Maddy Prior star Q&A  

Round & About

Steeleye Span star in Farnham, Wantage & more in November & December. We chat to folk music superstar Maddy Prior 

Few bands can boast a career as enduring and influential as Steeleye Span. Together for an astonishing 56 years, the group transformed the face of folk music, taking it from village halls into the realms of gold discs, international tours, and mainstream recognition. Now, the legendary outfit are back with Conflict – their first full studio album in over five years – and a major UK tour to celebrate. 

The tour will feature the current line-up, led as ever by the inimitable Maddy Prior, alongside Andrew Sinclair, Roger Carey, Liam Genockey, Julian Littman, and recent recruit Athena Octavia. A member of indie folk band Iris & Steel and a classically trained violinist, Athena brings both youthful energy and technical brilliance to the ensemble. Fans can expect a rich setlist that journeys through Steeleye’s vast back catalogue, mixing classics and fan favourites with brand new songs from Conflict. 

Liz Nicholls chats to Maddy Prior… 

Hello Maddy! What can audiences expect from this tour? “We’ll be performing from our new album Conflict, but we always revisit our back catalogue which is vast. We mix it up with songs people might not have heard for a while – it keeps life interesting.” 

Q: Conflict is a very apt title. Can you tell us more about the album? 
Maddy: When we first thought of it, it became more relevant as time went on. Some songs are about war, some about our conflict with the planet and our place in it. We’re distracted by war from what might be the more important issue. Although, the world has always been “coming to an end” — let’s hope it’s just another story of that and not the real thing! 

Q. You often explore darker themes in your songs. Why do you think that is? “I think of the songs as meditations. We all have dark corners in our minds. They usually stay there, thankfully, though sometimes they burst out into the world, which can be confusing. Singing about these reduces stigma, shines sunlight into those corners and removes the shame.” 

Q. What’s your first memory of music? “Singing My Bow-legged Chicken, aged about eight or nine, in a Saturday matinee. The audience cheered for me – so I kept singing!” 

Q. Have you ever been starstruck? “Quite a few times. We worked with David Bowie once, when he came to play saxophone in the studio. He arrived with a small entourage, was utterly gracious and did exactly what was needed. He didn’t disappoint at all – he was delightful.” 

Q. Which artists influenced you when you were young? “Joan Baez, Bob Dylan – though I almost missed him! The first time I heard Dylan was in a record shop on a rainy day. At first, we thought ‘oh no, this guy…’ but then A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall came on, and we were floored. If it hadn’t been raining, we might have walked out and I’d have passed him by.” 

Q. What’s your favourite of own albums? “Probably Parcel of Rogues. By then we’d begun to establish what we were; that ’70s line-up became the blueprint for everything since. Of course, we always try to push boundaries too.” 

Q: Do you prefer working solo or as part of a band? 
Maddy: Always as part of a team. I’ve been lucky to work with brilliant musicians, making music I find really interesting. What’s not to like? 

Q. What music do you listen to? “I really admire The Dixie Chicks; their comeback after being cancelled for criticising President Bush was very brave. And Tom Waits – he brings an entire world with him. I also love Lady Gaga.” 

Q. What advice do you have for young musicians today? “Do what you love. Find people with the same level of commitment, whether that’s 24/7, once a week, or once a month. Don’t try to engineer it. Enjoy it.” 

Q. What’s on your rider? “Just a good glass of red wine. Luckily, our tour manager used to work for a wine merchant, so he always finds us something lovely.” 

Q. What would be your wish for the world? “Tolerance. It’s in short supply. We need to understand most people are doing their best, even if we don’t always perceive it that way.” 

Q: And finally — can anyone learn to sing? 
Maddy: “Yes. The only real problem is if someone can’t listen, because singing is about listening. But most people can. The worst thing is being told you can’t sing – it becomes your story, and then your children believe it too. Everyone remembers exactly when and who told them they couldn’t sing. It’s such a shame, because everyone can.