My first encounter with Sairie was a bit perplexing. The East Sussex-based folk trio were playing at Union Music Store as part of Lewes Psych Fest in January 2023. Eager punters crammed in between the vinyl bins; the group was lodged tightly into the shop’s triangular corner at the end of the building.
Despite the polite throng, Sairie’s set was spellbinding. Emma Morton (vocals/autoharp), Jon Griffin (guitar/vocals), and Andy Thomas (bass) combined so beautifully. Such purity. However, I won’t describe their music any more here. My article from a few years back goes into my unabashed love of the group.
But why was I so perplexed during Sairie’s performance in the record emporium? For some reason, because of the tight space, I thought another instrument was being played by someone lying on the floor under the record crates, out of sight. Afterwards, Emma politely explained to me that someone was in fact playing harmonium. She’d be forgiven for thinking ‘who is this nutter?’ while wishing the story was true.
Beneath the Spreading Tree
Fast forward three and a half years and a momentous occasion has arrived. Sairie released Beneath the Spreading Tree, their debut LP. The Guardian awarded it folk album of the month, and stated: “[it’s a] captivating debut album […] songs with hints of darkness that sound ages-old”.
Similarly, Shindig magazine wrote: “Spreading Tree feels like a natural descendent to some of the finest progressive folk titles of the late ’60s and ’70s.”
Sure, their sound is evocative of those times. But, for me, folk music is like the moon in the sky. It’s kind of fixed in place. (But moving away from the earth about an inch a year. Fact!) To me, the moon represents the history of folk music back to the cave dwellers right up to present day. Then various bits of space junk and meteors, acts like Sairie, Armoured Man, Lankum, Fuzzy Lights, crash into it adding to the heavenly body’s character.
For this LP, the Sairie sound has been beautifully enhanced by Maria Marzaioli (violin), Alice Eldridge (cello), and Rebecca Tann (accordion). The Guardian reviewer echoed my thoughts in my linked article about Andy’s ‘meaty bass’ playing. It grounds the music so fantastically well. Jon plays percussion and, for the first time to my knowledge on a Sairie recording, electric guitar on the LP’s lead single ‘Harder Than It Seemed’.
What I love about this track is that it reminds me of ‘The Persuaders Theme’ by John Barry. Simple percussion; fuzzy guitars. Pop perfection.
Final thoughts
Now’s your chance to join Sairie beneath the spreading tree. Be warned. While you’ll be beguiled and mesmerised by the gorgeous sounds, something dark, otherwordly, eerie lurks.
Beneath the Spreading Tree is released 12 September. Please visit Sairie’s Bandcamp page to get your copy.
Upcoming Sairie gigs
11 September 2026
The Church of the Annunciation
Brighton, UK
25 October 2026
Bishops House
Sheffield, UK
I’ll be at the Brighton gig. Hope to see you there. Let me know in the comments if you’re coming. And continue to watch this space. Hopefully, Sairie will return to the Hot Box soon.
