Poppy and Friends

Poppy and Friends

Poppy and Friends are a Bristol-based acoustic folk project led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Poppy Pitt. The project combines folk and country influences with simple modern prose and songs built around urban stories. Pitt studies at Goldsmiths University, where she starts singing live at Easycome Acoustic night in south-east London and at Goldsmiths Student Union. There she meets The Bobby Mac'Gees, who introduce her to the UK anti-folk scene, and she begins gigging regularly with them in London and Brighton.

Formation and line-up

After returning to Bristol, Pitt becomes part of the local live scene and is spotted by a local label while performing. She meets double bassist Zac Gregory in Bristol in January 2009, and he becomes a core member of Poppy and Friends. The project performs both as a duo and with a fuller line-up that includes drums and strings.

Releases and recordings

Poppy releases two EPs on Carrot and Stick, followed by the debut album Beautiful to Me. The project also completes a UK tour in support of the album. The recorded output is shaped by Pitt’s songwriting style and her mix of traditional folk, new folk, punk and grunge influences.

Live activity and festivals

Poppy and Friends support Darren Hayman at London’s 100 Club and on his UK tour, as well as Simone White in Bristol and John Allen in Taunton. The group also supports the New York City folk-rock group Dufus and plays at Glastonbury Festival on the Bandstand and Avalon Cafe stages in 2009, along with appearances at Indietracks Festival in York, the Summer Anti-Folk Festival in London and The Bristol Festival.

Influences

Pitt’s influences include Jolie Holland, Joanna Newsom, Scout Niblett, Erin McOwen, The Bobby Mac'Gees, Mertle, Regina Spektor, Herman Dune, Jeffrey Lewis, Oil Rig Catering, CocoRosie, Emmy the Great, The Watersons, Anne Briggs, Lou Reed, Lou Rhodes, Lamb, Ben Harper, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Beck and Violent Femmes.