News

Under a new Union Music Store project a number of prominent folk singers give their response to the 2015 election result with a new album of contemporary protest songs. Listen to one of them with the new video from Lucy Ward for ‘Bigger Than That’.

Acclaimed music writer Pete Paphides expertly explores the music that influenced Nick, and the influence Nick left behind, using John Peel’s Archive Collection to tell the story. The resulting audio clips, songs and informed written musings come together to form an expanded annotated podcast which is a real must for any fan of Nick Drake.

Our Song of the Day is from Anne McCue’s latest album Blue Sky Thinkin’ in which celebrates the sounds of Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Peggy Lee, Hoagy Carmichael, Memphis Minnie and Cab Calloway. She returns to the UK in July for the first time in five years for a series of dates. One you don’t want to miss.

We have a wonderfully pastoral and surprising video premiere today from Provincials (fronted by Polly Perry of Polly & The Billets Doux). Watch their new video for ‘Landing on Water’ – there’s a lot going on beneath the surface and it’s totally mesmerising and unique. It features on their new forthcoming EP ‘Ascending Summer’

Newcastle-based singer songwriter Jake Houlsby returns revitalised with a stunning new EP Yannina. Watch his clever homemade new music video for ‘Fuel For The Fire’ and then feast your ears on his soul-searching pastoral title track. A very welcome return.

Clype is an exciting new duo comprised of pianist and singer-songwriter Simon Gall of Salsa Celtica and fidler Jonny Hardie of Old Blind Dogs. Listen to Now My Home, our chosen Song of the Day which also features the low whistle of Ross Ainslie.

We have a very special video premiere today from a Folk Radio favourite: LA duo ‘We Are The West’. Watch their wonderful new video for ‘Hold On’ which was filmed in Malibu, California. They head out on their US tour in July and wish them well.

To celebrate their 50th Anniversary the Oldham Tinkers are performing at Saddleworth Folk Weekend and in Manchester’s The Wonder Inn alongside English folk-rock band Hunter Muskett. Time to dig out those deep Lancashire songs, listen to Oldham’s Burning Sands

The legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize are heading to this year’s Purbeck Valley Folk Festival to join headliners which include Chris Difford, Justin Currie, Richard Thompson, Stornoway, Kathryn Tickell, Megson, Martha Tilston & the Scientists, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin and The Moulettes. Watch their latest video for A Cowboy’s Life, performed live above New York City’s East River.

The Lake District Folk Weekend is a new family-friendly folk festival centred around Hawkshead Brewery’s ‘Beer Hall’. Kicks off with headling concert from Folk legend Tom McConville and support including Dan Webster. Concerts, sessions and rambles! Bring your walking boots, voices, instruments and your drinking heads!

Our Tune of the Day is from Will Pound and Eddy Jay as they perform a staggering version of Floating Candle. I’ve seen Will performing this tune with his full band but with just harmonica and accordion it becomes something all the more innovative and ear-catching as both musicians shine to their fullest!

Two well known names from the world of British folk music have made it to the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to folk music, namely Kathryn Tickell (OBE) and Ashley Hutchings (MBE).