FolkOnMonday presents the best that the folk scene has to offer on the first and third monday every month (usually), see below for a list of our confirmed dates and check back regularly for more dates.

2012 Dates

Monday 16th January

Jacquelyn Hynes & J.Eoin with support from Rob Corcoran

£8 advance £10 door
Monday 30th January

Genticorum and support from The Raven

£12 Advance £14 Door
Monday 6th February

The Outside Track and support from Anna MacDonald

£10.00 advance £12 door
Wednesday 15th February

David Newey - CD Launch at The Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green

£8.00 advance £10 door
Monday 20th February

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan and support from The Raven

£12 advance £14 On the door
Monday 5th March

CD Launch - O'Hooley & Tidow and support from Emma Scarr - CD Launch!

£10 advance £12 door
Monday 19th March

The Ric Sanders Group featuring Catherine Howe and support from Wendy Arrowsmith

£10 advance £12 door
Monday 2nd April 2012

Skyhook and support

£8 advance £10 door
Monday 16th April 2012

The Askew Sisters and support from The Raven

£9 advance £10 door
Sunday 6th May 2012

Pilgrim's Way

£10 Advance £12 Door
Monday 7th May 2012

Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts

£10 Advance £12 Door
Monday 21st May 2012

Al Parrish

£10 Advance £12 Door
Saturday 26th May 2012

The Second Bethnal Green Folk Day

£10
Monday 4th June 2012

Ewan McLennan and support from David Shevelew

£10 advance £12 door
Monday 18th June 2012

James Findlay and support

£10 advance £12 door
Monday 2nd July 2012

Elle Osborne

£10 Advance £12 Door
Monday 16th July 2012

Lorraine Jordan

£tbc
Monday 6th August 2012

Christine Cooper and Kate Denny with support

£8 Advance £10 Door
Monday 20th August 2012

The Old Dance School and support

£10 Advance £12 Door
Monday 3rd September 2012

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin plus support

£8 advance £10 door
Monday 1st October 2012

Lady Maisery and support

£10 advance £12 door
Monday 15th October 2012

Hanna Hoyla and Gutterin Lastut with support

£8 advance £10 door
Monday 19th November 2012

Sarah McQuaid and support

£8 advance £10 door
Monday 3rd December

Lucy Ward and support

£10 advance £12 door
2013 Dates
Monday 3rd March 2013

Pilgrim's Way

£tbc



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Monday 16th January 2012 - Jacquelyn Hynes & J.Eoin with support from Rob Corcoran at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden


Jacquelyn Hynes (“Gifted and innovative” Irish In Britain “Transfixing playing” (Kingsbury Guardian) and Irish folk singer J.Eoin (“A truly gifted songwriter” Irish Post “Steeped in Irish history and mythology” (Guardian) “Totally modern and enchanting songs” Musician Magazine) have joined forces.

Having recently supported Lunasa, Eleanor MacEvoy and following a storming performance in Vollen, Norway, Jacky and J decided to launch themselves as a duo this summer. They will bring you an inspiring evening of traditional and contemporary tune and song.

See www.myspace.com/jacquelynhynes and www.j-eoin.com

“Dublin native Rob Corcoran is a young performer with an old soul, whose personal take on vintage Irish and American folk songs is matched by a self-penned, contemporary repertoire that offers a heartfelt nod to the past.”



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Monday 30th January - Genticorum and support The Raven at The Slaughtered Lamb, Clerkenwell, EC1V 0DX

We are pleased to be welcoming back Genticorum to FolkOnMonday after their sell out show last year, we are expecting a full room so please book in advance to be guaranteed entry!

GENTICORUM has become one of the most sought-after exponents of Quebecois musical culture, having now performed and toured across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania – more than 15 countries in all. ...Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, this energetic and original power trio also incorporate the dynamism of contemporary North American and European folk cultures into their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion, and guitar and bass accompaniment into a jubilant musical feast. GENTICORUM’s distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence make it a supreme crowd pleaser – though never at the expense of the music.


