Monthly Archives: February 2017

The Slaughtered Lamb, 34-35 Great Sutton Street, EC1V 0DX

Doors open 7.30 pm, nearest tube Farringdon, 6 mins walk..

Tickets £8.50 adv BUY NOW / £10 door

To describe Whiskey Moonface as an alternative folk group doesn’t even begin to do justice to the breadth of inspiration and style in their music. Based around double bass, accordian, and clarinet, they’re led by the superb vocals and hallucinatory lyrics of singer Louisa Jones. Capable of being both ear-to-ear-grinningly entertaining and profoundly moving, they combine elements of Eastern European traditional & klezmer music, old-time New Orleans jazz and the baroque/ chamber folk styles of Sufjan Stevens and Beirut with their own unique take on contemporary folk music to make for a superbly realised, truly beautiful, and utterly original sound. There is simply no-one in the UK making music like Whiskey Moonface.

WEBSITE: www.whiskeymoonface.co.uk

58° North is the latitudinal line that links the home places of the three musicians that make up this exciting new folk act; Ewan MacDonald, Alastair Caplin, and Lewis Murray, with a combination of fiddles and mandolin. Between the three of them they have played on some of the UK’s most prestigious stages, including The Royal Albert Hall, Westminster Abbey, The Barbican and The Roundhouse, and played with some of the UK’s finest folk musicians- Alasdair Roberts, The Incredible String Band, Emily Portman, Abigail Washburn, and The Ceilidh Liberation Front..

After many evenings spent learning each other’s playing and tunes, the band have melded a sound that bonds together the ancient tradition of Scottish Traditional music with folk music from other European and Scandinavian traditions. The music ranges from the most intimate stringed slow airs to fiery table-thumping sets of reels.

WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/58DegreesNorthMusic/

Garance Louis; extrovert, eccentric composer, singer, accordionist from Perpignan, and stalwart of the brilliant East London roots scene that includes Whiskey Moonface, Adam Beattie and Brooke Sharkey. Blending Tom Waits, Edith Piaf and Frank Zappa with the melancholy softness of alternative post-musette songwriting, this brilliant artist finds an exhileratingly original way of interpreting the French Chanson tradition with her band The Mitochondries.

WEBSITE: http://www.garancelouis.com/

New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves; for that reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones during performances. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.

http://www.newrootsevents.com

7.00 pm The Green Note, NW1 7AN , Camden. Tickets £9.00 BUY NOW

Samantha Whates‘ beautifully crafted, poetic songs retain a strong affinity with her Scottish roots, cultivating a sound that is thoroughly contemporary, rooted in tradition, yet uniquely her own. Recent performances include Kings Place and the Purcell Rooms in the Royal Festival Hall. She recently released her debut Dark Nights Make For Brighter Days which has been enjoying both critical acclaim and radio play (BBC 6 Music, KCRW, Resonance FM).

“Her songs made my evening, a rare treat” – James Yorkston

“Just gorgeous” – Tom Robinson BBC 6Music

“Understated, otherworldy…absorbing. The ghosts of Joni Mitchell, Vashti Bunyan and Suzanne Vega whisper their presence.” FATEA Magazine

WEBSITE: http://www.samanthawhates.com/

Scottish singer songwriter Adam Beattie released his fourth studio album ‘The Road Not Taken’ with a sell-out show at Hoxton Hall in London and a UK-wide tour. The album’s minor ballads and moody blues with a dark twist draw upon the broad influences of Celtic folk, American blues, country and early jazz balladry. Beattie’s beautiful melodies combine with thoughtful lyrics to tackle themes of life, love, death and hope. He was recently invited by Mark Rylance to perform at his Stop The War charity fundraiser, to an intimate audience that included Rylance, Brian Eno and Jeremy Corbyn, and was part of the ‘Band of Burns‘ ensemble alongside John Langan and Riognach Connolly (The Breath), a hugely successful Burns night celebration at Union Chapel earlier this year.

‘Incredibly Beautiful’ – Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC

‘A great ear for melody and a natural talent for lyric writing’ – Bruce MacGregor, BBC RADIO SCOTLAND

‘Carefully crafted, gently affecting songwriting with a dark twist’ – Roddy Hart, BBC RADIO SCOTLAND

Website: http://www.adambeattie.com/

New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves- for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.

