Emily Portman Album Launch, The Slaughtered Lamb, Clerkenwell, London

What/Why:

Emily Portman is a singer, writer and concertina player based in the North East of England who cut her teeth on the folk scene with harmony trio The Devils Interval and annual tours with Waterson:Carthy.

Inspired by the darker underbelly of folklore and balladry, Emily weaves harmony-rich narratives of both the magical and the monstrous, accompanied by viola player Lucy Farrell (fresh from touring with The Unthanks) and Harpist Rachel Newton of The Shee. These visceral visions of a darker Albion conjure landscapes where mythical sirens collide in urban backstreets. ‘The Glamoury’ recently made Mojo and fRoots top ten Folk albums of the year.

Emily originally hails from Glastonbury, where, raised on a diet of fairytales and Somerset folklore she began songwriting at the age of six, starting out with a keyboard, a tape recorder and a thirst for blood-curdling stories. After years immersed in traditional songs, Emily’s return to songwriting has already grabbed attention across the BBC, with a live session and airplay on Radio 2, 3 and 6. Emily has also appeared at The Big Chill and Green Man festivals and is making waves beyond the folk scene, being featured as a soloist on the BBC’s adaptation of ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ as well as appearing on alt-folk songwriter Alasdair Roberts’ latest album.

Emily’s debut solo album ‘The Glamoury’ was received with overwhelming critical acclaim, with The Observer hailing it “A remarkable and original debut” and Radio 2’s Mike Harding calling it “the raw stuff of the great ballads.”

Blue Rose Code is Scottish-born, London-based Ross Wilson, whose debut album ‘North Ten’ features double bass legend Danny Thompson and is slated for release in Autumn 2012.

“Gorgeous Celtic-inflected acoustic folk.” – TIME OUT

“A superb singer, songwriter and guitarist. Beautiful songs, a genuine pleasure to have been involved.” – DANNY THOMPSON