GENTICORUM’s second album, Malins Plaisirs, released in Canada in 2005, won in the Best Ensemble category at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and was nominated for Juno (Canada) and Félix (Quebec) awards. Now released in Europe (in collaboration with the Weatherbox label), the album is getting rave reviews on the other side of the Atlantic. The trio’s brand new album, La Bibournoise, was released in Canada in April 2008 to critical acclaim. This work builds on GENTICORUM’s trademark sound, combining rollicking interpretations of Quebec folk songs with original instrumentals written in the traditional style. Energetic yet folky, its harmonized songs sublime, its frenzied rhythms mesmerizing, its arrangements fresh and unique – this is La Bibournoise, and sometimes it’s hard to believe it is the work of just three band members !

GENTICORUM’s Fourth album 'Nagez Rameurs' won both Traditional Album and Ensemble of the Year in the 2011 Canadian Folk Awards, which should really give you an idea of the standard of music of evening you can expect!!

Please note that

www.genticorum.com

The Raven are Stephen Moncrieff on guitar /vocals, and Carolyn Forbes on vocals/flute/guitar. They perform their own arrangements of traditional folk songs from Britain and Australia as well as covers of some of their favourite folk-style songs, and a few self-penned pieces. Separately both Ste, from Liverpool, and Caz, from Australia, have been playing and performing for many years.

Ste originally played saxophone, performing in bands and as a session musician in Liverpool. Since moving to London he moved to playing guitar, having been influenced by artists such as John Martyn and Nick Drake.

Caz comes from a family of musicians, and has been singing since she was very young. She was introduced to folk music in her teens and has enjoyed performing solo and in groups ever since.

www.theraven.me



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Monday 6th February 2012 - The Outside Track and support from Anna MacDonald at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden


A stunning synthesis of virtuosity and energy, The Outside Track's marriage of Canadian, Scottish and Irish music and song has been rapturously received around the world. Hailing from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Vancouver, its five members are united by a love of traditional music and a commitment to creating new music on its foundation. Using fiddle, accordion, harp, guitar, flute, step-dance and vocals these five virtuosos blend boundless energy with unmistakable joie de vivre.

The line up comprises Norah Rendell (Canadian Traditional Singer of the Year nominee), Mairi Rankin (Beolach), Ailie Robertson (Live Ireland Winner, BBC Young Trad Finalist), Fiona Black (BBC Fame Academy Winner), and Cillian O'Dalaigh.

Each player within The Outside Track is a master of their chosen instrument with the band stacking up an impressive amount of international awards. This amount of talent alone would be enough to recommend the band but in this case the end result is so much greater than the sum of the parts.

The band have enjoyed 5 years of extensive touring in the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA, including appearances at Celtic Connections, Celtic Colours, Goderich, Mission, Memoire et Racines, Sidmouth, and Whitby Festivals.

www.theoutsidetrack.com

Anna MacDonald is a singer and songwriter of folk songs that show her celtic roots. A multi-instrumentalist she is able to play the piano, guitar and clarsach which she beautifully intertwines with both English and Gaelic songs.

www.annamacdonaldmusic.com



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Wednesday 15th February - David Newey (CD Launch) at The Gallery Cafe, Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, London N1

David Newey is one of the UK's most in demand acoustic guitarists, songwriters and singers.

David was inspired by his headmaster to start writing songs and playing the guitar aged 10. Since then, he's never really stopped, playing pubs and clubs around his native Hampshire until the age of 18, when he moved to Newcastle to study Folk and Traditional Music.

Under the tuition of such established names as Chris Newman, Martins Simpson and Carthy, and John Renbourn, David honed his style. His guitar playing is unique and unrivalled, encompassing both the flatpick and fingerstyle techniques with power, fluency and control. David often blurs the boundaries between Acoustic and Electric styles, coaxing out sounds normally associated with rock and roll, jazz and country, and placing them within his more folk based playing. As such, he's in high demand as a collaborator, playing with BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year Tom McConville on a regular basis, and touring and recording with other luminaries and peers such as Christi Andropolis, Emily Portman, Sandra Kerr, and many others. He was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician of the Year in 2003, and has appeared all over magazine and radio, including BBC Radio 3's 'Late Junction', BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mike Harding, and in the Froots playlist and cover CD.

