Postcards & Pocketbooks: a unique record of Bella
With unflinching courage, Bella Hardy has explored and blurred musical boundaries in her search for meaning, releasing her first nine records in the space of just ten years.
Postcards & Pocketbooks (October 2019) is a double CD of Bella Hardy's most highly treasured works, with re-recordings of classic material, and some never heard before songs.
There is also a beautifully produced casebound book, available either with the CD or separately, which features lyrics to every song written or adapted from traditional music and recorded by Bella from 2007 - 2019.
BBC Folk Singer of the Year Bella Hardy found her first home in folk music through a childhood love for ballad books. A self-taught ‘fiddle singer’, she began performing at Cambridge and Sidmouth festivals from the age of thirteen.
Her debut album Night Visiting established her reputation as a talented songwriter when her first original composition Three Black Feathers earned a BBC Folk Award nomination. Since then, Bella has sung unaccompanied ballads at a sold-out Royal Albert Hall, taken a band of drums, brass and electronics to the National Concert Hall of Budapest, and learnt the songs of Chinese farmers during her time as British Council Musician in Residence in Yunnan Province.
She’s sat on the moors of her beloved Peak District with only her fiddle for company. She spent a year in Tennessee as a ranch hand, looking after horses, fiddle-singing in the diners, and immersing herself in the music culture of Nashville. With her mesmerising voice and ability to conjure and twist stories that call straight to the heart, Bella has beguiled audiences from Canada to Japan, from Spanish bars, to Castles, to Concert Halls.
From Bella's mastery of traditional music and the stripped back strings and concertina of her early days more than a decade ago, to the electric guitar and drums in the self-penned humanist hymns and feminist battle cries of Hey Sammy (2017), via the Derbyshire ballads of The Dark Peak & The White and ancient Chinese poetry of Eternal Spring, (an album of songs and poetry recorded in China), it's been a spellbinding journey. Her themes of displacement and home, lost and found love, heartache and joy, are delivered with her unique, disarming honesty, and, of course, the acclaimed crystalline voice that won her BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Singer of the Year.
Postcards & Pockebooks reflects and records each moment of Bella's career, and is a must for all who appreciate skillful interpretations of traditional music, as well as the relevance of contemporary folk in the modern world. For more information, visit www.bellahardy.com
Postcards & Pocketbooks (October 2019) is a double CD of Bella Hardy's most highly treasured works, with re-recordings of classic material, and some never heard before songs.
There is also a beautifully produced casebound book, available either with the CD or separately, which features lyrics to every song written or adapted from traditional music and recorded by Bella from 2007 - 2019.
BBC Folk Singer of the Year Bella Hardy found her first home in folk music through a childhood love for ballad books. A self-taught ‘fiddle singer’, she began performing at Cambridge and Sidmouth festivals from the age of thirteen.
Her debut album Night Visiting established her reputation as a talented songwriter when her first original composition Three Black Feathers earned a BBC Folk Award nomination. Since then, Bella has sung unaccompanied ballads at a sold-out Royal Albert Hall, taken a band of drums, brass and electronics to the National Concert Hall of Budapest, and learnt the songs of Chinese farmers during her time as British Council Musician in Residence in Yunnan Province.
She’s sat on the moors of her beloved Peak District with only her fiddle for company. She spent a year in Tennessee as a ranch hand, looking after horses, fiddle-singing in the diners, and immersing herself in the music culture of Nashville. With her mesmerising voice and ability to conjure and twist stories that call straight to the heart, Bella has beguiled audiences from Canada to Japan, from Spanish bars, to Castles, to Concert Halls.
From Bella's mastery of traditional music and the stripped back strings and concertina of her early days more than a decade ago, to the electric guitar and drums in the self-penned humanist hymns and feminist battle cries of Hey Sammy (2017), via the Derbyshire ballads of The Dark Peak & The White and ancient Chinese poetry of Eternal Spring, (an album of songs and poetry recorded in China), it's been a spellbinding journey. Her themes of displacement and home, lost and found love, heartache and joy, are delivered with her unique, disarming honesty, and, of course, the acclaimed crystalline voice that won her BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Singer of the Year.
