Phil Langran

Phil Langran is a songwriter and performer from the south of England who is based in Nottingham. He starts out playing electric guitar in pub bands and acoustic guitar in folk clubs in the Brighton area, before moving on to perform in London, Leeds and Hull. His writing and performance style draws on folk traditions, with later descriptions of his songs noting influences from Celtic music as well as American folk, blues, country and jazz.

Performing and collaborations

For several years he performs his songs with guitarist and banjo player Steve Benford. The two later expand into a band with Mark Walker on bass and Frank McCarthy on electric guitar, and they are often joined by saxophonist Pippa Marland, who also appears with Carmina. Langran also performs as a solo act. In Otley, Yorkshire, he also plays in the background while fellow songwriter Dave Vermond performs.

He and Steve Benford co-found the Beeston T-Party Songwriters Showcase. Together with their daughters, Hayley Benford and Rosa Langran, they form The Bengrans, performing Shetland fiddle tunes. With added fiddle, flute and percussion from Milli Galgut, Edwina Crowder, Penny Benford and Gail McGregor, the larger line-up becomes Alamootie!, which wins the Brigg Fiddle Festival busking competition twice.

Recordings

Langran records three CDs of original songs: Learning by Heart (1997), Rain Don’t Fall (2002) and This Day (2005). A further CD featuring the then-current band line-up is planned for release in 2009.

Songwriting style

His songs are described as lyrical and emotionally direct, with wry and wistful writing, dry humour and themes including regret, determination, death, disappearance and love. His repertoire includes songs such as “Dunmanus Bay”, which is noted for its sea-gazing character and Celtic colouring. The band arrangements around his songs include acoustic guitar, fretless bass, electric guitar, saxophone and whistles.

Other notes

Rejected album titles for one project include The Three-Wheeling Phil Langran, First We Take Long Eaton, Bringing it All Back Up and Streaks of Langran.