As a songwriter, David has two albums to his name - 2005's 'A List of Names' and 2009's 'Cities and Power', the latter receiving a range of plaudits including a five star review from Rock n Reel, being called 'brave and imaginative' by Tom Robinson, and given numerous outings on national radio. His songwriting is political and personal, original and austere, echoing Richard Thompson, Boo Hewerdine and Chris Wood, but remaining entirely unique, and as a solo performer he likes to challenge and involve an audience.

www.davidnewey.com





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Monday 20th February 2012 - Nancy Kerr and James Fagan and support from The Raven at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden


Winners in 2011 BBC2 Folk Awards for Best Duo

Winners of two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards: Best Duo 2003, Horizon Award 2000
Nominated again for Best Duo 2007

Groundbreaking English fiddle player and singer Nancy Kerr and her Australian partner James Fagan (bouzouki, voice) play a scintillating mix of traditional and contemporary acoustic music drawn mostly from the English and Australian traditions, and more recently Nancy Kerr’s original songs. They are renowned for their beautiful and at times breathtaking instrumentals, strong harmony singing, original and fulsome arrangements and their love of live performance.

A night with Kerr and Fagan is always memorable, and their love of interaction with a live audience has become one of their trademarks. They are simply a great partnership and a great duo, and have been constantly in demand internationally since they formed their duo in 1996.

www.kerrfagan.com


The Raven are Stephen Moncrieff on guitar /vocals, and Carolyn Forbes on vocals/flute/guitar. We perform our own arrangements of traditional folk songs from Britain and Australia as well as covers of some of our favourite folk-style songs, and a few self-penned pieces. Separately both Ste, from Liverpool, and Caz, from Australia, have been playing and performing for many years.

www.theraven.me



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CD Launch - Monday 5th March 2012 - O'Hooley & Tidow and support from Emma Scarr at Green Note, Parkway, Camden - CD Launch!!

“Blessed with sensitivity, coupled with a great sense of humour, Belinda and Heidi write creatively, expressing new ideas both lyrically and musically in a beautiful way.”

Nic Jones

Belinda O’Hooley (The Unthanks) and Heidi Tidow are the dapper gentlewomen behind the groundbreaking Silent June; one of MOJO Magazine’s Top 10 Folk Albums of 2010. Hailed as pioneers of innovative chamber-folk, their music defies easy description, crossing folk and classical boundaries with a hint of burlesque theatricality. Their beautifully unusual songs touch on everything from dark folk tales, cross-dressing historical figures through to the invisibility of the elderly and the global economy, yet are always sure to tug on your heart-strings. Their new album The Fragile, released in February 2012, sees them touring the country with their irresistible blend of striking arrangements, sublime harmonies and cheeky Northern banter.

Praise for Silent June (No Masters)

A MOJO Magazine Top 10 Folk Album of 2010
Spiral Earth Best Debut 2011
Fatea Records Innovation Award 2011

‘Striking and refreshingly ambitious. A bold, unsettling debut.The Observer
‘Gorgeous’**** The Financial Times
‘Hard to resist’ Uncut

www.ohooleyandtidow.com


To open the evening we welcome back London based Singer Songwriter Emma Scarr. ".. Emma has been active on London’s live scene for approaching two decades. A proficient performer on guitar, fiddle and banjo, in recent years she has concentrated on song craft. .. Her pedigree includes a long association with the hugely popular Northern Celts, widely celebrated for their upbeat, feel-good performances at pubs, festivals, sessions and ceilidhs in and around London"
See www.myspace.com/emmascarr

We are expecting this evening to sell out, to be guaranteed entry on the evening please buy tickets in advance either from the venue during opening hours or online:



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Monday 19th March 2012 - The Ric Sanders Group featuring Catherine Howe and support from Wendy Arrowsmith at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

"At a Ric Sanders Group concert the audience can expect the unexpected. These four world-class musicians draw their repertoire from the greatest contemporary composers of popular music, crossing all boundaries and defying categorization. Their own songs and tunes share the stage with these great composers of yesterday and today. The band comprises Ric Sanders (Fairport Convention) along with percussionist Michael Gregory (The Albion Band, Home Service), Guitarist Vo Fletcher and Guest vocalist Catherine Howe."

