Author: Ian Parker

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

FFS New Bands Panel: Fling

The definition of folk music is increasingly hard to pin down in an age of anti-folk and psych-folk and whatever other folk you care to mention. Fling live in simpler times, playing what folk music used to mean: the music…

FFS New Bands Panel: Chasing Owls

The people behind Edinburgh’s Chasing Owls have been known to us at For Folk’s Sake for a while now, so it was a clear oversight that we’d not, as yet, given them a proper listen. After all, if the likes…

FFS New Bands Panel: Andrew Butler

Andrew Butler says his music is his “mind in musical form”. The wannabe psychologists on our panel went inside to see if it all made sense. Helen True: This fellow writes exquisite, intricate, romantic songs that swoop and soar about…

FFS New Bands Panel: Moths and Leeches

Southwestern group Moths and Leeches is the vehicle for singer-songwriter Matthew Caron. They have a simple philosophy. “We will play for you,” they say. So the panel took them up on the offer to see what they’re all about. Alice…

FFS New Bands Panel: Larsen B

There’s something homely about Larsen B, and we don’t mean their Home Counties background. The debut album, Musketeer, was recorded on a parent’s farm and features the local postman on accordion. But however it was put together, it’s picking up…

Album: The Burns Unit – Side Show

‘Supergroup’ is one of those terms that gets thrown out there all the time. Two or three folks get together from different bands for a side project, and suddenly its a supergroup. Except usually it’s not. Usually it’s not nearly…

FFS New Bands Panel: Evening Chorus

“Two lifelong friends, a chance meeting and a university course-mate, all brought together by a love of tea, biscuits and folk music…” So began Evening Chorus in Cardiff last year. In less than a year, they’ve produced three singles already,…

FFS New Bands Panel: Amatorski

From Gent, Belgium come Amatorski with a subtle sound. Their debut mini-album was met with much acclaim back home, so how did the panel find it? Ben Sunderland: With a smoothed air of sleepy comfort, Amatorski deliver a settled incarnation…