fara

With music that is gloriously varied, Fara’s Energy Islands is a brave, wildly original almost-concept album from one of the finest folk bands in Scotland. It’s an exquisite album.

Part Three of our Best Folk Albums of 2018 includes Landless, Gwenifer Raymond, Jim Ghedi, Stick in the Wheel, Ross Ainslie, Fara, Sarah Louise, Jack Hayter, The Left Outsides, Nathan Bowles and more.

Life-long friendship; the rich historical, literary, and musical heritage of the Orkney Islands for inspiration; and a quartet of gifted, imaginative musicians. Fara have all the ingredients for a perfect album, and Times from Times Fall is the proof.

Watch Fara’s music video for ‘Love Gathers All’ (also our Song of the Day), the words of which are taken from a poem by Orcadian poet Edwin Muir. The song features on their forthcoming new album ‘Times from Times Fall’ which is out on 19th October.

Scottish quartet FARA announce second album ‘Times from Times Fall’, a celebration of their homeland packed with self-composed tunes and songs primarily drawn from the words of Orcadian poets. On Tour September/October.

Glasgow-based trio Wildings (Jennifer Austin, Sarah Hayes and Fiona MacAskill) charmed the Celtic Connections audience from the outset and was a testament to the creative relationship enjoyed by this trio.

A mix of high-energy fiddle-driven along by expressive and imaginative piano; compelling songs with perfectly executed, intricate vocals and a level of musicianship that is an affirmation of the collective skill these four highly accomplished musicians.

This year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards shortlist is announced and voting is now open to the public. We’ve put together a preview of many of the nominations which you can listen to here.

In part 2 of our Orkney Folk Festival review we kick off on the Friday with headliners Tim Edey and Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys leading into Saturday with the showcase of Mike Vass’ ‘In the Wake of Neil Gunn’ as well as Sharon Shannon, Seth Lakeman, Fara, Gnoss and more.

Our Tune of the Day comes from Fara, a band made up of some the finest talents from Scotland’s folk music scene: Jennifer Austin, Louise Bichan, Kristan Harvey, Jeana Leslie and Catriona Price. Jeremy and Regina’s/Bright Grey features on their self-titled debut release which you can also hear in full here.