Heg & The Wolf Chorus

After the first listen of ‘Cinder’ by Heg & The Wolf Chorus I was struck with the sense of how eclectic it was. Each song has its roots in a different genre which is quite daring for such a short EP, yet it’s very commendable.
‘Cinder’ is combination of carefully constructed pieces of music written to evoke a certain mood which instead of woe or joy and happiness, is more tense and melancholy or even fleeting. These are five quite independent tracks which are epic, grand, and even erratic at times. - Live Music Scene

‘Boat and I’ from Heg & The Wolf Chorus - choralesque, medieval-tinged vocals(January 26, 2013)

Have you heard of Heg & The Wolf Chorus? If not, you’re going to, trust me. And if you want a quick taster of their brand of drama-filled, atmospheric vocal explorations then listen to their new EP ‘Boat and I’. Beyond the initial quirky engagement, this EP definitely falls into the ‘grows on you’ category, for the more you listen the more you’re intrigued by their ‘choralesque’, medieval-tinged vocals and weird-folk story-telling style.

The title track ‘Boat and I’ is a perfect intro to the uniqueness offered by Heg & The Wolf Chorus. The layered vocals tell their strange spectral story over insistent strings and rhythmic drums. ‘Maiden’ follows suit, with its equally ethereal, faerie-world theme and legend-inspired lyrics. Their intricate ‘folk-chant’ vocals built on poetic mantras generate a trance-like attraction.

It’s just a shame that as you’re falling under its spell the two-track EP finishes. There’s a certain truth in the phrase ‘leave them wanting more’ but a couple of extra tracks could only serve to whet the appetite further rather than leaving you malnourished. You can always visit their website to hear extracts from their five-track EP ‘Cinders’ released in 2011 (and you should) but a few more tracks would not have gone amiss.

Heg & The Wolf Chorus is Heg Doughty (lead vocals, keyboard) Stephanie Taylor (backing vocals, percussion) Richie Dobson (backing vocals, percussion) Natalie Farr (backing vocals, percussion) and Anita Urgyan (additonal backing vocals, viola).

Reviewer: Tim Carroll - Folk Words

Heg & The Wolf Chorus: a wonderful Bristolian five-piece peddling dramatic folk music with incredibly strong vocals and a fantastic sense of scale and show. They're really strong storytellers with an intoxicating atmosphere of occasion about them.

-Helen True, For Folks Sake (blog) - Glastonbury Festivals

"First up, is support act and local band Heg & The Wolf Chorus. Telling stories with their songs of folklore, the band’s harmonies are an absolute delight. Lead singer Heg has vocals that are reminiscent of Paloma Faith as she bashes her piano with a fiery passion. Their acapella offerings showcase their song-writing talents perfectly, as Heg and her band sing their hearts out without needing any frills." - 24/7 Magazine

"First up, is support act and local band Heg & The Wolf Chorus. Telling stories with their songs of folklore, the band’s harmonies are an absolute delight. Lead singer Heg has vocals that are reminiscent of Paloma Faith as she bashes her piano with a fiery passion. Their acapella offerings showcase their song-writing talents perfectly, as Heg and her band sing their hearts out without needing any frills." - 24/7 Magazine

This impressive four-tracker results from a research trip to Illinois, the singer-pianist capturing narrative fragments of family history that invite you to fill in the gaps.
The sparse piano-and-voice arrangements, augmented here and there by drums and bass, have the lucidity of spring water. Think Kurt Weill reincarnated as a girl standing on the Harbourside in a vintage dress. (Anna Britten) - Venue Magazine

"Heg & the Wolf Chorus, meanwhile, lift the spirits with their wind-in-sails fantasy pop. Heg Doughty's piano motifs glide and pirouette in ballads imbued with fairy-tale whimsy. However, shades of angst lurk close to the surface. Red, inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, grapples with inner beasts. Ending with a gorgeous cover of Sufjan Stevens' 'The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out To Get Us, Heg reconfirms her status as one of Bristol's most notable rising talents." - CRACK Magazine

Heg Doughty & The Wolf Chorus

Having played a blinding set at Leftbank last night there’s no rest for the talented as Heg Doughty and her Wolf Chorus return to play the Grain Barge. Their compelling brand of pure and creative folk-tinged numbers are bound to send shivers down your spine. With sniffs of Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Emmy The Great – expect a solid set of beautifully, theatrical songs. Catch this rising Bristol star while you can" - Bristol 24/7

Heg Doughty & The Wolf Chorus

Having played a blinding set at Leftbank last night there’s no rest for the talented as Heg Doughty and her Wolf Chorus return to play the Grain Barge. Their compelling brand of pure and creative folk-tinged numbers are bound to send shivers down your spine. With sniffs of Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Emmy The Great – expect a solid set of beautifully, theatrical songs. Catch this rising Bristol star while you can" - Bristol 24/7

Pride Bristol 2011

"Heg Doughty and the Wolf Chorus are one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Bristol in years. Heg’s gorgeous vocals and exquisite arrangements are beautifully complemented by her Wolf Chorus. Definitely ones to watch for the future." - Pride Bristol