Postcards & Pockebooks reflects and records each moment of Bella's career, and is a must for all who appreciate skillful interpretations of traditional music, as well as the relevance of contemporary folk in the modern world. For more information, visit www.bellahardy.com
Autumn 'Folk Treble' set for Worcestershire town
Worcestershire based singer-songwriters Colin Pitts and Mike Weaver will be joined by the highly acclaimed Emi McDade for a special 'Folk Treble' evening at the historic Oat Street Chapel, Evesham, on Saturday 16th November.
Much of Colin Pitts' writing has been inspired by the Vale of Evesham, where he lives, and many of his songs have become folk club standards in this region. He is renowned for his powerful yet sensitive songwriting, and relaxed performance style. Colin has performed at clubs, village halls and festivals all over the UK and has also been on many local radio shows as well as a performance on BBC Radio 2.
Mike Weaver - who lives in South Worcestershire - is known for his self-penned songs which "exude beautiful harmonies, clear story telling and a passion for people." He returned to writing and performing in 2013, and since then has released three CDs, songs from which have received airplay on folk radio stations all over the globe.
Emi McDade is a talented young keyboard player and songwriter from Highnam, near Gloucester, who has performed on stages and at festivals all over the UK. Praised for her unique vocals, she returns to Evesham for the first time in three years.
Doors open 7.30pm, music starts 8pm. Public car park adjacent (free after 6pm). Please note there is no bar at Oat Street Chapel. although audience members may bring their own alcoholic or soft drinks. Tickets £9 online in advance or £10 on the door. www.wegottickets.com/event/466743
Much of Colin Pitts' writing has been inspired by the Vale of Evesham, where he lives, and many of his songs have become folk club standards in this region. He is renowned for his powerful yet sensitive songwriting, and relaxed performance style. Colin has performed at clubs, village halls and festivals all over the UK and has also been on many local radio shows as well as a performance on BBC Radio 2.
Mike Weaver - who lives in South Worcestershire - is known for his self-penned songs which "exude beautiful harmonies, clear story telling and a passion for people." He returned to writing and performing in 2013, and since then has released three CDs, songs from which have received airplay on folk radio stations all over the globe.
Emi McDade is a talented young keyboard player and songwriter from Highnam, near Gloucester, who has performed on stages and at festivals all over the UK. Praised for her unique vocals, she returns to Evesham for the first time in three years.
Doors open 7.30pm, music starts 8pm. Public car park adjacent (free after 6pm). Please note there is no bar at Oat Street Chapel. although audience members may bring their own alcoholic or soft drinks. Tickets £9 online in advance or £10 on the door. www.wegottickets.com/event/466743
Downend Folk Club Autumn & Winter programme
Bristol's ever-popular Downend Folk Club has announced its programme for Autumn and Winter 2019.
Kicking off the official programme were Midnight Skyracer on Friday 20th September as the club made a welcome return to Downend School
An IBMA Momentum Award nominated all-girl bluegrass band, Midnight Skyracer have been tearing up the UK bluegrass and folk scene since their inception just over two years ago.
Their all star lineup and exciting live performances have sent them racing skywards at an astounding pace right from the start, with Leanne Thorose’s powerhouse vocals and driving mandolin; Tabitha Agnew’s sweet voice and virtuosic banjo playing; Eleanor Wilkie’s rock solid bass grooves; Laura Carrivick’s flair, being equally adept on both fiddle and dobro; and twin sister Charlotte’s agility on the guitar, with both sisters filling in the vocal harmonies.
Back at Frenchay Village Hall, the October event, on Friday 18th, fetured Georgia Lewis, whose exciting rise to prominence was recognised with a nomination for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards last year.
In 2015 Georgia released her self-titled five-track EP, and since then she has performed at festivals and folk clubs and received air-play on national and internet radio stations. In 2017 Georgia released her debut album The Bird Who Sings Freedom, recorded in her parents' kitchen. Georgia plays whistles, accordion, piano, guitar, sings and has been seen tapping out various traditional dancing styles.
