Newcastle’s folk maverick Richard Dawson has shared a new music video for The Felon’s Song (our Song of the Day) as part of his recent project with artist Matt Stokes – This Liberty, a cinematic and audio installation inspired by the oldest purpose-built prison in England, Hexham Old Gaol.

Compass Records Group has acquired Folk Roots label Red House Records – The 34-year-old St Paul, MN-based imprint is an iconic brand in Americana and folk music and has been home to a long list of cornerstone artists of the genre, including The Wailin’ Jennys, Eliza Gilkyson, Greg Brown and more.

Dutch folk duo Rosemary and Garlic who we first reviewed back in 2015 have signed to Nettwerk through whom they will release their self-titled debut studio album on 12th January 2018. Listen to their lead single ‘Take this Hand’.

The latest release from The Wailin’ Jennys is a beautiful new collection of covers. An album of great tunes, re-arranged by a seasoned trio who know how to bring out the best in a song. It grows on you, song by song. We wholly recommend a listen!

Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy make a masterful pair and blend the perfect concoction of protest and memory. Like living history, If All I Was Was Black is a sweet sojourn towards a collective truth and an earthy ode to the rhythm of rebellion.

From now and into the New Year there are some great Folk and Americana acts lined up at London’s Kings Place including Talisk, Melrose Quartet, Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, Julie Fowlis, Lúnasa and The Albion Christmas Band.

In support of his new release ‘Gathering’, Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band will kick off an extensive tour this winter, including a date at London’s Shepherd Bush Empire for which we have a great Giveaway.

Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards are a class act and a musical force of nature. California Calling is an atmospheric album packed with gems, a splendid showcase for a close-knit group of creative musicians in their prime.

Topette!!’s debut album C’est Le Pompon is one that should be on all your radars. It’s all here, beautifully whipped up and raring to go – a wonderful melange of French, English, and all points East, West, North and South.

Tom Waits and longtime songwriting and production partner Kathleen Brennan are to remix his 2004 groundbreaking album ‘Real Gone’ which will have a sound and texture originally envisioned by the artist.

Billy Bragg has shared a new lyric video for his poignant Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted which features on his new mini-album Bridges Not Walls released earlier this month on Cooking Vinyl.

The beauty and importance of this album lies partly in the fact that O’Hooley and Tidow recognise that an appreciation of this time of year – whether you want to call it Christmastime or not – is based on both personal and universal factors. This is an album of frosted beauty with a heart as warm as a coal fire.