Mike Wilson

Joy Dunlop & Twelfth Day – Fiere

Music Reviews 21 July 2012

Joy Dunlop joins forces with innovative Scottish folk duo ‘Twelfth Day’ for her latest release ‘Fiere’, a distinctive project that celebrates the artistic endeavours of fellow female Scots.

Fran Smith – EP (Review & Interview)

Interviews 13 June 2012

Fran Smith writes like she means it: refreshingly uncompromising, with an honesty that is both brutal and beautiful. Intrigued by her background Mike Wilson managed to interview Fran and uncover some history and influences.

Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party – Orfeo (plus Golden Ticket Giveaway)

Music Reviews 18 May 2012

‘Orfeo’, the new release from Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party embodies a substance and breadth that is likely to garner much acclaim, and must surely confirm Hield as the Maddy Prior or June Tabor for a new generation of folk connoisseurs.

Rachel Hair Trio – No More Wings

Music Reviews 9 May 2012

Proving to be increasingly versatile and innovative, Rachel Hair returns with her third recording ‘No More Wings’, this time placing the harp in the midst of a dynamic trio, featuring the double bass of Euan Burton, alongside the guitar and vocals of Jenn Butterworth.

An Interview with Krista Detor

Features 24 March 2011

Mike Wilson talks to Indiana-based singer-songwriter, Krista Detor who returns to Europe this April, playing throughout the month in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Krista also shares some exclusive demo tracks with Folk Radio UK

T. G. Elias – ‘The Man In The Iron Cage’

Music Reviews 15 May 2010

You’re unlikely to be familiar with the name T. G. Elias. At present, Elias seems to spend his time travelling between small, select venues who provide valuable opportunities for underground musicians to take their first tentative steps, and reveal their wares to an audience full of expectation and preconception.

Joy Dunlop – A Powerful Marriage of Beautiful Tunes and Emotive Language

Music Reviews 17 March 2010

Joy Dunlop emerges from the Gaelic culture in which she has been immersed throughout her life to present her debut album, Dùsgadh (Awakening). Born and bred in the Argyll village of Connel, and educated at the Scottish Gaelic College, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Joy boasts an understanding of the Gaelic language and culture that is both [...]

Kris Drever – Mark The Hard Earth

Music Reviews 9 March 2010

Kris Drever is doubtlessly one of the most appealing singers of his generation working the current folk scene. He approaches each song in such a laid-back manner, without sacrificing a scrap of intensity or subtlety. With a distinct talent for interpretation of song that manges to be both robust and sympathetic, Drever’s delivery is unassumingly [...]

Krista Detor – Chocolate Paper Suites

Music Reviews 4 March 2010

Krista Detor is one of those slow-burning artists, who quietly turns out albums brimming with classy and engaging songs, portraying a view of life that is sometimes wry, and always thoughtful. Listeners fall at her feet following their first encounter, and whole audiences find themselves quickly under Krista’s spell, eating out of the palm of [...]

Bellevue Rendezvous – Salamander

Music Reviews 15 February 2010

The artwork for Salamander greets you with a vibrant warmth: a glowing and alluring amalgam of reds and oranges that is both classy and intense. It is therefore the perfect visual embodiment of the aural splendour that awaits the listener, for the music presented on Salamander is all of these things… and so much more.

Inge Thomson – Shipwrecks & Static

Music Reviews 17 January 2010

Shipwrecks & Static is the début solo album from Inge Thomson, who is likely to be familiar to many as part of the creative force behind Scottish four-piece Harem Scarem, and familiar to many more as part of Karine Polwart’s band, where her musical resourcefulness and incomparably beautiful

Emily Smith & Jamie McClennan – Adoon Winding Nith

Music Reviews 5 January 2010

Released to coincide with the celebrations in 2009 of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, Emily and Jamie offer a collection of songs that shine with utmost clarity. At the root of this is almost certainly Emily’s flawlessly beautiful voice, and coupled with