Tag: hebden bridge folk and roots festival

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Folk Music Interviews

Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival Interviews #5 Michele Stodart

Ahead of performing at this year’s Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival, taking place from 10 to 12 May, we were delighted to have interview, in partnership with “Last Night I Dreamt of…”, talented solo artist, singer-songwriter and member of the Mercury Prize nominated Magic Numbers, Michele Stodart.

Q: For those who haven’t come across you before, tell us more about Michele Stodart?

Michele: Well… I was born in Trinidad where I left for New York when I was 4yrs old. Most of my childhood memories are those of the big city. Then my family moved me and my two brothers to London / Hanwell where I live now. We moved around a lot as kids must’ve had over a dozen schools. Our family, let’s say is a little unorthodox all self-employed, living every day as it comes. My brother Romeo had a band and took over the front room made it into a studio where he started playing the guitar. I was always interested, going to all his gigs. He taught me a few chords on the guitar and it was a like a lifeline for me a way of breathing. I was painfully shy growing up. I started writing songs hiding away in the bedroom. He then later asked me to play bass with him one day and that was it. Most girls my age were looking at boys, the bass guitar was my first love. I was obsessed! Then The Magic Numbers were born! Signed the record deal at 19 and we toured the world and life pretty quickly became like a dream. Still writing songs on my acoustic, Romeo convinced me to record my first solo album… it was a crazy time because I was pregnant. So there I was touring with the band 24yrs old now and recording my album heavily pregnant. I remember recording the double bass and my baby was kicking away inside me. Anyway… fast forwarding a bit she’s now 11 years old (my best friend) I’m on the fifth album with the band and about to record my 3rd solo. Life has sure been an adventure!

Q: How would you describe your music in five words?

Michele: Honest, intimate, raw, melodic, reflective.

Q. What inspires you as an artist?

Michele: Dreaming, Learning, growing as a person. Looking at the world differently, people, their journeys and stories in their lives. Shared experiences. The strength of someone, women especially doing their own thing.

Q. What can audience members expect from your set as part of the Hebden Folk Roots Festival?

Michele: I’ll be playing a lot of new songs as well as some from my solo albums. Kathryn and I have also written an album together which is yet to be released so we’ll play some of those together also. That record is gonna be something special.

Q. What’s your favourite song to perform as part of your set and why?

Michele: It really depends, it changes every night with the crowds and the way I’m feeling at that particular moment.

Q. What do you love most about performing on the festival circuit?

Michele: I like the general vibe at a festival, there’s a freeness to a lot of great festivals. It’s the open space, music playing around the corner. Also as a performer it’s always good practice to play in front of a crowd that’s not necessarily there to see you. There’s a different buzz to that when you’re up on stage.

Q. What is your album Pieces about and what’s your favourite track from the album?

Michele: Pieces is really a storytelling album it’s about many things. It was the first time I started writing songs away from the guitar. I would take myself of long train journeys, late night walks, sit in cafes on my own just looking at people around me. Thinking lots. There are songs on the album about letting go… breaking the chains that bind you. ‘Something About You’ is about that moment (the little death) of completely surrendering however scary and secretive. I’d say I’m really enjoying playing ‘Ain’t No Woman’ at the moment it’s grown so much for me that song in its meaning.

Q. What’s the best and worse thing about touring as a solo artist? And how is it different to touring with The Magic Numbers?

Michele: It can be quite lonely touring on your own. Sometimes that’s nice coz I can write and take myself off on walks and stuff, but there’s a sense of fun and craziness with the band that I love too. But I’m lucky to experience both worlds it keeps me sane. Just about!

Q. What’s coming up next for you as an artist?

Michele: I’m starting the first stages of making another solo record. This month I go in the studio for a few days just to record (demo) a lot of the songs I’ve written to work out what kinda record I want to make and what I wanna say with this one. Other than that there’s lots of various projects going on as always. I’ve been very lucky to be asked to collaborate and record with lots of artists I admire. Kathryn Williams being a big part of that. Also playing bass and guitars for Huddersfield duo O’Hooley & Tidow, Rowan Rheingans (Lady Maisery) Ren Harvieu, David Kitt, David Ford. I’ve also been doing lots more curating, putting on nights at this amazing venue in London called Green Note where my brother and I host these monthly nights bringing artists together.

