The Fungi Sessions Vol. 1 is a collection of fungi-inspired instrumental compositions by Scottish born, California based musician Hannah Read. This recording will be released on October 20th, 2023 and follows her critically acclaimed solo album, Way Out I'll Wander, Appalachian old-time duo album with Michael Starkey, Cross The Rolling Water, and the BBC Folk Award winning album Songs of Separation. 

The Fungi Sessions Vol.1 isn’t Hannah’s first exploration of fungi through music. Hannah grew up around the world of mycology through her late father Nick Read, a world renowned mycologist and deep appreciator of music. Hannah’s mycologically influenced composition Waltz de la Funguy (Cross The Rolling Water) sparked the interest of Dr. Edward Wallace from the Institute of Cell Biology at Edinburgh University, who approached Hannah in March 2023 about commissioning an album of original fungi-inspired work. Funded by a Wellcome Trust grant, The Fungi Sessions Vol. 1 was born. 

The suite of music was composed over the span of a week in May 2023 and was recorded a month later by engineer Mattie Foulds at Heriot Toun Studio in the Scottish Borders. This short window was intentional. Departing from her usual creative process of burrowing into ideas, Hannah wrote this music quickly and without interruption, making something that feels fresh and experimental, yet organic, grounded and cohesive.  

Throughout the album, Hannah plays fiddle, electric & acoustic guitar, and is joined by a talented cast of musicians including, Michael Starkey on clawhammer banjo & guitar, and Nickel Creek’s Jeff Picker on upright bass. Long time collaborator and sound designer, Charles Van Kirk mixed and mastered the album and thoughtfully wove in environmental samples from the forest floor: decomposing bark, dirt, pine straw, and fungi. The result is a mellow, earthy soundtrack featuring 6 original compositions and 3 interludes.

For a fully immersive auditory experience, go on a mindful walk through the woods and listen to the album from start to finish with headphones.

The Fungi Sessions Vol. 1 is a tribute, and is dedicated to Hannah’s father, Nick Read, and his work.