Friday 15th November will see a performance from Talisk at Downend School. In their five years, the Scottish firebrands have stacked up several major awards for their explosively energetic yet artfully woven sound, including 2018’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation & 2017’s Folk Band of the Year both at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.
Mohsen Amini - the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year 2018, Hayley Keenan and Graeme Armstrong seamlessly meld concertina, fiddle and guitar to produce a multi-layered, enthralling signature that has effortlessly captivated audiences from the USA to Australia, and throughout the UK. The release of their hotly-anticipated second album, Beyond (in October 2018) was met with a five-star ‘Top of the World’ review in Songlines magazine.
Last year's Christmas concert will live long in the memory, and the 2019 festive event will be no different as folk superstar Jackie Oates performs at Christ Church, Downend, on Friday 20th December. Jackie first performed at the club with Mike Cosgrave as long ago as July 2015, so when we heard that she was doing a Christmas Tour with a full band lineup, our minds were made up instantly! Jackie's is a name synonymous with the reinvigoration of English folk music, beguiling audiences with a delicate balance of tradition and reinvention.
Jackie will get everyone in the Christmas spirit by performing a selection of Christmas and winter carols and songs as well as songs from her new album The Joy of Living.
For any further information, visit www.downendfolkclub.co.uk
Kicking off the official programme were Midnight Skyracer on Friday 20th September as the club made a welcome return to Downend School
An IBMA Momentum Award nominated all-girl bluegrass band, Midnight Skyracer have been tearing up the UK bluegrass and folk scene since their inception just over two years ago.
Their all star lineup and exciting live performances have sent them racing skywards at an astounding pace right from the start, with Leanne Thorose’s powerhouse vocals and driving mandolin; Tabitha Agnew’s sweet voice and virtuosic banjo playing; Eleanor Wilkie’s rock solid bass grooves; Laura Carrivick’s flair, being equally adept on both fiddle and dobro; and twin sister Charlotte’s agility on the guitar, with both sisters filling in the vocal harmonies.
Back at Frenchay Village Hall, the October event, on Friday 18th, fetured Georgia Lewis, whose exciting rise to prominence was recognised with a nomination for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards last year.
In 2015 Georgia released her self-titled five-track EP, and since then she has performed at festivals and folk clubs and received air-play on national and internet radio stations. In 2017 Georgia released her debut album The Bird Who Sings Freedom, recorded in her parents' kitchen. Georgia plays whistles, accordion, piano, guitar, sings and has been seen tapping out various traditional dancing styles.
Friday 15th November will see a performance from Talisk at Downend School. In their five years, the Scottish firebrands have stacked up several major awards for their explosively energetic yet artfully woven sound, including 2018’s Belhaven Bursary for Innovation & 2017’s Folk Band of the Year both at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.
Mohsen Amini - the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year 2018, Hayley Keenan and Graeme Armstrong seamlessly meld concertina, fiddle and guitar to produce a multi-layered, enthralling signature that has effortlessly captivated audiences from the USA to Australia, and throughout the UK. The release of their hotly-anticipated second album, Beyond (in October 2018) was met with a five-star ‘Top of the World’ review in Songlines magazine.
Last year's Christmas concert will live long in the memory, and the 2019 festive event will be no different as folk superstar Jackie Oates performs at Christ Church, Downend, on Friday 20th December. Jackie first performed at the club with Mike Cosgrave as long ago as July 2015, so when we heard that she was doing a Christmas Tour with a full band lineup, our minds were made up instantly! Jackie's is a name synonymous with the reinvigoration of English folk music, beguiling audiences with a delicate balance of tradition and reinvention.
Jackie will get everyone in the Christmas spirit by performing a selection of Christmas and winter carols and songs as well as songs from her new album The Joy of Living.
For any further information, visit www.downendfolkclub.co.uk
New album for 'spellbinding' musician and dancer
Described as 'a true original' by the Guardian, spellbindingly innovative musician and dancer Hannah James and her most recent project The JigDoll Ensemble, announce the release of their impressive new album The Woman and Her Words on Friday 4th October.
