Spiro

Spiro are a UK instrumental group formed in Bristol in 1993 through the city’s folk sessions scene. They first appear under the name The Famous Five before shortening their name to Spiro. The group’s core members are Jane Harbour, Jon Hunt and Alex Vann. Their music is generally associated with alternative folk, Celtic, folk, medieval, pop and progressive folk, and it combines traditional English material with elements of minimalist and classical writing.

Formation and early releases

The group’s first album is Lost in Fishponds, released in 1994 when they are still using the name The Famous Five. Their first album as Spiro is Pole Star, released in 1997. That record develops their interest in bringing together minimalist classical influences and traditional music from the north of England.

Members and playing styles

Jane Harbour plays violin and studies classical violin in Japan under Shinichi Suzuki. Her musical interests include modern classical composers such as Bartók, Stravinsky and Britten, and she also values dance music with repetitive, free and ecstatic tunes. Jon Hunt plays guitar and has a background in punk and post-punk/new wave, while retaining a strong interest in traditional English music. Alex Vann plays mandolin and comes to the instrument after earlier experience as a drummer in a punk band and as an electric guitarist.

Later work

Spiro sign to Real World Records in 2009. Since then they release Lightbox in 2009 and Kaleidophonica in 2012.