We Are People

The new album by Blackbeard’s Tea Party. Released 20th September.

Artwork / packshot | Download MP3s | Download WAVs | Promo photos

We are more than happy to send you a physical copy. Please contact us at blackbeard@blackbeardsteaparty.com with your address.

All tracks are embargoed for radio play / web sharing until 20th September except When Jones’ Ale Was New (embargoed until 19th July) and England Bound (embargoed until 22nd August).

The album

‘We Are People’ is the fifth studio album from folk-rockers Blackbeard’s Tea Party and the first to be dominated by the band’s original songs and tunes. Best-known for their punky interpretations of sea-shanties and folk tunes, this album is something of a departure for the band, bringing a political conscience to the fore. The signature sound is unchanged – a mix of high-octane folk tunes, heavy riffs, and a touch of glam and funk – but the subject matter includes Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, the pandemic and populism.

Explaining the album name, Blackbeard’s Tea Party’s singer Stuart Giddens said:

“If you listen to politicians, watch the news, or scroll through social media it’s easy to believe that we’ve become incredibly divided and toxic as a country, and that the only issues that concern us are economic growth, sovereignty and so-called gender ideology. But when I volunteered at a food-bank during the pandemic I felt I glimpsed a different England, one that is essentially caring and accepting, where people’s main concerns are staying healthy and caring for their families. It felt to me sometimes like there were two Englands: the England I read about in the news, and the one I lived in every day.

“There are lots of different ways to define folk music. One is “music of the people” and that definition is pertinent here. For this album, we wanted our music to reflect real-lived experiences – our own and those of people we’d spoken to – as we navigate these uncertain times. There is more that unites us than divides us: we are people.”

Blackbeard’s Tea Party haven’t completely abandoned trad folk though. There’s enough here to keep long-in-the-tooth Blackbeard’s fans happy too, with a couple of English drinking songs, a prog-folk epic about a sea-witch, and even a song about syphilis!

The album is self released and was recorded at 6Db Studios with producer Dave Boothroyd. Blackbeard’s Tea Party are:

• Stuart Giddens – vocals and melodeon
• Laura Boston-Barber – fiddle
• Dave Boston – drums
• Benjamin Trott – electric guitar
• Patrick Lester-Rourke – bass guitar

The tracks

England Bound

British and English cultural identity has become a political battleground. This song explores how conflicted one can feel about one’s national identity.

Written by Stuart Giddens. Released as a single 30th August. Read more here.

The Mystery Wedge

A medley of two stomping tunes, both written by Laura Boston-Barber.

The Devil Mercury

Written by Stuart Giddens and based on accounts from the time of the English Civil Wars about the use of mercury to treat syphilis.

The Sum of Us

Adapted by Stuart Giddens from a poem by Tony Walsh detailing various experiences of the Covid pandemic.

Martin’s Polka

A slow, gyrating tune by Laura Boston-Barber.

Who’s The Fool Now?

An interpretation of a traditional drinking song which has more than a little funk about it. Incorporates ‘Martin’s Polka’ by Laura Boston-Barber.

What Will You Do In The Morning?

Documenting the financial pressures many people faced, and continue to face, as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Written by Stuart Giddens.

Mother Carey

A folk-prog epic inspired by the myth of the eponymous sea-witch. Written by Stuart Giddens.

Squeeze the Teabag

A medley of two tunes: a cheeky hip-wiggler by Laura Boston-Barber called “Squeeze the Teabag”, and a high-adrenaline cinematic romp called “Ridley’s Revenge” by Paddy Lester-Rourke.

I Am People

A frantic folk-punk expression of anger at the rhetoric which aims to divide us.

Written by Stuart Giddens. Released as a single 20th September. Read more here.

When Jones’ Ale Was New

A trad drinking song, popular in the pace-egging tradition.

Released as a single 19th September. Read more here.

About Blackbeard’s Tea Party

Now in their 15th year, Blackbeard’s Tea Party are much-loved stalwarts of the English folk scene. Known for a bombastic and upbeat folk-rock sound, they also infuse sounds of glam, punk, funk and metal. They have built their reputation on blisteringly energetic live shows, and are regulars at some of the biggest UK folk festivals including Sidmouth, Towersey and Folk East. They have come a long way since busking on the streets of York, having also made memorable appearances at Glastonbury, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention and Cambridge Folk Festival. They regularly tour too, with a headline tour planned for autumn  / winter 2024. See the list of live dates here.

For any press enquiries, please contact: blackbeard@blackbeardsteaparty.com