Spiro

Spiro is a genre-bending British acoustic quartet blending folk traditions with minimalist patterns and cinematic energy. Formed in Bristol during the 1990s (originally as The Famous Five Band), the group – Jane Harbour (violin), Jason Sparkes (accordion), Alex Vann (mandolin), and Jon Hunt (cello) – crafts intricate, interlocking instrumental pieces that feel both ancient and futuristic. Their hypnotic soundscapes, heard on albums like *Kaleidophonica* (2011) and *Pole Star* (2019), often build from traditional tunes or cyclical motifs, earning them comparisons to Philip Glass and Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

Known for mesmerizing live shows (captured on *The Mark Radcliffe Folk Sessions*), Spiro collaborates with unexpected allies like Portishead’s Adrian Utley while maintaining their DIY ethos. Their work dances between folk festival stages, contemporary dance scores, and experimental music circles, defying easy categorization. Recent releases like *The Vapourer* and *The Copper Suite* continue their exploration of rippling textures and collaborative storytelling through strings and reeds.

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