SpiralEarth.co.uk - Music News

Ben Marwood's new album 'Back Down'

'Back Down' is the new album from Reading solo artist Ben Marwood. First hitting the road in 2004 he has toured with labelmates Frank Turner and Chris T-T, as well as Scottish miserablists Glasvegas.

The Americana Music Association UK

Until now there has been no professional body in the UK campaigning on behalf of Americana music, despite the fact that it has a strong and passionate following in this country and has developed its own identity, one that in many ways defies traditional categorisation. To remedy this situation, a group of people who work closely with Americana music in various capacities, have recently come together to promote collective action, resulting in the formation of The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK).

THE FOLK VAULT: Martin Carthy, Live in St Albans 1973

Martin Carthy releases a series of rare live recordings taken from performances throughout his career; the first of which comes from St Albans in 1973. These re-mastered live tracks are now, for the first time, available to download and stream online.

Barrule release debut album

Named after the famous Manx summit, where legend says the ancient Celtic God Manannan Mac Lir stalked his mighty fortress, Barrule fuses three musical forces � Mabon frontman and accordionist Jamie Smith, fiddle-player Tom�s Callister and versatile accompanist Adam Rhodes (Mabon and King Chiaullee) on bouzouki. Together they plan to put the small island in the Irish Sea firmly on the map.

Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker's new album 'Fire & Fortune'

Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker's new album, 'Fire & Fortune' may not be due for official release until 22nd July but it is already receiving some airplay time on BBC Radio 2 via Mark Radcliffe's Folk Show. Why not get in early and pre-order a signed copy from their website now and whilst there check out their tour dates.

WINTER MOUNTAIN new ep 'Find, Follow'

Joseph Francis and Martin Smyth are Winter Mountain, the harmony duo that are getting a real following on the live circuit. The Englishman and Irishman met in Chicago travelling to Memphis, the guys hit it off straight away sharing their love of the harmony singing greats of the '60s and '70s. On their return they spent time in Ireland songwriting, they ended up playing support to Cara Dillon who, along with husband Sam Lakeman, was so impressed that they signed them to their own Charcoal Records label.

Solo Tour for Johnny Flynn

After a two-year hiatus from the live circuit, Johnny Flynn has announced a July solo headline UK tour. The dates will provide an opportunity to hear new material from his forthcoming third album, further details of which will be released soon.

Joanne Shaw Taylor's DVD and new dates

British Blues artist Joanne Shaw Taylor's album Almost Always Never was one of of the stars of Spiral Earth's blues calender last year. From 'Soul Station' with its frenzy of fuzzed up funk and upper neck guitar strangulation to the foot stomping motorik acoustic shuffle of 'Army Of One' it went on to feature in our awards and many end of year lists.

Homegrown returns for 2013‏

The Met in Bury, Greater Manchester, has announced it will once again host its English folk festival, Homegrown, on 17, 18 and 19 October 2013.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis is the upcoming film from the Coen Brothers set in the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 1960s. Being a Coen Brothers film (Fargo, No Country For Old Men) the signs are that it will be utterly brilliant. The trailer looks gorgeous, which you can view below. The film is a fictionalised tale of the title character who is based on a real musician named Dave Van Ronk, a notable figure on the 1960s New York folk scene whose circle of friends included Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Ramblin� Jack Elliott and Joni Mitchell.