It’s been eight years since indie-folk five-piece Patch & The Giant  (Luke Owen, Angie Rance, Gabriel Merryfield,  Derek Yau  & Nick Harris) released their debut album, All That We Had We Stole to widespread critical acclaim. Shaped and honed in rowdy pubs and on the festival circuit, the record captured the energy of their live shows; the sound was rousing and the songs big, quickly earning them an army of fans. Celebrated as much for their indie grit as for their gentle, bittersweet folk tunes, the album showcased vocalist Luke Owen’s rich, raw, and haunting voice, paired with beautifully composed songs and exquisite storytelling.

Fragments is Patch & The Giant’s long-awaited follow-up. Released on Folkroom Records on 9th May the announcement signals their first headline show in 6 years at St John’s Bethnal Green in London on 17th May. Like the first, Fragments is an eclectic take on folk music, fusing it with traditional, roots and indie sounds harnessed through unique instrumentation and plaintive vocals.

Fragments

“Yet for Fragments”, says Luke, “we wanted to do something different. This time we wanted to write songs that would be shaped in the recording studio rather than the stage. We wanted to give all the instruments their moment; it’s more disciplined. More refined. More grown up”.

The band had almost finished recording Fragments in early 2020 when world events interrupted. “We found it hard to pick it up again” says Luke. “Music and art seemed irrelevant. We became insular, feeling uncreative, and fragile. Some thrived during lockdown; I just watched Tiger King and ordered random things online.”   Vocalist and accordionist Angie Rance adds, “The break came during significant life changes for the band, it takes a huge amount of emotional energy to release an album, and we weren’t ready to dive back in.” The project was revived in the summer of 2024 when Luke rediscovered the Dropbox of unfinished songs. “It captured a moment in our history,” Angie reflects, “a moment almost lost, which became Fragments.”

Fragments is an album of rich texture and vibrant colour. Softer and more cinematic than its predecessor, the band explores new sonic layers within its acoustic folk sound. The violin, cello, and flugelhorn harmonise beautifully, blending with delicate piano lines and Angie’s digital accordion experiments (her self-described “strap-on Hammond organ”). Meanwhile, the flugelhorn alternates between sombre tones and brighter, trumpet-like moments. Yet, the album isn’t without its gritty, lo-fi grunge guitar moments, balancing elegance with untamed energy.

Bones is the first single from Fragments, released on 28 February. “It nods to sadness and depression – the eternal muse of every songwriter,” offers Luke, “the kind that seeps into your bones.” From the very first notes, the song carries a taut energy and a gripping melody driven by gritty instrumentation juxtaposed with sublimely mournful strings. Luke’s wavering voice adds an emotional depth amplifying the sense of melancholy that permeates the track.

Bones Taken from new album ‘Fragments’ released 9 May 25

Fragments was recorded between Brighton and Berlin, with songs touching on global warming, family, friendship, sadness, love, loss, and nostalgia, including a poignant track about Luke’s great-grandfather. “Though deeply personal,” says Luke, “the songs were written to support this beautiful music.”   Featuring guest contributions from producer and BBC Folk Award winner, Ben Walker, the album is mainly penned by Luke, with one track, ‘September’, written by Angie. True to form, the band’s collaborative approach shapes the rich textures of their signature Patch sound.

Patch & The Giant are a dynamic group of musicians formed in 2012 through a shared love of acoustic music, Monster Munch and plastic cheese.  A collective in the earlier years, they are now a solid five piece defined by unique instrumentations – violin, accordion, horns, cello, piano, guitars, mandolin, bass and percussion, and searching, wistful vocals. The five members’ varying tastes and musical interests ensure an array of influences.  From Johnny Flynn, Beirut and The Decemberists to Leonard Cohen, classical music and math rock. They released their debut recording, The Boatswain’s Refuge EP, in 2013 on Folkroom Records. Their 2017 debut album, All That We Had, We Stole, earned them considerable national radio support and wide acclaim from the folk community and beyond, propelling the band into position as a genuine force within the UK alt-folk scene.

Not convinced yet ?  They are performing live at a select number of venues on the following dates:

Tour Dates as follows:

Sat 17th May London St John’s Bethnal Green

Sat 31st  May Aberystwyth Fire In The Mountain Festival

Sat 7th June Yeovil Home Farm Fest

Fri 20th  June London Cody Dock, Nest Collective’s Campfire Club

For further information please visit: https://linktr.ee/patchandthegiant

Listen/download ‘Bones’ HERE

Album and single artwork by artist: Georgie Fay.

Featured Image Credit: Clara Daisy