John McCusker’s ‘The Best Of’ is an ideal introduction to the breadth and depth of one of the very best traditional musicians working today…a rare musician whose fiddle style and overall production sound is both distinctive and alluring.
The Bellowhead and Leveret fiddle maestro Sam Sweeney talks about the creative process of his new solo album Escape That, a deeply personal set that sees him at his most dynamic and liberated.
With Escape That, Sam Sweeney has made his most personal record to date. His playing has never been more confident or fluid and the accompaniments are also stellar in their subtlety. It is gorgeous, joyous playing, possibly his best yet.
We talk to Jake Blount, our current Artist of the Month, about his new album ‘The New Faith’, working with Smithsonian Folkways, the impact of climate change, the ethos of folk music and more.
Jake Blount’s The New Faith is an album rich with themes of hope, resilience and salvation. With a keen sense of tradition, Blount has cleverly delivered a bold, thought-provoking and judicious album…one which is also a thoroughly, staggeringly thrilling listen. Glorious.
We catch up with Luke Daniels to chat about The Cobhers, a project started in 2019 to help bring new audiences to folk and traditional music through covering classic hits alongside folk and traditional tunes from the UK, Ireland and beyond.
Everything on this collection from Luke Daniels and The Cobhers is attacked with such life-affirming urgency… These are songs that have cut across the eras, the sub-cultures and age restrictions, and now, they are hoping to knock down genre fences as well.
We chat with Hannah and Gabriel of Fritillaries, our Artists of the Month, about their self-titled debut album, how they met, their influences, Bristol folk scene, band names and more.
Touchingly poetic, Fritillaries is an enthrallingly scenic, tranquil and fruitful debut. Gorgeously produced, Pawson’s redolent and crystalline voice, accompanied by roots-inspired banjo and Wynne’s earthy mandolin, proves to be an intoxicating mix. A delightful listen.
We met with Jacob Johnson of the trio Son of John to discuss their wonderful new Each Second Footstep album, which showcases a broad and exciting new musical direction, plus the cementing of his new band lineup.
With an extended lineup and marking a significant leap forward, Son of John return with Each Second Footstep. Throughout this winning album, the band’s love of their craft shines through…an essential release.
The transatlantic banjo duo Damien O’Kane and Ron Block met with us to discuss Banjophonics, the splendid follow-up to their much-lauded debut Banjophony, plus musical personalities and the Mongolian nose flute.