Michele Stodart will be performing at Hope Baptist Church at 9pm on Saturday 11 May alongside Kathryn Williams (read our interview with Kathryn here) as part of Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival. For further information on Michelle Stodart visit https://michelestodart.co.uk. For further information on the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

As mentioned, this interview was in partnership with “Last Night I Dreamt Of…”, a website dedicated to arts and theatre in South Yorkshire. For further information visit www.lastnightidreamtof.co.uk

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Folk Music Interviews

Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival Interviews #4 Katie Spencer

Ahead of performing at this year’s Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival, taking place from 10 to 12 May, we were delighted to have interview, in partnership with “Last Night I Dreamt Of…”, 21 year old singer song writer Katie Spencer.

Q. For those who haven’t come across you before, please tell us about yourself?

I am a progressive folk singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist, from the East Coast in Yorkshire. My music draws on influences such as John Martyn, Roy Harper and Laura Marling, and I owe as much of it to the songwriters of the 60’s acoustic music heyday as to the beautiful East Riding landscape.

Q. How would you describe your music in five words?

Guitar-based progressive folk songs.

Q. What inspires you as an artist?

Landscape is a huge one. I feel that we are so lucky to live in the UK, where the landscape and seasons are so varied. My consistent aim is to capture the space of the landscape into my music, and I’m currently living by the sea which is a big inspiration.

Q. What can audience members expect from your set as part of the Hebden Folk Roots Festival?

Some original music, heavily based around the acoustic guitar and influenced by the sounds of the 60’s folk revival.

Q. What’s your favourite song to perform as part of your set and why?

At the moment it would have to be a new song called ‘Roads’. It has been brewing for a while but suddenly came tumbling out of me, lyrics and guitar part all together. It has a short instrumental excerpt at the beginning which is a gospel tune called ‘Wash in this Beautiful Pool’ that I learned from listening to the inimitable Martin Simpson.

Q. Who else would you recommend festival goers seeing during the festival?

Peter Dilley & Henry Parker!

Q. What do you love most about performing on the festival circuit?

There are countless things to love. The connection with people is a great one, because festivals are a brilliant places for people of all ages and from all walks of life to congregate and enjoy their love for music together, in the same place.

Q. What can fans expect from your album Weather Beaten and what’s your favourite track from the album?

Weather Beaten is my debut full-length album. It was produced by Spencer Cozens, long-time collaborator of John Martyn and Joan Armatrading and someone who I’ve been a fan of for years. The sound of the album is clear and bright, but still has that warm and hazy folk vibe – as we aimed to capture my live performance style. It is subtly embellished by Tom Mason, Miles Bould and Martin Winning on double bass, percussion and woodwind. And my favourite tracks would be ‘Weather Beaten’ & ‘Too High Alone’, I just love what Martin Winning brought to those tracks with clarinet and flute.

Q. You often look to East Riding for inspiration, where in particular in the area inspired you and would you recommend visiting?

Yorkshire as a county is an incredibly beautiful place, and I am totally blessed to be able to explore it on a regular basis. East Yorkshire will always hold a special place in my heart, as I grew up there and I’m currently living by the sea in Hornsea (you should definitely visit, especially for the chip shop!)

Q. What’s coming up next for you as an artist?

Throughout this year I am touring my album ‘Weather Beaten’ and continuing to write new material, which is great fun!

Katie Spencer will be performing at Hope Baptist Church at 2.10pm on Saturday 11 May as part of Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival. For further information on Katie Spencer visit www.katiespencer.net. For further information on the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

As mentioned, this interview was in partnership with “Last Night I Dreamt Of…”, a website dedicated to art and theatre through South Yorkshire. For further information visit www.lastnightidreamtof.co.uk

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Folk Music Interviews Uncategorised

Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival Interviews #3 Birds and the Beasts

Ahead of performing at this year’s Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival, taking place from 10 to 12 May, we were delighted to have interview, in partnership with “Last Night I Dreamt Of…”, Leo and Anna from alternative pop/folk duo Birds and the Beasts.

Q. How did Birds and the Beasts come about and where did the band’s name come from? 

Leo – As well as loving music we are equally passionate about animals. We have always enjoyed nature documentaries and getting out in the wild areas around us in Yorkshire and Anna’s native Germany. The first song we wrote for the project was about how albatross remain monogamous and find each other on their island homes after their globe spanning migrations.

