Demo of a track that Schwa performed sporadically as part of our Nursery Rhymes set, but haven't yet recorded. 

Image: Betty Lawless, the Mighty.

House Of Straw

My setting of the Robert Burns poem. Hugh Nankivell: Viola. Peter Spafford: Piano and vocal.

John Anderson

A song by Lana Del Rey off the fabulous Blue Banisters (2021) which I couldn't resist having a crack at.

Image: Laurie Spafford

Peter Spafford's Album

If You Lie Down With Me

Know How To Fall is a song about roller skating (and life) from Unsung Sports, a project celebrating non-mainstream sports in Leeds, UK, produced by Peter Spafford and Space 2, funded by Arts Council England. It was composed by Peter Spafford, arranged by David Evans and performed by Spafford, Lileth Chinn and Chapel FM Jazz Collective at The Irish Centre on May 12, 2022. Image: Lizzie Coombes.

KNOW HOW TO FALL

One Lucky Day: 5 tracks from Unsung Sports, a celebration of non-mainstream sports in the city of Leeds, UK, recorded at Valley Wood Studios, Leeds, summer 2024. Available on Bandcamp from 7pm 23.10.24.

Image: Lizzie Coombes

ONE LUCKY DAY: UNSUNG SPORTS: EP out on 30/10/24

Highlights from Love Is Not All, a set of songs & poems telling the remarkable life of the American 1920's poet Edna St.Vincent in her own words, composed & performed by Schwa, 13/12/24 at Seven Arts Centre, Leeds.

LOVE IS NOT ALL, excerpts

Song About Sheep, words: Edna St.Vincent Milly, music: Schwa, from Love Is Not All, performed by Schwa at Seven Arts, Leeds, 13/12/24.

Song About Sheep

CHERRY'S DISCS

Excerpts from a short feature made for East Leeds Community Radio about a far-right demonstration on Seacroft Green, Leeds, spring 2024.

Peter Spafford, Versus Churchill

Lyrics: from the poem Tawny Owl by Gillian Clarke. Banjo: Owen Spafford. Vocal: Peter Spafford.

PLAIN SONG OF OWL

Lyric from an old Irish poem. Banjo: Owen Spafford. Vocals and bells: Peter Spafford.

WHO WILL BUY A POEM?

Lyrics from an old Irish poem. Banjo: Owen Spafford. Vocals, piano, percussion: Peter Spafford.

THE BOATMAN

I recorded myself singing in the Pazzi Chapel, Santa Croce, Florence, Italy, while it was empty of tourists for a few minutes. It felt a bit transgressiive. I added piano later. The delay is natural and absolutely as it was on that day in June 2025.

In the Pazzi Chapel

I sang into my phone in the Pazzi Chapel in June. Then some tourists came in.

In the Pazzi (short)

Six weeks before she died, Carry asked me to do a Desert Island Discs with her. Carry was an avid BBC Radio 4 listener, but for anyone who isn't familiar with it, Desert Island Discs is a long-standing Radio 4 programme in which someone chooses, and talks about, 8 pieces of music that have been significant for them in their lives.

Image: Betty Lawless.

Carry Franklin's Desert Island Discs

Writer, songwriter, poet, performer based in Leeds, UK.

Peter Spafford/Edible Tent

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