7.30 pm The Slaughtered Lamb, Clerkenwell EC1V 0DX. Tickets £8.50 adv BUY NOW / £10.00 door

Favourites of Elbow‘s Guy Garvey and 6 Music’s Marc Riley, known until very recently as Hot Feet, Low Chimes have released two acclaimed Eps under their previous moniker, with the band’s debut album set for release in Autumn 2017.

Since their last release, the band have spent time working to develop a fuller sound, finding influences beyond folk, rock and blues. The core live elements remain, with the introduction of synths, samples and other electronics lending the music exciting new shades and nuances, taking them into new territories beyond their more retro roots. Narratives of nature and seasonal change, new beginnings and letting go serve as metaphors for darker themes- strands of solitude and esacapism contrast with messages of hope. Low Chimes are a complex and hugely exciting band pushing to find new ground for alt-folk and contemporary rock, and band very much ready for 2017.

“Truly nothing short of fabulous… really wonderful” – Marc Riley, 6Music

“I predict great things” – Guy Garvey, 6Music

“…a delight. This is the sound of early Belle and Sebastian, Joni Mitchell and Laura Marling all rolled into one in a gently seductive and soothing concoction. Mellifluous sounds plucked from lead and rhythm guitar and ably enunciated by the light brush of the drums” – Supajam

“Beautifully progressive and original but with a nod to some of the greats. They are one of the best bands out there today.” – Folk Radio UK

WEBSITE: https://www.lowchimes.com/

Pete Roe was born in London and studied mechanical engineering at The University of Bristol. In 2007 he moved to London and joined as session musician in Laura Marling‘s band. Between 2008 and 2010 he recorded on Marling’s Mercury Music Prize nominated albums ‘I Speak Because I Can’ and ‘A Creature I Don’t Know’ . In 2010 he signed to Communion Records and released the critically acclaimed EP The Merry-Go-Round : opening track “Bellina” was awarded Song of the Day status by Q Magazine, and Roe named an up-and-coming star by The Guardian’s influential music section. In 2012 he produced Folk-Rock Band Hot Feet’s debut EP “Wood House”

Roe’s 2013 Album “Our Beloved Bubble” was recorded at Watercolour Studios in the highlands of Scotland in only a few days. It was mixed by Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon/ The Staves/ Ryan Adams), mastered at Abbey Road Studios and released by Middle of Nowhere.

Our Beloved Bubble was described by Q (magazine) as sounding “Like a lost 70s John Martyn classic”.

‘Wonderful’ Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

‘We’re really enjoying this’ Lauren Laverne, 6 Music

‘Impressive’ The Telegraph

New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves- for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible.

http://www.newrootsevents.com

The Winemakers Club, Farringdon EC4A 4AN. This as an advance ticket only concert, there are no door sales on the night. Tickets £10.00 BUY NOW  

‘astonishing…boundlessly inventive’ ★★★★ R2 Magazine

The Winemakers is a strikingly atmospheric 70 capacity candle-lit stone arch in the vaults of Holborn Viaduct. It’s attached to the Winemakers Club, an independently run wine and craft beer bar. the bar is open to ticket holders only.

John Langan and fiddler Alastair Caplin (from the Langan Band) play a very special gig tonight in the chapel-like vaults of the Winemakers. Known for raucous abandon in the Langan Band, tonight will see something very different from the pair– they’ll be playing a collection of traditional folk songs dear to their heart, honed at the many festival campfires ad post-gig parties over the years. Expect everything from Scottish and Irish to South American songs- they played the Winemakers as a duo last year, it was without question the venue’s gig of the year, just beautiful.

‘exquisite, passionate playing’ The Scotsman

‘extraordinary’ The Times

Jack Harris takes a compassionate look at things both common and uncommon, and sees them differently. His songs are literate, curious, often in character, and always intriguing. He was a SXSW showcasing artist at 17, and the youngest ever winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Award in 2005 (previous winners include Gillian Welch, Devon Sproule and Anais Mitchell). He has been the recipient of the PRS ATOM Award for new music creation, as well as an EFDSS creative bursary for songwriting. His first album ‘The Flame and The Pelican‘ was in the Telegraph’s Top 10 Roots/ Folk albums of the year, and his second, The Wide Afternoon, has just been released to universal critical accliam.

