Beaudesert

The title of singer songwriter Steve Gifford’s new album Beaudesert means ‘The beautiful wilderness’. However, it was in the modern day wilderness of social media that Steve found long-lost relative and cellist Hilary Fielding. Without knowing of the existence of his talented third cousin Hilary, Steve made a chance encounter on a social networking site. A friend knew of his fathers' cousin Joyce Fielding, Hilary’s mother. Steve tracked down Hilary in Madrid and they immediately discovered a shared passion for music and performing, although their musical backgrounds could not be more diverse, Hilary being classically trained and Steve self taught. In 2012 Steve went to Madrid where they played two gigs in Escorial. Two years later and Steve’s new album, Beaudesert, features the haunting and beautiful sounds of Hilary plays cello on seven of the fourteen tracks. The album cover features another lost treasure from the wild open country of Utah State, the petroglyphs of "News Paper Rock", depictions of the lives of ancient native American Indians carved into rock. Primitive carvings may be a long way from social networks today, but then it’s no wonder that Steve has been described as ‘ever evolving’ by music journalists. The forth coming album centres around themes of sparseness and simplicity, with insight and compassion. The album is produced by Ben Walker 2014 BBC Folk Award nominee in two categories.