One of the key figures in the revival of English percussive dance, Hannah is renowned as one of the best accordionists of the British Folk scene, her musicianship extends far beyond the tradition and flawlessly incorporates beautiful vocal-stylings with both classic and contemporary applications of English clog dance.
The new release is a celebration of ageing, gaining wisdom, and of the many women who have delivered essential truths along the way. Artist and puppeteer Katarina Cakova, based on Hannah's stories, created the physical form of 'the woman’, which appears on the album cover.
A previous collaborative project, Songs Of Separation, won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Album in 2017; while Hannah's vocal trio Lady Maisery produced three critically acclaimed albums and was nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Folk Awards.
Her most recent project began solo before becoming the JigDoll Ensemble, was acclaimed as 'the highlight of the festival' at the Folk Expo Manchester in late 2017, debuting to a standing ovation from professional delegates from across the world.
Recorded in Hungary, at the prestigious music venue/studio Budapest Music Centre, the album hosts an international line-up of musicians - András Dés (Hungary – Percussion); Marti Tärn (Estonia – Bass Guitar); Kate Young (Scotland – Fiddle / Vocals); Toby Kuhn (France – Cello).
"I deliberately put together this band of extraordinary musicians because, at this time, I feel it's so important to keep international friendships strong. I have always felt European, not English, and this band is a celebration of that and an example of the great things that can emerge when people from different countries and backgrounds have the freedom to meet and work together," said Hannah.
For more information and tour dates, visit hannahjamesmusic.com
One of the key figures in the revival of English percussive dance, Hannah is renowned as one of the best accordionists of the British Folk scene, her musicianship extends far beyond the tradition and flawlessly incorporates beautiful vocal-stylings with both classic and contemporary applications of English clog dance.
The new release is a celebration of ageing, gaining wisdom, and of the many women who have delivered essential truths along the way. Artist and puppeteer Katarina Cakova, based on Hannah's stories, created the physical form of 'the woman’, which appears on the album cover.
A previous collaborative project, Songs Of Separation, won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Album in 2017; while Hannah's vocal trio Lady Maisery produced three critically acclaimed albums and was nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Folk Awards.
Her most recent project began solo before becoming the JigDoll Ensemble, was acclaimed as 'the highlight of the festival' at the Folk Expo Manchester in late 2017, debuting to a standing ovation from professional delegates from across the world.
Recorded in Hungary, at the prestigious music venue/studio Budapest Music Centre, the album hosts an international line-up of musicians - András Dés (Hungary – Percussion); Marti Tärn (Estonia – Bass Guitar); Kate Young (Scotland – Fiddle / Vocals); Toby Kuhn (France – Cello).
"I deliberately put together this band of extraordinary musicians because, at this time, I feel it's so important to keep international friendships strong. I have always felt European, not English, and this band is a celebration of that and an example of the great things that can emerge when people from different countries and backgrounds have the freedom to meet and work together," said Hannah.
For more information and tour dates, visit hannahjamesmusic.com
Arts Council support for 12 Silk Handkerchiefs Tour
Photo by Rachel Snowdon
12 Silk Handkerchiefs, Reg Meuross’s thirteenth album inspired by Brian W. Lavery’s book The Headscarf Revolutionaries, opens a window on Hull’s Hessle Road fishing community in the aftermath of the Triple Trawler Disaster of 1968.
After three sellout performances in Hull that recreated and expanded upon the original song cycle, the singer-songwriter is now taking the show on a national tour this Autumn supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Joined on stage by stalwarts of the Hull folk scene, musicians Mick McGarry and Sam Martyn, Reg’s powerful songs are interwoven with narration from author Brian W. Lavery and an audio/visual show that includes rarely-seen archive footage, photos and audio from the time of the disaster. Three Hull trawlers, the St Romanus, the Kingston Peridot and the Ross Cleveland perished and 58 men died in what became known as the Dark Winter.
