News

With the excitement already mounting for the release of Murmurs, the new album from Martin Simpson – Andy Cutting – Nancy Kerr. Topic Records reveal a new video interview with Nancy in which she talks about one of the fiddles that she uses on the new album. One she bought when she was just 18.

Our Song of the Day is ‘White Chalk’ by Brooke Sharkey accompanied by Adam Beattie. Watch their new video which was directed by Melodie Roulaud. It’s a mesmerising performance. They are both on tour from next month so try and see them live if you can.

Our Song of the Day comes from Kings of the South Seas who join Bellowhead on tour next month. Weary Whaling Grounds is their first single from their debut album. Far from glorifying those days the song brings a harsh reality to them. The brutal sound of the music and the repenting lyrics speak loudly.

Head of Modelmaking at Aardman, Enty, transforms Morph into Seasick Steve to celebrate the release of Sonic Soul Surfer. Like Steve, Morph even has his own version of a hubcap guitar and a Mississippi drum machine, cleverly made out of bits of junk that were lying around the modelmaking studio.

British guitarist and founder of Pentangle John Renbourn has died aged 70. We take a brief look back at his history of which there are many highlights. Some of my favourite being his work with the late Bert Jansch.

Mary Black has announced to her last tour of the UK – The Last Call Tour will be Mary’s last tour outside Ireland. Having already visited North America, Germany, Holland and Belgium, these May dates will be Mary’s final UK concerts.

Our Song of the Day comes from James Yorkston with ‘Broken Wave’, which is dedicated to the late Doogie Paul who was a bass player with James Yorkston and the Athletes. The song features on The Demonstrations of The Craws an exclusive release for Record Store Day 2015.

Having just returned from a New Zealand tour Emily Smith has a busy time ahead with a mini German tour, a full UK Tour, a new collaborative show for Edinburgh’s ‘Tradfest’ and a performance on a new BBC Radio 4 programme called ‘Folk of the Pennines’ which will also feature Kate Rusby and Bella Hardy.

Bellowhead continue to go from strength to strength having picked up their 3rd Best Group nomination from the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. They also embark on a major tour with support from Kings of the South Seas, they have a new single due for ‘Roll Alabama’ for which they also have a new video.

As part of our ongoing partnership with Bob Harris’ Under The Apple Tree sessions we select an artist to go and visit Bob & Co to perform a session. The latest was the wonderful Devon-based Jess McAllister who is joined by Lukas Drinkwater on double bass, that man gets around.

Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, better known to us as The Milk Carton Kids have announced the release of their third album Monterey which will be released on Anti- Records in May. Listen to the title track here.

Our Song of the Day is via the way of an entertaining new video from Lail Arad for Milo. The first official single from her forthcoming new album The Onion. The PR describes it is an explosion of je ne sais quoi. This is an earworm you won’t be able to shake off or indeed forget Lail’s bicycle skills!