London-based folk-bluegrass duo Copper Viper announce March-April UK tour

 Credit: Anna Orhanen Photography

London-based folk-bluegrass duo Copper Viper announce March-April UK tour, opening with three shows at C2C – Country To Country in London on March 8 & 9, in support of debut album CUT IT DOWN, COUNT THE RINGS out April 5, 2019 (iTunes Page).

C2C Country To Country 2019 Dates

2019-03-09 Sat 11:00-11:25 Icon Stage

2019-03-10 Sun 11:10-11:40 Big Entrance

2019-03-10 Sun 14:20-14:45 Icon Stage

Touring UK/Europe March-May 2019

Copper Viper is an acoustic folk group from London, comprised of prolific songwriter and guitarist Robin Joel Sangster and fiddle/mandolin player Duncan Menzies. The pair were introduced through a mutual musician friend in late 2016, and decided to meet for a jam based on a shared love of harmony singing duos such as Simon & Garfunkel and The Milk Carton Kids.  After arranging and learning a couple of songs Sangster had recently composed, they soon found that they made a productive songwriting partnership and swiftly set to work building up an ever-growing catalogue of original material.

Prior to forming Copper Viper, both members had been active in a variety of musical projects for a number of years.  Sangster has performed widely as a soloist and with “Americana Noir” group Affa David, and has written songs for performers across a wide range of genres.  Menzies grew up playing traditional Scots fiddle music; since moving to London he has worked with a multitude of artists as a session musician and toured extensively in the UK and Europe as a member of country/rock & roll band Ask Sally and gypsy swing/jazz quartet Harp Bazaar.  The diversity of these previous musical experiences is strongly reflected in Copper Viper’s music.

The duo performed their first public show at the Filey Folk Festival in April 2017, and since then have been honing their live set at folk clubs and venues around the UK.  September 2018 saw the group’s first overseas performances, with a European tour taking in Germany, Switzerland and the CarnieFest music festival in Mallorca.

Published on Sep 30, 2018 - "Hung Up Alone" [Official Music Video]

2019 promises to be Copper Viper’s busiest year to date, with confirmed shows so far including several UK festivals, an April UK tour opening for renowned Celtic folk group PerKelt, followed by several dates in Germany & Belgium.

In 2018, the group contacted platinum-selling producer Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile) who agreed to record their debut album at the legendary Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, WA and was mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Gavin Lurssen (“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss).  Comprised of 11 original songs and titled Cut It Down, Count The Rings, the album explores a range of lyrical themes, mixing hope, regret, joy and melancholy while maintaining a sufficient degree of enigma and ambiguity to allow the listener space for their own unique interpretations. 

Published on Nov 30, 2018 Recorded live at Old Street Records, 19/11/18.

Musically, the record draws inspiration from across the broad spectrum of British folk, American country and bluegrass, combining haunting melodies and intricate vocal harmonies with searing instrumental passages to create a stylistic blend that is at once familiar and unique.

As of January 2019, Copper Viper has released two singles (‘Hung Up Alone’ and ‘Fly’) from the forthcoming album. 

These have been variously described as “a foot-stompin’ racket that’s a joy to listen to” (Americana-UK), “truly uplifting” (Fortitude Magazine) and “totally addictive” (York Calling) and are available on all major online streaming services. 

Cut It Down, Count The Rings will be released on April 5th 2019, with the album launch show taking place at London’s prestigious folk venue, the Green Note, on Saturday April 6th.

Copper Viper · March-May 2019 · UK/European Tour

MARCH

Sat 9 March 2019 - London, C2C Country To Country 2019, The 02, Icon Stage (11:00)

Sun 10 March 2019 – London, C2C Country To Country 2019, The 02 Big Entrance Stage (11:10) & Icon Stage (14:20)

Tue 12 March 2019 – Birmingham, The Wagon & Horse (28 Adderley Street B9 4ED) with PerKelt EVENT

Wed 13 March 2019 – Salford, The Eagle Inn with PerKelt Ticket Web

Thu 14 March 2019 – York, The Fulford Arms (121 Fulford Road, Fulford, YO10 4EX) with PerKelt

Sat 16 March 2019 – Hull, The New Adelphi Club (Website; 89 De Grey St, Hull HU5 2RU) with PerKelt

Mon 18 March 2019 - Newcastle upon Tyne, The Cumberland Arms (James Place Street, Ouseburn NE6 1LD) with PerKelt

Wed 20 March 2019 – Nottingham, The Old Salutation Inn (Maid Marian Way NG1 6AJ) with PerKelt

Thu 21 March 2019 – Cambridge, The Boathouse with PerKelt

Sun 24 March 2019 – London, The Hope & Anchor (207 Upper Street N1 1RL) with PerKelt

Fri 29 March 2019 – Oxford, Oxford Folk Club (The White House, 38 Abingdon Road OX1 4PD)

APRIL              

Wed 3 April 2019 - Kingston upon Thames, Woody's Bar and Kitchen (Website; 5 Ram Passage KT11 HH)

Sat 6 April 2019 – London, Green Note (106 Parkway NW1 7AN) £11 TicketWeb Event Album Launch Show

Fri 26 April 2019 - Hanau, Germany Ellis Bistro & Café

Sat 27 April 2019 - Frankfurt am Main, Germany Cafe Sugar Mama

Sun 28 April 2019 - Köln, Germany, Weißen Holunder

Tue 30 April 2019 - Turnhout, Belgium, Barzoen

MAY

Wed 1 May 2019 - Lontzen, Belgium, House Concert

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