‘highly original…compelling’ ★★★★ The Guardian

‘..a captivation songwriting talent’ ★★★★ The Independent

‘A most remarkable discovery’ ★★★★★ fRoots Magazine

Thom Ashworth is an English folksinger and bassist, hailing from Hampshire, but calling East London home. Thom’s is a stripped back approach to British traditional music, played on his ‘home’ instrument – bass. This unique sonic palette brings instruments usually seen in supportive roles to the fore. His previous work couldn’t have been further from the folk world – he cut his teeth playing hardcore and emo, going on to play in Deep Elm Records post rock/prog act Our Lost Infantry and many headed chamber pop monster Revere – which belies a childhood spent in at festivals and pub sessions, listening to Fairport Convention and Martin Carthy. He has a growing reputation as a live performer, and made his solo debut last year opening for Dublin folk miscreants Lynched.

7.00 pm The Old Queen’s Head. Islington N1 8LN. Tickets £8.50 adv BUY NOW/ £10 door

Mesadorm is a new collaborative project between May Gibbs, Aaron Zahl, Daisy Palmer (Rae Morris, Goldfrapp, Lillian Boute), Jo Silverston (The Unthanks, Red Clay Halo, Frank Turner) and many more Bristol based musicians. Mesadorm’s songs have the broad cinematic sweep of Portishead, the dark undertones of Massive Attack, and the maverick abstract pop art of Kate Bush at her best. Live drums, bass, guitar and piano are perfectly interweaved with programmed electronics and fleshed out by stunning vocal arrangements from Mesadorm’s four part female backing vocal group, featuring Jenny Lindfors, Samantha Whates, Rosi Croom and Sonya Cullingford.. This is a remarkable band with an epic musical vision, and the abilities to deliver it. It makes for an utterly unique llive experience, not to be missed.

South London four piece Sisika is led by the Duncan sisters. Developing out of the sisters love of singing together, the band draws on a range of influences to create their sound; from old folk harmonies, to triphop beats and rootsy jazz. Their rich voices weave close, lyrical, earthy harmonies, supported by warm, melodic guitar and piano lines, with the band’s sparse arrangements fusing together to make for a beautifully soulful roots sound.

Brighton-based visual artist and singer-songwriter Jinwoo’s critically-acclaimed debut ‘Your Baby’ E.P. resulted in his being named one of The Independent‘s ‘Faces to Watch 2015’. His long-awaited debut album ‘Strangers Bring Me No Light.’ was released on the much respected Cargo label on 2nd Sept 2016. The album features collaborations with Malcolm Middleton, Alasdair Roberts, Kami Thompson (The Rails) and Kylie La Grange. His sparse atmospheric folk-soundscapes, laced with ghostly string arrangements and his exceptional acoustic guitar work, offer a kind of ‘spooked’ ‘gothic’ folk that sounds like no other. ‘Strangers Bring Me No Light’ is nothing short of a seminal record and Jinnwoo a true original.

The Independent – “jinnwoo is the most singular new folk talent in some time” 4/5

The Guardian – “Jinnwoo’s gothic folk-croak is a confessional reel unspooling from his innards, a tale of circling doom”

The Line of Best Fit – “A rising talent in the folk world, Jinnwoo has been setting hearts ablaze with his off-kilter guitarisms and distinct, emotive vocals.“

7.30 pm The Slaughtered Lamb, Farringdon EC1V 0DX. Tickets £5.00 adv BUY NOW/ £6.00 door

Jason McNiff is a London based Yorkshireman of Irish and Polish descent. He has made five records of what is loosely described as Folk or Americana, yet there is something very British about him. As Time Out attests, “McNiff’s quiet, intimate, fragile-sounding vocals draw you into his world– an almost timeless place, through which he drifts, a romantic loner, a dreamer, at home with the blues.” He is often touted as one of the UK’s most overlooked musical treasures – a great songwriter and top-notch finger-style guitarist. His album, April Cruel (Fledg’ling) was nominated for best album in the alt.country category at the Independent Music Awards in the US while a new double CD anthology is set for release in April 2017.

