Folk Music on Tradfolk

The Tradfolk music section deals with all things traditional folk music, occasionally dipping into folk music that is influenced by the tradition. We have interviews with traditional folk musicians, reviews of folk music albums that have really charmed us, and occasional explorations of the traditional songs themselves. From Martin Carthy to Angeline Morrison, you'll find folk music aplenty on this page. Make sure you hit the "load more" button beneath each page to explore the full extent of our archive.

We also curate a couple of folk music playlists, so click that link and make sure you follow them to keep up with the latest purveyors of traditional sounds.

Folk music interviews

Interviews with traditional folk musicians, whether they've just started performing folk music or they're old hands.

The Furrow Collective stand on an inner-city street corner in the fading light.

Interviews Music

The Furrow Collective – the Tradfolk interview

The Furrow Collective discuss collaboration, teaching engagements, and musical approaches in this heartfelt interview with Rachel Wilkinson, reflecting on 10 years of blending traditional ballads with contemporary relevance and good old band camaraderie.

In this image, we see two people, The Folk Detectives, during what appears to be a live performance or presentation. The person on the left is holding up a sign that reads "SIGH," possibly indicating a cue for the audience to react, or it might be part of a storytelling technique. They’re dressed somewhat formally, with a vest and glasses, which gives a touch of theatrical flair to their presentation. The person on the right is playing an accordion and seems to be focused on their performance. The presence of microphones and music stands suggests a musical or theatrical event. This scene has a cozy, intimate atmosphere that's often found in small live venues or during storytelling sessions.

Interviews

Undercover with The Folk Detectives

Uncover the bold, ridiculed truth with The Folk Detectives. Secret interviews, folklore mysteries, and live danger await...

Richard Thompson wearing a black woollen cap, holding the neck of a 12-string electric guitar and gazing into the camera.

Interviews

Richard Thompson – The Tradfolk Interview

With his new album, Ship to Shore, approaching from the horizon, Richard Thompson takes us on a journey from Tufnell Park to Armstrong Park. Don't forget to pack the Marmite.

Goblin Band performing at Green Note in Camden. They are standing along the side of the stage and the picture is shot from below so they appear to be looming over the camera.

Interviews

Goblin Band: The Tradfolk Interview

Goblin Band have been summoning the fates, and Martin Carthy and Paul McCartney have already fallen under their spell. Jon Wilks caught up with them to find out why.

Brother and sister musicians, Rowan and Tamsin Elliott, stand with Egyptian maestro, Tarek Elazhary in a misty field.

Interviews

Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary – the interview

Tamsin Elliott and Tarek Elazhary sit down with Jon Wilks to talk through their fascinating new collaboration, combining Egyptian and English folk music.

Mikey Kenney is wearing a broad-rimmed hat, a checked blue shirt and he is playing an old fiddle. He is sitting in a spotlight on a stage.

Interviews

Mikey Kenney, Northwestern English Fiddler – the interview

As folk fettler, Mikey Kenney, releases a new album of traditional Northwestern fiddle tunes, we find out about a life in thrall to music.

Jim Moray sits on the steps of Abbey Road Studios wearing a red Harrington jacket, blue jeans and playing an Atkin acoustic guitar.

Interviews

The Jim Moray Interview

Jim Moray reflects on two decades as a professional musician, recalling his early work and looking forward to a brand new album.

Martin Simpson in concert at Whitchurch Folk Club, Hampshire. He is in the spotlight, holding his guitar and smiling. There is a prominent swallow tattoo on his right forearm.

Interviews

Simpson at 70: A new interview with the legendary folk guitarist

As Martin Simpson celebrates his 70th birthday (not to mention 58 years as a guitarist), we asked his admirers to pitch questions on a musical life very well lived.

Leveret band members sit on the stones of Dartmoor, laughing at a joke one of them is telling.

Interviews

Leveret: the 10th anniversary interview

As Leveret celebrate their 10th anniversary as a trio, Jon Wilks chats to them about the way they make music, and their new album, Forms.

