Catch The Sparrow - Short Biography
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Catch The Sparrow (singer-songwriter Suze Terwisscha van Scheltinga) initially studied to be a jazz vocalist before her love for folk music brought her to the North East of England. A natural storyteller with a keen ear for captivating melodies, her songs effortlessly cross boundaries of style and genre to create a sound that is uniquely her own.
Her new album 'No Sweeter Sorrow' came out on 2 May 2025.
Her new album 'No Sweeter Sorrow' came out on 2 May 2025.
"...elaborate, fairy-like ballads on a bed of piano sounds … with the violin seeking its own mercurial way throughout.” - New Folk Sounds
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Catch The Sparrow - Biography
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Catch The Sparrow (singer-songwriter Suze Terwisscha van Scheltinga) initially studied to be a jazz vocalist before her love for folk music brought her to the North East of England. She quickly became a fixture on the Newcastle folk scene, performing extensively throughout the region before relocating to London in 2024.
After showcasing her craft as a songwriter on her jazz-inspired debut album ‘Painting The Roses Red’ (2021), she established herself as a singular new voice on the folk scene with the release of her EP ‘Winter Flowers’ (2022). A natural storyteller with a keen ear for captivating melodies, her songs effortlessly cross boundaries of style and genre to create a sound that is uniquely her own.
An exquisite exploration of loss, longing and loneliness, her latest release ‘No Sweeter Sorrow’ (2025) is in many ways a quintessential heartbreak album. Yet rather than telling a singular story, Catch The Sparrow lends her voice to a whole cast of women. As she taps into folk ballads and fairytales, she introduces a colourful cast of scorned wives, sheltered princesses, free-spirited poets, and crossdressing adventurers, shedding a new light on timeless tales.
Since 2022, she has been collaborating and performing in a duo set up with talented folk singer and fiddle player Sam Baxter, whose arrangements feature prominently on the album. All tracks were recorded live on location at St James’ and St Basil’s Church in Newcastle upon Tyne by producer David de la Haye (Monster Ceilidh Band, Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies).
Catch The Sparrow has performed at venues and festivals like The Glasshouse, Saltburn Folk Festival and Great North Folk, opened for the likes of Martin Carthy and Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly, and was nominated for the North East Emerging Artist Award. Her music has been featured on BBC Introducing, Classic Folk with Mike Norris, and Neil King's Along The Tracks. Her song 'Polly' was selected for the 2025 Summer edition of the Fatea Showcase Sessions.
This year she also created a new piece called 'When The Lost God Speaks', commissioned by the National Trust. A recording of the piece can be heard in the Saloon of Seaton Delaval Hall, a Grade I listed country house in Northumberland, from 16 to 31 August 2025.
After showcasing her craft as a songwriter on her jazz-inspired debut album ‘Painting The Roses Red’ (2021), she established herself as a singular new voice on the folk scene with the release of her EP ‘Winter Flowers’ (2022). A natural storyteller with a keen ear for captivating melodies, her songs effortlessly cross boundaries of style and genre to create a sound that is uniquely her own.
An exquisite exploration of loss, longing and loneliness, her latest release ‘No Sweeter Sorrow’ (2025) is in many ways a quintessential heartbreak album. Yet rather than telling a singular story, Catch The Sparrow lends her voice to a whole cast of women. As she taps into folk ballads and fairytales, she introduces a colourful cast of scorned wives, sheltered princesses, free-spirited poets, and crossdressing adventurers, shedding a new light on timeless tales.
Since 2022, she has been collaborating and performing in a duo set up with talented folk singer and fiddle player Sam Baxter, whose arrangements feature prominently on the album. All tracks were recorded live on location at St James’ and St Basil’s Church in Newcastle upon Tyne by producer David de la Haye (Monster Ceilidh Band, Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies).
Catch The Sparrow has performed at venues and festivals like The Glasshouse, Saltburn Folk Festival and Great North Folk, opened for the likes of Martin Carthy and Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly, and was nominated for the North East Emerging Artist Award. Her music has been featured on BBC Introducing, Classic Folk with Mike Norris, and Neil King's Along The Tracks. Her song 'Polly' was selected for the 2025 Summer edition of the Fatea Showcase Sessions.
This year she also created a new piece called 'When The Lost God Speaks', commissioned by the National Trust. A recording of the piece can be heard in the Saloon of Seaton Delaval Hall, a Grade I listed country house in Northumberland, from 16 to 31 August 2025.
"...the mark of good folk music has always been linked to communicating the most while doing the least, never overstating or embellishing, yet weaving a tapestry where every thread fits perfectly. Farewell - Here's The Tender Coming captures that with ease, encapsulating the heart of the genre in a way that's imbued with heart." - NARC Magazine
Press Release - No Sweeter Sorrow album release (2nd May 2025)
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