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We’re very excited to announce that Martin Simpson’s new album called Skydancers will be released next March and we are now booking a new tour to accompany the release. The album is a twin release featuring a live CD recorded on recent gigs and a studio CD including some of Martin’s absolutely favourite musicians. The material is as as eclectic as one would expect. 

The remarkable intimate solo performances Martin gives go from strength to strength – every gig is a masterclass. He travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing.

Universally acclaimed as one of the finest ever acoustic and slide guitar players, and a fine banjo-picker to boot, his solo shows bear witness to an artist at the very top of his game. Whether interpreting material from tradition or singing his own potent self-penned songs, Simpson is a remarkable storyteller: captivating and profoundly moving. Get in touch today to secure a booking as these dates will be snapped up quickly. 

Touring new album throughout March 2024 + available for festivals 2024. Also some availability 12 Oct – 12 Nov 2023 and for dates outside of these periods. 

Croeso i ABM i Cerys Hafana! ABM is delighted to be working with this incredibly talented composer and multi-instrumentalist from Machynlleth, Wales, where rivers and roads meet on the way to the sea. Cerys mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music; exploring the creative possibilities and unique qualities of the triple harp, whilst delving into found sounds, archive materials and electronic processing. Cerys has won over audiences from Green Man to the Eisteddfod and from BBC 6 Music Festival to Celtic Connections with her magical, progressive sound.
 
Her second album Edyf was selected as one of The Guardian’s Top Ten albums of 2022, as well as receiving wide-spread media attention and critical acclaim. Cerys will release an EP later in 2023, with touring in early 2024, and more availability outside of this period.
 
‘…she’s an adept shapeshifter, entwining tradition with direct and personal interpretations to create music that’s both progressive, profound and inspiring.’ Alex Gallagher, Folk Radio UK
 
‘Hafana explores resonances from the past that connect with the modern day in a contemporary, creative way… she uses her harp as a percussive, jagged-toothed tool… sings movingly, her high voice like an indie-pop soprano shorn of its sweetness.’ Jude Rogers, The Guardian.
 
Cerys Hafana plays at FOCUS Wales this Saturday 6th May at 6.30pm at Ty Pawb, Wrexham.  Come along to talk to Sarah Coxson from ABM to discuss future bookings.

We’re looking to next year for some brilliant new 2024 tours, including the return of Mama’s Broke in February. Check out their recent Tiny Desk concert (here). Also keep an eye out for more news about more brilliant North Americans returning in 2024 include Cinder Well (Feb/Mar) and, in autumn/winter, Riley Baugus and Bruce Molsky.

The Magpie Arc (featuring Findlay Napier, Martin Simpson and Nancy Kerr) are planning some long weekends of concert gigs from late January through February. Concert appearances from this band are rare, so book yours early to avoid disappointment. Martin Simpson then heads out solo to promote his new solo album in March.

Brìghde Chaimbeul will continue to tour her new album in February and we are gathering early expressions of interest for duo shows in April with acclaimed Canadian saxophonist Colin Stetson (Arcade Fire / Bon Iver)

We are delighted to be able to offer an extra-special chance to hear master craftsman Martin Carthy perform and reminisce on his illustrious career in folk song to date, with musical interludes and conversation with his talented friend, musician and journalist, Jon Wilks (Tradfolk). Martin has an insatiable musical curiosity…and a lifetime of wonderful stories and songs to share. There will also be a chance for audiences to ask freely questions of this mighty oak of the English folk tradition. Expect frank and fascinating insights into all manner of subjects…from Scarborough Fair to the Beastie Boys!

Book now for this special show: between 20th Oct and December 2023.

jonwilks.online

ABM are delighted to be working with Cinder Well, Amelia Baker’s brilliant experimental folk project for a new album tour from 12-23 September 2023 (plus summer festival bookings). Cadence out 21 April 2023 on Free Dirt Records drifts between two far-flung seas: the hazy California coast where Amelia grew up, and the wind-torn swells of Western Ireland that she’s come to love.

While there are still hints of the doom folk that Cinder Well is known for, Cadence balances heavy lyrics with a more expansive sound The songs search for a sense of grounding and a feeling of home.

Amelia will be touring as a trio with the talented Jim Ghedi and Ultan O’Brien.

Touring new album with trio 12-23 September 2023 + summer festival bookings.

“This is the new high lonesome for a modern era” – Folk Radio UK

cinderwellmusic.com

Scottish smallpipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul is a leading purveyor of experimental Celtic music. Her piping has earned her a BBC Young Folk Award and a Horizon Award, and seen her perform for heads of state at the Cop26 climate conference. She’s brought her instrument to a global stage, and has worked with a range of other artists – currently she can be heard on Caroline Polachek‘s new single “Blood and Butter“. With her second album ‘Carry Them With Us’ (out 14 April on tak:til/ Glitterbeat), Chaimbeul has taken it beyond folk music, discovering a place where tradition and minimalism meet, offering her the freedom to experiment in sound and create something completely her own. ‘Carry Them With Us’ is an exhilarating weave of rich textural drones, trance atmospheres and instrumental folk traditions. 

 
A single and accompanying video from the forthcoming album was released last week. Chaimbeul created “Tha Fonn Gun Bhi Trom: I Am Disposed Of Mirth” in tandem with acclaimed Canadian sound explorer and saxophonist Colin Stetson (Arcade Fire, Bon Iver) who also co-produced the album. Shot on the Isle of Skye, where Chaimbeul hails from, the accompanying music video shows off the dramatic scenery of the Cuillins mountains.

