At the heart of Pagan Harvest are founder members Lawrence Reed and Steve Daymond.
For their third album, Earth’s Secret Engine, they have been joined by two exciting and talented guest artists: singer Sam Walker and drummer Ellie Daymond.
This signals a move from the progressive dark folk of the first two highly acclaimed albums to a more commercial rock-based sound. The quirky compositions and distinctive progressive elements remain.
Pagan Harvest have always produced music arising out of the English landscape. But that landscape is changing. The forthcoming album, Earth’s Secret Engine, concerns itself with nature and the perilous predicament of our environment.
Previous praise for Pagan Harvest:
Grant Moon – Prog Magazine: This engaging blend of spoken-word and melody is set to fascinating arrangements from Lawrence Reed. Steve Daymond’s bass work is eccentric and well judged, this is interesting, clear-eyed prog from a band who deserve to reap what they’ve sown.
Dave Pegg – Fairport Convention/Jethro Tull: Really good and love the bass. Clever stuff!
Andrew Manning – Midlands Rocks: There have been a number of new progressive bands formed in the UK during the last few years and Pagan Harvest can be added to this list.
Doug Bearne – National Rock Review: Pagan Harvest delivered a superb album. The story-telling over intricate soundscapes will captivate audiences, keeping them hooked from start to finish.
Jerry Ewing – Editor of Prog Magazine: A band rising out of the English pastoral tradition, Pagan Harvest’s members lend their respective styles – classical, folk and prog – to the band’s inventive greater whole. The result is polarising, but you have to applaud their desire to deliver something so leftfield.
In 2018 they were admitted to the prestigious Prog Archives who said
“The music of Pagan Harvest is quirky … it leaves the listener guessing. We could be indulged in a folk melody one moment and on a bizarre psychedelic trip the next”.
The Band Members
Lawrence Reed
Lawrence writes the lyrics, composes most of the music and plays guitar, keyboards, and percussion. His distinctive style derives from a classical training distilled with other musical influences from his past including: punk, folk, and progressive rock. Horizons changed when he completed his Masters in Music Composition introducing him to experimental music and larger orchestrations.
Lawrence’s lyrics are rooted, like his poetry (LINK http://www.lawrencereed.com/
He strives to create strong melodic and rhythmic frameworks in tension with complex harmonic explorations and experimental approaches. The aim is distinctive, accessible music with some challenges and a contemporary twist.
Lawrence has composed music for films and stage and worked with many leading classical ensembles (link http://www.lawrencereed.
More www.lawrencereed.com
Steve Daymond
Steve’s bass style is driving, melodic, gentle and tasteful. Feeding off others around him His doctrine has always been to try and improve what is there but not to lose sight of the fact that the gaps are as important as the playing. During his career Steve has featured in many originals bands including Soul Agents, playing there cleverly combined mix of soul, rock and pop throughout the major venues in London and the South East. www.stevedaymond.com
Sam Walker – guest vocalist
Sam adds her strong, acrobatic and distinctive vocals to the new Pagan Harvest album.
Sam has been in two successful all female bands: lead singer and main songwriter in JOANovARC https://www.youtube.com/watch?
and bass and vocals in The Suffrajets – who were signed to Sony and subject of a Channel 4 documentary: ‘We are the Suffrajets’. She has toured throughout the US, Japan, and Europe and has featured on many radio shows including BBC6 with Bruce Dickinson. She has made TV appearances on TFI Friday, T4, Scuzz and Kerrang. More www.facebook.com/
Ellie Daymond – guest drummer
Ellie is drummer in JOANovARC (link www.joanovarc.co.uk ) who are currently working on their 3rd album. She has toured Europe and played at many major international festivals. Ellie previously worked with Flowerpot and the electronic Cosmic Ninja. More
www.elliedaymonddrums.co.uk
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