Fay Hield stares into the camera. She is holding the neck of a five-string banjo.

Interviews

Fay Hield on Access Folk and the Folk Singing Symposium

Professor Fay Hield chats about her multifaceted career, the Access Folk project, and the upcoming Folk Singing Symposium in Sheffield.

Shovel Dance Collective stand on the banks of the Thames, looking up at the camera. The image is black and white.

Interviews

Shovel Dance Collective – the Tradfolk Interview

Jacken Elswyth, Mataio Austin Dean and Nick Granata sit down to discuss a brief history of Shovel Dance Collective, as well as the album looming in their immediate future.

Eliza Carthy, folk singer, stands beneath a tree with the green leaves spilling over her shoulder. Her turquoise hair is piled up on top of her head and she is staring straight into the camera with a serious look on her face.

Interviews

Eliza Carthy interview – 30 years, still whirling

Eliza Carthy discusses her new album, 'Queen of the Whirl', and talks about the relationships that have made her 30 years in the biz so memorable.

Jacken Elswyth, folk musician and banjo maker, smiles while playing a 5-string banjo

Interviews

Jacken Elswyth – The Tradfolk Interview

Meet Jacken Elswyth - experimental/trad banjo player, label owner, Shove Dance Collective member and denizen of London's new folk clubs.

Folk music reviews

Looking at the latest traditional folk music albums, and some that are clearly influenced by the tradition.

Reviews

The Wilderness Yet – Westlin Winds, a review

Westlin Winds by The Wilderness Yet transports listeners with a cappella harmonies and timeless beauty, driven by Rosie Hodgson's award-winning voice and poetic lyrics.

Reviews

Bowker & Morse – Bowker & Morse, a review

Josh Bowker and Lizi Morse’s EP is pure folk authenticity, featuring a cappella songs that celebrate freedom, vulnerability, and empowerment.

Reviews

Malin Lewis – Halocline, a review

Discover Malin Lewis' sublime Halocline, a masterful blend of traditional Scottish music and innovative 3D-printed instruments. Review by Gavin McNamara.

Reviews

Miranda Rutter – Bird Tunes, a review

In what may already be a contender for album of the year, Miranda Rutter and friends meld music and nature in ways that feel entirely original and utterly spellbinding. Gavin McNamara explores.

Reviews

Richard Thompson – Ship to Shore, a review

On Ship to Shore, the masterful Richard Thompson once again dons his emotional weatherbeater and sets sail over choppy waters.

Reviews

Owl Light Trio – Sound Into Light, a review

Envelope yourself in Owl Light Trio's Sound Into Light, a vibrant blend of traditional tunes and innovative folk music recorded in an intimate, live setting.

An image featuring Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand sitting at a wooden table. Williams, on the left, is resting her arms on the table and looking directly at the camera with a faint smile, her long, wavy hair framing her face. Withered Hand, on the right, is seated beside her, hands clasped together and gazing thoughtfully to the side. Behind them is a cozy room with a lamp and framed pictures on the wall.

Reviews

Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand – Willson Williams, a review

Explore Willson Williams, a summer album by Kathryn Williams and Dan Willson featuring British folk and pop tunes filled with warmth and nostalgia.

A portrait of folk singer Eliza Carthy, seated outside with a thoughtful expression, wearing a black scarf and a lip piercing, with sunlight highlighting her hair.

Reviews

Eliza Carthy – No Wasted Joy, a review

Explore Eliza Carthy's No Wasted Joy, a raw folk album with powerful vocals and fiddle, released to accompany her must-see solo tour with Jennifer Reid, currently underway.

Traditional folk songs

In this section, we explore specific traditional folk songs in depth.

Jim Moray sits on a chair in Abbey Road recording studios holding an acoustic guitar, surrounded by microphones. He is wearing earphones as he is in the middle of a session for his album, Beflean.

Songs

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