Sarah McQuaid heads for the Old Baptist Chapel
Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid heads to play the beautifully restored Old Baptist Chapel in the historic town of Tewkesbury this November. The intimate venue, which was converted into a chapel during the 18th century, will provide a perfect setting for Sarah's relaxed and informal performance style.
Recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland, Sarah’s also drawn critical praise for her voice (which has been variously likened to malt whiskey and melted chocolate) and her engaging rapport with audiences: “I’ve attended hundreds of concerts of all kinds, and her subtle mastery onstage launches her straight into my fave shows ever,” wrote The Huffington Post.
With the release of her new album, the Madrid-born, Chicago-raised, Cornwall-based singer/songwriter has expanded her battery of instruments to include piano, electric guitar and drum, and it’s drawn critical raves internationally: Dutch music magazine Heaven hailed it as “an early contender for folk album of 2018,” the UK’s fRoots said it was “a collection to savour” and the USA’s PopMatters called it “a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.”
“The precision and sophistication of the writing and playing blows me away. I am so glad to be involved,” writes guitar legend Michael Chapman in his introduction to Sarah McQuaid’s fifth solo album If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous – which he offered to produce after meeting Sarah at a festival where they were both on the bill.
“Seeing a shared world in a new way, from a different angle, is the role of the songwriter. Sarah gets a gold star on that front. This is a fabulous album.” --
The Afterword
“A darkly melodic, richly layered folk tapestry ... haunting and sparse, yet beautifully rendered ... a voice as thick and soft as fur.” — Elmore Magazine
“A work of formidable passion.” — FolkWords
The concert will begin at 8pm on Friday 30th November, with doors open at 7.30pm. The Old Baptist Chapel is situated in a medieval alleyway off Church Street, opposite the Royal British Legion. Nearest car park is Abbey Lawns, a short distance away, free after 6pm. Other public car parks are nearby. Please note there is no bar at the venue, but audience members may bring their own alcoholic drinks if they wish. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door (if available). To buy online visit www.wegottickets.com/event/442334
Recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland, Sarah’s also drawn critical praise for her voice (which has been variously likened to malt whiskey and melted chocolate) and her engaging rapport with audiences: “I’ve attended hundreds of concerts of all kinds, and her subtle mastery onstage launches her straight into my fave shows ever,” wrote The Huffington Post.
With the release of her new album, the Madrid-born, Chicago-raised, Cornwall-based singer/songwriter has expanded her battery of instruments to include piano, electric guitar and drum, and it’s drawn critical raves internationally: Dutch music magazine Heaven hailed it as “an early contender for folk album of 2018,” the UK’s fRoots said it was “a collection to savour” and the USA’s PopMatters called it “a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.”
“The precision and sophistication of the writing and playing blows me away. I am so glad to be involved,” writes guitar legend Michael Chapman in his introduction to Sarah McQuaid’s fifth solo album If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous – which he offered to produce after meeting Sarah at a festival where they were both on the bill.
“Seeing a shared world in a new way, from a different angle, is the role of the songwriter. Sarah gets a gold star on that front. This is a fabulous album.” --
The Afterword
“A darkly melodic, richly layered folk tapestry ... haunting and sparse, yet beautifully rendered ... a voice as thick and soft as fur.” — Elmore Magazine
“A work of formidable passion.” — FolkWords
The concert will begin at 8pm on Friday 30th November, with doors open at 7.30pm. The Old Baptist Chapel is situated in a medieval alleyway off Church Street, opposite the Royal British Legion. Nearest car park is Abbey Lawns, a short distance away, free after 6pm. Other public car parks are nearby. Please note there is no bar at the venue, but audience members may bring their own alcoholic drinks if they wish. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door (if available). To buy online visit www.wegottickets.com/event/442334
Musicport success, and new a festival for 2019
From its opening parade on Friday 19th October led by Soznak & Runaway Samba Fire Jugglers & a junk instrument orchestra through to the final concert on 26th October with Martha Tilston as part of its village tour, this year’s Musicport festival (the 19th) was a resounding success.
Main stage performances by Blackbeards Tea Party, Zimbabwean band Mokoomba, reggae artist Natty, Malian star Vieux Farka Toure, Swedish band Kolonien & the uniquely wonderful Tankus The Henge were particular highlights. Standing ovations for Jasdeep Singh Degun Quartet, O’Hooley & Tidow & The Angel Brothers in the theatre proved that this more intimate stage had much to offer whilst John Hegley, Two Man Ting, Doomfolk, Mackie, Simon Wood & Tamara, Friends Of The Family all found really appreciative audiences on the smaller stages.
