The Unthanks

Off the back of their recent release ‘Lines’ – a trilogy of song cycles inspired by poetry, focusing on three female perspectives through time – we caught up with Rachel Unthank (of The Unthanks) to discuss her part in bringing this remarkable collection to our attention.

Following the release of ‘Lines’ their trilogy of song cycles inspired by poetry and their recently announced Emily Brontë Song Cycle Tour, we caught up with The Unthanks pianist and composer Adrian McNally to discuss how this stunning collection came to be.

The Unthanks’ latest venture, Lines, is a trilogy of three discrete song cycles inspired by poetry, linked by their focus on female perspectives across time. Guests include Sam Lee and Tim Dalling. Through their expressive performing style, commitment and vision a deeper undercurrent is revealed.

The Unthanks announce ‘Lines’, a new trilogy album, they head out as a vocal trio in Spring for Unaccompanied, As We Are tour plus watch them performing with The Voice Squad from 2014.

The Graeme Miles Bursary is now in its third year, set-up to support young artists from the North East. This year’s recipient has just been announced as Alasdair Paul, who was chosen by a selection panel including Adrian McNally and Rachel Unthank from The Unthanks.

Home Gathering festival has a great lineup this year including many FRUK favourites: Lisa Knapp, Beth Orton, Julie Murphy, Daoiri Farrell, Chris Wood & more plus an exclusive performance of The Bairns by Rachel Unthank & The Winterset.

Adrian McNally, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer with The Unthanks, discusses their new album, The Songs and Poems of Molly Drake, the fourth instalment in their inspired, unconventional Diversions series.

Regardless of any societal constraints Molly Drake may have felt in her life, regardless of her unwillingness to publish her own material, she was a consummately gifted songwriter. And in The Unthanks, those songs have found their perfect outlet.

The Unthanks have announced a 2017 tour titled: “The Unthanks Perform The Songs and Poems of Molly Drake” (mother of Nick Drake). The tour will be accompanied by the release of Diversions Vol 4. How Wild The Wind Blows.The project has the blessing of the Drake musical estate and the full blessing and enthusiasm of celebrated actress Gabrielle Drake (Molly’s daughter and Nick’s sister).

The Unthanks announce new book: The Memory Book, a warm and personal history compiled by The Unthanks themselves; their final and most candid tenth anniversary release.

Jon Boden compiles The Ultimate Guide To English Folk, a lavish two-disc primer designed to appeal to experienced folkies and newbies alike. It is not the first such collection, but it is probably the most wide-ranging, lovingly compiled and inventively sequenced. One of the most important messages to take from this compilation is that while folk music in England is something of an extended family, it is by no means …

Water of Tyne is the first CD release from Magnetic North East CIC, a community interest company promoting the music, arts, culture and heritage of the North East of England. Brought together by Kathryn Tickell the album includes guest appearances from the likes of The Unthanks, Hannah Rickard, Bob Fox and Mike Tickell. A truly lovely collection.