On Thurs 16 July, Cuculi Presents an evening with Balladeste in the Greenbank. Violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks have spent a decade developing a distinctive compositional voice that explores the rich sound world between their instruments. Drawing on contemporary minimalism, Indian classical music and English folk traditions, Balladeste create musical narratives that feel both ancient and contemporary, vibrant and contemplative.

FFO: Caroline Shaw, Philip Glass, Fran & Flora, Spindle Ensemble

Support from Bristol-based songwriter Betty Blight.

Tickets available at three levels:
General - £13
Community supporter - £16
Low income - £10

Unfortunately, this venue is upstairs with no lift access, so there is no wheelchair access. We're really sorry about this.

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BALLADESTE

‘an extraordinary and beautiful listening experience’ - KLOF

Balladeste is a collaboration between violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks - an ever evolving musical partnership and deep friendship forged over ten years, Balladeste have developed a unique way of writing, weaving in and out of each other’s voices as performer-composers. Exploring the versatility and sound potential of just two string instruments. Balladeste creates a musical narrative that is both ancient yet contemporary, devotional whilst pastoral, writing original compositions that are vibrant, experimental, melodic and contemplative in quality

Drawing on influences as far ranging as the singular melodies of visionary Hildegard of Bingham, the modal minimalism of Arvo Pärt, harmonic palette of Purcell via the minimalism of Philip Glass, Balladeste's musical breadth is equally akin to the likes of Caroline Shaw and Liam Byrne as the Madras String quartet and Silk Road Ensemble.

instagram.com/balladeste

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BETTY BLIGHT

Betty Blight lives in Bristol, where she writes and performs folk songs on guitar and voice.
Her songs renew old ideas of English folklore, taking literary and historical figures as inspiration to deal with exile, youth, being an outcast, and women on the wrong side of power.
Born in the maritime city of Portsmouth, Betty plays the echoes of the sea, the music of ships, as well as playing trad folk songs from players such as Shirley Collins, Archie Fisher and John Renbourn.

Betty Blight’s first solo album, “Wench, Witch or Motherly”, presents British folk revival songs alongside her own compositions. She sings and plays guitar, and is accompanied by shruti, fiddle and noise. Recorded on tape in Bristol during 2024, these songs meander between portraits of historical women like “Malinxe”, wintry break-up songs like “Splinter” and baroque Stereolab cover, “French Disko”. Betty plays to emulate heroes Bert Jansch and John Renbourne, with vocals echoing the clarity of Shirley Collins, the darkness of old children’s folk rhymes and her own distinct weirdness of being. The album was recorded on reel to reel at The Living Room Studio in Bristol with Dan Weltman.