Throughout it all the DJs in the hub kept a great vibe going and with their special guest Adrian Sherwood proving a great late-night success on Saturday. Blessed with great weather over most of the main weekend, sitting outdoors between acts and the sea dip for charity on Sunday proved popular too.
With really good audiences for the village tour events too plus several school workshops organiser Jim McLaughlin said “Over the years we have developed an audience & a staff team who appreciate music, dance and spoken word in all its different forms and who come together in a spirit of community which ensures it is one of the friendliest and most trouble-free events you could imagine . All the workshops were really well attended proving that people want to engage with the artists as well as be entertained by them and stretching the village tour to 5 days ensures we provide more engagement with the rural communities”
Heading into its 20th year Musicport is hoping to bring together next October a stellar line-up of some its favourite acts alongside some acts who it has long wanted to bring to Whitby. The dates for 2019 are 18th-20th October.
Also announced over the weekend is a new outdoor festival in the summer of 2019 (28-30th June) at Mulgrave Castle, Lythe. Elephant At The Castle Festival will bring together the annual Normafest alongside Musicport to celebrate the 80th birthday of the grand dame of English folk music, Norma Waterson MBE from Robin Hoods Bay. On a stunning site with on-site camping it is hoped this will become an annual event boosting the local economy and attracting big name artists. For more details visit elephantatthecastle.com
Main stage performances by Blackbeards Tea Party, Zimbabwean band Mokoomba, reggae artist Natty, Malian star Vieux Farka Toure, Swedish band Kolonien & the uniquely wonderful Tankus The Henge were particular highlights. Standing ovations for Jasdeep Singh Degun Quartet, O’Hooley & Tidow & The Angel Brothers in the theatre proved that this more intimate stage had much to offer whilst John Hegley, Two Man Ting, Doomfolk, Mackie, Simon Wood & Tamara, Friends Of The Family all found really appreciative audiences on the smaller stages.
Throughout it all the DJs in the hub kept a great vibe going and with their special guest Adrian Sherwood proving a great late-night success on Saturday. Blessed with great weather over most of the main weekend, sitting outdoors between acts and the sea dip for charity on Sunday proved popular too.
With really good audiences for the village tour events too plus several school workshops organiser Jim McLaughlin said “Over the years we have developed an audience & a staff team who appreciate music, dance and spoken word in all its different forms and who come together in a spirit of community which ensures it is one of the friendliest and most trouble-free events you could imagine . All the workshops were really well attended proving that people want to engage with the artists as well as be entertained by them and stretching the village tour to 5 days ensures we provide more engagement with the rural communities”
Heading into its 20th year Musicport is hoping to bring together next October a stellar line-up of some its favourite acts alongside some acts who it has long wanted to bring to Whitby. The dates for 2019 are 18th-20th October.
Also announced over the weekend is a new outdoor festival in the summer of 2019 (28-30th June) at Mulgrave Castle, Lythe. Elephant At The Castle Festival will bring together the annual Normafest alongside Musicport to celebrate the 80th birthday of the grand dame of English folk music, Norma Waterson MBE from Robin Hoods Bay. On a stunning site with on-site camping it is hoped this will become an annual event boosting the local economy and attracting big name artists. For more details visit elephantatthecastle.com
Clive Gregson returns to Evesham Arts Centre
Following a highly-succesful debut performance at Evesham Arts Centre last year, legendary singer-songwriter Clive Gregson returns to 'Folk In The Foyer' on Thursday 29th November 2018.
Clive started his professional music career in 1980 as the leader of cult band Any Trouble. The group toured extensively in support of five critically acclaimed albums and a number of singles that became radio hits before disbanding at the end of 1984. Fondly remembered and greatly missed, the band reformed in 2007 and played their first live show in more than 20 years, followed by the release of a brand new album Life in Reverse in 2010 (on their original label Stiff Records with the original producer John Wood). They did it all again in late 2014 and the follow-up album Present Tense is due for a 2015 release with live dates to celebrate.
In 1985, Clive released his first solo album Strange Persuasions and has maintained a solo profile ever since. His solo recordings and tours have been one of the main outlets for his prolific song-writing and his "Best Of..." compilation is a fitting celebration. Clive's solo albums feature an eclectic mix of pop and folk styles, ranging from the full on electric band approach of I Love This Town to the stripped down one-man-and-his-acoustic-guitar intimacy of Long Story Short.
