Latter Day Sinner is the latest offering from Co.Down singer-songwriter Matt McGinn who has enlisted an impressive line-up of Northern Ireland musicians for this release. He also shares his name with one of Scotland’s greatest songwriters and a leading figure in the British folk music revival of the late fifties. With albums like this, he could easily achieve the same reverence.

Our Song of the Day comes from Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies who are fast becoming a FRUK favourite. They have a new album on the way and a 100 date tour of Britain and Ireland so you’ve absolutely no excuse whatsoever to get out and see them play.

We have a track premiere today from the wonderful Kelly Oliver. Jericho is Kelly’s first single off her second album due out this summer and features a number of guest musicians including Ciaran Algar. The single is out on 11th May 2015 via Folkstock Records.

The lineup for this year’s Purbeck Valley Folk Festival just keeps getting better but they have pulled out all stops this year with their latest announcement that Richard Thompson will headline their Friday night solo. A rare opportunity and a great start to this brilliant family friendly festival.

We catch up with The Dovetail Trio who aim to present ‘England’s traditional songs with a bold and fresh approach.’ Featuring Jamie Roberts, Rosie Hood and Matt Quinn. They are preparing for the release of their debut album. In the run up to the release, the band will be performing across the UK, including Towersey Festival.

Last year we featured a ground-breaking album by Daire Ó Breacáin and Lorcán Mac Mathúna. The seed for that project came about during a anthropology/song-collectors excursion in Asturias. Read more about that journey of discovery in this special feature by Lorcán.

Whilst many of his contemporaries have been content to just drop something into the contribution box from time to time Cameron Blake hasn’t hesitated in taking up the banner of 60s protest folk, giving voice to the victims through personal and intimate storylines. This one man show deserves a standing ovation.

Sarah McQuaid has clearly held true to her own musical vision and it’s to be hoped that Walking Into White is the album which will bring her the wider commercial success she so richly deserves. Don’t miss her UK & European tour which is currently underway.

Synthetic Hues is a melting pot of vigorously performed tales belying Vin Garbutt’s 67 years. It sounds fresh and wise at the same time, something only a man with years on the road can approach with any sincerity. You just hope the younger generations is listening in with an ear for the future.

Sufjan Stevens has revealed the new audio video for Should Have Known Better from his forthcoming new album ‘Carrie & Lowell’. The album is out on March 30th via Asthmatic Kitty Records and sees Steven’s returning to his contemporary folk roots.

Our Song of the Day is a video premiere of Lovely Molly. A beautiful live recording session on which Sam Lee is joined by the Roundhouse Choir who certainly live up to their reputation here as one of the most exciting and energetic young choirs in London. It features on his new album ‘Fade in Time’.

Kelly McRae teamed up with fellow musician Matt Castelein in 2011, their new EP Easy On My Mind is a simple, uncluttered backwoods folk affair, involving little more than acoustic guitar and her crystal vocals, beguiling from the off. Regularly compared to Welch and Rawlings, the latter should take that as a real compliment.