Surroundings

In support of our ACE project grant application

Surroundings

Surroundings is a multi-generational collective working to produce open-access performance art in unique spaces, led by harpist/composer Manon McCoy and drummer Will Shaw as the duo Balo.

Balo released their debut album Renders in 2020 and their second album Baleine, in collaboration with Whale Detective, in February 2023. They have performed extensively across Manchester and Sheffield including Jazz at the Lescar, Theatre Deli and SoundSeeing. In May 2023 they created a site-specific performance at The University of Sheffield's Drama Studio in a converted church as part of a funded residency ( see video below ).

Balo recently performed at Lancaster Jazz Festival and Newcastle Jazz and Improvised music festival 23. Balo are artists in residency at Sheffield Theatre Deli 2023.

Their recent work has evolved into spatialised sound installations, multi-medium projects and site-specific work. They first collaborated with visual artist Luca Shaw for a commission by Lancaster Jazz Festival 2022. Luca Shaw is a Stockport based visual-artist and founding member of Ulita and Underbank Studios.

Manon McCoy has also performed solo installations for harp and electronics at Liverpool Irish Festival, DINA Sheffield and The Royal Northern College of Music; she is a recent recipient of the Francis Chagrin Sound and Music Awards ( April 2023).

Emmy Lambert has worked for 16 years as a live engineer, sound designer and producer. Her recent clients include Elvis Costello, Franz Ferdinand, the BBC and TBI Media as well as work with The Lowry's Artist Development programmes and her own composing practice. She first collaborated with Manon McCoy on an installation at RNCM April 2022.

Their music offered a sonic palette more prismatic than their understated setup would suggest, spurred on by the duo’s obvious musical affinity.'

James Cardie - Reviewing Balo for Now Then Magazine October 2021

Whale Detective are pianist Jez Matthews and clarinetist Hannah Brady, both with 20 years playing experience on the northern jazz and improvised music scene. Jez Matthews is also an established promoter who has run Jazz at the Lescar for the past 10 years and is also a board member for Sheffield Jazz.

Lucas McCoy is an emerging visual artist from Liverpool currently studying illustration at MMU; his work consists of expressive mural works, large scale live-illustrations and an extensive library of music promotional work.