Featuring Sarah-Jane Summers, Juhani Silvola, Leif Ottosson and Bridget Marsden, the Siskin Quartet’s ‘Flight Paths’ is an exceptional album. Broad-reaching yet balanced, daring and compelling; I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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.
With LAS, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslie and Steven Byrnes have delivered a highly accomplished album that, probably more than any other you’ll hear this year, unifies innovation and tradition.
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.
With music that is gloriously varied, Fara’s Energy Islands is a brave, wildly original almost-concept album from one of the finest folk bands in Scotland. It’s an exquisite album.
The Wilderness Yet’s ‘What Holds The World Together’, shows them to be a band steeped in both the English and Irish folk traditions, but with a fresh, confident edge and a clear idea of what they want to achieve. This is surely one of the folk albums of the year.
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.
Josh Geffin’s Hold On To The Light is a soothing and masterfully crafted EP, a beacon of hope that gives expression both to where we’ve been and where we are headed.
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.
Featuring a number of special guests including Sierra Hull and Kate Rusby, Damien O’Kane and Ron Block reunite once more on Banjophonics, a rich and rewarding album filled with energy, emotion and a huge heart.