Along the road from pop front-man to singer-songwriter, Clive has followed many musical diversions. Between 1985 and 1992, he formed the partnership with Christine Collister that Rolling Stone called "the state of the art in British folk-rock". They released five albums and toured the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Christine's distinctive voice allied to Clive's songs, instrumental and production skills created something truly special and their decision to call it a day left a huge gap in the roots music scene. The entire Gregson & Collister catalogue plus a "Best Of..." compilation was re-issued in 2009.
Clive has also toured and recorded with Richard Thompson (1982 to 1992), Nanci Griffith (1996 to 2007), Eddi Reader and Boo Hewerdine (1993, 1999), Plainsong (1997) and he was musical director for the Dennis Locorriere "Hits & History" tour in 2007, which resulted in a gold album. His songs have been recorded by many artists… Nanci Griffith’s version of I Love This Town (performed as a duet with Jimmy Buffett) released as a single in 2006, became a radio hit in both America and the UK, receiving more than 5,000 spins in the USA alone.
Clive relocated to the USA in 1993. He continues to tour regularly, to write prolifically and remains in demand as a producer and session musician. In recent years he has run song-writing workshops/master-classes and has formed 3Boxes a guitar trio with Andy Roberts and Mark Griffiths. In November 2015 he teamed up with singer Liz Simcock for what was due to be a one-off tour celebrating the Gregson & Collister era and a deluxe re-issue of their best selling album Home & Away. It inspired Clive to write a new album for the duo, whch they released and toured successfully last year.
The Evesham Concert takes place on Thursday 29th November at 8pm and tickets are available in advance www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk/folk-in-the-foyer-clive-gregson_1 or from the Box Office (at The Almonry Museum, 01386 446944) or on the door (if available). Also lined up to play at 'Folk in the Foyer' are contemporary duo Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater (February 21st 2019).
Clive started his professional music career in 1980 as the leader of cult band Any Trouble. The group toured extensively in support of five critically acclaimed albums and a number of singles that became radio hits before disbanding at the end of 1984. Fondly remembered and greatly missed, the band reformed in 2007 and played their first live show in more than 20 years, followed by the release of a brand new album Life in Reverse in 2010 (on their original label Stiff Records with the original producer John Wood). They did it all again in late 2014 and the follow-up album Present Tense is due for a 2015 release with live dates to celebrate.
In 1985, Clive released his first solo album Strange Persuasions and has maintained a solo profile ever since. His solo recordings and tours have been one of the main outlets for his prolific song-writing and his "Best Of..." compilation is a fitting celebration. Clive's solo albums feature an eclectic mix of pop and folk styles, ranging from the full on electric band approach of I Love This Town to the stripped down one-man-and-his-acoustic-guitar intimacy of Long Story Short.
Along the road from pop front-man to singer-songwriter, Clive has followed many musical diversions. Between 1985 and 1992, he formed the partnership with Christine Collister that Rolling Stone called "the state of the art in British folk-rock". They released five albums and toured the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Christine's distinctive voice allied to Clive's songs, instrumental and production skills created something truly special and their decision to call it a day left a huge gap in the roots music scene. The entire Gregson & Collister catalogue plus a "Best Of..." compilation was re-issued in 2009.
Clive has also toured and recorded with Richard Thompson (1982 to 1992), Nanci Griffith (1996 to 2007), Eddi Reader and Boo Hewerdine (1993, 1999), Plainsong (1997) and he was musical director for the Dennis Locorriere "Hits & History" tour in 2007, which resulted in a gold album. His songs have been recorded by many artists… Nanci Griffith’s version of I Love This Town (performed as a duet with Jimmy Buffett) released as a single in 2006, became a radio hit in both America and the UK, receiving more than 5,000 spins in the USA alone.
Clive relocated to the USA in 1993. He continues to tour regularly, to write prolifically and remains in demand as a producer and session musician. In recent years he has run song-writing workshops/master-classes and has formed 3Boxes a guitar trio with Andy Roberts and Mark Griffiths. In November 2015 he teamed up with singer Liz Simcock for what was due to be a one-off tour celebrating the Gregson & Collister era and a deluxe re-issue of their best selling album Home & Away. It inspired Clive to write a new album for the duo, whch they released and toured successfully last year.
