Esther Swift
Likened to Kate Bush, Eddie Reader and Joanna Newsom, singer-songwriter and harpist Esther Swift is an up-and-coming musician in the Scottish folk music scene. Whilst being heavily influenced by her folk roots, Esther’s music also combines jazz, blues and minimalist references. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of folk and classical harp music, she has become a prolific songwriter. A deep love of Scotland, the Scottish Borders (where Esther grew up) and nature continually inspire and influence her music; the songs of her new EP 'The Mairches' which features cojon, string quartet and trumpet, are based on her life growing up in The Scottish Borders.
Esther’s music has been aired on BBC Radio 2 (with Jimi Goodwin), Radio 3 (Late Junction and World on 3) and Radio 6 (Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour) and she has appeared at many festivals including Edinburgh International Festival, Wales International Harp Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, Buxton Fringe Festival, Other Voices Festival and Bromyard Folk Festival. She has also made guest appearances with Cherry Ghost on their new album ‘Herd Runners’, with the Loud Poets and regularly collaborates with singer David Douglas. Esther has toured extensively across the UK and won the Deutsche Bank Award in 2013 with her duo Twelfth Day.
Esther plays as a solo harpist/singer, in three duos; Twelfth Day with Catriona Price (fiddle/vocals) Esther Swift & David Douglas, and Swift & Lindop with Jennie Lindop (Horn). She also plays with CLOUDS harp quartet with Elfair Grug Dyer, Rebecca Mills and Angelina Warburton. In all of these guises, Esther writes original material which is enthralling, enchanting and beautiful. Her music is rarely written down which brings freedom and intimacy to performances. At only age 28 Esther has an impressive discography and an exciting future ahead.
