SpiralEarth.co.uk - Music News

Nanci Griffith new album and tour

Nanci Griffith, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner releases 'Intersection ', her twentieth album on 20 February 2012. �I�ve had a hard life, and I write it down,� Griffith sings on the title track, and that line serves as a statement of fact and purpose, and as a gentler way to explain her near-shouted musical exclamation, �Hell no, I�m not alright.� Intersection is an examination of a particularly difficult time for Griffith, fraught with personal bust-ups, with family turmoil, with hard miles and tears and habits to break.

Win Tickets to see The Willows

The Willows master a blend of beautiful and contemporary sounds, intricately weaving traditional and modern roots music within well-crafted songs.

Peter Bruntnell's Bob Harris session

On February 12th Peter Bruntnell's Bob Harris session will be aired on BBC Radio 2. And, when that has whetted your appetite, there are some concert dates to get your teeth into.

Jack White solo album

Jack White releases his debut solo album 'Blunderbuss' in April, the king of collaboration describes it as 'an album I couldn't have released until now. I've put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.'

Thick As A Brick UK tour 2012

Ian Anderson will hit the road in April 2012 for a 19 date UK tour commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Jethro Tull�s 1972 Billboard No. 1 �Thick As A Brick�. The band�s chart-topping record will be played in its entirety - as initially recorded - for the first time since its original tour in 1972. �Thick as a Brick� was a concept album based on a poem written by a fictitious 10 year old boy Gerald Bostock � in reality Anderson himself, who wrote both music and lyrics. It only featured one seamless 45 minutes long track, although it was split to accommodate the album on vinyl and cassette. It reached number 5 in the UK charts.

beinghuman weekend with Sam Lee

beinghuman creates music, art, media, events & workspace. In 2012 beinghuman is staging a series of beinghuman weekends, inviting brilliant curators to host workshops, screenings, talks, performance & happenings in the beinghuman warehouse, Frome, Somerset, the self titled, 'Cultural Town Of Britain!'. In February Sam Lee & The Nest Collective, curate 'Gypsies and Traveller : Legends, Lore & Enlightenment'.

Cara Dillon - tour dates

Cara will be touring the UK during February/March/April 2012. Several Festivals are listed, but more may be added. Whether she's singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or their original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she'll be there for a very long time.

Lucy Ward's new single

Lucy Ward has a new single lined up for imminent release. Entitled 'For The Dead Men', this original song was produced by Stu Hanna of Megson and heralds the start of a busy year for the Derbyshire performer. Lucy is up for 'Best Traditional Track' and the 'Horizon Award' for best newcomer in the forthcoming BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and has a gig list as long as your arm.

WEIRDLORE - 10 June, Bristol

A good old-fashioned all dayer at the Bristol Folk House in June, featuring the cream of the crop from the dark folk underground. The line up is a dream; Telling The Bees, Emily Portman Trio (tbc), Rapunzel & Sedayne, Mary Hampton Cotillion, Sproatly Smith, Sharron Kraus, Pamela Wyn Shannon, Algernon & The Hawk, Boxcar Aldous Huxley, Corncrow, Kate & Corwen plus a whole cauldron of activities and workshops.

Nest Collective upcoming events

The Nest Collective � BBC Folk Club of 2010 � has grown to become London�s place to go for discovering the amazing resurgence in music being made under the banner of �New Folk, Old Folk & No Folk�. Formed in 2006, The Nest Collective hosts regular events, creating platforms for traditionally-inspired British and World artists from both emerging and established backgrounds. Musicians and audiences alike come for our unique intimate and un-pedestaled environment, no matter which venue, for the making of music and the opportunity to be part of a shared experience.