Anna – Once we had written this song and found we really enjoyed singing together we put together Birds and Beasts and started writing more songs. Once we realised what a great source of inspiration we had found the name just seemed obvious.

Q. Tell us more about animal themed pop?

Anna – Our songs are written to put the listener in the animal’s position. We try to focus on the things that make us the same as animals; our family lives, our struggles, triumphs and determination. We find the animal kingdom is a massive well of ideas we can draw upon but we like to keep it all relatable to the human experience too. Leo – We love a lot of different genres of music – folk, rock and roll, blues, jazz, reggae. We like the ‘pop’ label as it can encompass so many different styles. 

Q. How would you describe your music in five words?

Fun, engaging, joyful, thought provoking.

Q. What inspires you as band?

Leo – Aside from the obvious animal inspiration, the thing that keeps us going is that we love spending time together and sharing our musical journey.

Anna – Meeting audience members who love our songs is very special. Having someone tell you how a song made them feel is magic. Our last single about crows’ family lives and how they respond to a loss in the family is one of our most affecting songs and seems to connect with people. 

Q. What can audience members expect from your set as part of the Hebden Folk Roots Festival?

Leo – We take our audience on a journey. You will visit the deep ocean, tall mountains, barren desert and dense jungle. You will find yourself singing along with songs you have only just heard and joining in with the actions for our squirrel song. There will be songs that make you laugh and songs that make you cry. 

Q. What’s your favourite song to perform as part of your set and why?

Leo – I like Deep Down, the tale of a scorpion searching for a mate. I love to sing this part, the music puts me in a spaghetti western mood and it reminds me of the teenage years; out in town looking for love.

https://youtu.be/QlnMUCeOphs

Anna – My favourite is Torn Apart, because it does not have the usual verse – chorus structure and it build and builds and goes proper bonkers at the end. 

Q. Who else would you recommend festival goers seeing during the festival?

We love the Magic Numbers and Michele Stobart is fantastic, we cannot wait to see her. We also love a good sing-a-long so recommend The LandLubbers for a rousing shanty. 

Q. What do you love most about performing on the festival circuit?

Leo – Meeting people and just getting the chance to perform, it is a real privilege. 

Anna – The excitement of playing and meeting many lovely people and being able to watch other performers as well.

Q. What can fans expect from your album Entwined and what was it like mastering your record at the legendary Abbey Road Studios?

Leo – It has some of our most emotional and heartfelt songs on it. If the album were a season it would be winter as the themes are – struggle, determination, family, loss and ultimately rebirth. The cover yin yang picture sums it up nicely as the balance between light and dark, endings and beginnings.

Anna – Recording and producing ourselves was really fun and it was very nerve racking putting the final touches on it and cutting the vinyl masters at Abbey Road. Quite a journey from our studio to Abbey Road Studios. We celebrated with a drink in the canteen afterwards. We were very star struck to be on such hallowed ground!

Q. What’s coming up next for the band?

Leo – we are working on some summer sounds, exploring ways to realise different arrangements and moods with just the two of us. We have a lot of material to record and are writing new songs all the time.

Anna – there are some very exciting plans coming up for later this year, we have been filming a few music videos and really performing our sound. We have a few gigs over the summer and we have lots of things coming up…watch this space!

Q. And finally, if you could turn into any bird or beast which would you choose and why?

Anna – I would become a wolf because they are such beautiful animals and live in such fantastically remote places. Their family lives are also fascinating.

Leo – I would regret choosing anything that could not fly so if not a flying squirrel or fish it’s going to have to be a bird. Following that logic I am going to select the condor, the world’s biggest flying bird. Riding the thermals high up in the clouds would be amazing

Birds and the Beasts will be performing at the Trades Club at 7pm on Sunday 12 May as part of Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival. For further information on Birds and the Beasts visit www.birdsandbeasts.net. For further information on the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

As mentioned, this interview was in partnership with Last Night I Dreamt, a website dedicated to art and theatre in South Yorkshire. For further information visit http://www.lastnightidreamtof.co.uk

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Folk Music Interviews

Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival Interviews #2 Merry Hell

Ahead of performing at this year’s Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival, taking place from 10 to 12 May, we were delighted to interview, in partnership with Folk Phenomena, the folk rock sensation that is Merry Hell.

