Author: James

ABM have just started working with the wonderful Bristol folk trio Tarren.
 
Sid Goldsmith (Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith, Awake Arise), Alex Garden (The Drystones, Harriet Riley & Alex Garden) and Danny Pedler (Pedler // Russell). They combine cittern and concertina, fiddle, and accordion to create new, dynamic folk music. The trio are producing rich, joyous music that draws the listener in, weaving intricate themes throughout tunes and songs that have the pulse of traditional dance at its heart.
 
Their debut album REVEL was released to critical acclaim on 29 August 2022.
 
Having toured major cities in the summer via the Nest Collective and receiving standing ovations at Shrewsbury, Sidmouth and Broadstairs Folk Festivals we’re now booking their spring tour in for April 2023.
 
“Just the kind of band we need on the folk circuit today. Brilliant!” 
Folk Radio UK

Touring 13-16, 20-23 & 27-30 April 2023 
Available for festivals 2023. 
 
tarrenmusic.com

Alan has recently been acting as Voluntary Artistic Director for the Stowmarket Traditional Music Day. The event which up until September 2017, took place for over 10 years in the extensive and beautiful grounds of the Museum of East Anglian Life (now The Food Museum) is now expanding across many venues in the town of Stowmarket.

For 2022, they will be bringing East Anglian Traditional Music Day to you from the heart of the town of Stowmarket. Expect Concerts, Workshops, Sessions, Talks, Exhibitions, Storytelling, Puppet shows, Music related stalls and Dance including Stepdancing and Morris Dancing around the town.

For more info including full line-up and tickets please visit: eatmt.org.uk/east-anglian-traditional-music-day/

Following the huge success of their new album ‘Nine Waves’ Ye Vagabonds will be touring the UK again in October. Tickets on sale now: http://yevagabonds.com/tour/

We are really looking forward to new material from the “finest singer of his generation”, Jim Causley, who will be performing songs from his new album ’The Georgic’ in Spring 2023. The project began life as an artistic commission in collaboration with artist Simon Pope. ‘Here’s to Thee’ looked at celebrating the unseen elements of microbial life on a traditional Devon cider farm through the creation of a new wassail ceremony. 

From this seed, Jim initially composed three more songs celebrating the seasons on the farm, leading on to a wider song-cycle about rural life in the 21st century covering a range of themes from the plight of the rural working class, NIMBYism, intangible cultural heritage, evolution of dialect, folkways, cultural erosion and displacement, social history, loss of wildlife, the brain drain and even some upbeat numbers. All this in Jim’s unique songwriting style, combining a 1980s childhood and a great love and understanding of traditional English folk song. 

Touring spring 2023.

jimcausley.co.uk

Leveret will celebrate 10 years on the road in 2023 with two tours showcasing their uniquely spontaneous performances, along with a new album and a tune book. Over their decade together Leveret’s captivating interaction and intimate presentation style has charmed audiences, helping the trio build a loyal following, and demonstrating the enduring appeal and endless potential of the folk tune. Audiences new and old can expect incredible musicianship and compelling presentation.

Touring 15-26 March & 4 – 15 October 2023

leveretband.com

After 10 years on the folk scene Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith will embark on an anniversary tour of some of their favourite small venues this autumn. To celebrate a decade of music-making they will present a retrospective show with songs & tunes taken from across their 4 albums plus a few new offerings to kick-off the next 10 years.

The duo’s live performances are a celebration of traditional music but there is also a deep integrity and sincerity that stems from their passion for the social themes within the music. There is a common thread of political struggle, resistance, and justice as well as the occasional love song. Their shows manage to be both hard-hitting and uplifting and it is this ability that justifies their reputation as two of the most exciting musicians and social commentators on the scene.

‘Making common cause between antique songs and present circumstances is one of the grails of modern folk, one this young duo pull off impressively… Rousing stuff.’ The Observer 

05/06/2022         Fire In The Mountain      ABERYSTWYTH 

04/08/2022         As You Like it Festival     STRATFORD ON AVON  

16/09/2022         Folk House          BRISTOL              

02/10/2022         The Talbot Theatre          WHITCHURCH (North Shropshire)           

03/10/2022         Live to your Living Room  ONLINE EVENT 

04/10/2022         Kitchen Garden Café      BIRMINGHAM  

05/10/2022         Cecil Sharp House            LONDON             

06/10/2022         Anteros Arts Foundation   NORWICH

See jimmyandsidduo.com/gigs for ticket info.

Some of our great Scottish artists have tour plans for 2023…
 
The amazing alt-folk singer/songwriter and guitarist Alasdair Roberts has a brand new album out next Spring on Drag City with some solo tour dates from 5 April 2023.
 
The exquisite Highland and Islands chamber folk fiddle quartet RANT have several short runs of dates next year. In March, 9-12 and 16-19 and in September from 7-10 and 21–24 September.
 
The extraordinary fiddle player Ryan Young has a new album in the offing. He is available for bookings throughout the year.
 
The incredibly busy and talented singer/harpist Rachel Newton (Spell Songs, The Furrow Collective, The Shee, Heal & Harrow) – will be doing some solo touring from 6–19 March.