The Evesham Concert takes place on Thursday 29th November at 8pm and tickets are available in advance www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk/folk-in-the-foyer-clive-gregson_1 or from the Box Office (at The Almonry Museum, 01386 446944) or on the door (if available). Also lined up to play at 'Folk in the Foyer' are contemporary duo Tobias Ben Jacob & Lukas Drinkwater (February 21st 2019).
Earlybird tickets go on sale for Gate to Southwell
It may be half a year away but Early Bird tickets are on sale and the first wave of music stars has already been announced for next summer’s Gate To Southwell Festival. Running from Thursday June 6th to Sunday June 9th 2019, it’s now one of the UK’s best-loved acoustic, roots and folk music events, featuring well-established acts and exciting new artists from across the music world.
Scotland’s Skippinish already rank among the most powerful and entertaining bands on the Celtic music scene while Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys (pictured) are one of the most exciting folk-meets-rock-meets blues groups in Britain today. Alongside them, there’ll be the fine acoustic pop-rock of Morrissey & Marshall, top piratical dance band Blackbeard’s Tea Party, plus talented young “supergroup” The Tweed Project, featuring Southwell favourites Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar with BBC Folk Award winners Josie Duncan and Pablo Lafuente.
The Gate To Southwell festival has received great responses to previous tribute events such as Dylan@50 and the Summer Of Love celebration. June 2019’s Saturday concert will feature an all-star Woodstock collaboration to mark 50 years since the pivotal peace and music festival. Plus the immensely talented Sunjay will appear on Sunday to mark the 60th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death by reprising his acclaimed role in the successful travelling show, Buddy Holly & The Crickets.
Leicester singer-songwriter and activist Grace Petrie will return to the festival for 2019, having released her highly-acclaimed ‘Queer As Folk’ eighth album, as will the immensely talented and original Irish performers Ranagri. And, having had to miss the 2018 festival through illness, we’re delighted that one of Edinburgh’s finest musical sons Ross Wilson – aka Blue Rose Code – will also be on the bill next June.
Adding to Southwell’s typically eclectic wave of names, there’s the contemporary folk of the Bird In The Belly collective, the gypsy Hot Club jazz of Nottingham’s Maniere Des Bohemiens while on the other there’s the bizarrely brilliant, madly entertaining John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett, over forty years on from their cult solo hit ‘Really Free’. Throw into the mix French-born folksinger Flossie Malavialle and lovable Geordie singer-songwriter-kids-entertainer Keith Donnelly and, with many more acts to be announced, the early festival forecast looks extremely bright.
With excellent children’s entertainment and camping facilities, in a beautiful Nottinghamshire location, there’ll also be dance sides from all over the UK, a beer and cider festival, a craft fair plus many other special family events.
2019 will be the 13th annual gathering and previous line-ups have included big names such as Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, Bellowhead, Jools Holland, Hayseed Dixie, Kate Rusby and Lindisfarne. As the Irish singer Cara Dillon said, the 2018 festival was “incredible, just the right size, you can feel the energy”.
With many more acts for 2019 still to be announced, Early Bird tickets are on sale via www.gtsf.uk
Scotland’s Skippinish already rank among the most powerful and entertaining bands on the Celtic music scene while Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys (pictured) are one of the most exciting folk-meets-rock-meets blues groups in Britain today. Alongside them, there’ll be the fine acoustic pop-rock of Morrissey & Marshall, top piratical dance band Blackbeard’s Tea Party, plus talented young “supergroup” The Tweed Project, featuring Southwell favourites Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar with BBC Folk Award winners Josie Duncan and Pablo Lafuente.
The Gate To Southwell festival has received great responses to previous tribute events such as Dylan@50 and the Summer Of Love celebration. June 2019’s Saturday concert will feature an all-star Woodstock collaboration to mark 50 years since the pivotal peace and music festival. Plus the immensely talented Sunjay will appear on Sunday to mark the 60th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death by reprising his acclaimed role in the successful travelling show, Buddy Holly & The Crickets.
Leicester singer-songwriter and activist Grace Petrie will return to the festival for 2019, having released her highly-acclaimed ‘Queer As Folk’ eighth album, as will the immensely talented and original Irish performers Ranagri. And, having had to miss the 2018 festival through illness, we’re delighted that one of Edinburgh’s finest musical sons Ross Wilson – aka Blue Rose Code – will also be on the bill next June.
