Author: Ian Parker

Ian is For Folk's Sake's reviews editor. Find him on Twitter @iparky.

FFS New Bands Panel: Dave Kirk

Dave Kirk has traced his roots to a Victorian composer, so it’s no surprise that his music puts an emphasis on strong songwriting. The 26-year-old has put out his debut EP, named after the corner of London he calls home,…

FFS New Bands Panel: Milkwood

Lewisham’s Milkwood admit to being stuck in the past, most specifically in the 60s, where they spend their time listening to Fairport Convention, Bert Jansch and Neil Young. Solid foundations are those, so we went in to give debut album…

FFS New Bands Panel: Lana Mir

Ukrainian singer-songwriter Lana Mir has been doing well since moving to New York, earning herself a first record deal and making her debut LP. But whatever else you want to say about her, you can’t ignore the fact she’s kicked…

FFS New Bands Panel: Walton Hesse

Think alt-country, and you might think of the barren deserts of the American south-west, occasional tumbleweed blowing across your view as you gaze out across miles of unspoilt, raw country. Basically, as far away from the rain-swept cityscape of Manchester…

Kurran & The Wolfnotes to headline festival fundraiser

For Folk’s Sake favourites Kurran & The Wolfnotes are to headline a fundraiser for the International Youth Arts Festival in London next month. Folk ‘n’ Roll, which will be compered by TV’s Matt Lucas, a patron of the IYAF, also…

FFS New Bands Panel: Phil King

After years spent touring the UK and playing support slots for the likes of Emmy The Great and Kate Walsh, Phil King has just released his new album They Come & They Go, so we sent in the panel the…

FFS New Bands Panel: Jonah Maddox

Having given up a youthful dalliance with punk to throw himself into folk music, Jonah Maddox has just released his debut album Together We Are Taller. The panel went in to hear the results. James Rutherford: On first impressions, Together…

FFS New Bands Panel: Musical Charis

Sacramento’s Musical Charis have just released their LP People, People, so we sent the panel in for a listen. Emma Dalby Bowler: Lush and full of life, jam-packed with uplifting harmonies, the album People People is at first not especially…

FFS New Bands Panel: Emily & the Woods

Emily Wood has been causing something of a stir since recording her first demos in the kitchen of Laura Marling, getting one of our favourite artists to provide percussion using pasta while adding the occasional well-timed cough. Since then, she…