Folk by the Oak first commissioned this stellar collection of seven acclaimed Folk and World musicians – Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter and Jim Molyneux – to collaborate on the Spell Songs project back in 2018. What started out as a 1-album project cohered into a close-knit band with its own generous group dynamic that allowed music to flourish.
Commissioned by Folk by the Oak Festival, co-released and produced by Hudson Records, supported by Creative Scotland and blessed with exceptional musicians, skilful songwriters and wordsmiths with a remarkable 12 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards between them, Spell Songs’ 3rd studio album, In Thin Air, is the latest culmination of their collective talents, and is now available for pre-order.
Intrigued by this concept, the Spell Songs musicians have developed an intricate new album that has an overarching narrative, capturing the remarkable world of birds from nest to migration. In Thin Air seeks to deepen the connection between us and our precious birdlife, to bring them into focus. After all, they inhabit “…our languages and stories, our art and folklore, and our individual and cultural memories” (Karine Polwart). And as Rob writes, “Without them, things start to fall apart”.
They are playing: Thursday 3rd Sept. Birmingham Symphony Hall, Broad Street. Birmingham B1 2EA. Doors: 19:30. Tickets: £38.00 Box Office: 0121 780 3333. Email: boxoffice@bmusic.co.uk