AWARD-WINNING experimental song and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey have been pushing the boundaries of traditional music in Britain for more than a decade.

This weekend, they are coming to Wiveliscombe to feature a preview of the forthcoming album, The Victorians, as well as material from the trio’s acclaimed and award winning back catalogue.

Specialists in poignant and melodic short stories (original and traditional) about life, love and remembrance, their work has been described as “bold and brilliant” by the likes of The Observer, “fantastic” and “fascinating” by Mark Radcliffe on BBC Radio 2, “inventive” by Mojo and “excellent” by The Guardian.

For their long-awaited fourth album, The Victorians, they decided to literally mix things up by handing over the final editing and mastering to Darren Jones.

Darren is the go-to studio engineer for the likes of Stormzy, and a long-standing admirer of this highly individual outfit.

For this album the band researched and reworked a collection of largely forgotten street, parlour, work, popular and folk songs from the Victorian era and challenged themselves to make them work for contemporary ears.

The result is a thought-provoking and musically stimulating insight into the period, including compelling tales of wife auctions, political corruption, bare-knuckle boxers and naked life-savers.

The album is released on November 25.

Undoubtedly Harp & a Monkey’s most mature and satisfying release to date, it’s not to be missed.

Harp & a Monkey will be performing as part of the Silver Street Sessions at Cotleigh Brewery in Wiveliscombe this Saturday (November 9) at 8pm.

Tickets cost £12 and are available from Wiveliscombe Post Office.

Alternatively, to book or to find out more call 01984 623308 or email info@silverstreetsessions.co.uk