3tynespodcast

3tynespodcast

Grassroots music rural west Northumberland and the upper South Tyne valley. 3tynespodcast.substack.com

  1. Aug 10

    Hels Pattison: happy person, happy songs

    Hels Pattison is a singer and songwriter who has recently made a big impact on the local music scene with her sweetly sad songs and personal lyrics, delivered in a distinctively melodic voice. In 2026, Hels toured the UK and she has played at the Vault and the Bandstand Sessions in Hexham and at Alston Live Festival, in addition to many gigs elsewhere in the region Hels’ songs have been compared with the work of Mary Chapin Carpenter and Phoebe Bridgers. She has always been fond of country music and, now that she has a full band, she is leaning more strongly into an Americana style of performance. Hels is now recording an EP of new songs that will reflect this trend. We recorded this episode at In Heart Studios in Blaydon. It was engineered and produced by Dean Parker. Hels and the band’s guitarist Zac Savage recorded three songs for the podcast, two of which were unreleased at the time. They are, in order: Skinny Dipping in November, Love is a Fire and Ruby. You can find information about Hels’ gigs on her website https://www.helspattison.co.uk/ where you can also sign up to a monthly newsletter to stay up to date with releases and announcements. You can listen to and buy her music on Bandcamp at https://helspattison.bandcamp.com/ and you can stream it on the usual platforms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com

  2. Jul 27

    Gareth Davies-Jones: the way it will change you

    Gareth Davies-Jones is a singer-songwriter who lives in Tynedale. His many albums and the long list of his collaborations and achievements in music are evidence of his skill at capturing story in song. In 2025, Gareth walked from Holy Island to Durham Cathedral, following St Oswald’s Way and the Way of Light, one of six trails based on ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to Durham. He took his guitar with him and performed concerts where he stayed, all the while capturing his impressions of the journey and his environment. These experiences were the inspiration for his new album A Troubadour Journey, which he has recently been touring around the North. I talked to Gareth about the origins of his pilgrimage and how the fourteen songs on the album describe the spiritual impact of his solitary travels. Gareth recorded two songs from A Troubadour Journey for this episode. They are: Follow the Way and Juniper. Gareth’s music is available from his website, https://www.garethdavies-jones.com. There, you can buy a CD of the album together with a 32-page companion booklet of lyrics, artwork by Horsley artist Rebecca Vincent and photographs Gareth took along the way. This is the best way to appreciate the music and the journey that inspired it but the album is also available on streaming platforms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com

  3. Jul 13

    Richard Durrant: indie-classical composer and concert guitarist

    Photo: Richard Durrant Richard Durrant is an indie-classical composer and concert guitarist who plays guitar with great enthusiasm and skill. The word ‘passion’ is much overused these days but, as our episode today shows, it’s an apt description for Richard’s relationship with all forms of music. He is a connoisseur of the guitar, playing a bog oak, nylon-strung guitar made by Northumberland luthier Gary Southwell, and it was a visit to the workshop that brought him here on May 1st to play a concert as part of his anniversary tour celebrating 40 years of performance. The set list reflected his wide-ranging taste and included his own compositions and works by Bach, John Renbourn, Scarlatti, Bert Jansch and his favourite classical composer, Agustin Barrios. We talked about Richard’s musical journey, taking in folk, classical and improvised music, the joy of cycling between performances, the value of being neurodiverse, and why playing Bach on the banjo is so rewarding. This episode includes three of Richard’s compositions. They are: Wheels Above Clouds from his album Cycling Music; Forr All Mankinne Nede from the album Rewilding; and The Girl at the Airport Part 2. Danza from the album of the same name. You can find Richard’s music on Bandcamp at https://richarddurrant.bandcamp.com/and the usual streaming platforms with the exception of Spotify. As this episode is published, Richard’s tour is still in progress and there’ll be another chance to hear him play at Alnwick on August 29th. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com

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Grassroots music rural west Northumberland and the upper South Tyne valley. 3tynespodcast.substack.com

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