Alex Gallacher

For Winter Solstice, Michael Tanner treats us to a collection of hymns, carols, folk standards and field-recordings from the past 800 years. Whether it’s the pointed, bird-like quality of Jean Ritchie’s bare-branch voice or the hollow, reverent filigree of Dolly Collins portative organ, something about their use of minimalism perfectly captures the stark landscape, stripped of colour and commotion.

Whilst not a full-on festive offering, our latest mix does contain some festive cheer from Steve Tilston & Maggie Boyle, Tim Laycock, Richard Farina With Blind Boy Grunt (better known as Bob Dylan) & Eric Von Schmidt, and some top-notch wassailing from John Kirkpatrick. Plus classics from the likes of John Martyn, Sandy Denny, Hamish Imlach and Richard Thompson and some great new music and a wee delve into Topic …

It’s a pretty eclectic mix this week, within, it is upbeat, crazy, chaotic, rebellious, mellow and unexpected. The tunes are a response recent events.

To mark the release of her new Four Songs EP on Fledgling Records, Anne Briggs talks to Folk Radio UK in a rare and in-depth interview in which she recalls the folk scene of the sixties and the time she spent with the travelling community.

We talk to Hanna Tuulikki about her new project ‘Away with the Birds’ which explores the mimesis of birds in Gaelic song which will be performed on the Isle of Canna this month.

An eclectic new Mix, high powered in places, a little mad in others, featuring: King Creosote, Sylvan Esso, Robert Plant, Ichi, Emma Tricca, Meic Stevens & more.

Listen to our new mix that celebrates Doc Watson and the music of the mountains: a celebration of the music and the people.

We talk to Fay Hield about her début solo album, Looking Glass, the folk scene, singing, her new album and stunning new band The Hurricane Party!

Featuring Timber Timbre, The Memory Band, Tom Waits, Ralfe Band, Beirut, Cocos Lovers, Other Lives, Ane Brun, Sea Of Bees, Lower Dens, David Dondero, Kill It Kid, R.L. Burnside, The Black Keys, Bo Diddley, Otis Taylor And Alvin Youngblood Hart