mayhew

mayhew is an alternative acoustic band from Edinburgh, Scotland. The group forms through a series of chance meetings between the musicians after they arrive in Edinburgh from their home countries. Two guitarists meet on the same day and discover enough musical chemistry to begin working together. The line-up then expands when a singer-songwriter joins after an open-mic performance, and a cellist is added after being noticed carrying an instrument up the street. A percussionist later completes the group.

Style and instrumentation

The band combines two acoustic guitars, one played in a folk style and one in a classical style, with cello, percussion and female vocals. Its sound is described as a form of complex folk, with emphasis on the interplay between the guitars, cello harmonies and distinctive vocals and lyrics.

Activity

After a year of songwriting and development, mayhew have built up roughly an album’s worth of songs and are preparing to record a debut EP. The group is associated with new folk, electroacoustic and cello-led acoustic music.