Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Popular)
Year of Graduation: 2015
Top Career Achievements:
- Seeing one of my tracks feature on the cover CD of the latest issue of UNCUT
- Having my album chart at #27 in the UK Official Folk Chart
- Getting to support one of my biggest influences, singer-songwriter Michael Chapman, on more than one occasion
What was your earliest musical experience?
When I was ten, I remember listening to 'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden, and it completely changed my life! After that moment, I was obsessed with playing the guitar, and it set me on the path to forging a deep love for music. Since then, I feel like I have always connected with music in a very profound way.
Why did you decide to study in Leeds, and what do you think of the musical community here?
I've always lived locally to Leeds, and I grew up going to gigs there. It always seemed like every band I loved would make a stop at Leeds on their tour, so it seemed like the perfect city to study music.
Can you tell us a little bit about your career as a folk singer-songwriter to date?
Since graduating from Leeds Conservatoire in 2015 I have been building a career as a folk guitarist and singer-songwriter. I have self-released two albums that have seen praise in the likes of Uncut, Mojo and Prog magazine. My latest album Lammas Fair reached the official chart top 40 folk albums in December of 2021.
I have also supported many of my folk heroes live, including Michael Chapman, Bridget St John and Wizz Jones. I have played some of the classic Yorkshire venues, such as the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge and The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. Recent gigs in London have been a success, and I am gradually building a discerning fanbase across the country off the back of my records.
Listen to Llamas Fair by Henry on Spotify:
How did studying at Leeds Conservatoire prepare you for your current career?
Attending Leeds Conservatoire really widened my scope of what I was listening to. Most people who knew me on my course would be surprised to see me making psych-folk albums when I was definitely known for being one of the rare metal and progressive rock types whilst studying for my degree.
During my second and third year of study, I started really getting interested in folk music, and I guess it has just developed from there over the past seven years.
What is your most memorable experience of Leeds Conservatoire?
My most memorable experience from Leeds Conservatoire was performing a ten minute excerpt of a progressive-rock epic 'The Snow Goose' by Camel in my first-year recital. I was being pretty audacious trying to pull that one out of the bag!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get their 'foot in the door' in the industry you're in?
My advice would be to just keep trying and recognise that many of the most important things in life are those that have taken a long time to develop. Keep playing music in front of other people and working at your craft, your playing, stage performance and professional outlook. Things will start to happen without you even realising!
What's coming up next for you in terms of projects, releases or tours?
With my second album having been released and all copies of the vinyl having sold out, it's time for me to start writing new music! I am also planning tours for the Autumn of this year and looking towards the folk festivals in 2023.
