Fri 9th September, 2016
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Doors: 7:30pm)
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2016 ‘The Watchmaker’s Wife’ Tour
The duo are embarking on a tour of the British Isles supporting the much awaited launch of their 3rd album ‘The Watchmaker’s Wife’.
In the space of just a few years, Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston have emerged to become one of the most sought after duos on the English folk & roots scene. The striking combination of the flame headed double bass player & virtuoso mandolin player create music that Folk Roots say is:
“A musical partnership made in heaven. Scintillating, sensitive and brilliant!”
Well known for the last 10 years as a central component of Show of Hands, Miranda has an exquisite and spine-tingling voice, whilst Rex, with his exuberant and flamboyant playing style, has built a reputation as one of the finest mandolin players in the UK.
Their stunning performance brings precision, delight, wonder and warmth to their live shows.
The Watchmaker’s Wife
The brand new album from Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston – The Watchmaker’s Wife – although not a parable of their personal lives, is most certainly a reflective, powerful and moving collection of tales of love and loss; some traditional and delivered in a way that maintains the dignity of the old songs; some original and with very modern arrangements; some are covers; all with a vibrant, immediate and edgy feel. The pair didn’t set out to create an album with love and loss as a theme, but in the thick of it all, when they just sat back and let out what came naturally, that’s what they got.
Rex for the first time demonstrates his songwriting muscle alongside original material from Boo Hewerdine. Miranda and Rex are as dazzling as ever on their respective instruments – double bass and mandolin/bouzouki. The duo have kept things as honest as they dare to reflect their live performances. There are no guests; no four-part harmonies; no grand multi-tracked opuses; no bells and definitely no whistles. The songs shout very loudly for themselves with only a smattering of sharp and contemporary production gloss.
This is the beginning of a whole new chapter for the dynamic duo. Rest assured, Miranda and Rex remain the greatest of friends and will be touring throughout the UK this Spring in support of the Watchmaker’s Wife release in February.