Artists

www.theaccidental.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/theaccidental

Fripp and Eno, Gainsbourg and Vannier, Kuti and Allen – two’s company, and great musicians often travel in pairs. The Accidental is a pairing of Sam Genders (Tunng) and Stephen Cracknell (The Memory Band, Gorodisch, co-founder of Trunk Records). This single is their first outing as well as a forerunner for a debut full-length album, due in Spring 2008...............

www.myspace.com/thebavarianstrollers

The Bavarian Strollers have been an established German Oompah Band (Bavarian Band) since 1978. The band only uses first class professional musicians and is based on a traditional Bavarian band consisting of 2 clarinets, a trumpet, trombone and tuba.

www.belshazzarsfeast.co.uk

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaIJxSqQ10w

Paul met accordionist Paul Hutchinson in the (long-defunct) band Life of Reilly in 1995. Finding quickly that they had common interests, both musical and extra-curricular, they set up as a duo and came to record for Doug Bailey at Wildgoose in the winter of 1995, shortly after which Doug drafted them in to provide backing for Ian Bruce.

www.benpaley.com

www.myspace.com/benpaley

This is masterly stuff. Ben's fiddle playing combines seamlessly with Tab's guitar playing as they range over traditional tunes from Irish, East European, Klezmer and (mainly) Swedish and American sources.

www.benjaminwetherill.co.uk

www.myspace.com/benjaminwetherill

"...Nothing is straightforward about Ben Wetherill. Despite sporting the classically gaunt features and clothes of a 1930s English poet there is no easily explained centre to his mix of originals and covers.

www.benjikirkpatrick.com

www.myspace.com/benjikirkpatrick

Described by Time Out as a 'fretboard wizard ', Benji Kirkpatrick is a gifted guitar player and an engaging and experienced performer. Over the decade or so that he has been working on the folk scene, he has honed a distinctive style which has rare energy.

“…a memorably aggressive bouzouki style…Powerful…” - Mojo

www.bishi.co.uk

www.myspace.com/bishimusic

22 year old singer, musician & DJ Bishi was British born to a Bengali musical family. She started singing when she was 2 years old during a car journey to Sheffield. Her mother, an Indian Classical singer, warned her against the dangers of a musical life. Undeterred she followed her heart taking secret lessons in voice & piano.

Solidly representing the Old Folk in our club mantra, Bob Davenport is, at 70, one of the stalwarts of the tradition. It don't get more authentic than this. This mans character is as firey as his stage act and singing style. He's done it all. Sung with all the greatest and biggest names, run folk clubs in London (gulp!), you name it.

www.bowandbellows.co.uk

BOW & BELLOWS are a stunningly versatile violin, horn and accordion duo. They play and sing their own compelling arrangements of Klezmer, Balkan and Gypsy music with occasional sorties to savour the musical traditions of other countries. Sally Davies and Martina Schwarz met in 2000 whilst providing the music for a touring theatre production and formed the duo soon afterwards.

www.brian-kelly.com

www.myspace.com/briankellybanjo

London continues to nurture fine exponents of the banjo: Brian Kelly is one of the latest in a long line that includes Mick O'Connor, John Carty and Bernie Conneely (formerly of The London Lasses). Like many a young London-Irish musician, Brian took lessons from the influential Brendan Mulkere and went on to win All-Ireland titles on both the banjo and mandolin.

www.brucemolsky.com

Alone or with fellow musicians; guitar, fiddle, or banjo in hand, Bruce Molsky has been exploring traditional music from an astonishingly broad range of cultures over the past two decades – synthesizing them and refracting them through his own evolving sensibilities to the point where the sources of his inspiration transform themselves into a sound that is uniquely his.

www.thecedarsonline.com/

www.myspace.com/theonlycedars

This summer The Cedars have been spreading the spirit of old-time Blues and Americana to audiences all across the UK, from Glastonbury to the Secret Garden Party. Their infectious stomping rhythms, slide guitar and banjo coupled with huge mournful vocals conjure up scenes of dusty crossroads and cracked river beds so vivid your throat gets dry just listening to them...

www.myspace.com/chickenshedzeppelin

Chicken Shed Zeppelin play old-time fiddle-thrashing, yeeharhollerin' breakneck speed acoustic dance music with attitude to get ya on ya feet in a hurry and shakin' your old-time booty with a VENGEANCE!.....

