Artist of the Month

We talk to our Artist of the Month ‘Eiks’ about her new album Braids…”As I go about my normal daily life, I seem to have a subconscious radar that looks for inspiration, however small and embryonic they are, and I note them down.”

Braids is an album of memory and homage, tooled and re-tooled like a worn keepsake, and Japanese-British singer-songwriter Eiks is an inventive creator who relishes nostalgia and excels in the preservation of life’s tiniest moments.

Adrian McNally, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer with The Unthanks, discusses their new album, The Songs and Poems of Molly Drake, the fourth instalment in their inspired, unconventional Diversions series.

Regardless of any societal constraints Molly Drake may have felt in her life, regardless of her unwillingness to publish her own material, she was a consummately gifted songwriter. And in The Unthanks, those songs have found their perfect outlet.

We talk to Lisa Knapp about her latest album Till April Is Dead – A Garland Of May and talk in-depth about the rituals celebrated in May and why it has always held such power over the imaginations of singers and writers.

Unlike Lisa Knapp’s previous releases, Till April Is Dead: A Garland Of May is an entirely different beast, not only because of the unity of its concept but because it seeks to understand old songs and traditions in modern and often highly original ways. It is a real step forward from a genuinely groundbreaking artist.

We talk to George Nigel Hoyle (Cunning Folk) about his fascination with the ritual English landscape and his vast musical influences from Anne Briggs to Brian Eno. He also shares his fascination with ritual…”they signpost where we are & where we have come from.”

Ritual Land, Uncommon Ground is a quietly huge endeavour, a labour of love, full of valuable knowledge, surprising stylistic breadth and exquisite songwriting.

Éilís Kennedy, our Artist of the Month, discusses her new album ‘Westward,’ a collection of traditional and contemporary songs that display the kind of elegance and grace that can only come from Ireland, especially when the songs feature a voice as pure and soothing as hers.

Éilís Kennedy’s new solo album ‘Westward’ features the finest songs from all over the British Isles and from across the Atlantic. The connections Éilís enjoys with her collaborators have helped her share those songs in a memorable and truly enjoyable setting. An exceptional album from one of Ireland’s finest voices.

Big Machine is an album of unrestrained ambition and masterful execution from a performer at the very top of her game. It has all the hallmarks of a vastly important release, and should cement Eliza Carthy’s place as one of our most valuable musicians.

Lady Maisery’s live performance banishes thoughts of the cold and a sore throat for our reviewer Thomas as he declares: Lady Maisery have proved themselves one of the most invigorating and talented live acts around. They are a rare tonic in these troubled times.