Adding to Southwell’s typically eclectic wave of names, there’s the contemporary folk of the Bird In The Belly collective, the gypsy Hot Club jazz of Nottingham’s Maniere Des Bohemiens while on the other there’s the bizarrely brilliant, madly entertaining John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett, over forty years on from their cult solo hit ‘Really Free’. Throw into the mix French-born folksinger Flossie Malavialle and lovable Geordie singer-songwriter-kids-entertainer Keith Donnelly and, with many more acts to be announced, the early festival forecast looks extremely bright.
With excellent children’s entertainment and camping facilities, in a beautiful Nottinghamshire location, there’ll also be dance sides from all over the UK, a beer and cider festival, a craft fair plus many other special family events.
2019 will be the 13th annual gathering and previous line-ups have included big names such as Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, Bellowhead, Jools Holland, Hayseed Dixie, Kate Rusby and Lindisfarne. As the Irish singer Cara Dillon said, the 2018 festival was “incredible, just the right size, you can feel the energy”.
With many more acts for 2019 still to be announced, Early Bird tickets are on sale via www.gtsf.uk
Downend Folk Club announces Spring programme
Bristol's burgeoningever-popular Downend Folk Club has announced its programme for Spring 2019. There's something for everyone on the third Friday of every month between January and April, ticking every box in the broad church that is the folk genre, from astute observational song-writing through to traditional English folk songs and tunes.
Kicking off the programme on Friday 18th January, and back by popular demand, is Gavin Osborn. Gavin went down a storm when he opened for Grace Petrie back in November 2017, with regulars asking to hear more than the 25 minutes he gave back then. Known for his storytelling shows with comedian Daniel Kitson, and now with five studio albums under his belt, Gavin is a regular on the festival scene and is also familiar to listeners of BBC Radio 4.
Katherine Priddy will provide the support slot at 8.00pm.
The February event, on Friday 15th, will be headlined by Alden, Paterson & Dashwood - one of the most exciting bands to emerge on the scene in recent years. The Norwich-based trio weave rich vocal harmonies, fiddle, dobro and guitar around beautifully written original songs and melodies. Their music takes influence from folk traditions from both sides of the Atlantic with uplifting instrumentals and self-penned songs depicting tales of young travellers, sleepy seas and their affection for home. Opening for the trio will be Molly Anne.
Making a triumphant and long-overdue return on Friday 15th March will be multiple Folk Award-nominated duo O'Hooley & Tidow. Belinda and Heidi first played at the club in 2015 to a sell-out audience, and the club has never had more requests for an act to return! With a personal invite from Billy Bragg to play Glastonbury, sessions on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, five star reviews and a feature in The Guardian, the songwriting, voice and piano partnership
of Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow is regarded as “one of British folk music’s mightiest combinations” (Mojo Magazine).
DFC Favourite Mike Weaver will be the support act.
Rounding off the programme on Friday 19th April are The Askew Sisters. Hazel is a familiar face to the DFC faithful, having featured as part of Lady Maisery, but now she returns in duo form with her sister Emily. The pair’s live performances brim with the depth and connection not only of two sisters, but also of two musicians who have been immersed in folk music all their lives. In April they release their long awaited fourth album, a collection of songs about enclosure, place and power. Opening the evening's entertainment will be Nick Hart.
Each concert takes place at Frenchay Village Hall, starting at 8.00pm with the support act. The headline act will start at around 8.40pm. Doors open at 7.30pm. For tickets and more information, visit www.downendfolkclub.co.uk
Kicking off the programme on Friday 18th January, and back by popular demand, is Gavin Osborn. Gavin went down a storm when he opened for Grace Petrie back in November 2017, with regulars asking to hear more than the 25 minutes he gave back then. Known for his storytelling shows with comedian Daniel Kitson, and now with five studio albums under his belt, Gavin is a regular on the festival scene and is also familiar to listeners of BBC Radio 4.
Katherine Priddy will provide the support slot at 8.00pm.
The February event, on Friday 15th, will be headlined by Alden, Paterson & Dashwood - one of the most exciting bands to emerge on the scene in recent years. The Norwich-based trio weave rich vocal harmonies, fiddle, dobro and guitar around beautifully written original songs and melodies. Their music takes influence from folk traditions from both sides of the Atlantic with uplifting instrumentals and self-penned songs depicting tales of young travellers, sleepy seas and their affection for home. Opening for the trio will be Molly Anne.