Since 1985 Ric Sanders has been the violinist with the British institution Fairport Convention, touring the world and contributing many instrumental compositions and arrangements that have become fixtures in their repertoire. In 2001 Fairport received the BBC's "Folk on 2" Lifetime Achievement Award. Although considering himself primarily a jazz musician, Ric is equally adept in rock, folk and world music. Early in his professional career he toured with the renowned classical/rock percussionist Stomu Yamash'ta, and then went on to play with the celebrated jazz pianists Johnny Patrick and Michael Garrick. In the late 1970's he was in both The Albion Band (appearing on the classic album Rise Up Like the Sun) and the legendary jazz-rock group Soft Machine. In addition to Fairport, he has worked with a remarkably diverse roster of artists including Rick Wakeman, Dave Cousins (The Strawbs), Jethro Tull, Robert Plant, Roy Harper, Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), Pentangle, Gordon Giltrap, Andrew Cronshaw, June Tabor, Martin Simpson, Charlie Landsborough, All About Eve, The Mission and John Etheridge

Vo Fletcher has recorded and performed with such notable artists as Nigel Kennedy, Touch & Go, Rik Mayall, Dave Swarbrick, Andrew Cronshaw, Martin Simpson, Chris Leslie, Simon Nicol, Donovan and many others. Vo contributes many fine compositions to the Ric Sanders Group repertoire.

Michael Gregory first worked with Ric as a fellow member of The Albion Band during the Rise Up Like the Sun period. His vast experience as both a drummer and percussionist found him working with the Maddy Prior Band, the John Kirkpatrick Band, Home Service, Martin Simpson and the late John B. Spencer. More recently, he has been in demand for film and theatre work where he has played with The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and in West End productions.


Wendy Arrowsmith has been making an impact on the folk club and festival scene since making music her full-time career in 2008. Her easy-going style and gentle humour, combined with her voice make her a popular guest wherever she goes.

Wendy has sung many different styles of music but with folk music she has found songs that come from the heart and allow great emotional expression and social commentary. Originally from Glasgow, Wendy performs a mixture of British folk songs including a generous helping of Scottish material plus songs of her own.

She is just as adept at creating her own material as she is at interpreting a traditional song. Her songs have won awards at Saltburn Folk Festival 2007 (The Visitor), Scarborough Seafest 2008 (Sleep Well ‘till Morning) and Ryedale Folk Festival 2009 (Hearth Song).

www.wendyarrowsmith.com





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Monday 2nd April 2012 - Skyhook and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden


skyhook are an exciting collaboration of three of the finest acoustic musicians in Sheffield, England. Martin Harwood, Cath James and Eoin Teather play traditional tunes and songs from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton Island, plus some brand new self-penned compositions.

skyhook are characterised by breathtaking twin fiddles combined with sublime guitar, bouzouki and voice. They shift seamlessly between driving dance music and spine-tingling songs, and play with a joy and precision that's hard to match.

www.skyhookmusic.com



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Monday 16th April 2012 - The Askew Sisters at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden London NW1

Emily and Hazel Askew are a young duo making waves on the folk scene with their energetic brand of English folk music. Using fiddle and melodeon, they play and sing with an infectious enjoyment and love for the music, winning them fans wherever they go. From rhythmic foot stomping tunes to powerful interpretations of songs and ballads, their playing always guarantees to engage and inspire those who hear. They've spent the last couple of years playing at venues across the country, from top festivals and folk clubs to London's National Theatre and National Portrait Gallery.
"Hazel's rich gutsy voice and inventive melodeon playing combined with the skill of Emily's singing fiddle or soulful cello are a new force to be reckoned with!" Stirrings Magazine
"What the Askew Sisters do so well is tell the story and allow the music accompanying to help that story-telling along." EDS Magazine

www.askewsisters.co.uk


The Raven are Stephen Moncrieff on guitar /vocals, and Carolyn Forbes on vocals/flute/guitar. We perform our own arrangements of traditional folk songs from Britain and Australia as well as covers of some of our favourite folk-style songs, and a few self-penned pieces. Separately both Ste, from Liverpool, and Caz, from Australia, have been playing and performing for many years.

www.theraven.me



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Sunday 6th May 2012 - Pilgrims' Way at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Refreshingly different, reassuringly traditional, Pilgrims' Way are a 3-piece band with a big personality and big sound.

