The ever-popular Cellar Full of Folkadelia afternoon sessions – inspired by the eclectic content of much-missed fRoots magazine – opens the door on a new world of possibilities inspired by tradition. In 2020, early guest confirmations include:
BRIGHDE CHAIMBEUL
BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019’s Horizon Award Winner Brìghde Chaimbeul is one of Scotland’s fastest rising stars. A native Gaelic speaker, her style is rooted in her indigenous language and culture, but draws inspiration from a variety of piping traditions such as from Cape Breton, Eastern Europe and Ireland. Her debut album The Reeling has had an extraordinary response since its launch, named as Folk Album Of The Month by The Guardian, given five star reviews in both fRoots and Songlines, and voted one of the 20 Scottish Albums Of The Year by the SAY Awards.
BEN PALEY
Ben Paley was surrounded by traditional music from the outset: his father Tom Paley, one of the great figures of the American folk revival, amongst his many signifcant influences. His fiddle playing is inspired by old-time American music, Swedish traditions and beyond and his has played in numerous bands and with numerous collaborators from many genres.
QUINIE
Quinie (Josie Vallely) is an unaccompanied singer based in Glasgow, Scotland. She sings primarily in Scots, influenced by a range of song traditions from folk revivalist campfires to Scottish traveller singers. Her vocal style is informed by the singing of Scottish traveller Lizzie Higgins (1929-1993) in particular.
OLCAY BAYIR
Known for her “heart-stoppingly beautiful and emotive voice” (RnR Mazagine), Olcay Bayir was born in Gaziantep in the south of Turkey near the Syrian border. Her family was steeped in the music traditions of the Kurdish Alevis and her father was a local folk singer; around her she experienced the tapestry of different ethnic communities of the region.
“One of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene…exquisite and uplifting.” The Guardian
TEILHARD FROST
Outstanding Canadian multi-instrumentalist and instrument maker, Teilhard Frost (loved in Sidmouth as member of trio Sheesham & Lotus and ‘Son) specialises in traditional Appalachian old-time music, as found on his latest solo recording, As the Crow Flies.
The songs have strong ties to the British Isles while the fiddle tunes draw on ancient Scandinavian and northern Scottish modal settings and tunings, conjuring a feeling of mystery and drama.
EUGENIA GEORGIEVA
Eugenia Georgieva is a stand-out Bulgarian-born folk singer, performer and choir director. She is a singer of a deep, abounding grace. Inspired by the traditional music of her homeland, she has delved deep into Bulgarian music, but also old songs from Macedonia, Russia and other Slavic countries.
WINDJAMMER
Windjammer are an exciting young three-piece from South Devon blending self-penned songs and tunes with original arrangements of traditional English folk music. Using guitars, whistles, accordion and percussion they set their rich stories in a context of their own making.