Sorrow & Joy: New Music Video Out Today!

Hey, we’re writing to you from the tiny house and we have some big news to share: The official music video for "Sorrow Brings Me Joy" is out now! See the full video on YouTube

We filmed it spontaneously during the lockdown in Sheffield UK, we were able to explore the empty city and have fun while also feeling immense sadness about the state of the world (something we could all relate to at the time) and even now, these complex feelings persist.

The song is about holding space to feel happy and sad at the same time if you need to. Isn’t that the bittersweet journey of life?

We want to send the deepest thank you to our incredible patrons and Kickstarter backers. This video, and so much of what we do, simply wouldn't be possible without your support.

We’re also so grateful to everyone who has been streaming our music and watching our videos on YouTube. Your support means the world to us.

On the subject of good news, we're thrilled to share that ‘Sorrow Brings Me Joy’ was recently featured on Iain Anderson’s show on BBC Radio Scotland! And we’ve also reached 11,000 monthly listeners on Spotify! It’s all thanks to you, and it truly blows us away.

We’re playing some shows in North Carolina and Virginia before we head Southwest in September with our brilliant friend and artist Anna La Mare.

For now, the best way to support us is by watching the new music video on YouTube and sharing it with a friend, leaving a comment, and subscribing to our channel. 


We hope it resonates with you and brings a little joy to your day.

We’re thrilled to have you along for the ride.


Warmest, Alicia & Robert

A Different Thread


P.S. Just for you guys, here's a peek at the Spotify Canvas for our upcoming song, 'Sweet and the Burn’. We'll be releasing that on Sep 5th, so keep an eye out! Pre-save is available now on our website homepage.

US Shows Announced + milestone 10k monthly listeners!!

We're hunkered down in our tiny home, taking a well-deserved rest after a long tour. A cold front just rolled into North Carolina, finally ending the heat wave here. Guess we brought some English weather with us!

Thank you to everyone who came out to a show, sang along, and bought merch. We hope you're loving the pre-release copies of new album!

Over the last nine weeks, we played 35 shows and drove over 3,500 miles. It was an incredible ride, and we’re really happy with how the tour went. We’re also glad to be home and reconnecting with our Stateside fans at some shows very soon!

We're excited to announce we're teaming up with our fellow singer-songwriter, Anna La Mare, for a September Southwest Tour!

It's been a while since we've been out that way, and we'll be covering a lot of new ground (including Americanafest in Nashville and SWRFA in Austin. If you have friends in any of the tour stops, send them our way!

P.S. We just hit 10K Monthly Milestone!
Thanks to everyone streaming 'Sorrow Brings Me Joy', - we just hit 10k monthly listeners!!

This number fluctuates a lot but this is a new record and a huge milestone for us! Our goal is to reach a stable 10k by the end of the year.

Listen to 'Sorrow Brings Me Joy' on Spotify here

Watch our fun home-made video on YouTube here

Your fan,

A Different Thread

AUGUST DATES
(see all upcoming tour dates and ticket info here)

SAT AUG 09 | 6:00 PM

A Different Thread House Concert Returns!

Columbia, MD

SUN AUG 10 | 2:00 PM

A Different Thread - Live at The Plant, Pittsboro

Pittsboro, NC

WED AUG 13 | 7:00 PM

A Tale Of Two + A Different Thread - Flat Iron

Greensboro, NC
Tickets here

FRI AUG 15 | 7:00 PM

A Different Thread Live at Laconia Ale Works, Sparta

Sparta, NC

SUN AUG 17 | 3:00 PM

PATIO: A different Thread play The Grey Eagle

Asheville, NC

SUN AUG 24 | 1:00 PM

Oak Grove Folk Music Festival 2025

Staunton, VA

FRI AUG 29 | 6:00 PM

A Different Thread open for Paperhand Puppet Intervention

Chapel Hill, NC

SAT AUG 30 | 6:00 PM

A Different Thread open for Paperhand Puppet Intervention

Chapel Hill, NC

SUN AUG 31 | 2:00 PM

A Different Thread at Flytrap Brewing

Wilmington, NC


SEPTEMBER

SAT SEP 6 | 8:00 PM

Anna La Mare + Dam Sam w/special guests A Different Thread
The Speakeasy
Carrborro, NC

FRI SEP 12 | 8:00 PM

A Different Thread and Anna La Mare play Puckett’s

Franklin, TN

SAT SEP 13 | 5:00 PM

Cello Tree Arts Presents A Different Thread (Americanafest Weekend)

East Nashville, TN

SUN SEP 14 | 6:00 PM

Back Porch House Concerts with A Different Thread and Anna La Mare

Huntsville, AL

WED SEP 17 | 6:00 PM

A Different Thread and Anna La Mare play Munson and Brothers

Columbus, MS

FRI SEP 19 | 6:00 PM

Uptown Porch Concert with A Different Thread and Anna La Mare

New Orleans, LA

SAT SEP 20 | 7:00 PM

A Different Thread featuring Anna La Mare - House Concert Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, LA