Fighting fishwife Lillian Billoca’s subsequent successful campaign for improved trawler safety; sole survivor Harry Eddom who returned to sea just 11 weeks after the sinking; and the superstitions, lives and deaths of all those affected: all of these stories are contained within a fascinating and moving work of social and political history described as Meuross’s “most important work to date” by Pennyblack Music.
Reg himself says: “12 Silk Handkerchiefs is a classic tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and the mighty strength of the human spirit. For years the Hull trawlermen and their families fought for survival in the harshest of working conditions: frozen seas with very little safety or protection. It took Lillian and her fellow revolutionaries to fight the companies who were exploiting this community’s poverty and need for work. They took on the Government itself until desperately needed changes in the safety laws were made.
"If ever there was a story of survival vs. greed, honour vs. entitlement, courage and bravery vs. careless exploitation this is it. I believe such a story in living memory needs to be told now, and remembered for the future."
Those fans of Reg’s music so accustomed to seeing his intimate solo performances at folk clubs and festivals across the land will be stunned by the power of this show, and those new to him will find it impossible not to be moved by this emotional and humbling tribute to the many, many lives lost to what was once the most dangerous industry in the world.
The Autumn tour concluded at Musicport in Whitby this October. For further information and full tour dates, visit www.regmeuross.com/12SH
After three sellout performances in Hull that recreated and expanded upon the original song cycle, the singer-songwriter is now taking the show on a national tour this Autumn supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Joined on stage by stalwarts of the Hull folk scene, musicians Mick McGarry and Sam Martyn, Reg’s powerful songs are interwoven with narration from author Brian W. Lavery and an audio/visual show that includes rarely-seen archive footage, photos and audio from the time of the disaster. Three Hull trawlers, the St Romanus, the Kingston Peridot and the Ross Cleveland perished and 58 men died in what became known as the Dark Winter.
Fighting fishwife Lillian Billoca’s subsequent successful campaign for improved trawler safety; sole survivor Harry Eddom who returned to sea just 11 weeks after the sinking; and the superstitions, lives and deaths of all those affected: all of these stories are contained within a fascinating and moving work of social and political history described as Meuross’s “most important work to date” by Pennyblack Music.
Reg himself says: “12 Silk Handkerchiefs is a classic tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and the mighty strength of the human spirit. For years the Hull trawlermen and their families fought for survival in the harshest of working conditions: frozen seas with very little safety or protection. It took Lillian and her fellow revolutionaries to fight the companies who were exploiting this community’s poverty and need for work. They took on the Government itself until desperately needed changes in the safety laws were made.
"If ever there was a story of survival vs. greed, honour vs. entitlement, courage and bravery vs. careless exploitation this is it. I believe such a story in living memory needs to be told now, and remembered for the future."
Those fans of Reg’s music so accustomed to seeing his intimate solo performances at folk clubs and festivals across the land will be stunned by the power of this show, and those new to him will find it impossible not to be moved by this emotional and humbling tribute to the many, many lives lost to what was once the most dangerous industry in the world.
The Autumn tour concluded at Musicport in Whitby this October. For further information and full tour dates, visit www.regmeuross.com/12SH
Sarah McQuaid returns to Tewkesbury in November
Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid returns to play the beautifully restored Old Baptist Chapel in the historic town of Tewkesbury on Friday 29th 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. She is looking forward to returning following a sell-out performance at the chapel in 2018.
Honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland (2017), Sarah has also drawn critical praise for her voice and her engaging rapport with audience.
With the release of her latest album, If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous, 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," and FolkWords called it “A work of formidable passion.”
The concert will begin at 8.00pm on Friday 29th November 2019, 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). Tickets available online from www.wegottickets.com/event/479651. For more information visit www.sarahmcquaid.com
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. She is looking forward to returning following a sell-out performance at the chapel in 2018.
Honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland (2017), Sarah has also drawn critical praise for her voice and her engaging rapport with audience.
With the release of her latest album, If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous, 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," and FolkWords called it “A work of formidable passion.”
The concert will begin at 8.00pm on Friday 29th November 2019, 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). Tickets available online from www.wegottickets.com/event/479651. For more information visit www.sarahmcquaid.com
