Hank, Pattie & The Current + Cross Country (support)
All the way from North Carolina, we are proud to welcome Hank, Pattie & The Current to The Sound Lounge for a special night of bluegrass-inspired music from this masterful four-piece band. Bluegrass visionaries Hank Smith (banjo) and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw’s (fiddle) innovative twist on traditional bluegrass music is a soulful brew flavoured with classical, Motown, jazz, and pop influences. Hard-hitting bluegrass pickers who moonlight as symphonic classical musicians, Hank & Pattie have forged their unique sound by refreshingly embracing their myriad of musical influences to create a unique sound, true to themselves. Their overall musicianship, vocal harmonies, impassioned delivery and innovative arrangements captivate all generations of music lovers.
The band includes bass player Stevie Martinez, who also performs with the Asheville Symphony, and guitarist Billie Feather, who hold numerous degrees in guitar and engineering.
Tonight's opening act are Cross Country. Formed in London, with North-Eastern English and Northern Scottish roots, Cross Country is a dynamic folk duo made of Matthew Stringer and Aidan Grant - two friends who simply decided to play some tunes together. String instrument specialist Aidan provides the harmonic and rhythmic drive on the guitar alongside Matthew's melodic playing on tin whistle. Their arrangements of traditional and modern folk tunes combine their natural folk instincts with influences from their individual music tastes.
Originally from County Durham, Matthew spent his formative years studying in Manchester at Chetham's School of Music studying saxophone and piano. After hearing Julie Fowlis perform in his school's concert hall, he bought a penny whistle the next day and began to teach himself. 4 years later he moved to London to continue his musical studies and to begin building his professional music career wherein he met Aidan. The two of them gelled instantly, playing music they both enjoyed organically and effortlessly.
From the Moray Coast in Scotland, Aidan grew up around folk music. He started on fiddle at age 10, playing the music of his homeland of Speyside. He then picked up the guitar four years later and hasn't put it down since. Aidan started playing professionally at age 16 when he joined his first ceilidh band, and has since been around the world playing to anyone that will listen. In 2022, Aidan moved to London to study fiddle making. Through connections in his course, he joined the band where he would meet Matthew. Doors 7pm. Show 8pm Unreserved seating and standing
