Stealing Sheep are like the delicate and somewhat unexpected love-child of First Aid Kit and Peggy Sue, and they’re absolutely wonderful.  Debut EP ‘What If The Lights Went Out’ is the perfect introduction to this all-girl trio.

I first encountered them live when they played London event ‘A Folking Good Night‘ back in May, and I’m delighted to say that this record is just as brilliant as their sensational live performance.

Their interesting and atmospheric sound is mesmerising, creative and intelligent; the lyrics and vocals are incredibly well thought out, and the instruments …

Brand new Gloucester festival Barn On The Farm (www.barnonthefarm.moonfruit.com) launches this week, and its folk-filled lineup is sure to offer the kind of ramshackle hoedown to be remembered and talked about for a long time to come. The festival will be taking place in the grounds of Over Farm in Gloucester next month – see www.overfarmmarket.co.uk – from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July.
This ultra-intimate festival is limited to just 200 tickets, and they’re selling fast! Priced at just £30 for the whole weekend, all profits from the festival go …

Everybody’s favourite boutique festival, Secret Garden Party, has announced more additions to its wonderful lineup this week, and I have to say, it just keeps getting better!
The impressive lineup already includes Marina & The Diamonds, Adelaide’s Cape, Mercury Rev, and Gorilla Sound System, and now joining them are the following artists…
Jolly Boys ft Albert Minott come all the way from Jamaica to make a very special appearance, and the first in decades, on the main stage. You can check them out via http://www.myspace.com/albertminott.
After a number of years planning a new …

The Miserable Rich have announced the release of their brand new album ‘Of Flight and Fury’ on May 31st through Humble Soul. They’ve been doing some extensive European touring over the past couple of months, and they’ll be heading out on a UK tour at the beginning of June, with support from the lovely Adelaide’s Cape.
The dates are as follows:
3rd June – St Giles-in-the-Fields, London (tickets)
6th June – The Haymakers, Cambridge (tickets)
7th June – Puppet Theatre, Norwich (tickets)
8th June – Band On The Wall, Manchester (tickets)
9th June – The Library, …

The man who brought together traditional old folkies and hip teenagers at nightclubs instead of folk clubs, whilst still maintaining the support and intrigue of both, has announced details of a brand new album to be released through Virgin on June 14th.
The new album, entitled ‘Hearts & Minds’ is said to present a rather harder edged brand of folk than 2008′s critically acclaimed top-1o album ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’. I can’t wait to hear what this Mercury nominated folk start does next.
And remember kids, Seth was about in ‘mainstream’ folk long …

Pop-folk stars Newton Faulker and Jack Savoretti have announced a very special one-off charity show at London’s KOKO on Thursday 3rd June.
The show, which will also feature a DJ set from BBC Radio 1′s Greg James, is an Ambition Gig in aid of the wonderful TreeHouse Charity, the UK’s national charity for autism education. TreeHouse runs a special school for children and young people with autism; provides information and training for parents and professionals; commissions research and campaigns for change.
Now, if I’m honest, I was sold on Newton Faulkner and …