To the North is the second Communion Label release and debut EP from Matthew and The Atlas. For those of you that follow Communion, you’ll know that he featured on the groundbreaking Communion compilation. The album caused a big swell across the net with rave reviews and excitement on what would unfold in the future. This second release has the energy to keep it going in big mighty strides!

The Ring is the first single from the upcoming new Lidell long player Compass and it has a serious stomp to its swagger. Jamie and fellow musicians including Chilly Gonzales and Dan Rossen (Grizzly Bear) lift their hammers in this Anvil blues, whose lyrics describe a bedraggled beachcomber as he is seen desperately searching for his lost gold.

Bella Union have released Alessi’s Ark’s new EP ‘Soul Proprietor’. Alessi Laurent-Marke is one of those singer/songwriters who are able to sound great with what sounds like so little effort. Folks were not slow in recognising this as she signed her first record deal the day before her 17th birthday.

Been Listening, is the new album from Johnny Flynn, which is due for release through Transgressive Records on 7th June 2010. The album has already been Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record In The World on his Radio One show and picked-up a host of early radio plays on 6 Music, the track, ‘Kentucky Pill’ is the perfect introduction to Johnny’s new record and you can download it here:

The April Thief is a new, and free, eclectic night of music and entertainment with a carnival heart. The first one kicks off this Thursday 15th April at 8.00pm. The venue is the Half Moon in Putney.

The splendid Toad has worked his magic and put together a cracking Mumford and Sons Session which as he points out on his site, was a great accomplishment as Mumford turned up and got the whole session done and dusted in an hour an a half! Not bad going, and they throw in the added bonus of a Neil Young cover of Dance Dance Dance.

Communion have announced details they will be taking over Notting Hill Arts Club on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd May for an epic celebration of the Bank Holiday Weekend!

One of the UK’s most talked-about young singer/songwriters Pete Lawrie has announced plans to tour his native Wales performing impromptu acoustic sets in a host of unique and beautiful locations from tomorrow.

There is no harmony like brotherly harmony. Something indelible in the weave of voices and play of sensibilities is stamped into the fraternal DNA and also stems from a lifetime of shared experiences. You can hear it in classic brother acts across the musical spectrum, from the Louvin Brothers to the Everly Brothers

We will be introducing some music from the past that hasn’t featured before on Folk Radio UK, or if it did, it was in the early days when we ran three channels, yes, we ran three at one time, madness!

El Radio is Chris Garneau’s follow-up to his 2007 debut, Music for Tourists. The addition of an orchestra as well a feeling of new quirky inventiveness in the whole music structure make this release an absolute gem. The balance and feel is spot on.

Gareth Dickson has spent the last two and a half years touring with Vashti Bunyan as her guitarist. This gave him the opportunity to work with great musicians like Devendra Banhart, Juana Molina and Coco Rosie,