News

Nick Jonah Davis hails from Nottingham, England and it was his discovery of prewar blues and modal British folk upon which he began to develop his improvisational skills. The post-Takoma acoustic guitar solo scene then provided a context for his music which might otherwise have remained a private endeavour.

Watch the latest new video from Beirut. Santa Fe is the second track taken from their latest album The Rip Tide. A video classic in tragicomedy!

Oliver Jeffers was born and brought up in Belfast and now lives and works in Brooklyn, NY where he has a studio. He makes art, from oil paintings, commercial illustrations and collage, but he is probably best known for making picture books for children.

‘Marginalised’ is a fantastically entertaining and engaging annual festival of events with music, art, comedy, talks, childrens workshops and discussions – all celebrating the breadth and the best of arts events at the Union Chapel.

Chris Stout is delighted to have been asked by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to compose a piece of music especially for them and he also releases a new album this week: Chris Stout’s Brazilian Theory – Live In Concert

PJ Harvey has won the prestigous Mercury Prize for her outstanding album Let England Shake. This was one for the record books as she also won the award back in 2001 for “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea” a first double win in the history of the award.

TUSK Festival takes place in Newcastle upon Tyne from 7th – 9th October and boasts an unrivalled line-up of unclassifiable international music. Watch Uncle Jim’s Video promotion!

Congolese artist Niwel Tsumbu moved to Ireland in 2004. Like Liam O’Maonlaí he has continued to explore many strands of music and their eventual collaboration seemed inevitable. Watch them performing on Donal Dineen’s late night show The Small Hours.

Sheeped Away tells the tale of a farmer who just wants to be with his beloved sheep. When a giant UFO enters his life to claim his sheep, what will he do to keep them safe from harm? And can he do this without waking his monstrous wife?

Our latest live session is from Edinburgh singer/songwriter Adam Holmes who now at the age of twenty has been a Celtic Connections Young Traditional Musician finalist and in February this year achieved the huge accolade of a Radio 2 Folk Award nomination for Best Newcomer.

On this week’s Friday Folk Music Club we have Jens L Thomsen, Lisa Hannigan & Richard Hawley, Horla Patrie, Alasdair Roberts, Tim Eriksen, Our Feathered Embers, The Boxer Rebellion, Alexi Murdoch, Wye Oak and bluesman Fred McDowell!

Though Balmorhea’s studio recordings never fail to impress, their songs have always been most powerful and affecting when performed live. Live At Sint-Elisabethkerk captures their magic.