Our blues club nights (second Wednesday of every month) are always brilliant evenings. The sensational Swaps will be playing again in August (Adam, Ben, Beth, James and Tomo) but in September they will be taking a well-earned break – handing over the curation to Stephen Steinhaus from Upton Blues Festival. Watch this space for a very exciting line-up for that too.

This month, The Swaps will be joined by two very special guests, local musicians Shanade and Amit Dattani.

Shanade should need no introduction. One of the finest singer-songwriters in the area, it is astonishing that she isn’t a household name. It is always a real treat to hear her perform her original songs solo, accompanied by guitar and piano. Also expect her to sing some duos with Beth and join in on some extended jam sessions. Top female vocalists both.

Amit Dattani is a local folk, blues and Americana singer-songwriter. He has received rave reviews from the likes of BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, Americana UK and fRoots, with his nimble finger-picking and expertly crafted songwriting.

Named in ‘Best Gigs of 2023’ by Tradfolk, Amit is a joy to watch live, with recent performances at Warwick Folk Festival, Upton Blues, Moseley Folk Festival and Birmingham Symphony Hall to name a few.

The Dunwells are a successful Leeds based Indie-folk / Americana band with strong vocals, powerful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their debut album “Blind Sighted Faith” was released in 2012 following which they have released a further 6 albums/EP’s.

The Dunwells have found favour with audiences across the world having toured extensively in USA, Europe and the UK as well as having supported artists including Mumford and Sons, Tom Jones, Scouting for Girls, Brian Adams and Elbow on UK tours.

They have played some of the most iconic music venues delighting their loyal and global audiences with live shows. They are passionate and prolific singer-songwriters having written material for joint collaborations as well as other high profile up and coming artists.

After the Flood: Live from Temperance

Popular Northamptonshire country-folk duo , After the Flood, return to Temperance to launch their debut live album, “After the Flood: Live from Temperance”, recorded here in November 2023. Having performed separately for many years, they are finally writing, performing, and recording together.

Their songs have been known to reduce full adult human beings to tears and occasionally to fits of laughter. This married couple write and perform the highs and lows, bringing you right into the heart of their obvious immense affection for each other. Expect tight vocal harmonies and gorgeous melodies over tender musicianship and soulful lyrics.

With special guest: Dan Plews

Dan Plews writes things down and sings them up – to communicate, to move and to entertain.

Born in Northampton, Dan moved to Vienna in 2021. His writing is rooted in the emotional and physical geography of his life as a father, son, partner, teacher, traveller, musician, and Englishman abroad – subject matter he incorporates into songs about spiders, contract killers, fishermen, and chinese food.

Since 2010 he’s taught others to write at further and higher education institutions in the UK and at more than 40 residential workshops across eight European countries under his ‘AORTAS’ umbrella, while continuing to perform solo and with Guy Fletcher as ‘Dansmall’ and in Germany with Bernd Luedtke as ‘Ludic Loops’.

Past tours and recordings with Eliza Carthy, the Kings of Calicutt, Dansaul (Saul Rose), Ian Giles, and Jon Boden, resulted in ‘Heat, Light, and Sound’, ‘Foot and Mouth’, and ‘The Amber Triangle’, as well as various compilation contributions and a few EPs.

Ashley Hutchings, the Guv’nor of Folk-Rock, has a brand new show.

Entitled “100 not out“,it celebrates and draws heavily from his 100th album release, “More Songs From The Shows” (2022)

Ashley is joined once again by one of the country’s finest singers & accompanists, Becky Mills.

Together they will perform many of Ashley’s favourite songs from his repertoire,ranging from “Crazy Man Michael” to “Bird on a Wire“, plus a number of favourites from the songbook of Bob Dylan, with whom Ashley has formed a close personal friendship.

A very special words and music performance, “100 Not Out” is presented by Ashley Hutchings on vocals and bass, with Becky Mills on vocals and guitar.“

Featuring:

Andi Wolf (host),Kristy Gallacher, Daisybell, Julie Neale & Robert Small,  Paul Gibson, plus tba

The Leamington Folk Club meets at Temperance on the second Thursday of every month

Born in Hull, Carrie is an acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter.

She fronted bands in the 90s before casting her music aside in order to raise her children, her guitar went untouched for some two decades until a chance meeting with guitar virtuoso Gordon Giltrap changed her life.

Close mentoring from Gordon saw her take a huge leap forward, attracting endorsements from Vintage Guitars, G7th Capos, Martin Strings and most recently she has become and artist for Faith Guitars.

Her last two albums Seductive Sky and Entity included guests Elliott Randall, Gordon Giltrap, Oliver Wakeman, Daniel Cassidy (brother of late Eva Cassidy) and ex Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell.

Carrie has performed in Canada on tour and has represented Vintage Guitars three times at the Namm Show In California. She also guests at various guitar shows around the UK to demo her use of open tunings.