‘One of the UK’s best kept secrets’ Mojo 4 stars

‘A triumph of English-Americana’ Time Out

‘The nearest thing out there to Bob Dylan and the Band’ Sean Rowley BBC Radio London

‘Dark songs of drunkenness and murder!’ ★★★★ The Independent

‘A troubadour and one of the best singer/songwriters we have in this country’  ★★★★★ Morning Star

‘Not just a good songwriter, a truly great one’ Americana UK 9/10

Album of the Year for 2nd album Nobody’s Son as voted for by the staff at Americana UK

Website: https://www.jasonmcniff.com/

Gabriel Moreno is a singer songwriter, perfomer and lyricist with strong links to the London alternative Americana and folk scenes. Curator of the acclaimed Lantern Society folk collective, hosts of the legendary eponymous folk night at The Betsey Trotwood for the last decade, his inspirations come from the likes of Cohen, Callahan and Cave, titanic songwriters with poetry and passion placed squarely at the centre of their craft.

Website http://www.gabrielmoreno.co.uk/#!

Chris Brambley’s haunting, graceful songs are rooted in the folk tradition. With a clear nod to the folk revival styles of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Davy Graham, they are at the same time wholly contemporary interpretations of the genre. His newly released ‘Aperture E.P’ shares common ground with such modern day folk innovators as Fionn Regan and Nick Mulvey.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/chrisbrambleymusic

Green Note 106 Parkway, Camden NW1 7AN. Doors open 7.00 pm £8.50 adv BUY NOW/ £10 door

“Dusk-lit songs, strong and tender and sung in a voice that curls darkly at the edges in a way that’ll entice fans of Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor” – Time Out Magazine

Doors open 7.00 pm, music from 8.15 pm. Please note seating is limited and reservations are not possible, if you’d like to ensure a seat please arive early.

INMIRIAM is a new project from Ellie Rose Rusbridge inspired by the biblical story of poet and prophetess Miriam. Ellie’s influences span a childhood steeped in scared choral music and traditional Irish folk tunes. Her adolescence was soundtracked by Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush and Martha Wainwright who sparked her first attempts at songwriting aged 13. She is currently studying an MMus in Creative Practice Goldsmiths University where experimental pop and vocal music are at the forefront of her research and practice.. This eclecticism plays out in a remarkably original artist, her songs are intricate in detailed arrangement, rich in melody and sensitively bound in poetic sentiment.

“Dusk-lit songs, strong and tender and sung in a voice that curls darkly at the edges in a way that’ll entice fans of Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor” – Time Out Magazine

“A rare and totally individual talent… Her music straddles folk, pop and classical and cannot be easily pigeonholed into any genre. In a favourite song of mine, ‘Hejira Again’, she responds to Joni Mitchell’s 1976 album and reveals a humility and awareness of the rich heritage of female singer-songwriters into which she has stepped. “ – Sam Lee, Folk Musician, founder of The Nest Collective.

Singer and songwriter with London band Flying Ibex, Barnaby Keen‘s music fuses Brazillian melodies with Beatle-esque psychedelia, African rhythms and nods to Thom Yorke and Jamaican reggae. Built around guitar, vocal and loops, what emerges is a unique, woozily catchy set of highly accessible world-music infused songs, all delivered with charismatic flair.

‘Stunning music’ – Simon Raymond, Bella Union

‘I’m smitten with this record’ – Tom Ravenscroft BBC6 Music

‘This is something special’ – James Blake, BBC Radio 1

The Slaughtered Lamb, 34-35 Great Sutton Street, EC1V 0DX Doors open 7.30 pm £10 adv BUY NOW/ £12 door

Please note, the venue has seating for 50 and standing room for 50 more. The venue does not offer reservations- to ensure you get a seat please arrive in time for doors opening at 7.30 pm.

Nestled between the Wicklow Mountains and Co Carlow, Ireland, lies an area of farmland; a place of untouched natural beauty, of peace and contemplation. This idyll is called Rathnagrew (pronounced Ran-ag-rye). It’s where Ranagri’s Dónal Rogers family come from and still live today.

