News

We recently had the pleasure of the company of Buck and Shanti Curran, better know as Arborea, who stayed with us for a night during their UK/European tour. They had just performed at the Grain Barge in Bristol with Two Wings (Hanna Tuulikki, Ben Reynolds, Kenneth Wilson, Lucy Duncombe, and Doog) in support. It was an exceptional evening. I’ll mention this more in a separate post.

Feist is releasing a film titled Look at What the Light Did Now. It documents the journey of her Grammy nominated album “The Reminder”. The trailer below will give you an idea of the expanse of what went on behind the album, something I was completely unaware of.

I like to give the occasional heads up on a band that impresses me. I only came across The Meadowlarks this morning. This sums them up with out any need for my embellishments. Beautiful…

This has just been released: Justin Townes Earle has decided to suspend his autumn tour dates in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland, and enter a rehabilitation facility.  Earle is strongly committed to confronting his on-going struggle with addiction and thanks his family, friends and fans for their continued support through this difficult time.

Many folks will have been disappointed to have missed the sold out Away Game held on the island of Eigg this year. The good folks at Fence are providing all you Fence fans the chance to enjoy another wee celebration: The annual Fence celebration of All Hallows’ Eve. In the past the party has been held in Anstruther, Fence Records home town. They have broken with tradition this year and …

Yes, it really is getting close to that time of year. News of Christmas shows are coming thick and fast so book’em soon to avoid disappointment. James Yorkston (plus special guests) has a show planned for Monday 20th December, 2010 at the Luminare and is likely to sell out very soon.

Sparrow and the Workshop have announced details of a new single and headline UK tour which starts tonight. The Glasgow-based Americana trio will release a new single ‘Black To Red’ on 1st November through Distiller Records. The track was recorded by Tim Rowkins and mixed by Richard Jackson.

I only recently discovered Agnes Obel whilst trawling myspace. She has been described as a cross between Ane Brun and Joanna Newsom. I can understand why the comparison has been made but try and put that out of your mind when you listen, not that my mention of it helps…bit like saying don’t think of pink elephants, alas… her EP, Riverside, features two songs written and performed by herself and …

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story is a new film due for release in the US on 28th September based on a novel by American author Ned Vizzini. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. The book was inspired by Vizzini’s own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004. The soundtrack for the film includes Broken Social Scene, White Hinterland (download below), …

Weekend Beatnik, Rif Mountain & the EFDSS present a 40th anniversary celebration of Village Thing (see below) and the lost songs, dreams and folkadelia of the early 1970s at Cecil Sharp House, London on 25th September. Includes Concerts • Sessions • Author Slam!

We reviewed a great little venue a while back called The Rude Shipyard, which can be found tucked away in Sheffield. They have a great gig lined up for this Wednesday 22nd September featuring Rowan Coupland and Animal Magic Tricks. Rowan Coupland’s Thorns, brambles, white water and Black Oak is the latest in Willkommen Records’ sterling roster of esoteric alt-folk.

Andrew Belle is a young singer/songwriter who divides his time between Chicago and Nashville. After listening to his debut album, The Ladder, I’m happy to jump in with both feet and say he has his foot well and truly on the ladder of success without the help of a big label! The media hounds have picked up on the scent and are lapping at his heels which in turn has …