Spell Songs

Spell Songs’ third studio album, In Thin Air, is a creative reaction to Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’s The Book of Birds. Fifteen songs deal with different aspects of avian life, from nest-building to migration, building up a noticeable narrative thrust. Again and again, this album cleverly conflates the lives of birds with human experience. It is an album in constant fluttering movement, one that soars and sings.

Spell Songs return on 4th September with their third album, In Thin Air, out via Hudson Records. A musical companion to Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’s The Book of Birds, it follows the “Seven Wonders” from nest to migration — a celebration of birdlife and a plea to halt its loss. First single “Flight” is out now, ahead of a September UK tour.

Robert Macfarlane & Nick Hayes have collaborated on another modern Broadside Ballad which protests the slow death of rivers in the UK & around the world––& sings for their revival.

At the confluence of light and dark, Spell Songs’ ‘Gifts of Light’ is characterised by an uplifting vitality which soothes the soul, demonstrating the magic that results from combining live music with art and literature and representing collaborative music-making at its very finest.

Spell Songs announce ‘Gifts of Light’, a live record produced during their 2022 Spring tour at Birmingham Symphony Hall and within the Hintze Hall of the Natural History Museum in 2021. Taken from the album, listen to Heartwood.

The Folk by the Oak festival team, who commissioned the incredible Spell Songs project, are excited to announce a unique opportunity to enjoy Spell Songs at their best by tuning in to an exclusive online broadcast of a full live performance at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Taken from ‘Let The Light In’, watch the new video from Spell Songs for ‘Bramble’, led by Karine Polwart and also featuring Julie Fowlis demonstrating beautiful Gaelic birdsong mimesis as she speaks the voice of Smeòrach, the song thrush.

Spell Songs II is a timely and beguiling listen. It is a collection to share and reflect upon. So, gather round, cherish the songs, Macfarlane’s words and Morris’s imagery and steep yourself deep in the natural world that surrounds us and prepare to be spellbound.

Taken from their forthcoming new album ‘Spell Songs II: Let The Light In’, listen to their profoundly moving new single ‘Birds of the Blizzard’, led by Julie Fowlis.

The magic of Spell Songs (Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter, and Jim Molyneux) returns in December with Let The Light In. Taken from the album watch the accompanying video to their new single ‘Oak’, led by Kris Drever.

Following a stunning gig at the Natural History Museum, the Spell Songs Ensemble announce a new album ‘The Lost Words: Spell Songs Volume II’ for November 2021 and Live Dates for 2022

For those that missed last nights Spell Song concert at London’s Natural History Museum, a fundraiser for the Urban Nature Project, it is now available to stream. You can also bid for and enter a raffle for some of Jackie Morris’ artwork.