Celebrated musicians Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver release their remarkable collaborative album, Hinterland on EarToTheGround Music on 7th March 2025. The duo will launch ‘Hinterland’ on 1st March 2025 at new venue World Heart Beat, Embassy Gardens, London followed by UK Spring and Autumn dates.
Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver, are each highly respected in their own right for their contributions to the folk genre, and while honouring and being highly influenced by English and Irish traditions, they have managed to bring a unique and contemporary quality to their output. Knapp, celebrated for her “fearlessly original” work and Diver, a “one-man supergroup” renowned for his instrumentation and creative production, now deliver their first duo album, a stunning collection of 9 songs in Hinterland, both remarkably varied and powerfully original.
‘Folk music isn’t static – it stretches, bends and warps with the world around it. That’s what excites me – the freedom to reshape it, make it raw and real and unrestrained.’ – Gerry Diver
The album includes both instrumental tunes – such as the Monaghan Jig Set – and vocal pieces that explore nature and human experience. The result is a soundscape that weaves together folk horror, remembrance, and the landscapes, both rural and urban, that inspire their art.
“This album is a mix of themes, often drawn from the natural world and the people who inhabit it”, says Knapp. “We wanted to explore both what we know and what lies beyond our understanding in nature and history.”
‘Hawk & Crow’ (first single, released 6th December 2024) takes listeners into the dark, mysterious world of anthropomorphic birds, blending unsettling harmonies and natural percussion to evoke a deep forest’s ambiance. ‘Train Song’ (2nd single, released 7th February 2025) originating from an impromptu jam session, takes the listener on an Auden-esque train journey across England’s diverse landscapes, reflecting the blending of the natural and industrial in a rhythmic, beat driven soundscape. Other tracks include ‘Starr Carr,’ inspired by an ancient archaeological find in Yorkshire, reflects the powerful and mystic history of 11,000-year-old antler headdresses, combining atmospheric drones and rhythmic cycles with haunting vocals. ‘Long Lankin’ is the dramatic retelling of an old folk tale, portraying a malevolent figure lurking in the shadows, amplified by richly gothic instrumentation, while ‘Penumbra’ is an instrumental piece inspired by the interplay of light and shadow, where traditional jig patterns somehow seem to evoke the celestial.
Partner’s in life and work, Knapp and Diver’s musical journey through the ‘Hinterland’ invites listeners to connect with a sense of place and history, while offering truly fresh, original compositions that resonate with the contemporary world and merge storytelling with rich, multi-layered soundscapes.
About Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver:
Lisa Knapp has carved a unique space in the British folk scene with her inventive interpretations of traditional songs and original compositions. Her 2007 debut album Wild & Undaunted earned her three nominations at the BBC Folk Awards, setting the stage for her influential role in folk music. With later releases like Hidden Seam (2012) and Till April is Dead (2017), Knapp continued to earn widespread acclaim, including a BBC Folk Award for her original song “Two Ravens.” (featuring Martin Carthy).
London born and bred, Knapp’s contributions extend far beyond recorded works. She’s appeared in celebrated collaborations, such as the Arcadia live soundtrack performance with Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Will Gregory (Goldfrapp) at the London Barbican. She is also known for performing the theme for children’s TV show WolfBlood and her lyrical, brilliant The Shipping Song, inspired by the shipping forecast – a theme she later explored in her own BBC Radio 4 documentary.
Born in Manchester to an Irish family, Gerry Diver has made a name for himself as an innovative composer, producer, and virtuoso. His acclaimed Speech Project, described by Christy Moore as ‘essential listening’ blended iconic Irish voices into powerful, evocative music. Featuring collaborations with legends including Shane MacGowan and Christy Moore as well as reworkings of Margaret Barry, the project boldly reimagined Irish heritage for a contemporary audience.
Diver has co-scored major projects including BBC 2 series ‘Death and Nightingales’ and the feature film ‘Pixie’ (with David Holmes). His career includes work with The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Tom Robinson and Sir Ian McKellen. Praised for his inventive production work, his production work has received praise for its ingenuity, and his performances are described as “a flash of fire from a fiddler’s heart” by Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.
Spring Dates
Saturday 1st March – World Heart Beat, Embassy Gardens, London – official launch show https://worldheartbeat.org/events/lisa-knapp-gerry-diver-hinterland/
Friday 21st March – Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room
Saturday 22nd March – Manchester Folk Festival
Artists’ website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lisa-Knapp-Gerry-Diver/61557691590677/
‘Hawk & Crow’ – official video:
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