Iona Lane (ENG)

We’re thrilled to welcome this rising star of the folk world to The Live Room for the first time where she’ll be playing material from her debut album Hallival.

Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, all seated.

Iona Lane

‘Hallival’ is the long awaited debut album from Leeds-based folk singer and songwriter Iona Lane. Driven by awe and wonder, hope and joy, it is a masterful debut. Across this album Iona delivers her poetic songs with the utmost care and attention. Subtle musical touches and contemplative warm vocals combine to make this one of the most rewarding albums of the year.

The name ‘Hallival’ is taken after one of the mountains on the Isle of Rum, which inspired the writing for the opening track ‘Western Tidal Swell’. Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis, amongst others, selected ‘Western Tidal Swell’ to win Feis Rois’/NatureScots’ In Tune With Nature competition in 2020.

With Andy Bell on production, Iona and her band ventured to Watercolour Music (Ardgour, Highlands) for a week of recording in April 2020. The studio was chosen due to its stunning location - every day the team woke up to herds of deer guarding the studio, ever changing weather and phenomenal views over to Ben Nevis.

Having studied under the tuition of Nancy Kerr, Jim Moray and Stuart McCallum, Iona has been praised throughout the scene for her delicate yet powerful vocals, which have captivated audiences up and down the country. Iona was chosen by Karine Polwart to receive the Taran Guitars Young Players Bursary 2020. Since receiving the bursary luthier Rory Dowling, of Taran Guitars, has designed and built a bespoke instrument for Iona’s music.

'An intriguing debut - her sweet voice recalls Emilíana Torrini, while her lyrics and musical arrangements crackle with wide-eyed curiosity.' - Jude Rogers, The Guardian (2022)

'Hallival is a masterful debut. It’s also a poetic gift, one to lose yourself in that will continue to reward you with each listen. I can already see that this is going to be one of my album highlights of 2022' - Alex Gallacher, Folk Radio UK (2022)

'Spellbinding' - Jericho Keys, BBC Introducing (2022)

plus support Henry Parker

With his eco-conscious debut album ‘Silent Spring’ (2019), Henry Parker laid down a new sound for modern folk music, drawing deep from the well of the sixties and seventies revival. His style is a clear joining of the past and the present, a unique voice in the folk world that echoes with sounds of the tradition, whilst venturing beyond, into the realms of folk-rock and psych.

A devoted guitarist since childhood, Henry Parker’s musical roots go back to a self appointed upbringing in rock and heavy metal, yet, at the age of 20, paths were taken that led him adrift. Soon enthralled by the ethereal playing of Bert Jansch and Nick Drake; finger-picking and open tunings rapidly became the essence of his sound. Coupled with a love for his immediate moorland surroundings of West Yorkshire, we are presented with a strain of informed, progressive folk music found nowhere else.

Having spent the past 5 years playing headline concerts and supporting many of his musical heroes, including Michael Chapman, Wizz Jones and Bridget St John, Henry Parker’s 2nd album, ‘Lammas Fair’, released at the end of 2021, brings him to the forefront of the progressive folk music world.

Heralded across the music press as an essential album, it is this latest release that has seen Parker emerge as a respected artist in the worlds of folk-rock, psych and traditional music.

'His relaxed vocals and songwriting are as warm and open as his tunings' 8/10 Uncut Magazine

'What Parker does so effectively is to blend ancient with early-70’s and modern styles' Mojo ★★★★

'Original material and traditional songs create an immersive and mellifluous world in which both the peace and isolation of nature are unfurled evoked through subtle arrangements' Prog Magazine