www.chriscoe.info

CHRIS COE has been a professional performer since 1971, originally in a duo with Pete Coe, and linking up with various stalwarts of the Folk Music world in groups such as Magic Lantern, New Victory Band, English Country Blues Band, Tiger Moth, Bandoggs, Hooke`s Law & Red Shift.

www.christeneledoux.com

www.myspace.com/christeneledoux

A Telluride Troubador, Rocky Mt. Folks and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Finalist and recipient of numerous songwriting awards, including the Billboard Song Contest to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike.

www.cutashine.co.uk

Anarchist Hillbilly Barn Dance Shenanigans with this troupe of musicians, charismatic callers and gingham-clad dancers. Strip the Willow, Do Si Do, swing yer partner and have a good ol' foot stompin' dance. Whether it's self produced events across London, or on festival stages, we're sure to get you up and dancin'!

www.myspace.com/shonakiplinganddamienokane

This duo has been together for three years since meeting at Ethno Sweden. Shona is 20 and hails from Hawthorn Co. Durham, while Damien, 27, is from Coleraine, Co. Derry in Northern Ireland. Shona is a student on the Folk & Traditional Music Degree which is run by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the first of its kind ever in the UK.

www.thedealersonline.com

www.myspace.com/withthedealers

2006 Saw the birth of what has proven to be perhaps the most original and exciting duo to appear on the British acoustic scene in recent years.....

www.thedevilsinterval.co.uk

The Devil's Interval combines the individual vocal talents of Lauren McCormick, Jim Causley and Emily Portman.The English song tradition so strongly expressed in their solo work is also present in their group repertoire, an eclectic mix ranging from Tom Waits to Phoebe Smith and Dolly Parton!........

www.myspace.com/edeypowerrandallmusic

Edey Randall Power collectively represent a super group of Irish musicians – all undoubtedly the hottest players on their chosen instrument and genre in the world today!

www.myspace.com/emitblochcountry

i'm the miscegenated product of a cattle-ranching crew and a new york jew ... berkeley too

www.emmatricca.com

www.myspace.com/emmatricca

The journey began for Emma Tricca with that face on the album sleeve when she was nine years old. Her father was home from somewhere and he took her out to buy her a record.

www.myspace.com/faustustrio

To pick up the gauntlet left by the late Dr Faustus, Paul Sartin and Benji Kirkpatrick have lured Saul Rose out of his semi-retirement from the folk scene and back into a pivotal role in what looks set to become a major force on the English roots scene. All three members have been instrumental in the English revival of the last ten years.

www.zongzing.org

www.myspace.com/zongzing

Fiston Lusambo Ngoy is the son of Congolese musician Antoinne 'Deipussant' Kaya (ex African Jazz / African Fiesta / Vox Africa). A 'rumba veteran', Fiston began studying guitar aged 13.

www.forestbrook.info

People who play folk on their laptops and instruments. Dream music, totally gorgeous.

www.geoffberner.com

www.myspace.com/geoffberner

Geoff Berner pioneers the unique sound of Klezmer Punk. It's dirty, grimey, close to the bone and hilarious politico-anarchic-folk-pop from one man and his accordion. Not to be missed - a unique show!

www.myspace.com/georgepapavgeris

“George is something special” – Martin Carthy “The best thing to happen in UK songwriting in many a year” – Harvey Andrews George’s stock-in-trade is quality songsmithery that everyone can relate to, rather than the more exclusive overt-confessional-soapbox mode that we often encounter.

www.groanboxboys.com

www.myspace.com/thegroanboxboys

We are the Groanbox Boys, a foot-stompin', accordion and banjo/guitar based American blues and folk duo..........Our music is steeped in the 1920s and 30s, and played like the old greats with the peculiar mixture of sex and God to match.

www.hushthemany.com

www.myspace.com/hushthemany

"Hush the Many are a quartet who operate in that fabled half lit world that exists between classically lined soft psychedelia and the stranger more enticing and timeless elements of English folk. Absolutely perfect. Single of the Missive."

www.shackledramrecords.co.uk

www.myspace.com/jakeflowers

A gifted multi instrumentalist, mixing the nu folk wave sound with his fresh ear grabbing melodies. One to watch!

www.kerrfagan.com

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan are winners of the 2003 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo. This well-loved duo combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and stage presence.

www.jeffwarner.com

With warmth, humor and understated scholarship, Jeff Warner connects 21st century audiences with the music and everyday lives of 19th century people.

www.jennymccormick.com

www.myspace.com/jennymccormick

The Mancunian folk singer's album, "English Country Garden", was recorded at home with family and friends. A mixture of traditional song and her own compositions, the album draws on her love of story-telling, traditional English music and poetry.

