Early life and musical background
Culverake is a contemporary English folk vocal trio formed by Seb Stone, Matt Quinn and Lizzy Hardingham. Bringing together three distinct musical backgrounds, Culverake is rooted in the traditions of British folk music while presenting material with a fresh and cohesive vocal approach. Each member contributes experience drawn from performance, research and songwriting within the wider English folk scene.
Seb Stone is a traditional singer and instrumentalist from the Peak District, specialising in whistle and uilleann pipes. His work centres on traditional English and Irish song, with a focus on narrative and historical context. Lizzy Hardingham is a folk-influenced singer-songwriter whose repertoire combines original material with a strong grounding in acoustic roots traditions. Matt Quinn is an established figure within the English folk community, known for his work as both a singer and multi-instrumentalist.
Career development and recordings
Culverake has emerged as a vocal trio focused on the reinterpretation and performance of traditional material, alongside contemporary compositions that sit within the folk idiom. The group’s development reflects the convergence of its members’ individual careers, each of whom has built a reputation within the UK folk circuit prior to the formation of the trio.
Matt Quinn has performed for over 15 years across a wide range of settings, from local folk clubs to major festivals including Glastonbury and WOMAD. As a musician, he is primarily associated with the mandolin and duet concertina, while also performing on melodeon. He is known as a member of The Dovetail Trio and is active in ceilidh bands including Geckoes and The Discussion Topic, as well as performing in a mandolin and guitar duo with George Sansome of Granny’s Attic.
Lizzy Hardingham has developed her career as a singer-songwriter within the contemporary folk and acoustic music scene. Her performances are characterised by a direct and expressive vocal style, with material that emphasises emotional connection and lyrical clarity. Her work sits within a lineage of British and international folk-influenced artists.
Seb Stone’s career centres on traditional song performance and instrumental playing. His repertoire draws on both English and Irish traditions, with a particular interest in source material such as broadsides and field recordings. In 2022, he was recognised with the ‘Future of Young Folk’ award at Bromyard Folk Festival, reflecting his contribution to the continuation of traditional music.
Style and influences
The musical identity of Culverake is grounded in traditional song, delivered through close vocal harmony and an emphasis on storytelling. The trio combines unaccompanied singing with selective instrumental support, allowing the narrative content of each piece to remain central.
Their influences span the breadth of British folk music, from collected traditional repertoire to the revival movements of the twentieth century and contemporary acoustic songwriting. Seb Stone’s engagement with archival material and traditional sources informs the group’s repertoire, while Lizzy Hardingham’s songwriting background introduces a contemporary perspective. Matt Quinn’s instrumental versatility supports the ensemble’s arrangements, adding texture without detracting from the vocal focus.
Notable performances and collaborations
Through the individual careers of its members, Culverake is connected to a wide network within the English folk scene. Matt Quinn’s longstanding presence at festivals and in touring ensembles contributes significant performance experience, while Lizzy Hardingham and Seb Stone bring established reputations as performers in their own right.
Seb Stone’s recognition at Bromyard Folk Festival highlights a direct link between the trio and the festival’s ongoing commitment to emerging talent within traditional music. Meanwhile, Quinn’s work with established acts and ceilidh bands situates Culverake within both concert and participatory folk traditions.
Recent work and current projects
Culverake continues to develop its repertoire and performance identity, focusing on traditional songs alongside carefully selected contemporary material. The trio’s work reflects an ongoing engagement with the themes and narratives of folk music, interpreted for present-day audiences.
All three members remain active in parallel projects, contributing to the vitality of the wider folk scene while bringing their collective experience into Culverake’s performances. Their collaboration represents a synthesis of traditional research, instrumental skill and contemporary songwriting.
Appearance at Bromyard Folk Festival 2026
Culverake is scheduled to appear at the 2026 Bromyard Folk Festival as a vocal trio comprising Seb Stone, Matt Quinn and Lizzy Hardingham. Their inclusion in the programme reflects the festival’s longstanding focus on traditional folk music and its commitment to supporting both established and emerging artists within the genre.
With a repertoire grounded in traditional song and delivered through close harmony singing, Culverake’s work aligns closely with the festival’s ethos of preserving and celebrating the best of folk traditions. Their appearance continues Bromyard Folk Festival’s tradition of presenting artists who engage directly with the heritage and ongoing evolution of British folk music.