Playing their own particular brand of Folk music, they were brought together by a series of chance meetings at sessions around the North West of England, bonding over red hair and a shared love of traditional music, they have been shaking up assorted kitchens, public houses and folk venues ever since.

Their influences individually are many and varied but they share a deep respect for the tradition and take as their inspiration some of the most influential bands from the 60s/70s revival. Named for the Rudyard Kipling poem, set to music by the great Peter Bellamy, their aim is to present gimmick-free English folk of the finest kind.

www.pilgrims-way.net



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Monday 7th May 2012 - Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts combine astounding lap-tapping guitar, fiery fiddle and their trademark harmonies with considerable songwriting talent to make a truly distinctive sound.

Since releasing their début album Shadows & Half Light in 2008 (proclaimed 'one of the finest contemporary folk albums in recent memory' by FishRecords.co.uk), Gilmore and Roberts have been wowing audiences across the country with their unassumingly confident displays of instrumental technique.

2010 saw the duo release their hotly-anticipated second album, Up From The Deep, which scored them a Hancock Award for ‘Best Original Song’ (Fleetwood Fair). In 2011 Katriona and Jamie spent five weeks touring with folk-rock legends Fairport Convention, completed a 30-date nationwide tour in their own right and performed at two of Britain’s largest acoustic music festivals - Cambridge Folk Festival and Fairport’s Cropredy Convention.

Aside from their work together, both Katriona and Jamie are in high demand as session musicians and have played on several acclaimed albums. Katriona has previously toured as part of Tiny Tin Lady and with Rosie Doonan's Snapdragons and recently joined the newly reformed Albion Band, while Jamie played with young English traditionalists Kerfuffle from 2007 to 2010.

www.gilmoreroberts.co.uk



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Monday 21st May 2012 - Al Parrish and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Al Parrish grew up in Toronto singing in church choirs and playing tuba in the high school band. A friend convinced him to join an after-school rock band by saying, "You play tuba, you could play bass," . So he did. His musical experience covers everything from pop, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and rock & roll to heavy metal.

In 1989 that repertoire grew to include folk/roots when he and three friends created Brean Derg Muc, a Toronto-based, pseudo-Irish band that took the Ontario folk festival scene by storm and saw two years of brilliant success. Al's fondness for folk music outlasted the band, and after several years of freelancing with October Browne, Kirk Elliot, Aaron Solomon, Cape Breton singer/songwriter David Stone and many others, he was invited to join Tanglefoot and began playing with the band in January 1994. His arrival brought about a major infusion of energy for which Tanglefoot became known. Al plays a Lou Currah double bass nicknamed "The Beautiful Joe".

Since Tanglefoot's last UK tour and their final farewell concert at the end of 2009, Al hasn't been sitting still, he's been working on his solo repertoire including some of his own newly written songs, a new CD and getting out there gigging. Not only does he play his beloved hand-built stand-up bass, but he also plays acoustic guitar... and sings, of course.

What to expect from an evening with Al Parrish: bags of stage presence for starters, a few tall stories, fabulous singing, good humour, some Tanglefoot songs, of course, but also a wide repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs from 'MacCrimmon's Lament' (in Gaelic) to 'When the Bass Players Took Over the World' via 'White Squall' , 'Fall Down Like the Rain' and Stephen Foster's 'Hard Times' with additional verses by Al.

www.alparrish.ca



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Monday 4th June 2012 - Ewan McLennan and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Ewan McLennan has been making headlines over the last year, performing at festivals, clubs, and concert halls across the country. Of Ewan's singing BBC Radio 2’s Mike Harding has said "he sings beautifully, with great sincerity, great empathy, he's terrific!”, while his classical-influenced folk guitar playing has been described as “stunning”. His music combines traditional music from around Britain and beyond, with a particular focus on the music of Scotland, where he was brought up. But Ewan retains a unique and compelling sound of his own in which traditional songs run parallel to his own earthy, self-penned songs.

