The Travelling Band

The Travelling Band is a UK alternative folk group formed in Manchester in 2006. The line-up includes Adam Gorman on vocals, acoustic guitar, pump organ, accordion, banjo, harmonica, percussion and keys; Jo Dudderidge on vocals, keys, acoustic guitar, synth and percussion; Steve Mullen on vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo and percussion; Chris Spencer on bass; and Nick Vaal on drums and percussion.

The band’s sound combines folk, country, folk rock, country rock and indie elements, with cosmic-country-pop, understated psychedelia, vocal harmonies and nu-folk also part of its style. It becomes associated with the Manchester music scene and is described in relation to “Mancunian Americana”.

In 2006, a recording project in New York City leads to the material that becomes the band’s debut studio album, Under The Pavement. The album is released in 2008 and receives strong UK media attention, including BBC Radio 6 Album of the Day and BBC Radio 2 Single of the Week. A song from the record also features in the film Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll, the biopic of Ian Dury.

The band’s second album, Screaming Is Something, is a 10-track release that appears in 2011. It continues the group’s mix of folk, rock, pop and country influences, and is presented as a significant step forward from its debut.