Wiltshire folk cross the border with their California vibe

HAVING travelled to Madrid for the most recent gig at ACE Space with Track Dogs, and to Oregon for The Hackles, the next gig is with a trio from just across the county border.

The Lost Trades may be from Wiltshire, but aurally they will transport the audience to the California folk scene of the late 60s/early 70s with their cool Laurel Canyon vibe.

Their three-part harmonies have been described as “flawless”, “spine tingling” and “magical”. These three songwriters acknowledge influences from the likes of Crosby Stills & Nash, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac. Their live performance involves easy interchanging of instruments, with each of the three playing guitar, bass and percussion at different points.

The Lost Trades formed at the end of 2019, and their first ever gig was in March 2020, just before the lockdown. With no touring possible they focused on song writing and their debut album The Bird, The Book & The Barrel was released in June 2021 and spent eight months in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart.

The follow up Petrichor was released in March 2023 and immediately followed suit, entering the chart at #31.

‘Petricho’ is the pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. Not a common word but, by coincidence another album of the same name was released, about the same time, by another band who have appeared at ACE Space. That band was Coracle.

In support will be the new local trio Serein. The band of brothers Tom and Dan Digweed and fronted by Jen Williams were brought together through a shared love of atmospheric and melodic music.

They draw on a combination of influences of folk and rock, channelled through acoustic instrumentation.

The Lost Trades will be at ACE Space on Saturday, doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

Tickets are £12 and available from www.WeGotTickets.com or direct by contacting events@acespace.org.uk or 07891 176940.