Consisting of flutes, Irish whistles, electric harp, bodhran, guitar, bouzouki and voices, Ranagri fuse celtic folk music with quality contemporary songwriting, enhanced by virtuosic instrumentals, vibrant rhythms and haunting melodies, all interlaced with vivid storytelling.

Signed to Grammy Award Winning Record Label ‘Stockfisch’ , in 2014 the band released the highly acclaimed album ‘Fort of the Hare’. They have also published a book ‘Song Folk Art’ through Robinswood Press with an accompanying traditional folk album.

Live highlights In 2015/16 include performances at Cambridge, Gate, Southwell, Wath, Stourbridge and Purbeck Folk Festivals, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Folk on the Quay. Consolidationg their love for world music the band have also collaborated with leading Indian Musicians at The Bhavan Centre,London – the largest Indian Music Cultural Centre outside India.

‘Echoes of Pentangle, Jethro Tull and new Celtic folk sounds – cemented by strong contemporary song-writing’. Carl Corcoran, RTE Lyric FM

How often do you hear a sound that’s completely new, which has great energy and immediately makes you want to dance? I’ll be following Ranagri around, I hope they don’t mind… Katie Derham, BBC Radio 3

Inspired by the craftsmanship of songwriters Neil Young, John Martyn & Nick Drake, Hull-born, London-resident Steve Dagleish performs his original songs interspersed with interpretations of ‘trad’ and modern songs at folk clubs and festivals across Britain – recent highliughts heve seen him play to a packed Bush Hall and sell out the renowned Green Note three times.

His debut album received extensive UK airplay, including support from 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, and saw him record live sessions for Bob Fischer’s superb BBC Tees radio show, Lincoln City Radio and many more across the country.

His recent album release ‘Yours for Eternity’ was shortlisted for Best Album by a male artist by ‘FolkWords’ in their 2016 review of the year.

‘Utterly lovely’ Bob Fischer, BBC Tees

“The essential ‘man with guitar’ album will never go out of style, it’s just that some do it so much better than others..’ Tim Carroll ‘FolkWords’

The Harrison, 28 Harrison Street, Kings Cross, WC1H 8JF . Doors 7.30 pm £8.50 adv BUY NOW / £10 door.

Blessed with a wonderfully emotive voice and a talent for songwriting that ranges from the intimate to the epic, Tobias Ben Jacob played in The Roots Union alongside Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin (winners of Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards.) Some career highlights to date have included a session for BBC’s Late Junction on Radio 3, sharing the stage with Fleet Foxes J.Tillman, and appearances at Glastonbury, Green Man, Secret Garden Party, Larmer Tree and Electric Picnic.

Upright bass player Lukas Drinkwater is in heavy demand as a performer and session musician having performed and recorded with a catalogue of acclaimed artists. Rock’n’Reel magazine describe their sound together as ‘inventive and thrilling‘, R2 magazine have recently included them on their covermount cd, and the duo have been featured on Tom Robinson’s 6Music show and Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Radio 2 folk show.

Ned Roberts is a wonderfully accomplished folk musician with a timeless quality to his sound. His perfectly balanced Laurel Canyon-esque songs delivered with a poetic turn of phrase, excellent musicianship and a perfectly judged vocal sensibility sit comfortably amongst the classics of the acoustic folk world. He recently released his debut album to rave reviews, recorded in L.A. and produced by Luther Russell (Noah and rthe Whale/ Richmond Fontaine), and completed a support tour with folk legend Anais Mitchell.

‘Absolutely gorgeous stuff…one to really get excited about’ Lauren Laverne, BBC 6Music

‘An understated gem’ – The Independent on Sunday

New Roots is committed to promoting events that shine a light on up and coming talent in the UK alt-folk scene. It’s committed to providing artists with an environment that is sympathetic to what they do, giving musicians the respect they and their music deserves- for this reason we ask for no talking and no use of mobile phones while artists are performing. Our music policy comes from the kitchen table, the roots of public performance- intimate, acoustic based, high quality musicianship with as little interference between performer and listener as possible