WED SEP 24 | 7:00 PM

Continental Club’s Big Top

Houston, TX
Tickets here

SUN SEP 28 | 2:00 PM

A Different Thread, Anna La Mare, and friends at NeWorlDeli

Austin, TX

All dates, tickets and show info here

Our new single is here – Sorrow Brings Me Joy

We’ve just released a new track: Sorrow Brings Me Joy. It’s about finding humour in hard times.
[Listen to Sorrow Brings Me Joy on Spotify]

When life knocks you down, sometimes the only way through is with a wry smile.

It’s not always easy to see the silver lining (especially when you’re tuned in to the state of the world) but now and then, you catch a strange little moment that makes you laugh. And laughter, they say, is the best medicine… second only to music.

Rooted in bluesy alt-country with a touch of wordplay, this one was written during lockdown in Sheffield - inspired by a lone magpie pecking at a crust of bread. They say “one for sorrow, two for joy”. There was only one that day but we couldn’t help feeling a little spark of joy anyway—magpies look like crows in tuxedos with a flash of blue. What’s not to love?

We hope this song brings a little lightness to your day and offers a reminder to look for joy in the little things.

[Listen to Sorrow Brings Me Joy on Spotify]

it’s also streaming on Amazon, Apple, iTunes, Deezer, Bandcamp, and more

Photo by Carl Jonathan Bennett

We’re wrapping up our UK tour this week and getting ready to head back stateside. It’s been a beautiful ride and we still have a few shows coming up including Lichfield on Friday and Birmingham on Sunday.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this tour so special! We hope you enjoy your new merch and albums and we’ll see you down the line.

Warmly,

Alicia & Robert

A Different Thread ⸻

P.S. We made a playful little video for Sorrow Brings Me Joy - with a twist at the end. Feast your eyes on it during the Youtube premiere today! We’ll be hanging out in the chat, come and say hi.

[Watch the premiere with us on YouTube tonight at 6pm UK time (1pm EST)]

Puppets, Paint & Hope – Our New Lyric Video is Here 🎭

Dear friends,

As our tiny car rolls through the countryside on our way to Newcastle, we’re feeling the momentum of this tour- just 11 more gigs before we’re back across the ocean in North Carolina. Time’s flying.

But we had to hit pause for a moment to share something we’re really proud of:

🎬 The lyric video for our new single “Over Again” is out now!

It’s a playful, uplifting little world featuring us as puppets in front of a beautifully painted cranky. This was filmed during our trip to Mexico City last winter, and while the full music video is yet to come, this joyful visual offers a colourful glimpse into the magic we made with puppeteer Pablo Cueto and his brilliant team.

Watch the lyric video here!

Let us know what you think—your comments, shares, and general good energy help keep the story moving.

At the same time, we’ve been receiving difficult news from back home—flooding and storm damage across North Carolina. It’s painful to watch from afar, but we’ve also seen beautiful examples of community resilience: people grieving together, showing up, rebuilding, offering what they can.

When we return, we’ll be getting involved with local recovery efforts. In the meantime, if you’re in a position to help, here are two grassroots projects doing vital work: Day One Relief & NCCF Disaster Relief Fund

Thank you for being part of this journey—through music, through distance, through it all.

With love and hope,

A Different Thread

P.S. If “Over Again” resonates with you, share the lyric video with someone who might need it, or add it to a playlist. Every little ripple helps.


Upcoming UK Shows in July:

Sat 12th - Eccles Town Hall (Nr. Manchester)

Wed 16th - The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge (w/ Caitlin Gilligan)

Fri 18th - Green Note, London (w/ Banjo Jen)

Sat 19th - The Lightship 55, Bristol (w/ Play Misty)

Sun 20th - The Globe, Hay-on-Wye

Mon 21st - Flowerpot, Derby

Fri 25th - The Hub, Lichfield

Sat 26th - Roman Lakes, Stockport

Sun 27th - Tewkesbury Live

Sun 27th - Kitchen Garden, Birmingham

New Single "Over Again" Out Now!

“One road is ending, another road begins, so come on let’s do it over again”

With themes of breaking free from negative cycles, setting intentions, and building a brighter future, “Over Again” is an ode to new beginnings and letting go of the past.

>Listen here on Spotify<

Crafting this song was such a deeply healing experience. From writing the music and lyrics, to adding the finishing touches, and everything in between. We worked with Jennifer Curtis on violin, Alan Best on mandolin and Mike Seal on bass. The group backing vocals were done by Anna La Mare and Shannon Dawn O’Connor.