Touring new solo album Autumn 2023 (Sept/Oct/Nov) and 6-11 + 20-25 Feb 2024. Available for Festivals solo, duo (with Aidan O’Rourke) + trio (with Ross Ainslie & Steven Byrnes)

brichaimbeul.com

We’re delighted to be running another folk weekend at Kings Place in London this spring.

No Voices (21-23 April) presents innovative music makers inspired by tradition, changing perceptions about instrumental music in the contemporary folk scene.

A continuing thread from a 2016 series, co-curated with Ian Anderson of fRoots magazine, this weekend sees the development of this revolution in folk music, in which song is not the centre of the story being told.

Vivid, emotive soundscapes are created from a core of melody and rhythm found in traditional music, breathing new life and vigour into the form. The playing is organic, improvisational and symbiotic: responsive to other musicians, to the audience and to the environment in which it is being played.

This No Voices weekend series of concerts and workshops sees exciting and varied approaches from some of the finest players in the field, including the breathlessly energetic pure drop Celtic trad. of Ímar; the intuitive instrumental intimacy of Leveret; the trance-like rich textural drones of Brighde Chaimbeul and Ross Ainslie with Steve Byrne with their globe-trotting exploration of pipe traditions and, from the Bristolian hub of English instrumental minimalism, Eleven Magpies.

There’s also a first chance to hear a duo performance from Sam Sweeney and Louis Campbell; to delve into Raga fusion in a workshop with Imagined Village member Sheema Mukherjee; to hear about small ensemble playing with members of Leveret; an intimate performance with new group Tamsin Elliott Trio and pop-up performances and a dance workshop from innovative all-female Morris dancing team Boss Morris!

Tickets on sale now:

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/folk-weekend/

The ABM team are looking forward to being part of Showcase Scotland / Celtic Connections in Glasgow this week. If you are a fellow delegate, please come and say hello at the ABM Stand at the Trade Fair on Friday 27th January from 9.30-2.20pm to discuss the amazing artists on our roster.
 
The brilliant Scottish fiddler Ryan Young will be showcasing as part of the event at the Hands Up For Trad! event at Drygate Brewery on Sat 28th Jan at 3.20pm.
 
We are also delighted to have a number of ABM artists appearing at the wider festival.
 
Brìghde Chaimbeul with Ross Ainslie & Steven Byrnes
Weds 25th Jan, GRCH, 7.30pm
Full details here. 
 
Eliza Carthy & The Restitution
Mon 30th Jan, GRCH Strathclyde Suite, 8pm
Full details here. 
 
Ryan Young
Tues 31st Jan, GRCH Strathclyde Suite, 8pm
Full details here. 
 
Lady Maisery
Fri 3rd Feb, City Halls, 7.30pm
Full details here. 

Yorkshire folk singer Jack Rutter is forging a great solo career, based on his hugely engaging stage presence, soaring vocal, powerhouse guitar and bouzouki playing and masterful arrangements of traditional songs and contemporary covers have enthralled audiences from the largest festival main stages to the most intimate folk clubs. His latest EP of covers, out in November 2022, offers a taste of his diverse talents.
 
Jack will be touring solo in Spring (April/May) and Autumn (October/November) ahead of his new album release of traditional songs later in the year. He is also available for festival bookings. Get in touch ASAP to secure a booking.

ABM is privileged to work with some national treasures – quite literally – who have contributed immeasurably to the folk scene in the UK and Ireland.

Martin Carthy MBE is one such. Still endlessly curious at 82 years of age, Martin Carthy is one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.

Martin is available for solo gigs (and some duo dates with daughter Eliza Carthy in 2023.)
 
Andy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. He has been hailed as “a tradition in himself”. Musician, singer, songwriter, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner at the inaugural RTÉ Folk Awards, Andy was at the helm of legendary bands like Sweeney’s Men in the mid 60s, Planxty in the 70s, and then Patrick Street, Mozaik, LAPD and more recently Usher’s Island. To quote the Irish Times, “Often copied, never equalled”, his solo repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes and a compelling cannon of his own self-penned songs.

Andy tours solo in the UK this October.

The man that Shirley Collins has called “English music’s mighty heart of oak, John Kirkpatrick is one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene with a buoyant, engaging stage presence, a robust singing voice and a justified status as an instrumental virtuoso (melodeon, Anglo concertina and button accordion): a leading interpreter of English folk music, song and dance. John now appears solo, with his concerts brimful of good-humour and outstanding musicianship.

He is generally available and offers some special seasonally-themed shows including Carolling & Crumpets – an uplifting celebration of Christmas and Midwinter – touring every December.

ABM would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year! It’s been great to work with so many wonderful artists, promoters, venues and festivals over the last 12 months. See you again in 2023 for some more live music! Best wishes, James, Sarah, Tash, Elie, Sarah and John xx

ABM is excited to be working with Scottish singer/songwriter and guitarist Adam Beattie. Adam is a celebrated artist of the London scene and has toured widely in the UK and throughout Europe. Having roots in Scottish folk music, and a lifelong interest in old time jazz and blues, Adam’s music is defined by his distinctive lyrical voice, narrative lyrics and fingerstyle guitar. His current (5th) solo album Somewhere Round The Bend has received widespread critical acclaim with Mojo Magazine referring to his “uplifting reveries of love and loss through romantic balladry” and Loud And Quiet Magazine describing it as “mesmeric”.

Adam is currently working on his next solo album for release in 2024, with a planned single release (and tour) in autumn 2023. The songs will be a continuation of his timeless Scottish folk trademark sound, with incisive melodies and rooted narratives on the theme of home and our relationship to where we are from.

Booking now from mid-Sept to mid-Nov 2023, and summer festivals. Flexible line-up from solo to full band.

adambeattie.com