Spiro

Spiro’s raw, punk-infused take on minimalist systems music and the dark side of folk, charged with the ecstatic influence of the clubbing scene, began life in 1993 at the instigation of violinist and composer Jane Harbour. Jane’s minimalist systems and electronica influences met head on with the punk influences of mandolinist Alex Vann and guitarist Jon Hunt, and the physical ingenuity of accordion savant Jason Sparkes. Spiro operates as one highly emotionally-charged but exquisitely controlled machine, the parts of which combine in a fierce but tender dynamic interplay. Melodies of classical heft vie with driving rhythmic riffs of unusual spiky beauty in deep layers of instrumental interplay as the intricate musical systems play out – a moving, cinematic, exciting and unique music in which themes are broken and mended again, leaving us in a new musical and emotional landscape. Their first album Pole Star reworked tunes from the North of England, with Jane’s growing fascination with minimalist systems music beginning to impact on the sound. Then came Lightbox, Kaleidophonica and Welcome Joy and Welcome Sorrow, all recorded for Real World Records. With each album Spiro’s sound builds in complexity and adventurous maturity, with Harbour as compositional spearhead, creating towering complex musical edifices bolstered with melodies of classical gravitas.