www.jimmoray.co.uk

www.myspace.com/jimmoray

Jim Moray is a 24 year old singer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer who has created startlingly contemporary recordings of England’s traditional songs which have been described as the most significant development in folk music in the last 30 years.

www.jdowling.com

www.myspace.com/johndowlingbanjo

John started playing music at age 5 when, encouraged by his family at home in Cornwall, he started classical violin lessons. While this taught him a lot, he did not find the “fun” in music until at 12 years old he heard a 5 string banjo playing on the sound track of a Burt Reynolds car chase film.

www.myspace.com/folkadot

www.myspace.com/jonnyberliner

Jonny Berliner is usually found in North London playing folk, jazz, blues, country songs, any mixtures of those genres, and others besides. This is why people often call him ‘hard to put in a box’. They also call him that because he isn’t box shaped......

www.myspace.com/katusyoung

www.myspace.com/katusyoung

Katus has been taking audiences across the world by storm. Just back from her first 25 date tour of New Zealand inluding San Francisco and Shanghai. She's toured Croatia, Bosnia, The Czech Republic, Ireland and France. She was the subject of a French TV documentary. Last year she headlined at Solfest as well as many other festivals.

'King' Ken. The West Country's undiscovered National Treasure, a singer and story teller who will take you away into his own world of mischief, gypsy travels and cider drinking

www.kirstymcgee.com

www.myspace.com/kirstymcgeeandmatmartin

A maker of delicate yet stubborn songs, an instinctive traveller, a human scrapbook. Years spent as a hitchhiker and a period of homelessness have enriched her knowledge of people and places, all whilst keeping her moving.

www.myspace.com/lisaknappmusic

The Baroness of Nu-folk, with her sizzling vocals and contemporary arrangements of the old songs. Lisa is making a fast name for herself with her independent approach and modern ear. A name to watch.

www.myspace.com/lisaknappmusic

We are Proud to announce that over October, November and December The Magpies nest is hosting the london Showcase of Lisa and Friends. we have three superb nights of packed entertainment, Djs, the best in Nu- folk from across the capital and the country and a season of spectacular music from our favourite folk Star... Lisa Knapp. Come and join us for this London Launch

www.myspace.com/lizgreenmusic

Liz Green sounds like a shy Nina Simone, with an extraordinary voice held right back so that sometimes it's not much more than a whisper, making this an intimate and affecting perfomance.

www.myspace.com/thelongnotes

The Long Notes unite the revered talents of Glaswegian fiddler/guitarist Jamie Smith (finalist BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year/Beneche), London Irish

www.myspace.com/maracarlyle

Lovely by name, lovely by nature?

www.myspace.com/marthatilston

Martha's interest in song started at an early age. Her father Steve Tilston, acclaimed songwriter and performer and stepmother Maggie Boyle, folk singer, had a great influence on her musically. She spent parts of her childhood around the bright lights of the folk revival scene such as Bert Janch, John Renbourne and of course her parents.

www.watersoncarthy.com

For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music's greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.

www.myspace.com/maryepworth

I write music with roots in country and folk, filtered through a love of sunshine pop, gypsy music and psychedelia........ I write songs about life, love, and hooved ungulates. Here are some tracks for your enjoyment, complete with creaking ship noises, feel free to download them and play them to your Nan.

www.myspace.com/maryhampton

Hello there. I am Mary Hampton and I live in Brighton in a room overlooking the sea. I find old songs and keep them in coloured vials in my fridge. Sometimes I make up new songs. And sometimes I do neither one thing nor the other. A real favourite of the Magpie's Nest!

www.treewind.co.uk/mha

Since early in 2001 Mary and Anahata have together been unearthing and bringing to vivid life the best of England's traditional song and music. Their musicianship and enthusiasm has won them a steadily growing reputation for their singing and playing in folk clubs and festivals.

