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Dan Mangan has just arrived in France and is also about to play shows throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom! This month long venture is in part supported by The Crackling (video below) – the incredible, thoughtful and beautiful project led by Dan’s drummer Kenton Loewen. They also have the pleasure of being supported for many of the shows by Toronto’s Zeus. In this great …

Following the February release of Put Your Back N 2 It (review here), Perfume Genius have already released the great video for Hood, but now they’ve followed that with a far more intimate session, playing 3 songs for La Blogotheque in Paris. Supported by his backing band and swapping between piano and acoustic guitar, Mike knocks out some flawless renditions of Dark Parts, Hood and Normal Song. With the latest …

Scott Rudd is currently based in New York City where he is working on a series of lo-fi 4-track cassette demos. There is a rawness and exposed fragility to his music that is mirrored in his photography work. His images are stark, real and often overshadowed by poverty and despair. It is this type of vision and honesty that often makes people feel uncomfortable, where some reel in the artificial …

Trampled by Turtles grew out of a desire to play acoustic and roots music, a break for the band members from playing the rock music they had became accustomed to playing in their individual bands. Those first sessions made a big impact, big enough for each band memeber to decide this wasn’t going to be just a side project granting them some temporary release. That was back in 2003 and …

Sidmouth FolkWeek (3rd – 10th August) is looking to be a promising week with a great line-up, location and musical adventures for all the family, this is the last chance to get your hands on best value Early Bird tickets for your seaside festival holiday if you book before the midnight Saturday 31st March deadline. The festival are keeping their 2011 prices and there are no booking fees. Some Highlights: …

Back in October 2009 we introduced readers to the music of The Destroyers. They are now making a very big noise and finally getting some well deserved recognition. The fifteen member band offer a stylish infusion of cutting edge Balkan Brass with a hint of the anarchic and cabaret showmanship. They build a powerhouse sound that imbibes an audience, all of which is is topped off by frontman songwriter/beat-poet Paul …

I am literally just back from the Isambard Folk Award finals. This is the first time I have ever had to judge such an award and it was no easy task. All five finalists were incredibly strong candidates that reinvigorated my belief that the folk scene is as strong as it has ever been. The winner of the evening was Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker who put on an incredible …

As you may have picked up in previous articles Folk Radio UK is co-sponsoring this years Isambard Folk Award along with our good friend Songs from the Shed. The finals take place this evening when the judges, ourselves and Songs from the Shed included, will have the difficult task of choosing between the five finalists: Evening Chorus (from Cardiff) and London-based Common Tongues and Mishaped Pearls plus duos Solarference (Devon/Bristol) …

I‘ve chosen two songs today for ‘Song of the Day’ simply because they’re from a split 7″ double A side and I couldn’t decide between them and it didn’t seem right just choosing one seeing as this is their first joint release. The first is Rob St. John with Your Phantom Limb and the second is Ian Humberstone with House on the Hill.  Ian Humberstone and Rob St. John …

A meeting of hearts and minds: from London The Magpie’s Nest, Cut A Shine and the Midnight Specials: This year the Fire in the Mountain Festival will be held 1st – 5th June 2012, Cwmnewidion Isaf, nr Aberystwyth, Mid Wales and will welcome a host of bands from Bristol, Liverpool and London. Each day is loosely themed around headliners. Saturday is Celtic Day featuring the young Scottish pipers Ross Ainslee …

Back in January (article here) we mentioned that The Magic Lantern had been busy writing and rehearsing for a new album. You can now lisen to a demo recording of their new song ‘Hercules’ below: Vocals – Jamie Doe Piano, percussion, cello – Fred Thomas Clarinet – Dave Shulman Their seasonal residency at The Green Note is also nearly at an end. Their final show is on 25th April when …

First Aid Kit recently performed a great Tiny Desk Concert for NPR which you can watch below. All the tracks they performed were from their latest release The Lion’s Roar. Set List: “New Year’s Eve” “The Lion’s Roar” “Emmylou” Audio Session (mp3) The girls are overjoyed to announce that they are going on tour with JACK WHITE in Europe this June & July. Dates below. You can check out their …