Hannah Martin

Gigspanner Big Band talk about their new album, Turnstone, revealing an insight into an album that exists in a tradition of sprawling and inclusive experimentalism and where variation and difference are celebrated and encouraged.

Saltlines is a massive, ambitious and highly unusual project; the fact that it feels perfectly judged at every moment is down to the sheer excellence of Gigspanner Big Band’s musicianship and the touching, clear-eyed nature of everything Raynor Winn writes or speaks. It is a constant delight. 

Unquenching Fire is a rare delight that doesn’t rely exclusively on reworking the usual traditional chestnuts, but then SykesMartin are a rare delight indeed.

It’s great to see some of our favourite bands back on the road again. Don’t miss Edgelarks, The Gigspanner Big Band (now also with John Spiers) and the newly formed duo of Miranda Sykes and Hannah Martin.

Henry Martin, the latest offering from Edgelarks (Hannah Martin and Phillip Henry) is an album filled with positivity – resolutely optimistic, brilliantly played and a joy from start to finish.

Edgelarks announce the release of their new album ‘Henry Martin’ which was recorded at home during the lockdown. Listen to opening track Greenwood Laddie and pre-order the album today.

Hannah Martin (Edgelarks, Gigspanner Big Band) talks about the impact of the lockdown on musicians and how they are making ends meet. There may also be positives…such as placing a greater value on music.

Thomas Blake interviews the Gigspanner Big Band, our Artists of the Month, who demonstrate they are admirably democratic not just in their music-making process, but also in their interviews where everyone gets their say.

The Gigspanner Big Band take to the road again next month with an expanded lineup which, as well as Edgelarks, now includes John Spiers. Watch them performing Awake Awake which will feature on their new album set for release in April 2020.

Will Kemp interviews singer, fiddler, banjo/guitar playing songwriter Hannah Martin – one half of Edgelarks who recently released their fifth studio album Feather. Plus, watch their new video for Oyster.

Watch the new video for ‘Oysters’ from Edgelarks; also our Song of the Day. The song details how nature can create beauty despite adversity, and how humans could learn from that. It is taken from their new album ‘Feathers’ which is out now.

Edgelarks have created an album that captures something long-lasting, universal and difficult to pin down: the nature of human happiness and the need for hope, not just now but in perpetuity. And in that respect Feather is an uplifting triumph.

Gigspanner are on the road again including dates with Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin as The Gigspanner Big Band. Watch the new Perrine Nouvier video for Urban Reel and their entire Big Band set from Shrewsbury Folk Festival.

Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin, who now fly under the endearing title of Edgelarks, have revealed a new music video for Yarl’s Wood, our Song of the Day.

Watch Edgelarks (Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin) performing Landlocked at Carnglaze – Man-made caverns formed as part of a slate quarry in the Loveny Valley, near Liskeard.

Gigspanner, formed by (ex-Steeleye Span) fiddle player Peter Knight and BBC Folk Award winners (Best Duo) Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin (now Edgelarks) head out on the road together tomorrow as Gigspanner Big Band – “a unique musical proposition; they are taking folk music down new and enthralling paths.”

Edgelarks is an album that is full of muted, autumnal beauty. Edgelarks may signify a new venture for Hannah Martin and Phillip Henry, but the quality of their songwriting and performing only continues to improve, this is their best yet.

We talk to Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin about their new album Edgelarks, a name which also marks the genesis of a brand new band name. Plus watch their new video Song of the Jay