"Only once in a while do you hear a new voice, a new sound that is really worth listening to, Ewan McLennan is one such!” Martin Simpson

www.ewanmclennan.co.uk


David Shevelew will be opening this evening, Singer and Guitarist David is an emerging artist on the wider folk scene and regularly performs around London's folk club. David was a semi-finalist in the 2011 BBC Young Folk Awards.
www.davidshevelewmusic.com



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Monday 18th June 2012 - James Findlay and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

James Findlay walked away with the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award title on Friday 4th December 2009. Amongst a stunning group of finalists James' amazing voice and distinctive guitar and fiddle style stood out. He is influenced by all genres of music, but his love lies in traditional English folk music and ballads and in a short space of time he has developed a stage presence all of his own.

As well as the Young Folk Award James was a winner in the ‘New Roots’ national competition for up-and-coming folk performers in 2008. Judging the Young Folk Awards Bellowhead’s Jon Boden exclaimed, “Bloody hell, what a voice!' was my first thought as he launched into his two songs. He's warmly charismatic with that sparkle of personality that draws a crowd along with him.” (Paul Adams, 2011) 2011 saw James' debut album 'Sport and Play' released under the major folk label 'Fellside'.

www.myspace.com/jfindlay



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Monday 2nd July - The Elle Osborne Trio plus support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Elle Osborne was born on the North Sea coast of Lincolnshire where she taught herself to play the fiddle (and ride Gypsy horses on the beach ~ altho that's another story). She was raised amongst folk singers and wrote songs from an early age.
Inspired by the language and beauty of English folksong, Elle performs her own songs, as well as re-interpretations of traditional songs (many of which she nicked from her Dad).

Elle’s debut cd, Testimony, featured in the fRoots magazine Best of Year Critics’ Poll, and was reviewed as “…One of the most compelling performances of the year”.

Elle featured on the Lal Waterson tribute album Migrating Bird, as one half of the experimental folk noise duo Lindsey Woolsey (“Willful dissonance”! The Times). She also composes for dance, and makes sound installations - most recently LongLines for the National Fishing Heritage Museum.

www.elleo.com



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Monday 16th July - Lorraine Jordan at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Lorraine Jordan is a celtic/folk singer songwriter who takes the influences of her Irish roots and love of traditional ballads and combines them with her contemporary musical influences to create an intoxicating and thought provoking set of original songs. She has released 4 CDs to much critical acclaim and has shared stages with many well known names including Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, the Waterboys and Dick Gaughan. 

Musicians who have recorded/toured with Lorraine have included Celtic guitarist Tony McManus, pianist Steve Fletcher (Paul Brady, Penguin Cafe Orchestra), mandolin player Neal Davey (Dalla, Anam), accordioinist Pete Garnet (Moishe's Bagel), Steafan Hannigan (Sin E), guitarist John Whelan (Mary Coughlan Band), viola player Mairi Campbell (The Cast) among others.

Lorraine has toured extensively in Germany, Italy, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Ireland and Scotland, and has a growing audience in Australia and the USA.

www.lorrainejordan.net



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Monday 6th August - Christine Cooper and Kate Denny plus support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Once upon a time there lived a girl in wild west Wales. She loved all that was dark and beautiful. She took the wild west wind and wove it into her songs and stories. She travelled far over land and sea, and all who saw her fell under her spell...

Christine is a young singer, fiddler and storyteller currently garnering praise for her new EP, These Dreams Like Trees Are Dark And Twisting. She sings in English and Welsh. “a beautiful record” Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales

“Carrying on the tradition, Christine has made the songs her own in new and innovative ways. Listen to her!” Heather Wood, The Young Tradition

www.christinecooper.info


Kate Denny, composer, singer and fiddle player of The Kittiwakes now embarks upon an exciting new solo project focusing her writing on matters closer to heart and home. Denny’s voice has been described as both ‘striking’ (fRoots) and ‘lullaby-like’ (Mojo) bringing depth and range of expression to her songs and tunes that are haunting, poignant and whimsical. After three years of gigging with The Kittiwakes, Kate is no stranger to performing live, captivating audiences with the stories she weaves and gorgeous fiddle based tunes.

