One of the British Folk Music scene’s most loved performers, Emily Portman, will release her new album in June titled Coracle. The release is something of a milestone in that it is her most ambitious release to date as well as being her first of entirely self-penned songs. Emily describes the album as subtly spinning together folk motifs with deeply personal reflections on motherhood and bereavement.
The album was produced by Andy Bell and as well as featuring her talented trio of Rachel Newton & Lucy Farrell also features a number of guest musicians from the world of folk music including Bellowhead’s Sam Sweeney, classical percussionist Toby Kearney, guitarist M G Boulter and the most amazing collection of string players known to folk.
With this release Emily has really set out with a strong conviction to make it a success and we’ve every confidence that this will be her best yet. There are plenty of surprises to come including a video from the wonderfully talented Marry Waterson for the opening track on the album entitled ‘Darkening Bell’. Marry’s work as an animator is becoming almost as well known as her talent as a singer. We’ve premiered a number of her videos on Folk Radio UK including work for The Furrow Collective, James Yorkston, Maz O’Connor and a beautifully touching video she did for Piper’s Way from Teach me to be a Summer’s Morning by Lal Waterson, her late mother. I’d say she was the perfect choice for this album. As you’d expect from Emily there are some added touches of magic brought about through recording in unique spaces that include a barn in Wales and an octagonal church as well outdoor field recordings that will add plenty of atmosphere to Emily’s songs.
She’s managed to achieve all this in-between toddler bath-times and tours which include the very busy Furrow Collective.
This is another sure highlight of the folk music calender year.
The album will be released on Emily’s own label ‘Furrow Records’. Pre-order it via her pledge page here: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/coracle
http://www.emilyportman.co.uk/