[H]erdus are a three-piece band from Cumbria, named after one of the lesser known fells.
Steve Wharton and Ryan Wood met at a folk session in Ennerdale Bridge in 2016 and their combined sound quickly became a favourite of local venues and festivals, including the Buttermere Bash and Lake District Folk Weekend. Following a concert at Moorforge, at reconstruction Viking village near Cockermouth, the pair were impressed by event organiser Luke Moloney’s bodhran skills. They invited him to join Herdus in time for their debut EP, which was recorded at University of Cumbria in Carlisle.
The Heart Wood EP is named after the title track, a song Steve wrote about the Tebay rail accident that happened on 15th February 2004. Steve explains, “I was incredibly moved when I saw the memorial stone to the four men who were killed whilst working on the trainline. The fact that people can die in the developed world, in the 21st century whilst doing their jobs inspired me to record their story. Folk music is no stranger to disaster songs but I think that it’s only by introducing new, relevant songs that the genre can claim to be a living tradition.”
Alongside Heart Wood is set of three reels, one of which was written by fiddle player Ryan and a song called Coming Up For Air.
The three tracks are a superb introduction to the band and their individual skills. Steve delivers passionate vocals with a storyteller’s flair. Ryan demonstrates his ability to provide both driving folk melodies during the tunes and sensitive string arrangements that complement the songs. Luke showcases his dynamic bodhran playing and completes the Herdus sound.
The Heart Wood EP is available now to download from herdus.bandcamp.com. There will be a streamed performance of the tracks from the EP at 8pm on 23rd February. Further details are available from the band’s facebook page facebook.com/herdusband