Q. For those who haven’t come across Merry Hell tell us more about yourselves and how you came about?

Merry Hell come from the North West of England, mainly Wigan and offer joyful folk-rock with energy, passion and a message of hope and togetherness for these troubled times. The band emerged Phoenix-like from the ashes of the much loved, much missed folk-punk band The Tansads, who played some reunion gigs after a 10 year break. However, some of the original members couldn’t carry on and we didn’t want to be simply a tribute band to our old selves, playing only the old songs, we wanted to play the new music we had written as well as that of new members, like our female lead singer, Virginia, who also writes quite a few of our songs. We decided in order to do that, we should change the name to reflect our new energy, new hopes and new ideas, built on the old band but not dictated by it.

Q. How would you describe your music in five words?

Joyful folk-rock, with a message. (That’s 5 if you count the hyphenated words as one!!

Q. What inspires you as band?

Quite simply, we are inspired by what we do, making and sharing music with good people who enjoy what we do. What else would a group of musicians want than to have people care enough about their music to sing it along with us when we perform?

Q. What can audience members expect from your set in the Trades Club as part of the Hebden Folk Roots Festival?

At the risk of getting repetitive, we will share our energy, our joy and our hope, our songs in a way that will involve all the people there, not simply standing on the stage and expecting people to watch us – that’s not what we are about. We hope that people will go away feeling uplifted and a little more hopeful about the direction in which we are travelling together.

Q. What’s your favourite song to perform as part of your set and why?

Ooh, that’s like asking which is your favourite child!! There are different moods within the set, so each has a purpose – so the only real answer is the one that we are playing at the time!

Q. Who else would you recommend festival goers seeing during the festival?

Take in as much original music as you can. A special mention for our friends Vision Thing, currently rejoicing in being Folking.Com Rising Stars Award winners and the wonderful Katie Spencer.

Q. What do you love most about performing on the festival circuit?

There’s so many things – meeting old friends, making new friends, travelling around the country, celebrating both our differences and what binds us together but ultimately nothing beats that real sense of community when the band and the audience really come together, wherever that happens to be.

Q. What’s coming up next for the band?

Apart from lots of gigs?? We have made a documentary about a year in the life of the band – what goes on, what we are about, an opportunity for people to know us just that little bit better a people and to see some of what goes on behind the curtain!! That will be coming out soon. We are also starting to record a new album and bring new songs into the set, so there’s plenty for us and hopefully our friends to get excited about.

Q. Have any of the band ever been in love with a “Baker’s Daughter”?

Yes and no!! None of us have specifically been in love with the daughter of a baker (unless there are some untold stories). However, the song is also about loving someone enough to want to change enough to make a partnership work. To that extent, we have all been in love with a Baker’s Daughter!

Q. And finally, if you find yourselves there what would be your idea of the perfect merry hell?

Merry Hell implies a degree of good natured mischief, so the perfect merry hell would be to use our music and performances to inspire people to refuse to accept the present status quo and to bring about some positive change in whatever small way they can in that same spirit. Random acts of kindness are a good place to start and we try to include those in whatever we do!

Merry Hell will be performing at The Traders Club at 9.30pm on Friday 10 May as part of Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival. For further information on Merry Hell visit www.merryhell.co.uk. For further information on the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

As mentioned, this interview was in partnership with “Last Night I Dream Of..”, a website dedicated to all things theatre in South Yorkshire. For further information visit:


http://www.lastnightidreamtof.co.uk/

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Folk Music Interviews

Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival Interviews #1 Kathryn Williams

Interview – Kathryn Williams

Alongside our diligent reviewing partners “Last Night I Dream of..” we have the exception pleasure of bringing you a series of interviews with folk and roots artists coming to the jewel of West Yorkshire, Hebden Bridge ahead of the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival (running from 10 to 12 May)

Our first interview is with folk/singer-songwriting superstar “Kathryn Williams” who is a headline at the upcoming event.