May 2023 saw her take to the stage at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, alongside Gordon Giltrap MBE , Oliver Wakeman and the mighty Rick Wakeman CBE.

Her new album Evergreen featuring Oliver Wakeman, Heart’s guitarist Roger Fisher, John Verity and Dan Karl Cassidy is out now on vinyl,cd and download from Bandcamp.

Quotes

“Phenomenal” Rick Wakeman CBE

“Martin is equally skilled on guitar, on vocals and as writer. The voice is distinctive- the crystalline purity and range of a Kate Bush, the depth and delicacy of a Sandy Denny. And the songs to which she applies them stand up with any of her peers. The chord sequence of the title track evokes Joni Micthell’s Hejira album.”

Trevor Raggatt, RnR Magazine.

“It’s pretty obvious from the moment you hear Carrie Martin sing that she is an outstanding vocalist with passion in each breath. Don’t be too sidetracked by that voice and stage persona and well-crafted songs, because you might just miss the fact that she is a fine guitar player as well!”

Gordon Giltrap

Katie Ware formed Little Sparrow in 2010, a title that came from Elbow front man Guy Garvey. He affectionately called her ‘Cockney Sparrow’ which lead onto her stage name ‘Little Sparrow’.

She performs regularly with a band of talented musicians that provide a mix of harmonies, strings, guitars, pedal steel and percussion.

The self release of her debut album ‘Wishing Tree’ in 2014 had tracks featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing Manchester, Merseyside & Devon along with regular regional and international play.

2015 proved to be a great year with her playing Manchester International Festival, Liverpool International Music Festival & Blackthorn Festival.

Also supporting established folk favourites such as Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, Blue Rose Code, The Cadbury Sisters and Beth Rowley for her sell out London date at St Pancras Old Church in London.

2016 saw Little Sparrow film a series of live videos with her band – using innovative, state of the art 360 degree technology, filmed at MediacityUK, dock10 studios, which can be found via YouTube.

Katie went on to play Kendal Calling Festival, Sidmouth Fringe Festival and Green Gathering. Laurel Canyon Music website voted her ‘New Artist of The Year’ and 2017 started with her being

2018 saw a gentle return to music after the birth of her son in 2016.

Little Sparrow released a 3 track EP called ‘Just 3’, a collaboration with pianist and composer Robin Dewhurst, and cellist Sarah Dale. Katie met Robin at Kendal Calling in 2016, they performed at the Tim Peaks Diner and were asked to cover ‘Baggy Trousers’ by Madness by the Tim Peaks Team. This created a lovely new musical relationship which went on to create ‘Just 3’.

Katie played Liverpool Philharmonic in April, then Theatre Clwyd, Wales later in the year singing alongside Bonnie Dobson and Elfin Bow. She sold out her return appearance in Manchester, her home town, at The Bridgewater Hall in late November, with rave reviews.

2019 Katie released ‘Corner Of The Room’ a single which displayed a new musical direction for her, certainly darker than previous works – with a video to match – and although the same glorious, soaring voice that characterises all her songs is still there, it is in a more dramatic direction that much of the new album is travelling.

2020 saw the release of ‘Tears’, a song originally written by her father Mick Ware. Her father enjoyed a successful music career back in the 70’s and was a huge influence on Katie’s songwriting when growing up. This included a home studio and recording with her father regularly when only a little girl.

Late 2021 saw the welcome return to live music, which Little Sparrow embraced.

Little Sparrow

With sold out shows and a support slot with Eddi Reader, this encouraged Little Sparrow to put more dates together in 2022.

Latest release ‘Alone’ was out July 2021, it will feature on the forthcoming album ‘Feather Moon’.

Sam Brookes has been down into the depths, only to re-emerge with a firm fixation on the beauty and light that can be found in the everyday. He’s been pushed through grief, loss, and heartbreak, using music as a tool to piece himself back together, and to find a forward path.

But it hasn’t always been easy. 2014’s ‘Kairos’ was named one of the year’s standout recordings by the Independent, with Sunday Times acclaiming Sam as a Breaking Act. Meanwhile his soaring, multi-octave voice – often compared to Tim Buckley – stands as one of the most expressive instruments in British music. Folk-meets-jazz twisting and turning at the outer reaches of the singer-songwriter role, his music is confessional in the most explicit way – and new album ‘Black Feathers’ is as honest as it gets.

“I see this album as a meditation on grief,” he says simply. “A slow awakening to the stages of grief, but also the subtlety. It’s enabled me not only to explore myself to a greater depth, but also life, and other people. And in a way, I’m really thankful for feeling that.”

Sam lost his father, who had long been an anchor in his life. Shortly after this, a long-term relationship unravelled, before a close friend died. He took time out, relocating to the calmer climes of Bristol before finding renewed focus by returning to the bare essentials of his art – clutching his guitar close, and using that glorious voice. “I’ve always had a very strong work ethic,” he says. “And this album has been a real learning curve for me, enabling me to listen a little harder to myself. There’s so many distractions in my life, and I’ve learned to dig a little deeper.”

