For the final part of her live review of Orkney Folk Festival 2015 Alice took in some great performances from Claire Hastings, Hannah Rarity, Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, New Rope String Band, Dallahan and more. Not forgetting the Orkney v’s the Rest of the World’ folkie-football match.

In the Tribute to William Hannah, Luke Daniels – best known for his Irish melodeon playing – channels energies in a different direction; exploring the overlooked legacy of William Hannah, a celebrated melodeon player and band leader of the 1920’s.

Watch the video premiere for ‘Four Inch Screen’, the 2nd single from rising folk star Fabian Holland and taken from his highly acclaimed 2nd album ‘A Day Like Tomorrow’.

When Ross Cockburn met Jay Brown something clicked and Dark Green Tree was the happy result. Adding the voice of Cera Impala to the dream-pop-Americana of Secret Lives proves a further stroke of genius. A record that fulfils a dream and sets in motion whole new flights of fantasy and imagination of its own, wrapped up in a set of blissful tunes and honeyed harmony.

For three days, Bristol’s Colston Hall was transformed into a place called Lau-Land. Traditional music mixed with the avant-garde and the genre-defying to create an all-round remarkable experience. But what else would you expect from a weekend curated by such an innovative, creative band such as Lau?

Known as ‘The Mother of Folk’, American Folk Singer Jean Ritchie who was largely responsible the revival in Appalachian music has died at the age of 92.

In lesser hands (and voice) there is a danger that such content matter and music could come across as fey or twee, but Kate Doubleday is as rooted in the earth  as she is in the spiritual and the result is an album to make your heart and soul flutter.

Watch the video premiere from London born singer songwriter Nicky Schrire for ‘We Don’t Live Here Anymore’. The video compliments her keen sense of observation and her naturally gifted songwriting skills perfectly. The song features on her forthcoming EP ‘An Education’ which is out on the 16 June via Wildsound Recordings.

We have a track premiere today from Sorren Maclean with Rows & Rows of Boxes which features on his forthcoming album Winter Stay Autumn available on 8th June 2015 via Middle Of Nowhere Recordings.

With this album, The Jeremiah’s have shown an abundance of skill, producing both songs and tunes of high quality. The even better news is that all the signs lead us to expect a lot more from them in the future. They’ll be on a short tour of the UK at the end of June and if you’re lucky enough to be around, you’d be wise to give them a listen.

The Sage Gateshead is to join forces with Halsway Manor in Crowcombe, Somerset this coming Saturday, 6th June to run a simultaneous challenge event. Find out more and get involved!

The Wooden House places Holly Lerski’s songwriting at the centre and it’s this focus which is the album’s real strength. To be able to look beyond the surfaces of everyday concerns and find new insights may seem a small thing, but it’s a rare skill which should get a big thumbs-up from anyone with a penchant for a finely-turned phrase, something which Holly Lerski has in abundance.