Quotes about ‘Lofoten Calling’, Kate’s album with The Kittiwakes: ‘…compulsory listening’, Mojo
‘Impressive and uniquely compelling’, fRoots Magazine
‘Lofoten Calling is an inventive and thoroughly magical album’, R2

www.katedenny.com



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Monday 20th August - The Old Dance School plus support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Birmingham's cinematic septet unleash their duelling fiddles, soaring brass crescendos, wind and vocal harmonies and earth shattering grooves in a genre busting live show that's leaving audiences breathless.

The Old Dance School came into being in 2006 at the old Betty Fox School of Ballet in Birmingham, then legendary party venue. The successive basement jam partys and sessions became a smelting pot of musicians as diverse as the city itself. Samantha Norman and Helen Lancaster's duo relationship was just as familiar chugging on celtic fiddle tunes as string quartet recitals, Robin Beatty's songwriting and screen composition credentials met Tom Chapman's fixation with the rhythms of the Peruvian cajón, Aaron Diaz's scandinavian jazz trumpet stylings and Laura Carter's passion for early music, and the band was born. That period's explorations and outings to play for ceilidhs and parties quickly became clubs and festival stages and culminated in the 2008 debut 'Based on a True Story', championed by BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris.

Five years, 50,000 miles, many dozen festivals, and several trips to A & E later, 2010's breakthrough album 'Forecast' delivered a startling take on contemporary folk that is both firmly-rooted and unashamedly forward-thinking. With legendary Scottish producer Calum Malcolm at the helm, The Old Dance School's second release was recorded in an intense period nested in the mountains of Snowdonia, landing rave reviews across the board, Songlines Top Of The World 2010, and nominations for Spiral Earth's Best Original Song and The Hancock's best newcomer.
The seven members of The Old Dance School may seem fresh faced, but don't let them fool you, the diversity and scale of each one's musical journey is quite remarkable. From international jazz festivals to European opera tours, film score commissions to classical recitals, green festivals to tattoo conventions, members of The Old Dance School have performed, recorded and toured with artists such as Martha Wainwright, Cerys Matthews, Graham Coxon, Zoe Rahman, Neil Yates, Jim Perrin, The Destroyers, Martha Tilston, Kevin Dempsey, Joe Broughton and Chris While.

www.theolddanceschool.com



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Monday 3rd September - Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin plus support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Phillip Henry is a figurehead for the next generation of English slide guitarists and has been blazing a trail on the festival and folk club scene. He is considered by many to be one of the finest slide guitarists this country has ever produced, bringing together folk melodies of the British isles, blues, gospel and Indian music in his moving and original compositions and arrangements. He is also making a name for himself as a harmonica player, arranging tunes and songs in his own unique style that incorporates blues, traditional melodies and human beatbox. Definitely one of the most exciting and innovative performers on the acoustic circuit today.

Hannah Martin is a singer, songwriter, banjo-and-fiddle player from Devon. Having been brought up attending folk clubs and sessions, she developed a keen interest in traditional music, and her songs weave folklore and legend old and new with beautiful melodies and innovative arrangements, while retaining a strong sense of the living tradition. Playing music has taken Phillip and Hannah as far a field as recording sessions in Nashville, USA; gigs in Ireland, Germany, and the Channel Islands, as well as touring all over the UK. They have recently been privileged to tour with Show Of Hands; play on Steve Knightley's "Live In Somerset" album; work with Judy Dyble (Fairport Convention, King Crimson); and appear live from Maida Vale studios for a special edition of BBC Radio Three’s Late Junction.