‘Black Feathers’ is a record of exquisite beauty, and unrelenting turmoil. It’s an album of grief and loss, but also of discovery. The first album to be recorded at the Bert Jansch Studio in the Somerset countryside, it’s a gorgeous, painstakingly constructed affair, with guests ranging from revered jazz pianist Neil Cowley to acclaimed fiddle player Sam Sweeney, while Ethan Johns – who has worked with Kings Of Leon, Laura Marling and more – made a rare appearance behind the drum kit.

It’s a diverse ensemble, one that expands and contracts according to the needs of each song – at times, the album has the buoyancy of Ben Howard and the experimentalism of Pentangle; at others, the stark emotional appeal of Laura Marling, or the driving narrative of Johnny Flynn. Always, though, it feels direct, honest, and deeply original. Close friend Dom Monks was tasked with making the material feel as live, as intimate as possible. Sam explains: “It’s very visual, inside my head, and anyone I work with needs to understand that. These songs are kind of like planets of emotions spinning around. Once one song is finished, the next planet spins into focus.”

Title track ‘Black Feathers’ is a stunning piece of work, a song that tackles mental health issues directly while embracing the knowledge such experiences can bring. ‘Be Free’ is about cutting loose from the past, while the beautifully etched ‘Sinking Boats’ is a rousing call to arms, a cry for “great empathy and great compassion”. Each song dips and curves with rare accuracy, propelled forward by Sam Brookes’ emotional urgency, and his engaging, alluring voice. “I feel a kind of release. I don’t think I would be where I am if I hadn’t have taken my time, and hadn’t been so patient with this record. And just dug a bit deeper. I’m looking forward to setting it free into the world, really.”

A daring, riveting experience, ‘Black Feathers’ is a stunning body of work, the sound of someone cutting free from the tangled web of the past to explore a bold future. “I feel like I’m much calmer around who I am, what art I’m making, and what the future may or may not hold,” he says. It’s this emotional transcendence that makes Sam Brookes’ work so rewarding, so valuable. As a listener, you come out the other side cleaned, enriched. “I feel that there’s hope and strength in this work,” he comments. “I hope that people who have been touched by grief can connect with it.”

Transatlantic folk band The Magpies are quickly becoming one of the most exciting and innovative acts on the contemporary roots scene. Combining sublime harmonies with exquisite musicianship and impressive songwriting, The Magpies traverse Anglo and American roots, drawing inspiration from traditional Celtic folk, bluegrass and Appalachian trails, to create an effortless melting pot of music.

Accomplished musicians in their own right, founding members Bella Gaffney (award winning singer-songwriter, guitarist and banjoist) and Holly Brandon (acclaimed fiddle player and tunesmith) perform alongside gifted singer-songwriter and guitarist Ellie Gowers. These talented young musicians work collaboratively to create their fresh brand of transatlantic folk and champion gender equality in the music industry, with a fervent thread of feminism running through their music.

Following the release of the band’s critically acclaimed debut album in 2020, The Magpies released their second album Undertow in October 2022. A rich and varied showcase of their live sound, flawless instrumentation provides an elegant canvas for intricate harmonies and engaging storytelling. With a sound that pushes boundaries and brings a fresh voice to the current milieu, the album’s success comes as no surprise, with a quarter of a million streams on Spotify, a place in the Official Folk Albums Chart Top 40 and a live session on BBC Radio 2.

In their live performances, The Magpies have been exceptionally well-received, touring extensively throughout the UK, with festival highlights including Glastonbury, Cambridge, Larmer Tree, Shambala, Towersey and Deer Shed and international performances in USA, Canada, Ireland, Portugal and Luxembourg. Their live shows are known for their high energy and wry delivery, transporting audiences to distant lands with ethereal voices and glistening instrumentals.

Polly Paulusma presents “Wildfires”

Polly Paulusma plays a stunning show of songs accompanied by Jon Thorne (Lamb, Yorkston Thorne Khan) on upright bass to celebrate the release of her latest album ‘Wildfires’.

Together Paulusma and Thorne will bring you songs from across Paulusma’s repertoire of six studio albums to date released since 2004 on Bjork’s label One Little Independent.

Her latest, ‘Wildfires’, is an extraordinary extended piece of work containing two hours of breathtakingly emotional songs interlaced with spoken word poetry. A truly immersive experience, the album has been produced by acclaimed record producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Ray Lamontagne, Ryan Adams).

The musical connection between Paulusma and Thorne is something to behold; together they swoop and glide through songs from all of Paulusma’s albums, but especially ‘Wildfires’ which Thorne also recorded with Paulusma — combining their trademark bawdy humour and anecdotes with deep songs that touch on love, loss, grief and philosophical enquiry.