Artist of the Month

In a special guest post from Hazel Askew of Lady Maisery (our Artists of the Month), she reveals their new video for ‘Order and Chaos’ and talks about the inspiration and the fascinating science behind the song.


Cycle is without doubt, an album stuffed full of formidable singing and excellent musicianship. But more than this, it is an album that has something to say about today’s world and is aware of its place in history. Lady Maisery are unafraid to challenge preconceptions about folk music but are aware of its cultural significance and its historical imperative. This album proves that they are worthy custodians and spirited agitators.

Read our in-depth interview with Jim Moray as he talks about his past challenges and new album ‘Upcetera’… “Throughout our conversation, he repeatedly makes it clear that in his own mind, his previous career as a solo artist is now closed. ‘Upcetera’ is something different; a fresh start…a ‘New Chapter.’”

Moray is a performer of consummate talent, a musician who plays a whole range of instruments on this album, and a singer of rare emotional depth. That he manages to do all this while forging a bright new path for folk music is admirable. That he has done so over six albums and still seems to be hitting his peak while never doing the same thing twice is remarkable.

Read our Artist of the Month interview with Jon Boden whose debut solo album ‘Painted Lady’ get’s a special 10th Anniversary re-issue this month via Navigator Records. Plus watch his new video for ‘Get A Little Something’.

Jon Boden is our Artist of the Month for September. The 10th Anniversary Edition of Painted Lady is released on 30th September by Navigator Records, read our album review and watch the new animated video for his latest single ‘All Hang Down’.

We talk in-depth to Belinda of O’Hooley & Tidow, our Artists of the Month, about the making of ‘Shadows’. Belinda reveals the inspiration behind the album, personal highlights, challenges, as well as exciting plans for the future.

Shadows succeeds through the striking humanity of its songs, and by their originality. It’s an album that will hopefully see its creators heralded as one of the most vital – and indeed one of the most experimental – acts on the folk circuit and beyond.

We catch up with those northern folk experimentalist Harp and a Monkey to talk about their latest War Stories project. They also share some of their personal highlights from a tour which saw them perform in some very unusual locations, including bomb craters on moors.

The stories contained here might well refer to a well-known period of history, but the angles at which they come at that familiar narrative, the microcosms they create, are truly individual and at times unprecedented. War Stories is a courageous, often demanding and ultimately satisfying project.

As Toronto-based Sultans of String prepare for their first extensive tour of Ireland and the UK this month, we catch up with founding band member, Chris McKhool who tells us about the ethos behind the uplifting music presented on Subcontinental Drift and his own musical background.

Subcontinental Drift is an enthralling, adventurous celebration of the power music has to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, and Sultans of String wield that power with grace, eloquence and spirit.