Tom Cunliffe & Ali Whitton

Come get some folk songs! Laugh, cry, dance, drink, gasp, dream and go home with a belly full of music.

Tom Cunliffe returns with ‘Spit Out Your Gum’ – his fourth album and most intimate release to date. Vivid, offbeat, and full of heart, the record captures Cunliffe at his most direct, delivering a collection of songs that glow with warmth and humanity.

Across its tracks, Cunliffe takes listeners on a journey from the streets of London to the bright lights of Karangahape Road, and out into the cold green waves of the Irish Sea. Each song feels alive – steeped in imagery, character, and a quiet intensity that rewards deep listening.

Recorded live-to-tape at Roundhead Studios, ‘Spit Out Your Gum’ carries the unmistakable warmth of that hallowed room and the people within it. With Paddy Hill engineering, Cunliffe was joined by Dave Khan (violin, piano) and Cass Basil (bass, clarinet).

Together, they captured performances that unfold in real time – no edits, no digital polish, just songs recorded in single takes, preserving the intimacy, imperfection, and energy of the moment.

—————–
Ali Whitton is a New Zealand-based singer-songwriter. Born in Aotearoa and raised in rural North Yorkshire, his music blends introspective folk, alt-country, and acoustic storytelling, drawing inspiration from artists like Nick Drake, Bright Eyes, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan.

With poetic lyrics rooted in nature and emotional honesty, his songs explore themes of longing, resilience, and cosmic wonder. After an early career touring the UK and France – including sharing stages with Ed Sheeran – Ali settled in Aotearoa New Zealand, where salty sea winds and bush covered landscapes continue to shape his sound.