Umlaut...the acoustic duo
Umlaut at The Atkinson, Southport supporting Rob Vincent (Sept 2024)
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Alongside his podcast production and composition work, Ian is also into live performance and songwriting with his musical and lifetime partner, Zoë Simpkin.
Formed in 2023, they have been performing at a variety of venues across North West England using their own self-penned songs and their acoustic arrangements of well-known and less well-known covers. The title 'Umlaut' came about from a discussion with Boo Hewerdine - he suggested it because Zoë has an umlaut over the 'e' in her name. There was a lot more behind this story, more of which you can learn from a future concert! Performing since 2023, they started with acoustic arrangements of popular songs but, as they both learnt of each other's creative musical and lyrical potential, combined with a lovely discovery of blending harmonies, they decided to form a formal duo and write their own material too. |
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They also co-write their songs: Zoë is a great lyricist and Ian sets them to music. Their key aim is to produce a wide-ranging style of themes and styles of song. One of their ideas sprung from a walk in Lancashire; they called into a pub (for coffees, honestly!) and saw a sign over a fireplace that said 'Nobody Gets Out Sober'. Later that day when they arrived home, a song was written as a dialogue between a publican and a recovering alcoholic...neither of the roles having been lived by Umlaut! You can have a listen to it on the live video below.
They are currently having to take a break from live performance due to some recent medical treatment but hope to be back in live action later in 2025. A list of gigs will appear on this page. You can also follow them on their dedicated Facebook page. Umlaut are: Zoë Simpkin: vocals, tenor guitar, ukulele, percussion Ian Cleverdon: vocals, guitar, tenor guitar, cello-mandolin |
Coopers Bar, Southport (Aug 2024)
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Videos
During the medical treatment they experienced starting in October 2024, they decided that they had to continue to pursue their music...hence the creation of their own YouTube channel! You can visit and subscribe to the channel here, but here are a few to keep you amused.
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Contact
If you would like more information about Umlaut, including arranging future live performances, please contact Ian via the Contact page.