Folk Rising: Patch and the Giant + Effra

Folk Rising is the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s (EFDSS) national showcase platform for a new generation of folk music artists in England providing a stage on which they can find their performance feet whilst exploring new ideas and styles.

Patch & The Giant are a dynamic troupe of musicians and an ever growing force within the UK alt-folk scene. Together they craft a sound which is rustic, beguiling and “wholly immersing” (Brum
Notes) with a live charisma described as “jubilant” (For Folk’s Sake); its foundation built on a rich and unusual union of instruments including cello, flugelhorn, violin, accordion and more.

Effra are Alex Bishop (guitar), Tom Newell (fiddle, mandolin) and Aidan Shepherd (accordion). Heralding from Bath, Shrewsbury and Canterbury respectively, they met in London in 2011. Although coming from predominantly rock, classical and jazz backgrounds, a strong connection was quickly formed, and they began meeting regularly to write and develop music that shared a common ground.