www.philliphenryandhannahmartin.co.uk



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Monday 1st October 2012 - Lady Maisery and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Lady Maisery is a new vocal trio from Hannah James (Kerfuffle, Hannah James and Sam Sweeney, Demon Barbers), Hazel Askew (The Askew Sisters) and Rowan Rheingans (Fidola.) Inspired by folk singing traditions of the UK and northern Europe, Lady Maisery sing songs and ballads both unaccompanied, and with backing from their combined instrumental talents on accordion, harp and fiddle. Their debut album, Weave and Spin, was recorded one frosty week in February and introduces these three musicians; three voices woven together in a timeless combination, which they push to new levels. It features a captivating collection of songs, carefully chosen and arranged to showcase the vocal quality of the group. Expect spellbinding harmonies on unaccompanied tracks such as the plaintive Kipling/Bellamy classic My Boy Jack, the music-hall charms of Mary Ann, and the beautiful simplicity of three voices on Sleep on Beloved.

Lady Maisery also explore new ground as one of the first UK groups to revive the tradition of diddling or singing tunes, which has nearly died out in England, but is still prevalent in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. The combined influence of these traditions can be seen in sets such as the toe-tapping European dance tunes Labajalg/Polska, as well as a fun rendition of the classic Primrose and Bluebell Polkas.

All three members are musicians as much as singers, which can be seen not just in their tune singing, but also in their intelligent, striking arrangements on fiddle, harp and accordion. Listen out for their dreamy combination of harp and voice on their version of Mary Ann Haynes’s The Colour of Amber, and hear them breathe life into old ballads, such as their ambitious re-working of Willie’s Lady. They also explore vocal harmony to spine-tingling effect on their eerie interpretation of Nottamun Town, featuring the haunting accompaniment of the ban-sitar.

www.ladymaisery.com



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Monday 15th October 2012 - Hanna Hoyla and Gutterin Lastut with support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Hanna Hoyla and Gutterin Lastut perform Finnish, Swedish, Canadian, British and Irish folk music, and more.

www.myspace.com/hannahoylagutterinlastut



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Monday 19th November 2012 - Sarah McQuaid and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Renowned for her warm, engaging stage presence, Sarah McQuaid is a versatile and beguiling performer. In addition to her own elegantly crafted originals, she interprets traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads, 1930s jazz numbers, surprise covers and lively guitar instrumentals with panache and poignance.

Her deliciously earthy voice delivers a powerful emotional punch that’s matched by her distinctive, eloquent guitar style. Add this to a real rapport with her audience, and you have all the ingredients of a great night out.

www.sarahmcquaid.com



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Monday 3rd December - Lucy Ward and support at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden London NW1

We are extremely pleased to be welcoming back Lucy Ward to FolkOnMonday, Lucy was a finalist in the BBC Young Folk Awards in 2009 and since then has gained an increasing audience on the folk scene, having supported the likes of Seth Lakeman, Mawkin Causley, Jez Lowe, Phil Beer, and recently supported O’Hooley & Tidow on their 2010 tour.

"Lucy is a 21 year old acoustic artist from Derby. She plays guitar but... considers voice to be her first instrument and has been performing regularly since she was 14.
Her sets are an eclectic mix of traditional and modern folk interpretations, interspersed with her own songs.

There is a natural and easy sound to her music that is brought to life by expressive performance and breath-taking delivery.
Lucy has the ability to still an audience with the strength and purity of her voice, which she uses to great effect on the unaccompanied songs that sprinkle her set."

See lucywardsings.com, www.myspace.com/lucywardsings or http://www.youtube.com/user/lucywardsings1




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2013 Dates

Monday 3rd March 2013 - Pilgrims' Way at The Green Note, Parkway, Camden

Refreshingly different, reassuringly traditional, Pilgrims' Way are a 3-piece band with a big personality and big sound.

Playing their own particular brand of Folk music, they were brought together by a series of chance meetings at sessions around the North West of England, bonding over red hair and a shared love of traditional music, they have been shaking up assorted kitchens, public houses and folk venues ever since.

Their influences individually are many and varied but they share a deep respect for the tradition and take as their inspiration some of the most influential bands from the 60s/70s revival. Named for the Rudyard Kipling poem, set to music by the great Peter Bellamy, their aim is to present gimmick-free English folk of the finest kind.

www.pilgrims-way.net



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And plenty more to be confirmed so keep watching this space, as you will be hard pressed to find a better folk night in London...