Megson (band)

Megson
Megson playing at Ring O Bells pub in Nailsea, Somerset in 2010
Background information
Origin	Billingham, England
Genres	Folk
Instruments	Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Whistle, Accordion
Years active	2004 - present
Labels	edj, an independent label
Website	www.megsonmusic.co.uk
Members	Stu Hanna Debbie Hanna

Megson are an English folk duo composed of husband and wife Stu Hanna and Debbie Hanna. The duo have released four albums and one EP on their own label, edj. Their live performances feature Stu playing a guitar or mandolin as backing to their vocal harmonies.

The duo met while singing in Cleveland Youth Choir before moving to London to allow Debbie to study classical music while Stu became involved with a progressive rock band. In 2004 they began making their own music and released their first album, On The Side, while performing at acoustic clubs around London.

Megson named themselves after Debbie's family dog, who at the time had just died. They had originally decided upon "The Ghost of Meg", but their family and friends convinced them that it sounded like a death-metal band.

Megson's first album, On The Side, consisted of a mixture of self-penned and traditional songs. Released in 2004, the album caught the attention of Seth Lakeman, whose brother Sean helped produce their second album, Smoke of Home, which further explored the wealth of traditional songs from around their home in Teesside as well as self-composed songs in the same style. Their third album, Take Yourself A Wife, was recorded while they were planning their wedding and consists of their own take on traditional and Victorian folk songs. The Longshot, consists of songs about work from the North East of England and their own experiences of English culture, especially sport and the textile industry. When I was a lad features traditional childhood songs and new compositions written for their first child. Live captures a performance at Hitchen Folk Club. In a box consists of songs about the way we live - then and now.