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Missed your local art galleries and museums during lock down? Mancunian folk fusionists Harp & A Monkey certainly have. “As soon as you enter and the door closes behind you the chaos of the street disappears,” muses front man Martin Purdy, “it’s like being embraced by a special kind of stillness.” All of which maybe… Read more »
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Hands up…who’s not had a box set issued recently? Yes, Richard. Yes, Linda. Don’t worry now, it’s your turn anyway. Titled ‘ Hard Luck Stories (1972-1982) ’ the box comes crammed with eight CDs which reissue all their official releases, cherry pick rare tracks studio and live as well as issuing a rare concert from… Read more »
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The Roving Crows have been carving out their niche in the UK folk music scene since early 2009. Over ten years and evolving incarnations they have cultivated an arresting, singular sound that pushes the boundaries of the Celtic Folk genre. The band play with genuine passion, energy and soul. Vital and vibrant, a must see… Read more »
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The mindless thing in my lung is malignant and is spreading its tendrils far and wide. So yes, I have lung cancer, and I start chemotherapy next week.” It was with these stark phrases and bold intentions that Judy Dyble told us that she was suffering. She was working on or had just completed an… Read more »
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Given all the drastic cancellations, restrictions and general disquiet that’s gone on because of CoVid 19 it’s been on line activities and events which have at least raised a ray of hope for live music when all is restored to a modicum of normality. Of course this should be festival season, sunshine, a drink in… Read more »
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‘He lived his life the same way he made music: improvising as he went; scattering brilliance, beauty, rage and destruction in his wake. Drawing on almost 100 new interviews, Small Hours is a raw and utterly gripping account of sixty years of daredevil creativity, soaring highs and sometimes unconscionable lows.’ I interviewed John Martyn just… Read more »
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Seminal Minneapolis band The Jayhawks have announced their new album XOXO will release on July 10 via Sham/Thirty Tigers. Featuring their most diverse and wide-ranging group of songs to date. Recalling country-rock bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Jayhawks have won many plaudits throughout their career and the authentic sound that saw… Read more »
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With most of us never having experienced anything quite like this pandemic before, many of our favourite artists are turning to the internet to bring us their music, when we would normally be going to festivals and enjoying their music live. Suffolk duo Honey and the Bear decided to start recording live streams from their ‘Bear… Read more »
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Multi-award-winning Scottish band Skerryvore will release their blistering new album, Live Across Scotland on Friday, 10 July 2020 to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Capturing the energy and atmosphere of the band’s live performance, Skerryvore’s first ever live album features 15 tracks recorded at much-loved Scottish venues during the band’s recent 2019/20 winter tour. Skerryvore’s signature… Read more »
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Show of Hands, recognised as one of the finest folk roots acts in the UK, are to release a 2020 version of their classic, thought-provoking song, Bristol Slaver. In July, some 23 years after the original song appeared on their acclaimed 1997 album Dark Fields, multi award-winning singer songwriter Steve Knightley and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer will… Read more »
