KLOF

During this year’s SXSW Michael Kiwanuka, Ben Howard, The Staves, Ben Lovett & members of Bear’s Den got together to for a Communion Jam and recorded a cover of John Martyn’s classic ‘Over the Hill’. Watch it below: The Staves Tour The Motherlode EP will be released on the 23rd April through Atlantic Records, featuring 3 brand new tracks; The Motherlode, Pay Us No Mind and Wisely And Slow. The …

The Carolina Chocolate Drops have continued to push their game further and further with each new release, their latest of which ‘Leaving Eden‘ sees a new extended line-up allowing some first-time offerings and a more expansive sound. Those original ingredients that made them so popular are still present and amongst some well-chosen covers and traditional songs are also some new original compositions. As has become their trademark, they still maintain …

[rating=5] During an interview about Doug Tielli‘s solo debut album ‘Swan Sky Sea Squirrel‘ Doug explained that there was no reason for him to make a record as there was no one waiting for it anywhere. Rather than worry about self-imposed timescales Doug took up retreat on Toronto Island in an old school portable. The buildings that exist on the island were scheduled for demolition many years ago until someone …

[rating=3] The Duplets are Gillian Fleetwood and Fraya Thomsen, both of whom hail from the Highlands of Scotland. They both sing and play harp and on their latest offering titled ‘Leverage‘ they were given the opportunity of playing two Briggs harps (Henry Briggs was a famous English harp maker based in Glasgow). The album features instrumental and vocal tracks which alternate throughout to offer contrast as well as displaying Gillian …

[rating=5] Quickbeam are a six piece acoustic/atmospheric band based in Glasgow Scotland. They were formed in 2009 by Monika Gromek, she was later joined by Andrew Thomson after discovering a mutual kinship and love for sparse arranagements. The band has since grown to six members. My first introduction to their music was their debut music video for Seven Hundred Birds which was made by BAFTA short film nominated director Mat …

The next instalment from Simple Folk Radio will be broadcast this Saturday (April 7) at 5.00pm on Folk Radio UK which will feature an exclusive session courtesy of Tony Decker, lead singer of the Great Lake Swimmers. Marking the release of their latest album ‘New Wild Everything‘, we have what is quite simply one of the most beautiful session we could possibly ever air, courtesy of Tony Decker, lead singer …

Allysen Callery will be taking a little time away from tours for April to relax and record her new album which is due out late Summer/early Fall! For those lucky enough to be in right place at the right time she still has a couple of shows for April (details below). For those who are not so lucky here is a great video recording of one of her shows from …

We’ve been playing Sam Amidon’s music on Folk Radio UK since our concept in 2004 and during that time Sam has become a key artist that has helped define and push the boundaries of what we play and introduce to listeners. So we could hardly resist the opportunity of an interview in the lead up to his show at Westminster Reference Library, London on Friday 13th April. Sam Amidon has …

Dan Mangan has just arrived in France and is also about to play shows throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom! This month long venture is in part supported by The Crackling (video below) – the incredible, thoughtful and beautiful project led by Dan’s drummer Kenton Loewen. They also have the pleasure of being supported for many of the shows by Toronto’s Zeus. In this great …

Following the February release of Put Your Back N 2 It (review here), Perfume Genius have already released the great video for Hood, but now they’ve followed that with a far more intimate session, playing 3 songs for La Blogotheque in Paris. Supported by his backing band and swapping between piano and acoustic guitar, Mike knocks out some flawless renditions of Dark Parts, Hood and Normal Song. With the latest …

Watch this great video feature of Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell live at The Lexington which was recorded by Mosaiclawns on 27 March 2012. Watch out for how Jonny makes good use of a ticket stub to dampen his guitar strings on ‘Just Like the Old Days’. Just Like the Old Days Down In Adairsville Jack & Jill Dixon Street Benjamin Brown Stand Up Show Song For A Sweetheart Jonny …

Scott Rudd is currently based in New York City where he is working on a series of lo-fi 4-track cassette demos. There is a rawness and exposed fragility to his music that is mirrored in his photography work. His images are stark, real and often overshadowed by poverty and despair. It is this type of vision and honesty that often makes people feel uncomfortable, where some reel in the artificial …