We remember hearing Kathryn Williams when we first dedicated to writing about folk. I remember tracking down a large number of her albums and doing a big bulk purchase. We have several of her albums and are particularly partial to “Crown Electric”,”The Quickening” and a very soft spot for her cover of “I started a joke” on “Relations” (it comes up in my top-rated songs list quite often!) Cerebral and clever but also breezy and accessible, Kathryn Williams has rated highly in our favourite singer-songwriters long before we moved over to the folk train.

So.. on to the questions!

Q. For those who haven’t come across you before, please describe you in a few sentences?

It’s hard to be asked to describe yourself… overdo it and you look arrogant under do it and you sell yourself short. I’m a bit folky but not folk, I’m a bit poppy but not pop, I’m a bit shy but foul mouthed,.. I am the best friend you’ll ever have.

Q. How would you describe your music in five words?

Thoughtful quiet unfolding punk rock.

Q. What inspires you as an artist?

Joy and pain, observing and imagining. 

Q. What can audience members expect from your set as part of the Hebden Folk Roots Festival?

A moment of calm in the eye of the storm. Space for their own thoughts, a few laughs x 

Q. What’s your favourite song to perform as part of your set and why?

I like playing songs people ask for or know even if I’ve not played them for a while. I like bringing the sea level down to the very quietest it can be. 

Q. Who else would you recommend festival goers seeing during the festival?

Michele Stodart. She’s my best friend

Q. What do you love most about performing on the festival circuit?

To be honest I find it hard. My music is small and fragile. Playing to people who might not have heard of me is good though x

Q. Your last album, Common Ground was arranged to pair alongside the experiences of the main character in Cass Wheeler’s “Greatest Hits”. How did this differ to your usual writing style and are there any other characters real or fictional you would love to base an album on?

Well I did the album Hypoxia before the Cass Wheeler one. I loved the constraints of looking through a characters eyes, but I’m ready to be free and me again x

Q. You have recorded with many illustrious folk artists over the years. Are there any stories you can share from these collaborations and is there anyone else you would love to work with?

If I told you all my stories, you would never sleep again! 

Q. What’s coming up next for you as an artist?

I have a 20cd box set coming out with one little Indian ( Bjork label) , I’m working on two new solo albums, an album with Michele Stodart, a collaboration with carol Ann Duffy and writing with other artists!

Kathryn Williams will be performing at Hope Baptist Church at 10pm on Saturday 11 May as part of Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival. For further information on Kathryn Williams visit https://kathrynwilliams.co.uk. For further information on the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

As mentioned, this interview was in partnership with “Last Night I Dreamt Of”, a website dedicated to theatre and performing arts. For further information visit http://www.lastnightidreamtof.co.uk/

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Festival Interviews PR

Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival 2018- Some Artist Interviews!

Looking ahead to Hebden Bridge Folk and Roots Festival ( 11th-13th May!) we are hoping it is going to be a sun-drenched affair with ice-cream, cool beer and the faint rustling of leaves on the breeze. If it’s not.. well, at least we will still have the music! Before it all kicks off we managed to catch up with some of the musicians at the festival and were delighted to hear what they had to say.

For further information on the festival, its line-up, programme and to book tickets visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

Tickets are available to collect from the Hope Baptist Chapel in Hebden Bridge at 2pm on the first day, Friday 11th May 2018.

Henry Priestman

First of all we spoke to Henry Priestman, a man who has been in the music business quite a while (over 38 years) who whilst in the band, The Yachts supported some impressive talent such as The Who and The Sex Pistols and contributed to the world in a huge number of other musical projects. We caught up with him to hear his thoughts.

I: Tell us more about yourself?

Henry: My name is Henry Priestman. I used to be songwriter/member of The Christians (big in the 80’s/90’s, ask your Mum about them!), and before that, new wave band Yachts (ask your Grandad about them!). I released my debut solo album The Chronicles of Modern Life in 2008, and have had an amazing time in the last ten years, at this new cottage industry level, on the folk/singer/songwriter circuit. Wembley Arena? Been there, done it, give me Hebden Bridge anyday!

I: Describe your music in five words?

Henry: Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker, he called it “Music for grumpy old men”!! Me, I’d go for “wry, poignant, warmth, protest, mayhem”

I: What’s your favourite song to perform and why?

