Stick In The Wheel

Stick In The Wheel

Stick In The Wheel is a London-based folk group active since 2013. The line-up includes Ian Carter, Nicola Kearey and Ellie Wilson. The group is associated with folk and folktronica.

Style and approach

Stick In The Wheel works with English folk material and reworks older songs and work-songs alongside fragments of ancient texts. Their music combines folk singing with synths, spoken word and intricate guitar fuzz, and their performances are known for being intense and direct. Their material often engages with questions of class and with political themes in contemporary life.

Line-up and sound

The group is headed by Ian Carter and Nicola Kearey. Their broader performance line-up also includes Fran Foote on harmonies and Si Foote on percussion, alongside Ellie Wilson on fiddle. The project is described as rooted in East London and focused on pushing contemporary roots music while drawing on collective musical history.