We are writing this from Bristol, UK where we take a welcome (albeit brief) pause from our two month tour. We just spent the weekend at Tangled Roots festival in Somerset and it was beautiful, rainstorms and all! We reconnected with friends and fans who came out to support us and we met so many lovely people throughout the weekend!

We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shared, liked, listened, and watched the new music video for “Come on Home Molly”. Let’s keep the love going!

Highlights have been; the single release show at Blue Note Grill in Durham NC with a full band, playing it live at shows in the UK and having folks sing along, and people reaching out to say that the song has inspired them to reconnect with old friends!

Music is a powerful medicine, and we could all use a little healing right now. We hope you enjoy the new song.

Thanks for listening.

- Alicia and Robert

>Listen to Over Again on Spotify<

P.S. join us for the youtube premiere at 8pm BST (3pm ET) today.

New Music Video Out Today - Come On Home Molly

It’s been such a warm welcome back to the UK — our first two gigs were magical. We’ve really been feeling the connection, the community, and the love in the room.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s already come out to show their support and sing along to Come On Home Molly! The new single has been going over so well, and we’re excited to share that the official music video is out later TODAY!

Join us for the premiere on YouTube at 9pm UK / 4pm ET — we’ll be hanging out in the chat when it goes live, come say hi! Every like, comment, and share helps the song reach more ears.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PREMIERE ON YOUTUBE

We had so much fun making this one. The video takes you inside a seemingly abandoned 1500s manor house in the Lake District — complete with a tiny hedge maze, grand ceilings, and wide open fell. We dance in the dark, light a fire in the drawing room, and run barefoot through the garden… it’s carefree and full of mischief but are we really alone in the house?

We filmed at Ashlack Hall in Grizebeck, Cumbria. Our friends run the guest house and restaurant there, and the food and hospitality are next-level — we couldn’t recommend it more.

Thanks for all the streaming and love you’ve shown this song already — it’s been so exciting to see folks connecting with Come On Home Molly. We can’t wait to play it live for you on the road!

-Alicia and Robert

P.S. Our next single Over Again comes out June 10th, and it’s available to pre-save now. Every little boost helps it make a splash on release day — we can’t wait to share it with you all!

CLICK HERE TO PRE-SAVE OVER AGAIN AND GET A SNEAK PEEK

Upcoming UK Shows:

May 28 – London - What’s Cookin’

May 29 – Boxmoor - Fishery Wharf

June 5 – Bristol - The Canteen

June 6 – Glastonbury - The King Arthur

June 7 – Bath - Tangled Roots Festival

June 11 – Pontyclun - Llantrisant Folk Club

June 13 – Tywyn - Magic Lantern Cinema

June 14 – Colwyn Bay - Mash Taphouse

June 15 – Wirral - The Nest Cafe

June 17 – Bath - The Bell Inn

June 21 – Stonehenge - Summer Solstice Festival

July 2 – Stoke - Biddulph Up in Arms (with The Weeping Willows)

July 3 – Sheffield - Café#9

July 4 – Sheffield - Café#9

July 6 – Malvern - Not a Cult Fest

July 7 – Conisbrough - Terminus Micropub

July 8 – Owston Ferry - The Crooked Billet

July 9 – Kingston upon Hull - The New Adelphi Club

July 10 – Newcastle upon Tyne - The Cluny

July 12 – Eccles - Eccles Town Hall (Echo)

July 16 – Hebden Bridge - Trades Club (support from Caitlin Gilligan)

July 18 – London - Green Note (support from Banjo Jen)

July 19 – Bristol - John Sebastian, Lightship 55 (support from Play Misty)

July 20 – Hay-on-Wye - The Globe

July 21 – Derby - Flower Pot

July 25 – Lichfield - The Hub at St. Mary’s

July 26 – Chester - Roman Lakes

July 27 – Tewkesbury - Tewkesbury Live Festival

July 27 – Birmingham - The Kitchen Garden Café

SEE ALL TOUR DATES AND GET TICKETS

Out Today! New Single "Come On Home Molly"

Today we release our new single “Come On Home Molly” — a nostalgic singalong about being ghosted by your best friend.

This song feels like a letter never answered, inviting you to leave an open door in your heart, for your old friends who might want to come on home some day.

Give it a spin and you’ll be dancing your blues away!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

We will be hanging out in the chat for the YouTube premier at noon ET (5pm GMT), come say hi and listen along with us live! Click here and get a reminder on YouTube

If you’re on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, we would love your help sharing the song to the world! Tag us in your post for a chance to win merch and tickets!

We hope you enjoy the song, thanks for listening!

-Alicia and Robert

P.S. If you donated to the album Kickstarter, we’re sending rewards out this week. Look for a special parcel in your mailbox soon!