‘Land’ - Live

Based on the local and natural history of her neighbourhood in Sheffield, Liz Hanks’ ‘Land’ album (Hudson Records) explores both the loss of nature in the urban environment and forgotten natural worlds. She discovered that the now urban area of Meersbrook was once a beautiful valley called ‘Rush Dale’. Inspired by reading written accounts of this lost valley she created ‘Land’ in remembrance of these lost times and places.

Performance at Sensoria Festival Sheffield 2023 (Photo Credit: https://www.lauramerrillphotos.com)

Live performance

Liz performs ‘Land’ live with solo cello, iPad and a loop pedal. The music is interspersed with tales of human and natural history, of both Sheffield and local history about the venue and its surrounding area. A background film is also available to play during the show with drone footage of the area of Meersbrook in Sheffield.

The album draws on Liz’s musical influences: minimalism, folk, Indian classical music and improvisation. Her live show can fit within many genres including folk, alternative classical, improvisation and alternative.

‘Stunning’ - Elizabeth Alker (BBC Radio 3)

‘Really intriguing’ - Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2)

‘An immersive album of depth and subtlety’ - Folk Radio UK

Past performances have inucluded:

Sensoria Festival (headline) / Counter Chamber at Folklore, London / Brudenell Social Club, Leeds / Jazz at the Lescar, Sheffield

Confirmed live dates for 2024 include:

Timber Festival / Samuel Worth Chapel, Sheffield / Bishops House, Sheffield / Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield / Martyn Joseph’s Pipefest

Biography

Liz Hanks is a cellist, composer and collaborator based in Sheffield. She has worked with an impressive and varied array of high-profile artists  including performing and recording with Richard Hawley, Liam Gallagher, Self Esteem, Martin Simpson, Pulp, Thea Gilmore, Cara Dillon, Jason Singh and Jasdeep Singh Degun.  She is also in demand as a session musician and has recorded on many soundtracks for Disney+, Netflix, Channel 4 and the BBC.

Her debut solo album 'Land' (released on Hudson Records) draws on her influences throughout her career; minimalism, folk, Indian classical music and improvisation whilst remaining heavily rooted in her local landscape.  The album using cello and field recordings to create sound worlds exploring the local and natural history of her local area in Sheffield.  The album has received plays on the Unclassified, Late Junction and Breakfast shows on BBC Radio 3 and The Folk Show on BBC Radio 2.