David Weir

David Weir reports back from his time in the Cambrian Mountains at Fire in the Mountain festival – Being non-corporate, not-for-profit and volunteer-run, the difference between Fire in the Mountain and many other festivals is obvious from the outset. 

Like Pissaro’s painting from which ‘Late Afternoon in the Meadow’ takes its name, Joshua Burnside pairs together opposing imagery, offsetting the life-affirming and sacred with the crushingly bleak and mundane.

David Weir shares his Sidmouth Folk Festival highlights including Queer Folk, Norma Waterson Tribute, Jack Rutter, Bush Gothic, Peatbog Faeries, Elspeth Anne, Nick Hart and more.

We catch up with Angeline Morrison at Sidmouth Folk Festival to talk about her forthcoming new album “The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience”, being released on Topic Records in October and more.

David Weir reports back from a weekend spent at Black Deer Festival where he caught great sets from Yasmin Williams, Seafoam Green, Hiss Golden Messenger, The Waterboys, The London African Gospel Choir, Courtney Marie Andrews, Simeon Hammond Dallas and more.

David Weir dusts off his tassels and shares his highlights from this year’s Black Deer Festival, chosen from a bill that boasts The Waterboys, Van Morrison, Lady Nade, The Felice Brothers and a whole host of up-and-coming transatlantic talent.

In support of their magnificent third album Nine Waves, we caught up with brothers Brían and Diarmuid MacGloinn of Ye Vagabonds to discuss the record’s songs, ancient Irish legend, politics and sexism in traditional songs, and why buoyancy is likely in their genes.

Reflective and reverent, with Nine Waves Ye Vagabonds prove once again to be at the forefront of an ever-evolving, flourishing Irish folk scene and have done so in the most understated and inspired fashion imaginable.

David Weir catches up with John Francis Flynn, also our Artist of the Month, to chat about the inspiration behind and making of his debut album ‘I Would Not Live Always’. “…one of the most deeply affecting folk debuts of recent years.”

Taking turns both tender and turbulent, John Francis Flynn’s “I Would Not Live Always” is bracing, unpredictable and without a doubt one of the most deeply affecting folk debuts of recent years.

We talk to Katherine Priddy about the finer details of her songcraft, how she’s withstood the recent highs and lows, and why she should never be left alone with your mum’s finest china.

The fabric of Damien Jurado’s finely woven universe looks set to expand even further. We chat to him about his latest album, his big plans for 2022, disconnecting and slowing down in an age of information overload & 24-hour news, gratitude and more.