Making a triumphant and long-overdue return on Friday 15th March will be multiple Folk Award-nominated duo O'Hooley & Tidow. Belinda and Heidi first played at the club in 2015 to a sell-out audience, and the club has never had more requests for an act to return! With a personal invite from Billy Bragg to play Glastonbury, sessions on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, five star reviews and a feature in The Guardian, the songwriting, voice and piano partnership
of Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow is regarded as “one of British folk music’s mightiest combinations” (Mojo Magazine).
DFC Favourite Mike Weaver will be the support act.
Rounding off the programme on Friday 19th April are The Askew Sisters. Hazel is a familiar face to the DFC faithful, having featured as part of Lady Maisery, but now she returns in duo form with her sister Emily. The pair’s live performances brim with the depth and connection not only of two sisters, but also of two musicians who have been immersed in folk music all their lives. In April they release their long awaited fourth album, a collection of songs about enclosure, place and power. Opening the evening's entertainment will be Nick Hart.
Each concert takes place at Frenchay Village Hall, starting at 8.00pm with the support act. The headline act will start at around 8.40pm. Doors open at 7.30pm. For tickets and more information, visit www.downendfolkclub.co.uk
Daria's East-West Folk fusion enchants audiences
With her “extraordinary voice” and strong Russian and Ingush heritage, Daria Kulesh has been making a name for herself as a “bold, exotic, impressive" performer.
Mixing her Eastern roots with Western folk influences, she creates an original and exciting sound, full of passion and magic. Her debut release Eternal Child was described as “phenomenal” and her second album Long Lost Home has enjoyed rave reviews, national radio play and multiple awards in the UK and Russia, including LCM Album of the Year.
Daria’s beguiling music is a gateway to a very little known, but stunning part of the world - Ingushetia in the Caucasus (south of Russia). This unique landscape (pictured left) is hardly known in Western Europe - but thanks to Daria its rich history and folk traditions are becoming more widely known.
Through her mesmerising songs, people can discover this mysterious land and the story of the Ingush people - their language, culture and unique way of life that were nearly eradicated by Joseph Stalin in 1944. "The songs aren't just sung, but lived." (FATEA Magazine). A refreshing, uplifting, intriguing and thoroughly entertaining evening awaits all who come along.
For news of Daria's up-coming gigs in the region, please see our 'What's On' listings: Bristol (16th November) , Miserden (21st November) and Stroud (27th January 2019). For national tour dates visit www.daria-kulesh.co.uk/gigs
Comments from the Scottish tour: Duncan MacInness, SEALL at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye: "Superb artistry - and very informative. Excellent blend of music, performance and insight into a period of history we were unaware of."
Cornwallace, writing for TheNettle.scot from The Market Bar, Inverness: "Her voice was simply magnificent. Mesmerising and ethereal."
Harry Wilson, Stirling Folk Club: "A spellbinding night last night with the amazing Daria Kulesh and Jonny Dyer. Some fascinating stories and songs. Daria's powerful voice was complimented expertly by Jonny's wonderful accompaniments."
Mixing her Eastern roots with Western folk influences, she creates an original and exciting sound, full of passion and magic. Her debut release Eternal Child was described as “phenomenal” and her second album Long Lost Home has enjoyed rave reviews, national radio play and multiple awards in the UK and Russia, including LCM Album of the Year.
Daria’s beguiling music is a gateway to a very little known, but stunning part of the world - Ingushetia in the Caucasus (south of Russia). This unique landscape (pictured left) is hardly known in Western Europe - but thanks to Daria its rich history and folk traditions are becoming more widely known.
Through her mesmerising songs, people can discover this mysterious land and the story of the Ingush people - their language, culture and unique way of life that were nearly eradicated by Joseph Stalin in 1944. "The songs aren't just sung, but lived." (FATEA Magazine). A refreshing, uplifting, intriguing and thoroughly entertaining evening awaits all who come along.
For news of Daria's up-coming gigs in the region, please see our 'What's On' listings: Bristol (16th November) , Miserden (21st November) and Stroud (27th January 2019). For national tour dates visit www.daria-kulesh.co.uk/gigs
Comments from the Scottish tour: Duncan MacInness, SEALL at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye: "Superb artistry - and very informative. Excellent blend of music, performance and insight into a period of history we were unaware of."
Cornwallace, writing for TheNettle.scot from The Market Bar, Inverness: "Her voice was simply magnificent. Mesmerising and ethereal."
Harry Wilson, Stirling Folk Club: "A spellbinding night last night with the amazing Daria Kulesh and Jonny Dyer. Some fascinating stories and songs. Daria's powerful voice was complimented expertly by Jonny's wonderful accompaniments."
