Music
For as long as I can remember, music and words have been my passion. I was brought up surrounded by music and a story told through song is one of my favourite things. I was born and raised in South Yorkshire, where economy of words is something to aspire to, so a finely crafted folk song that shoehorns situation, context and emotion into three verses and a chorus really appeals to me. I have Breton ancestry and a strong affinity with all things Celtic so it was no surprise that I felt at home in Cornwall when I ended up here in 2006. In Cornwall, my professional career in marketing and my passion for arts, culture and heritage collided. I learned the language, researched the history of this magical place and I found the inspiration to write – music and words.
I’ve always been involved in music in some form but in 2014 I formed folk band, The Changing Room, with vocalist Sam Kelly. Since then, my original music in Cornish language has been broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 2, The Changing Room’s debut album is listed in The Telegraph’s Best Folk albums of 2015 and we’ve performed live in several countries including Canada and the US. I’ve written two albums and four EPs for The Changing Room, but Hireth is my first release under my own name.
“I write a lot of material for other people so on this album I wanted to create something with its own identity, something uniquely me – a relaxed blend of Breton, Cornish and English folk.”
“Beautifully performed and produced. Tanya Brittain is a fine songwriter, gifted with a warm contralto voice and an expressive delivery reminiscent of Sandy Denny (and I can give no higher praise).”
