One of the most exciting things about the folk scene is the idea of community that permeates at every level, from its central role in the life cycle of folksongs to the manner and context in which they are performed. As such, it is always exciting when a new ensemble comes along, with every musician providing their own unique sound and style.
So when Eliza Carthy, Bella Hardy, Lucy Farrell and Kate Young, four of the finest female folk fiddlers in the country (try saying that with your mouth full), announced that they were joining forces in a new collective, it was only ever going to be something special. The idea for the group came about quite organically, as Lucy Farrell explains: “Our friend Kathryn Tickell had an idea for a gig, and got us together to do a one-off at The Sage, Gateshead, which turned into a couple of gigs, which turned into an album.” The thing that most notably ties these musicians together is their chosen instrument: the fiddle.