It has been commented, that they have an unusual take on harmonies which their powerful voices use in many interesting ways.

They take their song material from a very broad spectrum of genres and although their main influence could be bracketed as ‘folk’, with their use of A-capella singing, a song set by LocTup Together could contain anything from traditional Burns through to popular music and even some reworked material from the ‘rock’ genre. Their raison d’être has always been “a good song is a good song and deserves some consideration”. Who would have thought you would hear Jethro Tull’s ‘Weathercock’ in a folk club performance! This along with their self deprecating humour makes their live performances entertaining and unpredictable.

Their main interest though is in songs with a maritime influence, not so much pure shanties, although their performances may include a few, but more to songs with a historical element or songs with a strong storyline.

Their interest in maritime songs saw them join forces with another duo in 2003. Along with Steve Dawes and Helen Pitt, Chris and Ian formed the four part harmony group Four’n’Aft. The quartet would go on to perform to much acclaim to audiences throughout the UK and mainland Europe until ill health caused the quartet to have to disband with much regret in 2019. As well as the UK, Four ‘n’ Aft have performed numerous times in, The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Brittany, Poland, Jersey and Ireland.

Join Brian Jones as he chats with LocTup Together, Chris Lock and Ian Tupling, whose close harmonies and songs of the sea have entertained audiences for more than three decades. From chance encounters at folk clubs to unforgettable adventures across Europe, it’s a conversation filled with laughter, friendship and a lifelong love of folk music.