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The Cunningham family (Brian, Irene, Ashline, Michael and Lorraine) of Sean Nós dancers from Connemara in County Galway have performed with many of Ireland’s greats; Sharon Shannon, De Dannan, Altan, The Chieftains to name just a few. Recently they’ve been wowing audiences in Ireland with their own show, Fuaim Chonamara (Connemara Sound). This energetic show combining the ancient Sean Nós dance forms with more modern step dancing was presented at …
Portland, Oregon sextet Blitzen Trapper released their fifth LP Destroyer of the Void this week. Following on from predecessor Furr (2008) and the Black River Killer EP (2009) their latest is again released on Sub Pop. The recording took place in an attic studio in the Januarys of 2009 and 2010, where frontman Eric Earley and bandmates worked alongside studio engineer Mike Coykendall (Bright Eyes, M Ward) to create their …
A tiny sticky-floored venue which I had shamefully never been to before, hidden somewhere between the fast-food chains of Notting Hill Gate, lies this shabby-chic club: battered leather couches and a stage area that is more akin to a garage practice space…but perhaps is it this that gives the venue and the on-going night Communion its cosy, homely feel. From the minute we stepped down the stairs to the Mumford …
Blazin’ Fiddles, Scotland’s award winning group, head out on a major tour this month, taking in venues including Newbury Corn Exchange, The Theatre Royal in Bury St. Edmunds, Cornerstone Didcot, The Theatre Royal Winchester, The Stables in Milton Keynes and more. Running through mid June to early July, some dates are already sold out. Two of their members are to leave and they will also be joined by a new …
The Southbank Meltdown is an annual event at the Southbank Centre that is curated by an artist. Last year it was curated by Ornette Coleman. If anything the event is always fresh, challenging, revealing and provocative. This year’s event has included Islamic Punks, Cajun Legends, Blues Hobos to a talent contest from hell, songs about cricket and politics, a tribute to Kate McGarrigle and special performances by Broken Bells, Seasick …
English folk music crosses borders: Next month – thanks to the Scottish Arts Council Tune Up touring scheme – Spiers & Boden will hit the road with their first full tour of Scotland on a double-headline bill with Orkney traditional Scottish duo Saltfishforty. Look out for them at Oran Mor in Glasgow, The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, Eden Court in Inverness, An Lanntair in Stornoway and more.
Seth Lakeman today unveils the video for his beautiful single ‘Hearts & Minds’, which is released on Monday 21st June. ‘Hearts & Minds’ is taken from Seth’s forthcoming new album of the same name which is released the following Monday 28th June. The video features Seth busking his way up from his Dartmoor home to his recent gig at the Komedia in Bath. It includes impromptu acoustic sets across the …
Following on from his third album, Low Culture, Jim Moray has delivered another outstanding work which flawlessly mixes traditional song with modern sensibilities and musical arrangements. In an entirely characteristically brave move Moray has taken the decision to pre-release In Modern History to a wide audience as a free 8 track CD through Songlines Magazine in April 2010, the full 10 track CD is realised in June.
Given his work with Flook, Shona Kipling and, more recently, his partner Kate Rusby, I expected Damien O’Kane’s debut solo album to be a collection of perfectly executed banjo tunes with the occasional song. Oh how I love to be educated. I was wrong; very, very wrong. In Summer Hill Damien has given us something rather special. Something with astute instrumentation, thoughtful arrangements and contributing musicians of the highest calibre. …
Captain Kennedy are a 7-piece band from Northern Ireland. 2009 saw the band establish their position on the Irish music scene with a number of high profile festival appearances, the highlight being two dates at the prestigious Open House Festival. Other impressive gigs including sharing the stage with the likes of Alela Diane, Noah and the Whale and Foy Vance and appearances on the same festival bills as renowned artists …