News

Here’s a nice exclusive and Song of the Day, with a video for Scott Matthews’ 86 Floors From Heaven created by his good friend Adam Bulley. The intimate solo performance captures the comparatively rare sight of Matthews at the piano and was shot in the shed that is the creative epicentre of Scott’s music making.

Our Song of the Day is a Child ballad (210) from Anglo-American folk music duo Cath and Phil Tyler. Bonnie George Campbell is from their new 6-track CD The Song​-​Crowned King which is available now and was recorded with Phil Begg in Newcastle upon Tyne. You’ll be hearing more from in the Folk Radio UK playlist.

So who are False Lights, how were they formed? We have the answers in an exclusive video feature today in which Sam Carter and Jim Moray talk about the formation of False Lights, the other musicians in the band, and how they could have been called “Sam and Jim’s Special Relationship”. How can you possibly not want to find out…

We have a great video premiere from Simi Stone who describes her soulful sound as Mountain Motown. Good Friend is taken from her forthcoming self-titled debut album on Reveal Records. You may well recognise the name as Simi was part of The Duke and The King, the quartet, for whom she sang and also played violin, in a line-up which also featured Simone Felice.

Watch the new video from Steve Gunn and the Black Twig Pickers for Trailways Ramble, a glorious concoction of old time music, drone with an eastern undertone that reels you in. Matt Peyton’s video collage forms the perfect companion to the track as you leave the main roads and head to the country.

Our Song of the Day comes from Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies who are fast becoming a FRUK favourite. They have a new album on the way and a 100 date tour of Britain and Ireland so you’ve absolutely no excuse whatsoever to get out and see them play.

We have a track premiere today from the wonderful Kelly Oliver. Jericho is Kelly’s first single off her second album due out this summer and features a number of guest musicians including Ciaran Algar. The single is out on 11th May 2015 via Folkstock Records.

The lineup for this year’s Purbeck Valley Folk Festival just keeps getting better but they have pulled out all stops this year with their latest announcement that Richard Thompson will headline their Friday night solo. A rare opportunity and a great start to this brilliant family friendly festival.

Sufjan Stevens has revealed the new audio video for Should Have Known Better from his forthcoming new album ‘Carrie & Lowell’. The album is out on March 30th via Asthmatic Kitty Records and sees Steven’s returning to his contemporary folk roots.

Our Song of the Day is a video premiere of Lovely Molly. A beautiful live recording session on which Sam Lee is joined by the Roundhouse Choir who certainly live up to their reputation here as one of the most exciting and energetic young choirs in London. It features on his new album ‘Fade in Time’.

Our Song of the Day is a premiere from Daphne Lee Martin. She performs a great cover ‘Reciprocity’, a much overlooked song by Loudon Wainwright III. Along with guest vocals from Eric Michael Lichter they certainly breathe new life into it. This is one of a series of stand alone covers, she is set to release this spring.

Watch this 1977 documentary about Irish Traditional singer Sarah Makem of Keady, County Armagh. It’s a magical piece of film-making that has some wonderful moments. The conversation between Sarah and husband and fiddle player Peter Makem is a personal highlight, the two of them seemed to be playing with the film-maker.