Today marks the first of a new series from Past Daily. Showroom is the place where we’re running primarily sessions, mostly from bands and artists who are new, kind of new or new to you. Many are signed – many have several albums out, a lot are brand new and not on a label yet – but they all need to have a listen, because that’s what we do; turn you on to things you may not necessarily be familiar with but need to know about because it’s good, it’s different and they can all use your support.
To start off, and right in time for Christmas, a session by The Staves for Lauren Laverne’s program at BBC 6, recorded just a few days ago, December 22nd.
No strangers to these (U.S.) shores, The Staves have been around as a group since 2009 and are five albums in since their first ep was issued in 2011 and have been getting rave reviews and a growing audience ever since.
The Staves began performing together at open-mic nights in Watford hosted by a local pub, The Horns. Originally performing as The Staveley-Taylors, the trio later changed their name to The Staves.
The group appeared on the Tom Jones album Praise and Blame, released in July 2010. They supported Mt. Desolation on their UK tour in autumn 2010. Jessica Staveley-Taylor also performed as part of Mt. Desolation and provided vocals for their eponymous album. The Staves released the Live at Cecil Sharp House EP and the Mexico EP in 2011, and appeared on Fionn Regan’s third studio album, 100 Acres of Sycamore.
The Staves toured in the United States while supporting The Civil Wars in January 2012. They followed these appearances with performances at South by Southwest and a tour in March and April with Bear’s Den, Nathaniel Rateliff and Ben Howard. This tour was the subject of the film, “Austin to Boston”, a documentary by Marcus Haney. The band supported Bon Iver on their May and June 2012 US and Canadian tour.
The band’s debut album, Dead & Born & Grown, was released in November 2012 and produced by Glyn Johns and Ethan Johns.
Eleven years later, the upcoming release of album #5 in May 2024, All Now and have commenced a tour to promote it.
If you aren’t already familiar, press Play and have a listen – whether you are or aren’t, drop by their site, get on the mailing list – pick up some goodies and enjoy this session and a few bonus Christmas songs for the season.
Stay tuned.
