Festival, Fair and True.

Lately I'm loving the gorgeous music of these sisters, I just love their voices. Their music fits nicely into my penchant for all things faintly gothic, at the moment. Unfortunately my favourite song, a swooner called 'Come Outside', is not on youtube yet, (apart from a live version that does it no justice) so I thought I'd post this lovely, rather traditional sounding song.

However, I was amazed to this this unexpectedly hilarious video for their song 'Valentine. Not at all what I would have thought to see, and so all the more refreshing. These girls have a sense of humour. :-)

Orion Rigel Dommisse.

Some long overdue, new updates of what I have been listening to. Now that autumn is here I hope to be a bit more regular posting here. Even if it's just for me! :-)

Ólof Arnalds.

Last autumn I did a post on Ólafur Arnalds, one of my favourite instrumental musicians, and more recently I discovered this lady, his cousin Ólof Arnalds, who instantly reminded me of why I love Nordic music so much.

This video is something else.

Stunning.

I am swept away.

Emilie Lund.

Born in Mora one cold day in the year 1987, raised by former hippies on a farm on the swedish countryside and now making music about looking for love and long lost childhood friends in the city of Stockholm...

Haruko Has A Tale To Tell.

Here is something delightful. 

A lady about whom it is difficult to find much information about other than the fact that she is German, Haruko's music has clear echoes of other musicians I have posted here such as Ghost Bees, Mariee Sioux , or even Joanna Newsom, but all with a swooning 60's folk loveliness.

Have a listen and see what you think.

Yes, I think it's time the ladies got a bit more coverage here.
Watch this space for some updates of the girl-ish kind.

Ghost Bees.

Just adore these ladies.

Like Ms. Newsom's strange cousins that were found in the attic...

Mariee Sioux.

Another new discovery for me is this lady Mariee Sioux. 

I love her take on folk, and puts me in mind of a modern Buffy St. Marie, only sweeter, in a Jewel way.

So nice to meet you Mariee Sioux!

Across The Sea For A Trove Of Treasure.

When it comes to finding out about new music, something that is a bit of an obsession for me, I have a few favourite means. I did mention here before my favourite music magazines and Spotify as two places I go to, but I'd now like to share with you a new, very firm favourite.

Folk Radio UK is an online radio station and blog run by husband and wife team Alex and Amanda Gallacher, that is a daily musical Aladdin's Cave. I now keep a notebook handy for jotting down names that catch my attention throughout the day and then later on off I go to youtube or Spotify to check them out further. Nothing beats hearing music you love on someone else's playlist, and combined with endless new-to-my-ears artists, well, it makes for one endless happy experience!
I first discovered Folk Radio UK when booking tickets for a gig which I will blog about very soon, and since then have been listening almost every day. Do check it out if any of what you see here is up your street.
So here is one gorgeous lady I have discovered thanks to FRUK. And there is many more to come!

Kathryn Calder is a member of The New Pornographers and this song is taken from her solo album 'Are You My Mother?'  And you can hear more of this gorgeous album here.



Enjoy!

July Flame.

I have been entranced. Yet again.

On loop in my kitchen, in my car, is 'July Flame', the new album from the lovely Laura Veirs. A number of years back my sister, Emma, gave me a copy of 'Carbon Glacier' which she had picked up in the US. I loved it. From the first listen. And the following year went straight out and bought her follow up album 'Year of Meteors'.

When she played in Whelan's the week before Emma went back to the states for good, we went to see her, sat right up the front, and I cried at least twice. She was amazing. And yes, I was emotional about saying goodbye to Emma. But Laura Veirs rocked. In a sweet sort of way.

So, when I read the reviews in my favourite music magazines, Mojo and Uncut, and words like enchanted, suffused, and mysticism were used, I just had to check it out. And it didn't disappoint me. As I said. I have been entranced. And the inclusion of the likes of Laura Gibson and the mighty Jim James of My Morning Jacket just sends me into raptures! There is hardly a wrong note on the whole thing.

Laura is on tour at the moment, though I was very sad to read they won't be coming to Dublin this time. But seeing as Laura is very pregnant I figured it wouldn't be fair to make a fuss!

Do check out her blog over on her website. And while there you can have a look at some of their other videos too. You can also listen and buy her (six) other albums, as well as a recording of a young French choir who recorded nine of her songs, the result of which is a strangely moving experience.

If you think you might be interested you can also listen to more from Laura Veirs here. And read reviews or download songs here.

I so wish I could post the track called 'Little Deschutes' here for you to listen to. I am listening to it as I write, with goosebumps. It truly is sublime. But the album is so new I haven't found it anywhere that can post here. So have a listen if you come across it.

'I wanted to make something sweet,

The blood inside the maple tree,

the sunlight trapped inside the wood,

make something good.'

Quietude And Hush Amidst The Ice.

A little tranquility from the lovely Laura Gibson.

Something quiet I have been listening to on these frosted, hushed days, as our world continues it's restful pause. All to soon the clatter and chatter will return. But in the meantime we wrap ourselves up in a coccoon of sweet sounds that carry me through the everyday.

I hope you like it too.