paul simmonds

Five years since their last full-length album, Strange News Has Come To Town demonstrates that Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds remain as vital a musical force as ever.

Stefan Cush, the co-lead vocalist of The Men They Couldn’t Hang has died following a heart attack, he was aged 60. We’ve put together a small tribute which includes footage, memories from Paul Simmonds and an interview from 2014.

Recorded in April during lockdown, Paul and Naomi’s “I’ve Got A Fever” is a musical delight, and hopefully a foretaste of another full album.

I’ve Got a Fever is the new four-track EP from Paul Simmonds featuring extra vocals from the wonderful Naomi Bedford. Take a listen to the lead track.

Singing It All Back Home has all the passion and history of the characters that populate these stories; Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds paint them in a fascinating new light, while holding fast to their enduring heritage in an outstanding album.

Our Song of the Day comes from Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds with I Must And Will Be Married from their forthcoming album Appalachian Ballads of English and Scottish Origin which is due out in May. Watch the accompanying video.

It’s no wonder that Naomi and Paul received such a warm, exuberant reception in Glasgow. Over the course of two sets they performed such a startling variety of music, and they performed it with elegance, warmth and, above all, passion. Expect the unexpected when you go to see Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds play live.

Songs My Ruiner Gave To Me sees Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds draw on the influences and inspirations of their first two remarkable albums to create something entirely new, and simply superb.

Watch the new video from Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds for We’ve Hardly Started Yet, from their new album ‘Songs My Ruiner Gave To Me’ and also our Song of the Day. The third part of their album trilogy that takes a look at the good, bad and ugly side of love from the sugar coat to the bitter chill. 

In our latest Folk Show, we open with a Folk Radio UK session from Gregory Alan Isakov. Plus new music from Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds, Emily Mure, Laura Baird, Josh Ritter, Shake the Chains and more.

The latest offering from The Men They Couldn’t Hang’s powerhouse songwriting partnership of Paul Simmonds and Phil ‘Swill’ Odgers is certainly a persuasive collection and a salutary reminder of their collective talents.

A voice that sticks like velcro and seduces like silk…words used to describe Naomi Bedford’s singing voice…can it get much better? Yes it can, A History of Insolence is a sure winner.