I found several references to a Yorkshire folk scene featuring up-and-coming artists. Henry Parker and Katie Spencer were mentioned alongside Brain. My curiosity was piqued even more.
Henry Parker – photo by Katie Spencer
In a flash, I was checking out Henry Parker’s Lammas Fair album from 2021. I was stunned again. The record is closer in sound to classic British folk from the ‘60s than Brain’s singer-songwriter stylings. I heard ghosts of the olden days within.
Parker is a superb guitarist and sounds a bit like Bert Jansch and John Renbourn rolled into one. Not everything is acoustic, as shown in his electric rendition of the old ballad The Brisk Lad. It’s a chilling performance and sounds like something Richard Thompson might have done.
While exploring Parker’s discography, I noticed that he and David Ian Roberts released an album of guitar instrumentals entitled Chasing Light. After listening to a couple of its impressive tracks, I turned my attention to Parker's partner.
The flow of discovery led me towards From the Harbour, an album Roberts released in 2020. Its cover reminded me of Oisin Leech’s Cold Sea, and the record shares many of the same dreamy textures.
David Ian Roberts – photo courtesy of his Facebook page
From the Harbour is a very quiet, reflective album. The gorgeous harmonies and subtle psychedelic overtones remind me of The Byrds' classic The Notorious Byrd Brothers.
Since he resides in Wales, Roberts doesn’t officially qualify for the Yorkshire scene. However, he fits right in musically.
I first heard Katie Spencer a couple of years ago during my initial deep dive into the contemporary UK/Irish scene. Her guitar playing impressed me, as did her songwriting, which evokes the northern landscape of her East Yorkshire home.
Katie Spencer – photo courtesy of her Facebook page
At first, I struggled to connect with her album The Edge of Land. Despite the excellent songs, her vocals had a cumulative, numbing effect on me. However, I’ve had a rethink after a recent listening.
I now wrap myself in the gentle flow of Spencer's songs and voice—like watching the tide roll in under a hazy, setting sun. Double bass sets the foundation and occasional piano and trumpet add tranquil elements of color.
Contemporary folk is alive and well with extremely talented young artists like Brain, Parker, Roberts, and Spencer, who are coming to prominence in the 21st century.
While they honor the heroes who came before them, their art isn’t a copy of the past—it lives and breathes in the present. Since I missed out on the '60s and '70s scene, it’s thrilling for me to experience this firsthand—from my eagle-eyed perch in the States!
Whitby Abbey ruins, Yorkshire – photo by Juliet220, own work CC BY-SA 3.0
Steve Peck also writes at his Hickory Notes Facebook music blog
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