M U S I C
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At the heart of Pagan Harvest are founder members Lawrence Reed and Steve Daymond. Lawrence’s compositions have been described as ‘beautifully intricate soundscapes’ and ‘fascinating’ while Steve’s bass has been described by Dave Pegg, of Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull, as ‘clever stuff !’ and by Prog Magazine as ‘eccentric and well judged’.


For their new album, Earth’s Secret Engine, they have been joined by two exciting and talented guest artists: singer Sam Walker and drummer Ellie Daymond.


This signals a move from the progressive dark folk of the first two highly acclaimed albums to a more rock-based sound. The quirky compositions and distinctive progressive elements remain.


Pagan Harvest have always produced music arising out of the English landscape. But that landscape is changing. Earth's Secret Engine, concerns itself with nature and the perilous predicament of our environment.

new album - 2023

Earth's Secret Engine – Order now!
Pagan Harvest, the progressive folk duo of Lawrence Reed and Steve Daymond, have welcomed two new members for their upcoming album, Earth's Secret Engine: vocalist Sam Walker and drummer Ellie Daymond. This marks a shift from their previous dark folk style to a more rock-oriented sound, while retaining their unique and intricate compositions. The album explores the theme of nature and its fragility in the face of human impact, drawing inspiration from the English landscape that has always been at the core of Pagan Harvest's music.

****

Pagan Harvest’s latest album is excellent. Highly recommended, especially for those who appreciate the more acoustic side of prog. The vocals of Sam Walker are enchanting and angelic. . . adding an etherial beauty to the album. Multiple layers of instrumentation all exceptionally played. The production is immaculate. Outstanding acoustic guitar threads.

Pagan Harvest makes music that is quite subtle and it takes time to peal back the layers. But when you do, the fruits of your labour will make it all worthwhile.

Jon Neudorf – Sea of Tranquility

****

Excellent. 

Offers a wide range of soundscapes combined with deep passionate vocals. Earthy, organic. . . lots of textures to indulge in.

The band’s music is unworldly and pulls you. This is a slick and sophisticated album.

Nicky Baldrian – Power Magazine


****

Sam’s voice almost elemental… urgent and compelling… Daymond’s bass rumbling along… joyous acoustic guitars.

A fascinating collection of songs that captivate and resonate with and important message about how we treat and respect nature.
Alison Reijman - Background Magazine

****

Sounds and atmospheres that resonate deep within us… a feeling of refreshing light.
Ambitious and challenging Yes. Their topical lyrics should make us all think about the world we live in while we immerse ourselves in this fine release.
Andy Manning - Progarchives.com

****

“Awesome production and musicianship... Great songwriting... Excellent vocal arrangements with Sam Walkers lead vocals among the finest... Stellar bass presence.”
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m u s i c

Pines of Flanders  / I Cry Out (EP) : released September 2019 – available from iTunes, Spotify and all recognised digital platforms
Pagan Harvest: released December 2015 – available from iTunes, Spotify and all recognised digital platforms
Sacred River: released February 2018 – available from iTunes, Spotify and all recognised digital platforms

Lawrence Reed - Guitars, keyboards and percussion

Lawrence writes the lyrics and composes most of Pagan Harvest’s music. His distinctive style derives from a classical training distilled with other musical influences from his past including: punk, folk, and progressive rock. Horizons changed when he completed his Masters in Music Composition introducing him to experimental music and larger orchestrations. Lawrence’s lyrics are rooted, like his poetry, in observations about nature. There is celebration of its beauty but a deep concern for the perilous state of our environment. Lawrence has composed music for films and stage and worked with leading classical ensembles. He also plays in the acoustic guitar duet Flight & Flight.

Steve Daymond - Bass guitar, vocals

Steve’s bass style is driving, melodic, gentle and tasteful. Feeding off others around him His doctrine has always been to try and improve what is there but not to lose sight of the fact that the gaps are as important as the playing. During his career Steve has featured in many originals bands including Soul Agents, playing there cleverly combined mix of soul, rock and pop throughout the major venues in London and the South East and a New Wave Oxford based combo No Difference. He currently plays bass and sings for two top covers bands - Ouch and Roadhouse

Sam Walker - Guest vocals

Sam adds her strong, acrobatic and distinctive vocals to the new Pagan Harvest album.


Sam has been in two successful all female bands: lead singer and main songwriter in JOANovARC and bass and vocals in The Suffrajets - who were signed to Sony and subject of a Channel 4 documentary: ‘We are the Suffrajets’. She has toured throughout the US, Japan, and Europe and has featured on many radio shows including BBC6 with Bruce Dickinson. She has made TV appearances on TFI Friday, T4, Scuzz and Kerrang. 

Ellie Daymond - Guest, Drums and percussion

Ellie is drummer in JOANovARC who are currently working on their 3rd album. She has toured Europe and played at many major international festivals. Ellie previously worked with Flowerpot and the electronic Cosmic Ninja.

Jon Bickley
Jon was lyricist and lead vocalist for Pagan Harvest up until early 2019 when he left to follow other avenues. www.jonbickley.com

praise for pagan harvest

Grant Moon - Prog Magazine: This engaging blend of spoken-word and melody is set to fascinating arrangements from Lawrence Reed. Steve Daymond’s bass work is eccentric and well judged, this is interesting, clear-eyed prog from a band who deserve to reap what they’ve sown.


Dave Pegg - Fairport Convention/Jethro Tull: Really good and love the bass. Clever stuff!


Andrew Manning - Midlands Rocks: There have been a really healthy number of fine new progressive bands formed in the UK during the last few years and Pagan Harvest can be added to this list.


Doug Bearne – National Rock Review: Pagan Harvest delivered a superb album. The story-telling over intricate soundscapes will captivate audiences, keeping them hooked from start to finish.


Jerry Ewing - Editor of Prog Magazine: A band rising out of the English pastoral tradition, Pagan Harvest's members lend their respective styles - classical, folk and prog - to the band's inventive greater whole. The result is polarising, but you have to applaud their desire to deliver something so leftfield.


A few years back Pagan Harvest just missed winning prog magazines coveted award of best unsigned band.


In 2018 they were admitted to the prestigious Prog Archives who said:

"The music of Pagan Harvest is quirky... it leaves the listener guessing. We could be indulged in a folk melody one moment and on a bizarre psychedelic trip the next”.

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Lawrence, Steve, Sam and Ellie – taking time out from working on the album - Earth's Secret Engine.
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