John Spiers is an English melodeon, concertina and bandoneón player from Birmingham, United Kingdom. Born in 1975, he is also associated with English folk music.

Early life and education

He grows up in Birmingham and has a father who is a Morris dancer. He attends John Mason School in Abingdon, then studies genetics at King’s College, Cambridge. As a child, he learns the organ and piano, and during his university years he begins playing piano accordion and melodeon.

Career

After busking for a period, Spiers moves into work selling melodeons. He performs with the duo Spiers & Boden and the band Bellowhead. He is also part of Eliza Carthy’s band The Ratcatchers.

Collaborations and recordings

His recording credits include Sea Shanties, Folk Music of England and Folk Music of Wales, all issued by The Gift of Music. These releases also feature a range of other folk musicians and groups, including Jon Boden, Ian Giles, Graham Metcalfe, Amber Quartet, Dragonsfire, Benji Kirkpatrick, Paul Sartin and Jon Banks.

Personal life

He has a partner, a son and a daughter.