Folk and acoustic singer Bella Gaffney is from Bradford. She writes folk inspired songs which she performs along with her own original arrangements of traditional pieces. She started her acoustic music career several years ago at the Topic Folk Club, where her first song was John Martyn's 'May You Never'. Her songwriting is clearly influenced by lyrical songwriters as well as those with strong narratives; artists as diverse as Richard Thompson, Jez Lowe, Billy Bragg, Jack Savoretti, Roger Davies and Michelle Shocked. Recently she has played at Otley Folk Festival, Hull Folk Festival, Dent Music Festival, Filey Folk Festival, Southwell Folk Festival, Cleckheaton Folk Festival, Holmfirth Festival of Folk, Luddenden Festival, Saltaire Festival, Howarth Music and Arts Festival, Raise Your Banners in Bradford, Norman Rae Gala, Hannah Fest and Shipley Music Festival. She supported Altan at Saltaire Live and Mark Radcliffe & the Foes at Otley Courthouse. She has regular bookings to play at a variety of clubs, festivals, and private functions in Yorkshire. Bella also plays at various music venues in Nottingham where she is currently studying. She was President of the University of Nottingham's Folk Society and is now its Treasurer. Her best known song ‘Centenary Square’ was used for ‘Positive Bradford Day’, while ‘Too Old’ was featured on BBC Radio Leeds’ ‘Best of Bradford’ program. Both songs were on her 'Homegrown' CD, which is currently sold out. Her second CD 'The Clock that Didn't Stop' is now available.