Henry: Probably my song “We Used To Be You”, a song about kids leaving home to go to University (or a job away)…I love seeing how each verse resonates with certain members of the audience…I feel I can hear them saying “yes, that was us when young Billy left home”!

I: What are you looking for to most about performing at the festival?

Henry: Returning to Hebden Bridge for the first time in 4 years…love the place…also will be great to be back with my band The Men of a Certain Age.

I: Who else are you looking forward to seeing perform at the festival?

Henry: Especially looking forward to meeting up again with quite a few people I’ve performed with in the past…a while back I did a Hebden Bridge songwriter circle with Steve Tilston and Roger Davies, and Reg Meuross and I have also done a few joint gigs together, so will be great to see all them again. And Jon Palmer and band have done Beverley Festival and Folk on the Farm Festival a number of times on the same bill as me, and they’re always good value!

I: What’s next for you after the festival?

Henry: A house gig at Spurn Point the next day!…then a good lie-down, followed by more dates throughout the year

Henry Priestman will be performing at Hope Baptist Chapel at 9.15pm on the Saturday 12th May. For further information on Henry Priestman visit www.henrypriestman.com.

Mambo Jambo

Mambo Jambo describe themselves as an acoustic-roots duo. With an uplifting sound and vast, almost continent-spanning array of instruments they have many tools in their arsenal and look to be a fabulous addition to the festival.

I: Tell us more about yourselves?

Mambo Jambo: This is what our website says about us! “Acoustic Roots duo, Mambo Jambo, might just be the biggest acoustic duo you’ll ever see. A truly unique two-piece with their own rhythmic and joyful sound, they’ll take you on a musical journey with a mash-up of sounds from roots, world, folk and jazz, plus their own compositions. With Frankie on sax, vocals, clarinet, flute, guitar and spoons plus other percussion and Pete on guitar, vocal, ukulele, tres (traditional Cuban guitar), banjo, accordion and suitcase ! Pete and Frankie have been gathering admirers at shows and festivals the length and breadth of the country. A fabulous musical treat is in store wherever they roll up, their tour bus packed to the brim!”

I: Describe your music in five words?

Mambo Jambo: Multi-instrumental Whirlwind of joyful roots music.

I: What’s your favourite song to perform and why?

Mambo Jambo: We don’t really have a favourite song as such; we keep it fresh for the audiences and ourselves with variety, variety of styles,moods and instruments. People often describe our shows as a musical journey and we don’t want to pick out just one musical stop off along the way!!

I: What are you looking for to most about performing at the festival?

Mambo Jambo: We’re looking forward to bringing a whole range of diverse roots music ourselves to the festival. We’re thrilled to be part of this festival with it’s great line up, we love the fact that there’s loads of great stuff going on in in venues, in the community and on the streets – all sorts of stuff going on!

I: Who else are you looking forward to seeing perform at the festival?

Mambo Jambo: We’re really looking forward to seeing all the musicians who are playing the same day as us, some of whom we’ve seen at other festivals they and we have played at, including Tantz, Mestisa, Don’t Feed The Peacocks. Also Steve Tilston; Musicians of Bremen, 309s; G-Runs And Roses;  and we’ll try and catch all the bands and musicians we haven’t seen before; so many great bands for us (and all the audiences) to discover! Not forgetting the storytelling sessions and workshops!

I: What’s next for you after the festival?

Mambo Jambo: We are constantly touring, which we love. So we’ve got a tour of the South West coming up, playing in venues in Bristol, Bath, and other venues in Somerset and Devon. Then a couple of festivals including The Big Malarkey Festival, Childrens Literature Festival where we’ve been commissioned to present some different workshops. Two other festivals we’ll be playing at are Beverley Puppet Festival, and a Cycle Festival in North Yorkshire. Later in the year we’ re playing some shows in Europe – lots of interesting playing for us this year! We’ve also got a fair few workshop sessions and school projects coming up, and are planning to do some recording in between all the touring!

Mambo Jambo will be performing at the Trade Club on Sunday 13th May at 3pm. For further information on Mambo Jambo visit http://mambojambo.co.uk.

Once again, further information on the festival, its line-up, programme and to book tickets visit www.hebdenfolkroots.org.

Tickets are available to collect from the Hope Baptist Chapel in Hebden Bridge at 2pm on the first day, Friday 11th May 2018.