Auka

Biography

Auka comes from an Old Norse word meaning to grow or augment – a term that perfectly sums up the band’s organic and distinctive approach to music-making, where original folk melodies gradually swell from moments of delicate calm to those of frenetic energy. 

Combining wide-ranging influences including Celtic music and jazz, Auka consists of Kirsty Lomax on Irish flute/whistles, Matt Gilchrist on acoustic guitar and Joss Mann-Hazell (of Mishra) on double bass. The three instruments weave between melodic and accompanying roles to create a diverse and compelling sound.

“Ethereal and euphoric – utterly stunning” BBC Introducing Sheffield

Autumn 2023 saw the release of Auka’s second album, Wild Waters. This recording was fuelled by their passion for the rewilding and Right to Roam movements, in particular the need for access to blue spaces for wild swimming. The music is influenced by the ephemeral nature of rivers and streams, and pays tribute to the importance of protecting Britain’s wild waters.

“Merging moments of traditional folk with forays into jazz and beyond…” KLOF/Folk Radio UK