Artist of the Month

On ‘The Space Between’ Jamie Smith’s Mabon, our Artist of the Month, create and play music that, rather than attempt to faithfully reflect the closely related cultures around the Celtic Fringe, breaks free of the perceived boundaries and re-unites the ancient Western European musical forms.

We catch up with Kate Rusby, our Artist of the Month, before she heads out on Christmas tour – bringing a Merry Yorkshire Christmas to venues around the country. She also reveals plans for the coming year and we have her new video to share!

With her new album Kate Rubsy takes her own, beloved, Christmas traditions; adds some of that unique Rusby magic and provides her audience with a large helping of genuinely warm, heartfelt Christmas cheer.

Read our in-depth interview with Northern Irish, Coleraine born, musician and singer Damien O’Kane. HIs new album ‘Areas of High Traffic’ is an extraordinary and brilliant follow-up to his 2010 solo debut.

Five years ago Damien O’Kane released his debut solo ‘Summer Hill’. ‘Areas of High Traffic’ is both an extraordinary and brilliant follow-up from an immensely talented musician and singer.

We catch up with Scottish folk singer Karen Matheson, our Artist of the Month, to talk about the background and inspiration behind her new album ‘Urram’. We also discuss Gaelic culture and a possible performance at Celtic Connections.

We are very honoured to have Karen Matheson as our Artist of the Month for October. Her latest album ‘Urram’ is bold, imaginative and a thrill to listen to. It’s the next step in a fascinating journey, one that unites the voices of the Hebrides with traditional and classical musicians from Scotland, Senegal, and India.

As Canada’s Great Lake Swimmers prepare for their imminent, major European tour Tony Dekker, the band’s singer and songwriter, takes us through a little history and the unusual recording techniques they used in the making of A Forest Of Arms, their superb sixth album.

With the release of his second solo album scheduled for the start of September, Oysterband’s John Jones explains how ‘Never Stop Moving’ capped three years of intense creativity and how the Reluctant Ramblers have given him an outlet for a different facet of his musical personality.

Known the world over as the lead voice of Oysterband, John Jones has combined his love of music and walking and, with the help of The Reluctant Ramblers, crafted his second solo album, the brilliant Never Stop Moving.

Richard Thompson is in London for a couple of days of press interviews and Folk Radio UK caught up with him to talk about his new album ‘Still’, working with Jeff Tweedy and how to stay open all hours when it comes to song writing.

Richard Thompson is on something of a roll, with Jeff Tweedy as producer and with his trusted rhythm section in tow, ‘Still’ is proof that he’s making some of the best music of his life. Richard is Folk Radio UK’s Artist of the Month for July.