Critically acclaimed due from the west country. Matt Norman is gaining a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading lights of the new generation of Devon-based folk artists. He is an innovative and entertaining musician, exploring traditional and contemporary English music as a performer, arranger, composer and songwriter.

www.myspace.com/mattsagemusic

"Matt Sage is an inspirational song maker and performer. After moving onto a boat on the Oxford Canal in the mid-nineties, he founded the now legendary Catweazle Club, Oxford's performance space for 'music, poetry, song and all manner of acoustic artistry', a proudly beating community heart, still going strong 13 years on.

www.megsonmusic.co.uk

"For my money Megson are amongst the most exciting trailblazers of British Contemporary Folk." Seth Lakeman. The combined talents of northerners Stu Hanna and Debbie Palmer make the upcoming duo ‘Megson’.

www.melou-music.com

www.myspace.com/meloumusic

We first met Melou when they rocked up to the Magpie's Nest and played on our open mic. They had been driving around Europe and all sleeping in a big tour van, and played a lovely set on the open mic. So good we had to invite them back for a featured slot! Here is their official description:

www.michaelrossiter.co.uk

www.myspace.com/michaelrossiter

Hailing from Leeds, Michael is a singer and guitarist, playing "arcane songs and other relics". Beautiful guitar work, and contemporary renditions of traditional songs and other self-penned delights....  

www.micksongsands.com

Mick Sands (vocals, flute, whistle, bodhran),

www.myspace.com/nancywallace

Nancy Wallace was born a folk brat, and spent far more of her formative years than is healthy in the back rooms of Suffolk pubs, singing and playing her little heart out. In her teen years - and possibly as a result of a concussion caused by a stray morris stick - she joined an electric barn dance band playing the trombone.

www.myspace.com/nickluscombe

"Peelie, Charlie, Gilles, Annie...Nick Luscombe has become one of those radio titans." (Straight No Chaser) Nick Luscombe, London based broadcaster, producer, DJ and Music Consultant, has been described as a "restless musical soul" constantly searching for that perfect record.

www.myspace.com/paprikabalkanicus

Described as masters of good atmosphere PAPRIKA BALKANICUS are becoming one of the hottest newcomers in World music. Their electrifying show of fantastic musicianship and witty stage presence has already won them a substantial following in the UK, Europe and Japan.......

www.pegseeger.com

www.myspace.com/peggyseeger

PEGGY SEEGER member of the North American musical Seeger family, is a singer of traditional Anglo-American songs and activist songmaker. She plays six instruments: piano, guitar, 5-string banjo, Appalachian dulcimer, autoharp and English concertina. She has recorded 22 solo albums and participated directly in more than a hundred others.

A powerful and respected singer of traditional songs, Peta Webb brings together her current singing partner, Liverpool-born Ken Hall, and one of her old musical associates, singer and fiddle player Pete Cooper. As a trio, Peta, Ken and Pete present a hand-picked selection of great songs and tunes from the English, Irish and American folk traditions.

www.petecooper.com

Born in the Midlands, long based in London, Pete Cooper teaches, plays, composes and writes about fiddle music. He’s also, on a good night, a decent singer. Drawing on a wide knowledge of fiddle playing, gained over years of teaching, study, travel, practice and too many late-night sessions, he brings a relaxed, good-humoured delivery to his workshops, concerts and folk-club shows alike.

www.myspace.com/petepaphides

The DJ, Journalist and Musical Surrealist who once took a photograph of Philip Schofield just as he was reacting to the news that a second plane had flown into the World Trade Centre.

www.rachelunthank.com

www.myspace.com/rachelunthank

Winners of Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year 2005 for their debut Cruel Sister, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset defy the logic that staunch tradition and sonic adventure are surely virtues polls apart. Now on tour following the release of their second album, The Bairns.

www.petecooper.com/rattle.htm

www.myspace.com/rattleonthestovepipeuk

Rattle On The Stovepipe are Dave Arthur (5-string banjo, melodeon, guitar, vocals), Pete Cooper (fiddle and vocals) and Dan Stewart (5-string banjo, guitar and vocals). They’ve gained an huge following with their mix of traditional songs, ballads and storming dance tunes from the British Isles and the Appalachian Mountains region of America.

Robin is back on the London Scene after time out, and aren't we lucky to have him back. A handsome musician who can play just about any instrument with such feeling and ease, a young master!

www.myspace.com/samjohncarter

I'm originally from Rutland, East Midlands but now living in Stoke Newington, North London. For the last two years or thereabouts I've been touting my folky wares at venues around London. I've played all over the place alongside some great acts, including Findlay Brown, John Smith, Davey Graham and Spiers & Boden.

www.myspace.com/samlewisrecordings

Material for his album was written over the past 6 months whilst on and off tour in the US with KT Tunstall and recorded spontaneously in London with musician and producer Chris Morphitis. During this time they captured inspired performances by great musicians including Tom Skinner, Jessica Lauren and Dave Eaton (Sam's Dad).

