Description
Land is the debut album from Sheffield based cellist Liz Hanks. Having moved to Sheffield in the 90s, Liz soon became immersed in the local popular music scene. Long-standing cellist with Richard Hawley & Thea Gilmore, Liz has been influenced and shaped by a varied career, performing with the likes of Paul Heaton, Smokey Robinson, Liam Gallagher, Edwyn Collins and Neil Finn, and folk scene's own Martin Simpson, Jon Boden, Kate Rusby and Rioghnach Connolly.
Land explores just some of these influences; minimalism, folk, Indian classical music and improvisation whilst remaining heavily rooted in her local landscape. Based on the local and natural history of the area of Sheffield which Liz lives in, the record explores both the loss of nature in the urban environment and forgotten natural worlds, whilst celebrating the green spaces that remain.
"I discovered that before the area of Meersbrook was built there was a beautiful valley called 'RushDale'. Inspired by reading written accounts of this lost valley and looking at old photos and paintings I set out writing music to recreate these lost times and places. My hope is that these pieces let you imagine stepping back in time, either in Meersbrook, if you have the chance to visit here, or on the land where you live. Every place has history in its soil."
