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With ‘Polonia’, Katy Carr has created a record which is epic in every sense; its scope is immense and the themes covered within its apparently simple concept are as deep as they are wide-ranging. It’s a rare treat to come across a record which is so consistently entertaining as it is informative.

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.

Sarah Cracknell (Saint Etienne) and The Dreaming Spires frontman Robin Bennett interview each other ahead of Sarah’s Cadogan Hall show tomorrow! Plus we have a video premiere from The Dreaming Spires with Dusty In Memphis.

Two Wolves is a superb album, one of the year’s best, with each of its songs brimming with nuance and depth. Although covering some deeply personal subjects, Marry’s skills as a singer, lyricist and, above all, a story-teller bring a very human touch, enabling the songs to maintain their focus and intensity without overwhelming the listener.

On ‘North’ Blazin’ Fiddles manage to combine everything there is to enjoy in Scottish fiddle music. Most of all, though, there’s that infectious, enlivening and irresistible euphoria that comes about from a passion for the music and a longing to share it.

He packed in his job, bought a banjo and headed from Norway to Ireland with his trusty Vespa. For Kyrre Slind life feels like one big adventure, it was a great pleasure to share in some of them with this interview. His latest album ‘Open Airs’ is out now!

What impresses most about ‘Woven’ is Sarah’s skill as an arranger; an interpreter of song, story and music. In taking these snatches and fragments of traditional song, adding her own intricate and fascinating musical themes and merging them into a narrative on the fleeting but complex nature of human existence, she has created an utterly compelling tapestry.

The Lost Boys is an assured and polished debut album which showcases a wide range of Sam’s undoubted talents as a singer/songwriter gifted with a musical maturity beyond his years. It more than justifies his growing reputation as a performer and deserves to bring him and his band to the attention of a much bigger audience.

With songwriting like this it is hard to believe that it has taken Osborne so long to begin committing her own material to tape. We can only hope she doesn’t stop there.

On Open Airs Kyrre Slind exhibits a gift for composition, a proficiency as an instrumentalist and a capacity for translating the joy he finds in nature into music. All woven together in a treasure trove of musical delights.

On Already Home the Rheingans Sisters not only showcase their diverse repertoire and refined skills but also demonstrate an ability to incorporate threatened or obscure musical forms into their own evolving style making this not only a beautiful and exceptional record but an important one.

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.