Introducing… The Staves

Introducing... — By Rob Smith on 26/01/12

“We just want to make music that people feel a connection to, that they enjoy listening to and that we like…”

If your surname has the word stave buried within it you better end up being musical.

Emily, Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor, three sisters from Watford, and together The Staves, are one of the folk bands to look out for in 2012. Their brushed-acoustics and unfussy delivery will no doubt draw comparisons to Laura Marling, while support slots with James Vincent McMorrow and Mt Desolation confirm they are certainly aiming to plough the turf of the rootsy, nu-folk songbook.

While comparisons are going to be made, this does not mean that the trio do not deserve their own recognition; they combine guitar parts that resonate with tonality and implausibly beautiful vocal harmonies.  Songs like Winter Trees are clever in the way that they own both a chilling soul and a warm resonance. Like many sibling groups it is when the girls break into their delicately woven harmonies that they shine, perhaps best highlighted on the brilliant Mexico.

With their debut album overseen by the legendary Glyn Johns and due for release later in the year, the girls are making sure they don’t get carried away. In a great interview with Nick Parkhouse they set out their stall: “As for conquering the world, we don’t know. We just want to make music that people feel a connection to, that they enjoy listening to and that we like.”

For now though there is more recording and more gigs and a tour in support of the BBC Poll winner Michael Kiwanuka. Keep your eyes peeled though, we’ll hear more of these guys soon.

If ever there was a band to soundtrack your Spring 2012, this is it.

THE STAVES  |  NICK PARKHOUSE