Shortlisted nominations have been unveiled for the 2016 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. The winners will be announced at the event on Saturday 3rd December, at the Caird Hall Dundee.


Cycle is without doubt, an album stuffed full of formidable singing and excellent musicianship. But more than this, it is an album that has something to say about today’s world and is aware of its place in history. Lady Maisery are unafraid to challenge preconceptions about folk music but are aware of its cultural significance and its historical imperative. This album proves that they are worthy custodians and spirited agitators.

Listen in full to “Pendulum Swing” from Danny Green, aka Laish. A set of twelve songs that span the spectrum of gentle fingerpicked acoustic guitar ballads, through to more robust art-rock jams.

DJ Dolphin Boy makes a fitting tribute mix to the much-missed Angus Grant of Shooglenifty. This is bloody wonderful….how the man would want to be remembered – through his music.

Marry Waterson and David A Jaycock are at the top of my list when it comes to favourite folk duos, so don’t miss their tour supporting Marry’s cousin Eliza Carthy throughout November and their headline tour in February next year.

Carrie Rodriguez, acclaimed singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, announces a headline November UK tour, following her recent project, the celebrated Spanish/English album “Lola,” released in the UK earlier this year.

The third London Folk & Roots Festival kixks off this month with acts such as Newton Faulkner, Jon Boden, Mick Flannery, Sarah Jarosz, Tony Joe White, Eliza Carthy, Michael McGoldrick, Maz O’Connor and many more. Listen to our spotify playlist preview.

Listen to Bless Your Heart, our Song of the Day and the first single taken from Worry Dolls’ forthcoming 2017 debut album, co-written with Wild Ponies. It was the first song they wrote in Nashville. They’d been in town for a couple of days and were picking up the southern slang, including “Bless Your Heart” – which they were told can be used to point out to someone that they …

Water of Tyne is the first CD release from Magnetic North East CIC, a community interest company promoting the music, arts, culture and heritage of the North East of England. Brought together by Kathryn Tickell the album includes guest appearances from the likes of The Unthanks, Hannah Rickard, Bob Fox and Mike Tickell. A truly lovely collection.

Ashes is the debut album from Stockholm-based Albert Af Ekenstam citing Bon Iver, Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky as influences shaping his quiet, melancholic music.

‘Gaelic Americana’ artist Kyle Carey is delighted to announce the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for the creation of her third album The Art of Forgetting – due out next fall.

Unhindered by the limits of technical ability, Gigspanner take music rooted in the British Isles and with the flick of a bow, a finely chosen chord or slip of a beat, produce hypnotic arrangements layered in Eastern European, French, Cajun, African and even Aboriginal influences, touching on baroque, classical and gypsy jazz along the way.