www.maclurg.com/saragrey

Mother and Son Duo who are two of the greatest singers and musicians of old time american and English Trad music. They capture the grace and soul of the old songs having both been brought up surrounded by the sounds and songs of the land. Sara and Keiron will be joined by the Nest's favourite - Ben Paley

www.sethlakeman.com

www.myspace.com/sethlakeman

Seth Lakeman began playing music with his parents and 2 brothers Sean and Sam at an early age.

www.sharronkraus.com

www.myspace.com/sharronkraus

On Songs of Love and Loss, Sharron Kraus accentuates the strong literary sensibility in the tradition of English "dark folk" (the trunk of the tree on which Appalachian murder ballads are the leaves) with stunning results.

www.sidkipper.co.uk

Sid Kipper is, depending on who you ask, "The folk world's comic genius", "Norfolk's redoubtable folk hero", and "A visionary/warbler from Trunch". He is the funniest man in Norfolk and the folk scene's finest humourist.

www.melodeonmania.demon.co.uk

www.myspace.com/simonritchieandtheposhband

Simon is well known on the traditional music circuit as an exponent of East Anglian Music, Song and Stepdancing. Simon, like most melodeon players, is self taught and learned largely from the traditional players and singers which once frequented many of the country pubs in Suffolk and rural Essex where he lives.

www.singlondon.org

The Magpie's Nest presents open mic and chorus folk songs from the Old Angel. Join us for an extended session showcasing the wonderful variety of people who have and can perform in London's trendiest folk club. 1-4pm Sing London is a festival to get the whole of London singing. All kinds of people, singing all kinds of music in all kinds of places. Join in and get singing!

www.fredwoodbear.com

www.myspace.com/sleepyedhicks

Surreal and subversive Sleepy Ed Hicks is an itinerant banjo player for the 21st century.

Drawing deeply from his knowledge of songs and tradition he lovingly subverts the traditional into the modern age or strips a contemporary pop song back to imagined roots.

http://www.spiersandboden.com/

www.myspace.com/spiersandboden

Spiers and Boden - now in their fifth year of fruitful collaboration the mighty duo have graduated from being the dangerous new kids on the block to being a solid headlining mainstay on the folk scene and pushing outwards into the mainstream.

www.myspace.com/thebicyclethieves

The Bicycle Thieves live in London. They you Love. There you go. They juggle very good fun and ever so cool. How do they do it?

www.themoulettes.co.uk

www.myspace.com/moulettes

The moulettes are an as yet little known folk-stomping barn-storming cider-swilling quintet of exceedingly talented young things. Featured in their orchestra of absurdity are a cello, a bassoon, guitars, violin, double bass, drums and twin female vocals.

www.timedey.com

Tim Edey is 27 years old and is regarded by many leading musicians wordlwide to be one of the finest DG melodeon/accordeon and guitar players and multi-instrumentalists of his generation in the Celtic music folk scene worldwide ƒRoots magazine: ...just about the best folk fiddler of his generation Neil Dalton: …fabulously gifted, naturally talented… He looks like he doesn’t care about anyth

www.timvaneyken.co.uk

www.myspace.com/timvaneyken

Those who saw Tim van Eyken win the 1998 BBC Young Folk Award knew there would be a glittering career ahead of this engaging young musician with a passion for traditional English music. Indeed he was soon snapped up by English traditional music’s best known band Waterson:Carthy.

www.tompaley.com

Born and raised in New York City, Tom Paley fell in love, long ago, with traditional folk-music. He began playing guitar and 5-string banjo and was soon well-known for his instrumental skill. For a time, he performed in a duo with Woody Guthrie.

www.timvaneyken.co.uk

www.myspace.com/timvaneyken

In just eight months Tim and his new band Van Eyken have made a huge impact on the folk world. Since making their debut performance at Wychwood Festival last June Tim and his all-star band have released the highly influential album 'Stiffs Lovers Holymen Thieves' which has received spectacular reviews in the mainstream press and been acclaimed everywhere from 'MOJO' to 'The Sun'.

www.myspace.com/thewitchesofelswick

Chance - or maybe destiny - lured Fay Hield, Bryony Griffith, Becky Stockwell and Gillian Tolfrey from the corners (and middle) of the country to a small flat in Elswick, and the Witches were spawned. They sing a cappella harmony, and base their material on the traditional songs of these islands.

www.zongzing.org

www.myspace.com/zongzing

We are a band that play music from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly known as Zaire. The type of music we play is called 'Soukous' music – it is very dancable music characterised by intricate guitar picking styles, and in this band there are three guitarists.