We’re looking forward to Mama’s Broke coming to the UK in June to tour their new album Narrow Line. Head over to their website for full gig list and ticket links: mamasbroke.ca

Mama’s Broke is a powerful folk duo that deliver a compelling performance with heart and raw energy. Although highly influenced by their Canadian roots, Lisa and Amy are based out of nowhere and everywhere.

Their two strong voices blend to create haunting harmonies, while they artfully juggle fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin, and incorporate traditional dance and foot percussion into their performance. Their original – and often dark – compositions push the boundaries of tradition and the constraints of genre. Drawing from old-time, Quebecois, blues, punk, Celtic, Balkan and  doom metal, they create a soundscape that is both familiar and new.

Since forming the band in 2014, Mama’s Broke has been gaining momentum fast ; having already completed two European, and several Canadian and U.S. tours. They have performed in a wide range of venues, from circus shows in New Orleans, to pirate ships in Amsterdam, to concert halls in Ireland, to theatres in Brooklyn. In this way, they stay true to the transient nature of folklore, as they travel the world sharing and collecting song.

Martin is planning a new solo album for release next March, following on from his lockdown album ‘Home Recordings’ released last year, and 2019’s ‘Rooted’. Always prolific, and never one to rest long without a guitar in his hands and a song in his head, Martin is genuinely thrilled to be back out on the road now – back where he loves to be – playing live. 
 
One of England’s most revered folk performers, widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, Martin’s interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His remarkable solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. Martin has been nominated an astounding 31 times in the 16 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – more than any other performer – and has won numerous awards.
 
“One of the virtuoso instrumentalists of the English music scene… sounds better than ever” **** The Guardian

New solo album release tour: March 2023 & 12 October – 12 November 2023

martinsimpson.com

March 2022 marks the 30th career anniversary of outstanding English folk musician and President of the EFDSS, Eliza Carthy MBE.
 
To mark this significant milestone, this Spring sees the first of her four X 4 track staggered Queen Of The Whirl EP releases – with some fantastic re-recordings of some of her ‘greatest hits’ from past 30 years, including three Mercury Award nominated albums. Three further EPs will be released episodically throughout the summer, culminating in a glorious collector’s item display box featuring a memory and photo-filled book.
 
Eliza Carthy turned pro (or quit college, depending on if you ask her or her dear departed mam) in March 1992. Since then, she has toured all over the world; danced with Hugh Masekele in Ghana; crossed the Prairies, the Alps and the waters of Lake Titicaca, all for the sake of playing the fiddle and spreading the word of English traditional music.
 
Queen Of The Whirl is her celebration of thirty years of silliness and profundity, with a crack team of musicians made up of her colleagues and counterparts. Thirty years of music reimagined, from Billy Bragg to Peggy Seeger, from The Ratcatchers to Imagined Village, from bloody boots in Trafalgar Square to the moors of North Yorkshire, and everywhere in between. It’s been quite a ride.
 
Book Eliza for a celebratory tour with her band The Restitution from 24 Nov to 4 Dec. 

eliza-carthy.com

Fresh from some hugely successful solo shows, Sam Sweeney is keen to take on some more one-man shows in beautiful, acoustic spaces which allow for a very special immersive musical experience for audiences.

“Total tingle factor… a beautiful piece of work”
Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3
 
“I was really struck by how his playing is so lyrical, it’s almost like listening to a singer… From the very beginning, I felt I was listening to something special… I felt transported to other places and times – musical escapism at its best.” TradFolk
 
“Enhanced by the exquisite acoustics of the venue, Sweeney’s trademark sensitive and highly expressive playing shines throughout this EP and gets to the heart of the tunes in its delicate and distinctive way.”
Bright Young Folk

Solo availability between 6-19 June, and 7-10 July, but also options for occasional shows outside of these periods. Please enquire.

samsweeneymusic.com

We’re delighted that The Spooky Men’s Chorale are heading back to the UK this summer. Lots of chances to see them in July and August. Mark the calendar and book those tickets! spookymen.com

THE SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE UK TOUR 2022

JULY

Sat 2 – Edinburgh, Queens Hall

Sun 3 – Alnwick, Alnwick Playhouse

Tue 5 – Langholm, The Buccleuch Centre

Wed 6 – Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre

Thur 7 – Settle, Victoria Hall

Fri 8 – Gateshead, Sage Gateshead

Sat 9 – Liverpool, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Sun 10 – Hebden Bridge, Hope Chapel

Tue 12 – Manchester, The Stoller Hall

Wed 13 – Bethesda, Neuadd Ogwen

Thur 14 – Birmingham TBC

Fri 15 – Worcester, Huntingdon Hall

Sat 16 – Ludlow, Ludlow Assembly Rooms

Sun 17 –  Gate to Southwell festival

Fri 22 – Morecambe, Morecambe Winter Gardens

Sat 23 – Sheffield, The Leadmill

Sun 24 – Bath, Komedia

Tue 26 – Oxford, Holywell Music Rooms

Wed 27 – Oxford, Holywell Music Rooms

Thur 28 – Bury St Edmunds, The Apex

Fri 29 – Thorington, Thorington Theatre

Sat 30 & Sun 31 – Cambridge Folk Festival

AUGUST

Mon 1 & Tue 2 – Sidmouth Folk Festival

Thur 4 – Dorchester, Hardye Theatre

Fri  5 – Wickham Festival

Sat 6 – London, Kings Place

Sun 7 – Broadstairs Folk Week