“Wonderful” - Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music)
About
Fritillaries is the original project of contemporary folk songwriter Hannah Pawson, a Bristol-based musician using guitar and banjo. Taking her name from the Snake’s Head Fritillary, a flower of rebirth and hope, Hannah weaves worlds into her songs.
In 2024, Fritillaries released Thank God I Have The Songs (Cuculi Records), which gained critical attention from BBC Introducing, Folking, Americana UK, FATEA's album of the week, a 'fresh find' on Fresh on The Net and a feature in Spotify’s ‘Fresh Folk Finds’ editorial playlist.
This followed widespread praise for her self-titled debut album in 2022, including KLOF (Folk Radio) Album of the Month, plays on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 2, BBC Wales, BBC Devon, BBC Bristol and a nomination for FATEA’s Debut Album of the Year in 2022.
“Outstanding... Touchingly poetic, Fritillaries is an enthrallingly scenic, tranquil and fruitful debut … purity, inventiveness and talent ” - KLOF (Folk Radio UK)
Whilst Hannah has been honing her songwriting and live performances since 2017, the arrival of Fritillaries (2022) debut album resulted in her gaining much well earned attention and acclaim. Having performed as a duo for many years, Thank God I Have The Songs (2024) decisively and vulnerably announced the rebirth of the project as a solo endeavour. Now, Fritillaries has started to form into a full band featuring drums, double bass, harmonies & electric guitar, with a sound that is entering into an alt folk/pop world, reminiscent of bands like This Is the Kit, The Weather Station, The Breath, Kaia Kater. This is ahead of Fritillaries’ new album ‘The Magician’, an exploration into the interplay between creativity, disability, perfection and illusion.
““a musing on the temporary nature of everything, and the grace to be found in embracing that truth ... She most definitely has the songs, and she sings them beautifully”” - Folking
Fritillaries have toured extensively in the UK since 2019, headlining notable grassroots venues around the UK, such as Kitchen Garden Cafe, Green Note, Cafe #9, Bristol Folk House, Glad Cafe. Fritillaries have supported artists at larger venues such as Bristol Beacon, St George’s Bristol, Birmingham Symphony Hall. Fritillaries have become a regular on the festival scene, including Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Bristol Folk Festival, Gate to Southwell, Hyde Park Folk Festival and occasionally doing some international touring.
Hannah has received funding from Help Musicians and The Drake YolanDa award. Her debut album (released on Pear O’ Legs Records) was partly funded by her fans via a successful crowdfunding campaign.