Miranda Sykes

Miranda Sykes (born 1978 in Spalding, Lincolnshire) is an English folk singer, double-bassist and guitarist who performs with Steve Knightley and Phil Beer in the acoustic roots/folk group Show of Hands. As of 2019 she is undertaking solo performances while on maternity leave from the group. She has recorded with Show of Hands and has also performed and recorded as a duo with mandolin player Rex Preston.

Biography

Early life and education Sykes was born in Spalding to John and Penny Sykes and was brought up in Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire. Hers was a musical family and she started playing double bass at the age of eight. She was educated at schools in Pinchbeck and Spalding

She toured with Bill Jones' band in 2001, and performed on the band's live album. She then toured with Jones in a trio with Sarah Wright (flute and bodhrán) and subsequently in a duo, featuring on Jones' 2003 CD Two Year Winter. to commemorate "great distinction in [their] professional lives".

She has toured solo shows to promote her solo albums Borrowed Places (2017) and Behind the Wall (2018). Borrowed Places (CD, album) Hands On Music HMCD44, 2017 Bliss (CD, album) Hands On Music HMCD24, 2006 Miranda Sykes Band (CD, album) Irregular Records IRR058, 2005 Don't Look Down (CD, album) Irregular Records IRR052, 2004

with Rex Preston The Watchmaker's Wife (CD, album) Hands On Music HMCD40, 2016 Sing A Full Song (CD, album) Hands On Music HMCD37, 2014 Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston (CD, album) Hands On Music HMCD35, 2012

with Show of Hands Wake the Union (CD, album, Digipak) Hands On Music HMCD36, 2012 Covers 2 (CD, album, Digipak) Hands On Music HMCD32, 2010 Witness (CD, album) Hands On Music HMCD23, 2006 As You Were (2 x CD) Hands On Music HMCD22, 2005 Arrogance Ignorance and Greed (CD, album) Hands On Music Wake the Union (CD, album, Digipak) Hands On Music Centenary: Words & Music of the Great War (2 x CD, album) Hands On Music The Long Way Home (Show of Hands album) (CD, album) Hands on Music Battlefield Dancefloor (CD, album) Hands on Music

with Robb Johnson and Saskia Tomkins 21st Century Blues (CD, album) Irregular Records IRR043, 2001